and thrown away, the men rushing to the protection of the walls of the fort, where they were safe from the guns, and fired at random into the fort.

From the schooner the gallant Captain Russell turned loose his gun, sending messengers of slugs, lead, chains, scraps of iron, or whatever they had been able to pick up for the occasion.

Each of Austin's men dug a pit, for his own protection, in the sand. Burrowed in these holes his riflemen, and those of Brown behind the drift-logs, did fearful execution; and deadly was their aim at the heads of the Mexican infantry whenever they were visible above the walls, and of the gunners serving the artillery.

The Mexicans then resorted to the plan of firing without showing their heads, but the riflemen sent balls crashing through their hands and arms. The schooner continued to do effectual work. By nine o'clock- the next morning more than two-thirds of Ugartechea's men were either killed or wounded, a result believed to be unparalleled under similar conditions in the history of warfare.

Captain John Austin sounded a parley and demanded the surrender of the fort, to which Ugartechea asked two conditions: that his officers be allowed to retain their side-arms, and that the men should be allowed to leave the country. These concessions were promptly agreed to.

Of the Texans seven were killed and twenty-seven wounded. Of the Mexicans forty-two lay dead in the fort and seventy were wounded, chiefly in the head, face, or arms —one hundred and twelve out of a force of one hundred and fifty.

Not only were the stipulations faithfully carried out, but the wounded were cared for, and the officers received the most generous hospitalities, with admiration for their bravery, and a recognition of the fact that Ugartechea's personal intercourse with the people had at all times been gentlemanly.

Captain Austin expected to proceed immediately to the relief of the Texans at Anahuac, but learning that further hostilities were unnecessary, the Texans gladly returned to their homes; and Piedras, leaving Souverrin in command at Anahuac, returned with his force to Nacogdoches.

QUESTIONS.—What was done by the party who went for the cannon? What obstacle confronted them? How did they determine to overcome it? Who were the Texan soldiers? How did they organize? Where did they halt ? Why? Who visited each party? What did he report ? What was Austin's reply ? Describe the fort. What protection had the Texans ? What was the plan of battle ? Describe the battle. What precaution did Austin's men take ? To what plan did the Mexicans resort ? What was the state of affairs by nine o'clock next morning? What did Austin now demand? What did Ugartechea ask? Were they agreed to ? What were the results on each side? What treatment did the survivors receive from the Texans ? What did Austin now expect to do?

CHAPTER XXV.

BUSTAMENTE'S OVERTHROW IN MEXICO BY SANTA ANNA

FIGHT AT NACOG DOCH ES.

The odious decree of Bustamente, of the 6th of April, 1830, and which the State had confirmed by legislative enactment, still hung like a dark cloud over the spirits of the Texans.

News came to the Texans of the triumph of Santa Anna over Bustamente and Teran, and the consequent restoration of the government to the principles of the constitution of 1824. The news did not reach them until after their troubles at Anahuac and Velasco, but to this they had fortunately declared their adherence in the “ Turtle Bayou Resolutions.”

The Texans sent mounted messengers, on swift horses, with the glad tidings to every cabin around and into Eastern Texas. The effect upon the Texans was magical, and every voice shouted the praises of “the noble,” “the great,” “ the ever patriotic Santa Anna !” They resolved that Piedras, in command at Nacogdoches, should openly declare for Santa Anna or leave the country.

On July 1st the Texans in the east armed and assembled near Nacogdoches. They organized in companies, with John W. Bullock as chief commander, and, after holding a conference with the civil officers of the municipality, they sent a deputation to Piedras, inviting his cooperation in sustaining Santa Anna and the constitution of 1824 or the alternative of evacuating his position and retiring to the interior of Mexico.

Piedras' answer was an emphatic, but gentlemanly, " No."

On the night of August 1st, the families having left the town, about three hundred armed men encamped a short distance east of Nacogdoches. The next day they drew nearer, and challenged an attack. They then moved into

the centre of the town, when they were charged by about one hundred Mexican cavalry, who were repulsed with some loss. The alcalde, Encarnacion Chirino, was killed accidentally by a shot from his own countrymen.

The Texans took position in houses and behind fences, from which firing was kept up until night, during which time the Texans lost three killed and five wounded ; the Mexicans lost forty-one killed and about as many wounded. That night Colonel Piedras left Nacogdoches and retreated towards San Antonio.

The main body of the Texans pursued them, while Colonel James Bowie took a small party to intercept them by another road.

At daybreak Piedras was confronted by Bowie's men a little west of the Angelina River. Seeing escape impossible

he resigned the command to the next in rank, Francisco Medina, who immediately shouted vivas for Santa Anna, and surrendered the command as prisoners of war. Bowie escorted them to San Antonio, while Asa M. Edwards conducted Piedras to Velasco. Piedras left Velasco for Mexico, and Souverin collected the remnants of the garrisons and conveyed them also to Mexico.

TREACHERY OF SANTA . ANNA. The Mexican general, José Antonio Mexia, with a fleet of vessels and four hundred men, was ordered to sail up the coast, reduce Matamoras if necessary, and investigate and report the causes of the recent disturbances in Texas.

At Matamoras General Mexia took on board Colonel Stephen F. Austin, who was on his way home from the State congress at Saltillo.

Mexia and Captain John Austin, with other prominent citizens, held conferences at Velasco and Brazoria. They produced the “ Turtle Bayou Resolutions” which were reaffirmed, with satisfactory emphasis, by large delegations of the people. There was general rejoicing, generous hospitalities, and a grand ball ended the festivities. General Mexia sailed down the coast, to resume operations in behalf of Santa Anna and his cause.

Congress had adjourned, and Bustamente's obnoxious decree was not repealed, Texas being in a hopeless minority in that body.

Santa Anna now became a traitor to the Federal constitution of 1824, and in December, 1832, joined Bustamente in recalling, from his exile in the United States, Pedraza, the rejected President, to fill out the unexpired term of Guerrero, the patriot President who hrad been deposed, captured, and put to death.

The treachery of Santa Anna created the greatest anxiety among the colonists. They met, as their ancestors had

done before them, in a "deliberative convention," to con sider their grievances and unite in whatever should appear best to meet emergencies.

The call for this convention was issued by Horatio Chriesman and Captain John Austin, first and second alcaldes of the municipality of Austin.

Fourteen municipalities responded, representing every portion of Texas, excepting Red River. Fifty-six delegates appeared and took their seats on the 1st of October, 1832, at San Felipe de Austin,

They elected Stephen F. Austin president, and Frank W. Johnson secretary; appointed, first, a committee of five to prepare a memorial to the Mexican Government, praying for the repeal of the eleventh article of the law of the 6th of April, 1830 (Bustamente's decree), and to set forth the toils and difficulties and dangers encountered by the colonists, and their devotion to the constitution of 1824.

The second was for a petition, praying for a reduction of import duties on articles of prime necessity, and showing that the reduction would increase the revenue of the government.

The third was concerning the land business; and the fourth, for the regulation of the custom-houses disturbed by the troubles at Anahuac and Velasco.

The petition of the fifth committee was addressed to the State government of Coahuila and Texas, asking for a donation of land for the purpose of creating a fund for the future establishment of primary schools.

The sixth was a resolution as to the expediency or inexpediency of petitioning for a State government separate from Coahuila. On this resolution Mr. Nestor Clay, from the district of Hidalgo, demanded the yeas and nays; and they stood for the resolution, 36 ; against it, 12.

A committee called the Central Committee was appointed. It was made the duty of the Central Committee