Earthworks had been thrown up to protect the Mexican batteries, and the
Texan cannon were posted for reply, but Ned noticed that his comrades
seemed to think little of the artillery. In this desperate crisis they
fondled their rifles lovingly.
He was still watching the batteries, when a gush of smoke and flame came
from one of the cannon. There was a great shout in the Mexican lines,
but the round shot spent itself against the massive stone walls of the
mission.
"They'll have to send out a stronger call than that," said Davy Crockett
contemptuously, "before this 'coon comes down."
Travis went along the walls, saw that the Texans were sheltering
themselves, and waited. There was another heavy report and a second
round shot struck harmlessly upon the stone. Then the full bombardment
began. A half dozen batteries rained shot and shell upon the Alamo. The
roar was continuous like the steady roll of thunder, and it beat upon
the drums of Ned's ears until he thought he would become deaf.
He was crouched behind the stone parapet, but he looked up often enough
to see what was going on. He saw a vast cloud of smoke gathering over
river and town, rent continually by flashes of fire from the muzzles of
the cannon.
Pages:
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207