"Then I'll say what we all know. Three or four days from now the chances will be a hundred to one against any of us ever gettin' out of here. An' you're the youngest of the defence, Ned, so I want you to slip out to-night while there's yet time. Mebbe you can get up a big lot of men to come to our help."
Ned looked straight at Crockett, and the veteran's eyes wavered.
"It's a little scheme you have," said Ned, "to get me out of the way. You think because I'm the youngest I
ought to go off alone at night and save my own life. Well, I'm not going. I intend to stay here and fight it out with the rest of you."
"I meant for the best, boy, I meant for the best," said Crockett. "I'm an old fellow an' I've had a terrible lot of fun in my time. About as much, I guess, as one man is entitled to, but you've got all your life before you."
"Couldn't think of it," said Ned lightly; "besides, I've got a password in case I'm taken by Santa Anna."
"What's that?" asked Crockett curiously.
"It's the single word 'Roylston.' Mr. Roylston told me if I were taken by Santa Anna to mention his name to him."
"That's queer, an' then maybe it ain't," said Crockett musingly. "I've heard a lot of John Roylston. He's about the biggest trader in the southwest. I guess he must have some sort of a financial hold on Santa Anna, who is always wantin' money. Ned, if the time should ever come, don't you forget to use that password."
The next night was dark and chilly with gusts of rain. In the afternoon the Mexican cannonade waned, and at night it ceased entirely. The Alamo itself, except for a few small lights within the buildings, was kept entirely dark in order that skulking sharpshooters without might not find a target.