He replied to it briefly, and then they waited.

Others had gathered at the low plaza wall with them.

Hidden to the eyes, they peered over the parapet.
They heard soft footsteps in the darkness, and then dim forms emerged.
Despite the darkness they knew them to be Texans, and Crockett spoke low: "Here we are, boys, waitin' for you! This way an' in a half minute you're in the Alamo!" The men ran forward, scaled the wall and were quickly inside.

They were only thirty-two.

Ned had thought that the Panther, Obed, and Will Allen might be among them, but they were not there.