“I know. It was awful. The general or anybody couldn’t hold the men in at all. They were crazy mad. They remembered Travis and Fannin. So did the Mexicans. That yelling scared ’em worse than the guns did. When our men tore into ’em they fell down on their knees and said ‘Me no Alamo! Me no Goliad!’ but that didn’t make much difference, at first. Our men didn’t wait to argue. There was too much to do. But they’ve about quit, now. That swamp’s just choked with Mexicans and horses, where they tried to cross. Here’s your pony,” and having easily caught Duke he led him back. “Take your rope and put it on your hombre, while I cover him, and we’ll take him in between us. We can’t stay out here. They’re done fighting, and you’ve struck one blow for liberty, anyhow, even if you missed the big scrimmage.”
That was so. And Ernest felt satisfied to have captured an enemy soldier instead of having tried to kill one. He unfastened the hair picket-rope from Duke’s saddle, and approached his prisoner.
“Put down your arms,” he ordered, gruffly. “I am going to tie you.”
The man obeyed; he started nervously as the noose slipped over his arms and around his cold wet waist. Ernest drew the noose tight and keeping the rope taut, mounted Duke. “March!” he commanded.
With the soldier trotting at the fore, between them, the two boys jogged for the battle-field.
Yes, the fighting was about over with. Riders on their own or on Mexican horses were ranging the prairie, heading off fugitives and turning them back. In the timber and at the swamp a few rifles were occasionally cracking. On a timber island in the swamp, a considerable body of Mexican infantry, some 300 or 400, had rallied together, and were cowering, under their officers, as if not knowing exactly what to do. Behind the breastworks General Houston could be seen riding slowly about, gesticulating and bidding the Texans to cease shooting, and indicating where prisoners should be taken. A guard was stationed over the late camp, and the baggage piled there.
“The whole Mexican army were having their siesta [mid-day rest] after dinner,” explained Jim. “Officers were asleep, cavalry horses were being watered bareback, muskets were stacked, and all the soldiers were either lying down or playing cards. They never knew we were coming till we were clear out on the prairie, and the Sherman men were flanking ’em in that timber, on their right. We didn’t do at all what they expected us to do. I reckon General Houston knew what he was about, even when he let Cos come in. He says he waited to make one bite of the cherry! We licked ’em in fifteen minutes! They didn’t have time to reload after that first volley!”
“Did the cavalry do much, Jim?”
“Naw, except to chase around. We were sent out to make a feint and draw attention while the infantry came on. But their dragoons didn’t stand. I popped once or twice, but don’t think I hit anything. I’m no good shooting at a man’s back. So I corralled a few ‘Me no Alamo’s and turned ’em in. All Texans looked alike to those Mexicans. Then I came out after you. I sure would admire to have captured Santa Anna, though.”