Fifty-eight delegates representing Texas gathered in the largest room of
a frame building. "Deaf" Smith and Henry Karnes came in and sat with
their rifles across their knees. While some of the delegates were
talking Houston signaled to the two, and they went outside.
"What do you hear from the Alamo, Smith?" asked Houston.
"Travis has fought off all the attacks of the Mexicans," replied the
great borderer, "but when Santa Anna brings up his whole force an' makes
a resolute assault it's bound to go under. The mission is too big an'
scattered to be held by Travis an' his men against forty or fifty times
their number."
"I fear so. I fear so," said Houston sadly, "and we can't get together
enough men for its relief. All this quarreling and temporizing are our
ruin. Heavens, what a time for disagreements!"
"There couldn't be a worse time, general," said Henry Karnes. "Me an'
'Deaf' would like mighty well to march to the Alamo. A lot of our
friends are in there an' I reckon we've seen them for the last time."
The fine face of Houston grew dark with melancholy.
"Have you been anywhere near San Antonio?" he asked Smith.
"Not nearer than thirty miles," replied Smith, "but over at Goliad I saw
a force under Colonel Fannin that was gettin' ready to start to the
relief of Travis.
Pages:
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330