One of the projections suddenly extended a full yard above the wall, and resolved itself into the shape of a man.

But what a man! The body from the waist up was naked, and above it rose a head crested with long hair, black and coarse.

Other heads and bodies also savage and naked rose up beside it on the wall.
Ned knew in an instant and springing back within the convent he cried: "Comanches! Comanches! Up men, up!" At the same moment, acting on impulse, he seized the rope that hung by the wall and pulled it hard, fast and often.

Above in the cupola the great bronze bell boomed forth a tremendous solemn note that rose far over the moaning of the wind.

From the adobe wall came a fierce yell, a sinister cry that swelled until it became a high and piercing volume of sound, and then died away in a menacing note like the howl of wolves.
But Ned, impulse still his master, never ceased to pull the bell.
All the Texans were on their feet at once, wide awake, rifles in their hands.
"Lie down, men, by the doors!" cried Bowie, "and shoot anything that tries to come in.