Strangely enough, almost everybody slept late, this morning of April 21; that proved how tired the army really were. General Houston did not appear until after the sun had risen. He had again used the coil of cannon rope for a pillow. He looked happy and confident for the first time in a long while. The report came from his staff that on opening his eyes to the sunshine he had sprung up alertly with the words:
“The sun of Austerlitz has risen again!”
“Now, what did he mean by that?” demanded Jim.
“I don’t know,” confessed Ernest.
“Austerlitz was a big battle won by Napoleon, in Europe,” said Mr. Lamar, overhearing. “Napoleon thought that the sunshine brought him good luck for the day.”
All eyes were searching the Mexican camp. Santa Anna had completed his fortifications, by extending a low breastwork, broken in the middle, from the timber on his right into the prairie on his left, along the crest of a gentle slope. Spy-glasses showed the field-piece in the break.
No order to advance to the attack was given, and, waiting, the men began to growl and murmur again. Little indignation meetings were held. Rumor claimed that a floating bridge was to be built, over the bayou, to be used in a retreat. Then there was the report that the general had discussed tearing down the de Zavala house, for bridge timber, and had decided against it.
About nine o’clock the Deaf Smith Spies, who were out reconnoitring, returned in haste. Deaf Smith said, in passing, from his saddle: “The enemy is increasing.”
Presently a file of pack mules, escorted by soldiers, were seen crossing the prairie to the south, as if they had come from Vince’s bridge. They disappeared around a swell in the middle of the prairie.
“There’s Cos!” exclaimed Jim. “He’s joining Santa Anna!”