It's a sort of atonement, and if I fall I think it will be remembered in my favor." Ned was singularly impressed.

Crockett had talked in much the same way.
Could these men, heroes of a thousand dangers, have really given up?
Not to give up in the sense of surrender, but to expect death fighting?
But for himself he could not believe such a thing possible.

Youth was too strong in him.
He was on the watch again for part of the next night, and he and Crockett were together.

They heard sounds made by the besiegers on every side of them.

Mexicans were calling to Mexicans.