Not more than a dozen cannon shots were fired during that time, and only three or four rifles replied from the Alamo.

Toward noon the firing ceased entirely, and Ned knew that this was in very fact and truth the lull before the storm.
His attention wandered to his guards.

They were mere peons, but, although watchful, they were taking their ease.

Evidently they liked their task.

They were resting with the complete relaxation of the body that only the Southern races know.