"I shall never surrender or
retreat," he said. "Then I call on you in the name of liberty, of
patriotism, and of everything dear to the American character, to come to
our aid with all dispatch." He closed with the three words, "Victory or
death," not written in any vainglory or with any melodramatic appeal,
but with the full consciousness of the desperate crisis, and a quiet
resolution to do as he said.
The heroic letter is now in the possession of the State of Texas. Most
of the men in the Alamo knew its contents, and they approved of it. When
it was fully dark Travis gave it to Albert Martin. Then he looked around
for another messenger.
"Two should go together in case of mishap," he said.
His eye fell upon Ned.
"If you wish to go I will send you," he said, "but I leave it to your
choice. If you prefer to stay, you stay."
Ned's first impulse was to go. He might find Obed White, Will Allen and
the Panther out there and bring them back with him, but his second
impulse told him that it was only a chance, and he would abide with
Crockett and Bowie.
"I thank you for the offer, but I think, sir, that I'll stay," he said.
He saw Crockett give him a swift approving glance.
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