They could not talk much. The thought of their mother's anguish, and of the separation. put between them and their household, shocked and terrified them. Vainly they called for fuel. At dinner time no table was laid, and no preparations made for the meal. Then Antonia went into the kitchen. She took with her food, and cooked it. She brought wood into the parlor, and made up the fire. Fortunately, her northern education had given her plenty of resources for such emergencies. Two or three savory dishes were soon ready, and the small table set upon a warm, bright hearth. The Señora had evidently not been included in the ban, for Rachela attended with ostentatious care to her comfort; but Isabel had rolled herself up in a wadded silk coverlet and gone to sleep. Antonia awakened her with a kiss. "Come, queridita, and get your dinner." "But is it possible? I thought Fray Ignatius had forbidden it." "He cannot forbid me to wait upon you, my darling one. And he cannot turn the flour into dust, and the meat into stone. There is a good dinner ready; and you are hungry, no doubt." "For three hours I have been faint. Ah! You are a you have made me a custard also! very comforter." But the girl was still and sad, and Antonia was hard pressed to find any real comfort for her. For she knew that their only hope lay in the immediate attack of the American force, and its success; and she did not think it wise to hide from her sister the alternatives that lay before them if the Americans failed. "I am afraid," said Isabel; "and so unhappy. A very sad business is life. I cannot think how any one can care to live." "Remember Luis, and our father, and Jack, and Thomas, and our dear mother, who this morning stood between us and Fray Ignatius. Will you let this priest turn the sky black above you?" "And also, men will fight. What for? Who can tell? The Americans want so much of everything. Naturally they do not get all they want. What do they do? Fight, and get killed. Then they go into the next world, and complain of people. As for Luis, I do not expect to see him again." Fortunately, the norther moderated at sunset. Life then seemed SO much more possible. Adverse elements intensify adverse fortune, and the physical suffering from the cold had also benumbed Antonia's spirits, and made her less hopeful and less clear-visioned. But when she awoke at the gray dawn of the next day, she awoke with a different spirit. She had regained herself. She rose quietly, and looked out towards the city. The black flag from the Alamo and the Missions hung above it. She looked at the ominous standards, and then the tears sprang to her eyes; she lifted her face and her hands to heaven, and a few words, swifter than light, sprang from her soul into the ear of the Eternal Father of Spirits. The answer came with the petition-came with the crack of rifle-shots; precise, regular, unceasing. "Oh God! I thank Thee! Lord of Hosts, Thou art a great multitude! Isabel! Isabel! The Americans are attacking the city! Our father will fight his way back to his home! Fray Ignatius can not come to-day. Oh, I am so happy! So happy! Listen! How the Mexicans are shouting! They are cheering on the men! What a turmoil!" "Jesu, Maria, have mercy!" cried Isabel, clasping her crucifix and falling upon her knees. Oh, Isabel, pray for our father, that his angel may overshadow him with strong wings." "And Luis?" "And Luis, and Thomas, and Jack, and Dare. There are prayers for them all, and love enough to make them. Hark! there are the drums, and the trumpets, and the gallop of the cavalry. Come, dearest, let us go to our mother. To-day, no one will remember Fray Ignatius." CHAPTER IX. THE STORMING OF THE ALAMO. "Now, hearts, Be ribbed with iron for this one attempt : "Now they begin the tragic play, 66 And with their smoky cannon banish day." Endure and conquer. God will soon dispose HE Señora was already dressed. THE She turned with a face full of fear and anger to her daughters as they entered her room— "These American diablos! They are attacking the city. They will take it-that is to be expected-who can fight diablos? And what is to become of us? Oh, Antonia! Why did you prevent Fray Ignatius? We might now have been safe in the convent", and |