The dictator laughed and his generals laughed obediently also. Ned said nothing.
"I am informed by that most meritorious young officer, Captain Urrea," continued Santa Anna, "that you were captured about three o'clock this morning trying to escape from the Alamo."
"That is correct," said Ned.
"Why were you running away in the dark?"
Ned flushed, but, knowing that it was an unworthy and untruthful taunt, he remained silent.
"You do not choose to answer," said Santa Anna, "but I tell you that you are the rat fleeing from the sinking ship. Our cannon have wrecked the interior of the Alamo. Half of your men are dead, and the rest would
gladly surrender if I should give them the promise of life."
"It is not true!" exclaimed Ned with heat. "Despite all your fire the defenders of the Alamo have lost but a few men. You offer no quarter and they ask none. They are ready to fight to the last."
There was a murmur among the generals, but Santa Anna raised his hand and they were silent again.
"I cannot believe all that you say," he continued. "It is a boast. The Texans are braggarts. To-morrow they die, every one of them. But tell us the exact condition of everything inside the Alamo, and perhaps I may spare your life."