He had not scented them.
By and by the ground grew so rough and the bushes so thick that all dismounted and tethered their horses.

Then they crept into the very edge of the town, still unseen and unheard.

Potter pointed to a large building.
"That," he said, "is the headquarters of Colonel Sandoval, the commandant, and if you look closely you will see a sentinel walking up and down before the door." "We will make a rush for that house," said the leader of the Texans, "and call upon the sentinel to yield." They slipped from the cover and ran toward the house, shouting to the Mexican on guard to surrender.

But he fired at them point blank, although his bullet missed, and a shot from one of the Texans slew him.
The next moment they were thundering at the door of the house, in which were Sandoval and the larger part of his garrison.

The door held fast, and shots were fired at them from the windows.
Some of the Texans ran to the neighboring houses, obtained axes and smashed in the door.