Ned had reserves of
strength that came to his aid. He leaned against the wall and breathed
the foul air of the old church, which was breathed over and over again
by nearly four hundred men.
The heavy doors were unbarred an hour later, and food and water were
brought to them, but how little! There was a single drink and a quarter
of a pound of meat for each man. It was but a taste after their long
fast, and soon they were as hungry and thirsty as ever. It was a hideous
night. There was not room for them all to sleep on the floor, and Ned
dozed for a while leaning against the wall.
Food and water were brought to them in the same small quantities in the
morning, but there was no word from the Mexicans concerning the promises
of good treatment and parole that had been made when they surrendered.
Ned was surprised at nothing. He knew that Santa Anna dominated all
Mexico, and he knew Santa Anna. Promises were nothing to him, if it
served him better to break them. Fannin demanded writing materials and
wrote a note to General Urrea protesting strongly against the violation
of faith. But General Urrea was gone after Ward's men, who were
surrounded in the marshes of the Guadalupe, leaving Colonel Portilla in
command.
Pages:
398
399
400
401
402
403
404
405
406
407
408
409
410
411
412
413
414
415
416
417
418
419
420
421
422