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Altsheler, Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander), 1862-1919

"The Texan Scouts A Story of the Alamo and Goliad"

The water came into his eyes, and unconsciously he pulled
hard at the iron bars.
He remained there a long time, listening to the sounds. Once he heard a
trumpet, and its note in the night was singularly piercing. He knew that
it was a signal, probably for the moving of a regiment still closer to
the Alamo. But there were no shots from either the Mexicans or the
mission. The night was clear with many stars.
After two or three hours at the window Ned tried to sleep. There was a
narrow bed against the wall, and he lay upon it, full length, but he did
not even close his eyes. He became so restless that at last he rose and
went to the window again. It must have been then past midnight. The
noises had ceased. Evidently the Mexicans had everything ready. The wind
blew cold upon his face, but it brought him no news of what was passing
without.
He went back to the bed, and by and by he sank into a heavy slumber.


CHAPTER XIII
TO THE LAST MAN

Ned awoke after a feverish night, when there was yet but a strip of gray
in the east. It was Sunday morning, but he had lost count of time, and
did not know it. He had not undressed at all when he lay down, and now
he stood by the window, seeking to see and hear.


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