In a single glance aside he beheld the exultant look on the faces of Santa Anna and his generals die away, and he suddenly became conscious that the shrill shouting on the flat roofs of the houses had ceased.

But the Mexican cannon still poured a cloud of shot and shell over the heads of their men at the Alamo, and the troops went on.
Ned, keen of ear and so intent that he missed nothing, could now separate the two fires.

The crackle of the rifles which came from the Alamo dominated.

Rapid, steady, incessant, it beat heavily upon the hearing and nerves.

Pyramids and spires of smoke arose, drifted and arose again.