There was the battery of Santa Anna only three hundred yards from the entrance to the main plaza and to the southeast, but little further away, was another.
The Mexicans had worked well during the night.
"They're creepin' closer, Ned.

They're creepin' closer," said Crockett, who had come to the wall before him, "but even at that range I don't think their cannon will do us much harm.

Duck, boy, duck! They're goin' to fire!" The two batteries opened at the same time, and the Mexican masses in the rear, out of range, began a tremendous cheering.

Many of the balls and shells now fell inside the mission, but the Texans stayed well under cover and they still escaped without harm.

The Mexican gunners, in their turn, kept so well protected that the Texan riflemen had little chance.
The great bombardment lasted an hour, but when it ceased, and the smoke lifted, Ned saw a heavy mass of Mexican cavalry on the eastern road.
Both Ned and Crockett took a long look at the cavalry, a fine body of men, some carrying lances and others muskets.