“It’s a fight!” joyously exclaimed Jim; and Ernest’s throat tightened.
To the right, out of range of volleys from his own men, scurried Colonel Moore and the aides. The Mexican dragoons were hastily reforming, but in confusion; and down the Texan line horse and foot cheered and prepared their pieces and implored orders to charge.
“Drive the Mexicans out of Texas,” chorused the shouts.
“Hurrah for liberty!”
“No Mexican soldiers in Texas!”
“Boom!” It was the brass six-pounder, and made Ernest jump. He heard the scraps of ox chain whine through the air, and spatter on the sod and brush. The people who were waiting in Gonzales, seven miles away, asserted that they, too, had heard the report and the whines, and that it was the most fearsome noise imaginable!
“That’s right!”
“Now we’re talkin’!”
“Hurrah for Texas and liberty!”
Again the cannon boomed. A cloud of smoke spread, as bad as the fog, and Ernest, taken by surprise, tried in vain to aim, as they advanced. He heard Jim muttering and fuming. Forward dashed the cavalry (he and Jim with it), in a charge; the infantry broke into a run, following.