By the time
this task was completed the scouts returned and their report was
alarming.
The Mexicans had crossed the river in heavy force, outnumbering the
troop of Texans at least five to one. They had artillery, infantry and
cavalry, and they were just out of range, expecting to attack at dawn.
The avenue of escape was cut off already.
"Very good," said Bowie. "We'll wait for them."
It was too dark to see, but Ned knew that his blue eyes were glittering.
He advanced to the point where the bluff rose nearly ten feet to the
edge of the prairie, and took a long look.
"I can see nothing," he said, "but I know you men are right. Now we'll
cut steps all along the edge of this bluff, in order that our men can
stand in them, and fire at the enemy as he comes. Then we'll have as
fine a fort here as anybody could ask."
The men fell to work with hatchets and big knives, cutting steps in the
soft earth, at least a hundred of them in order that everybody might
have a chance. Meanwhile the hour of dawn was at hand, but a heavy mist
had thickened over prairie and river. Beyond the mists and vapors, the
sun showed only a yellow blur, and it did not yet cast any glow over the
earth.
But Ned could clearly hear the Mexicans; officers shouting to men; men
shouting to horses; horses neighing and mules squealing, and he knew
from these noises that the report of their great force by the scouts was
correct.
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