But he never turned to look at them.

His eyes were always on the charging host which converged so fast upon the Alamo.
The trumpet blew another signal, and there was a crash so loud that it made Ned jump.

All the Mexican batteries had fired at once over the heads of their own troops at the Alamo.

While the gunners reloaded the smoke of the discharge drifted away and the Alamo still stood silent.
But over it yet hung a banner on which was written in great letters the word, "Texas." The Mexican troops were coming close now.

The bands playing the Deguelo swelled to greater volume and the ground shook again as the Mexican artillery fired its second volley.