Santa Anna turned and said to him the single word: "Blow!" The man lifted the trumpet to his lips, and blew a long note that swelled to its fullest pitch, then died away in a soft echo.
It was the signal.

A tremendous cry burst from the vast ring of the thousands, and it was taken up by the shrill voices of the women on the flat roofs of the houses.

The great circle of cavalrymen shook their lances and sabers until they glittered.
When the last echo of the trumpet's dying note was gone the bands began to play with their utmost vigor the murderous tune that Santa Anna had chosen.

Then four columns of picked Mexican troops, three thousand strong, rushed toward the Alamo.

Santa Anna and the generals around him were tremendously excited.