Besides which, Fannin's little army was of the finest material, being composed mostly of enthusiastic volunteers from Georgia and Alabama; young men, who, like Dare Grant and John Worth, were inspired with the idea of freedom, or the spread of Americanism, or the fanaticism of religious liberty of conscience--perhaps, even, with hatred of priestly domination.

Houston felt that he would be sufficient for Santa Anna when the spirit of this company was added to the moral force of men driven from their homes and families to fight for the lands they had bought and the rights which had been guaranteed them.
So he watched the horizon anxiously for Fannin's approach, often laying his ear to the ground to listen for what he could not see.

And, impatient as he was for their arrival, the Senora was more so.

She declared that her sufferings would be unendurable but for this hope.

The one question on her lips, the one question in her eyes, was, "Are they coming ?" And Antonia, though she did not speak of her private hopes, was equally anxious.