Already an old civilization, sunk in decay, was ready to give place to another, rude and raw, but full of youth and vigor.
It was likely that Ned alone felt these truths, as they reached the lowest outskirts of the missions, and stopped at an abandoned stone convent, built at the very edge of the San Antonio, where the waters of the river, green and clear, flowed between banks clothed in a deep and luxuriant foliage.

Half of the troop entered the convent, while the others watched on the horses outside.

It impressed Ned with a sense of desolation fully equal to that of the ancient pyramid or the lost city.
Everything of value that the nuns had not taken away had been stripped from the place by Comanche, Apache or Lipan.
It was nearly night when they arrived at the convent.

The Texan camp still lay some miles away, their horses were very tired, and Bowie decided to remain in the ruined building until morning.

The main portion of the structure was of stone, two stories high, but there were some extensions of wood, from one of which the floor had been taken away by plunderers.