He felt that his countrymen
held the Mexicans too lightly. Were other tragedies to be added to that
of the Alamo? He was no egotist, but he was conscious of his superiority
to all those present in the grave affairs with which they were now
dealing.
He took his rifle and went upon the wall, where he resolved to watch all
through the night. He saw the lights in the wood where the Mexicans were
camped, but darkness and silence prevailed everywhere else. He had no
doubt that young Urrea had sent messengers back to hurry up the main
force. He smiled to himself at the thought of Urrea. He was sure that
the young Mexican had sustained no fatal injury, but he must have
painful wounds. And Ned, with the Alamo as vivid as ever in his mind,
was glad that he had inflicted them.
Midnight came, and Ward told Ned that he need not watch any longer when
the second relay of sentinels appeared. But the boy desired to remain
and Ward had no objection.
"But you'll be sleepy," he said, in a good-humored tone, "when we start
at the break of day, and you won't have much chance to rest on a long
march."
"I'll have to take the risk," said Ned. "I feel that I ought to be
watching."
Toward morning the men in the mission were awakened and began to prepare
for the march.
Pages:
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375