Henry Karnes explained that he had galloped ahead, and had left Mrs. Dickinson’s party to come on with the help of Deaf Smith and Richard Handy.
Look! Listen! To Gonzales town also the dreadful word had travelled. Lights were gleaming in the houses and on the streets; shrieks and screams and hoarse shouts cut through the damp night air: cries of fear and rage and grief—grief for nearly 200 Texans pent up and slaughtered, and especially for the thirty-one of the thirty-two Gonzales citizens who two weeks before had ridden away to help Travis in the Alamo, and would never return. Bluff Captain Albert Martin, who had gone back with his comrades; middle-aged Jacob Darst, Claib Wright, George Cottle, George Tumlinson, Jesse McCoy, Galb Fuqua, and the rest; and young Captain Dickinson—gone, leaving wives and children and brothers and sisters. Travis, Jim Bowie, James Bonham—Davy Crockett!
What a loss Texas had suffered!
The camp was in an uproar of excitement and uncertainty. The Mexicans under General Sesma were rumored to be already at the Cibolo, halfway for Gonzales! Horses thudded away into the darkness, bearing volunteers on the home trail to protect their families. But from his headquarters General Houston was acting—and no time was to be lost. Officers who had been summoned ran hither-thither, shouting orders.
“Companies fall in! This way, men!”
Ernest and Jim separated, to tend to business. Every man was to pack for a march, taking only what he could carry. Don’t delay for stray horses. Hook up those teams! Burn the extra baggage and supplies.
Great bonfires began to crackle and leap, as down came the tents, and armful after armful of canvas and clothing and bacon and flour and coffee were dumped upon the blaze. Figures half in ruddy light and half in gloom bustled to and fro. The wailing in the town never ceased. General Houston’s tent still stood, as a centre, and from it rang his voice, imperative, through all the tumult.
“No, sir! Wait! Don’t be in haste. Wait till all are ready, and let us retreat in good order.”