BEFORE THE DICTATOR Ned's feeling of exaltation lasted.

The long siege, the incessant danger and excitement, and the wonderful way in which the little band of Texans had kept a whole army at bay had keyed him up to a pitch in which he was not himself, in which he was something a little more than human.

Such extraordinary moments come to few people, and his vivid, imaginative mind was thrilled to the utmost.
He was on the early watch, and he mounted the wall of the church.

The deep silence which marked the beginning of the night still prevailed.
They had not heard any shots, and for that reason they all felt that the messenger had got through with Travis' last letter.
It was very dark that night and Ned could not see the red flag on the tower of the church of San Fernando.

But he knew it was there, waving a little in the soft wind which blew out of the southwest, herald of spring.