A minute or two later the sharp crack of a half dozen rifles came to them, and Travis wrote: "A blood-red flag waves from the church of Bexar and in the camp above us, in token that the war is one of vengeance against rebels." They heard the third heavy thud of a cannon, and a shell, falling in the court outside, burst with a great crash.

Ned went out and returned with a report of no damage.

Travis had continued his letter, and now he wrote: "These threats have no influence upon my men, but to make all fight with desperation, and with that high-souled courage which characterizes the patriot who is willing to die in defence of his country, liberty and his own honor, God and Texas.
"Victory or death." He closed the letter and addressed it.

An hour later the messenger was beyond the Mexican lines with it, but Travis sat for a long time at the table, unmoving and silent.

Perhaps he was blaming himself for not having been more watchful, for not having discovered the advance of Santa Anna.