There was another period of silence, but the watchers in the old mission
saw that much movement was going on in the wood and presently they
beheld the result. The Mexican army charged directly upon the church,
carrying in its center men with heavy bars of wood to be used in
smashing in the door. But they yielded once more to the rapid fire of
the Texan rifles, and did not succeed in reaching the building. Those
who bore the logs and bars dropped them, and fled out of range.
A great cheer burst from the young recruits. They thought victory
complete already, but Ned knew that the Mexicans would not abandon the
enterprise. General Urrea, after another futile charge, repulsed in the
same deadly manner, withdrew some distance, but posted a strong line of
sentinels about the church.
Having much food and water the recruits rejoiced again and thought
themselves secure, but Ned noticed a look of consternation on the face
of Ward, and he divined the cause.
"It must be the ammunition, Colonel," he said in a whisper.
"It is," replied Ward. "We have only three or four rounds left. We could
not possibly repel another attack."
"Then," said young Fulton, "there is nothing to do but for us to slip
out at night, and try to cut our way through.
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