But he
controlled his voice and replied evenly.
"And if we should surrender, what then?"
"The mercy of the illustrious General Santa Anna, whatever it may be."
"I saw his mercy at the Alamo," replied Ned, "and we want none of it.
Nor would we surrender, even if we could trust your most illustrious
General Santa Anna."
"Then take your fate," said Urrea. "Since you were at the Alamo you know
what befell the defenders there, and this place, mostly in ruins, is not
nearly so strong. Adios!"
"Adios!" said Ned, speaking in a firm tone. But he felt that there was
truth in Urrea's words. Little was left of the mission but its strong
walls. Nevertheless, they might hold them.
"What did he say?" asked King.
"He demanded our surrender."
"On what terms?"
"Whatever Santa Anna might decree, and if you had seen the red flag of
no quarter waving in sight of the Alamo you would know his decree."
"And your reply?"
"I told him that we meant to hold the place."
"Good enough," said King. "Now we will go back to business. I wish that
we had more ammunition."
"Fannin's men may bring plenty," said Ned. "And now, if you don't mind,
Captain King, I'm going to sleep down there at the foot of the wall, and
to-night I'll join the guard.
Pages:
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363
364
365