Santa Anna means to crush us and to execute all our leaders." Again came that deep murmurous "Ah!" and now it was full of anger and defiance.
"You say you saw the army of Cos ?" asked Bowie.
"Yes," replied Ned, "I saw it before I was taken to the castle of San Juan de Ulua and afterward in Northern Mexico, marching straight toward Texas.

It is a large force, cannon and lancers, horse and foot." "And so Santa Anna has been lulling us with promises, while sending an army to destroy us." Bowie's tone, so gentle and mild before, grew hard and bitter.

The firelight flickered across his face and to Ned the blue eyes looked as cold and relentless as death.

He had heard strange stories of this man, tales of desperate combats in Mississippi and Louisiana, and he believed now that they were true.

He could see the daring and determined soul behind the blue eyes.
While Ned was talking "Deaf" Smith was leaning forward with his hand behind his ear.