The Mexican cavalry outnumbered them four or five to one, but the Texans cared little for such odds.
"Now, boys, up with your rifles!" cried Bowie.

"Pump it into 'em!" Bowie was a product of the border, hard and desperate, a man of many fierce encounters, but throughout the siege he had been singularly gentle and considerate in his dealings with his brother Texans.

Now he was all warrior again, his eyes blazing with blue fire while he shouted vehement words of command to his men.
The sudden appearance of the Texan riflemen outside the Alamo look Urrea by surprise, but he was quick of perception and action, and his cavalrymen were the best in the Mexican army.

He wheeled them into line with a few words of command and shouted to them to charge.

Bowie's men instantly stopped, forming a rough line, and up went their rifles.
Urrea's soldiers who carried rifles or muskets opened a hasty and excited fire at some distance.
Ned heard the bullets singing over his head or saw them kicking up dust in front of the Texans, but only one of the Texans fell and but few were wounded.