down. There were several dead bodies of Mexicans near him."

According to Santa Anna's report the final assault occupied thirty minutes; and, according to one Mexican authority— naturally inclined to underrate their loss—about five hundred were killed ; and it was stated between three hundred and fifty

and four hundred died of wounds in the hospitals. The Mexicans were so exasperated by their loss that they mutilated the bodies of the Texians; and Santa Anna, it was said, who was now on the scene, refused to spare three or four who had escaped the massacre. The number of men with Santa Anna was about six thousand, and with Travis in the garrison were one hundred and eightytwo.

The dead bodies of the Texans were thrown into heaps with alternate layers of combustibles and partially burned. This was the " Fall of the Alamo."

"They died the Spartan's death,
But not in hopeless strife;
Like brothers died, and their
expiring breath
Was freedom's breath of
life."

Those who were spared from the massacre were Mrs. Dickinson and child, Mrs. Alsbury and child, a Me xican woman, Senora Candaleria, and a negro man belonging to Travis. When the fall of the Alamo became known, families began fleeing to the Ea.st in whatever way they could—men, women, and children, in carts and on foot, through rain, sleet, and mud, fleeing in terror from Santa Anna, with terror of Indians in their pathway, many burying their dead hastily in the wilderness, and all suffering for proper food. The whole country west of the Trinity was depopulated.

General Houston, having been elected commander-in-chief by the convention, on the 4th of March, left Washington on the 7th, and arrived in Gonzales on the 11th, on the evening of which day he was informed of the fall of the Alamo, by a Mexican. On the same evening he wrote to Fannin at Goliad to abandon that place and concentrate all his forces at Victoria. He added: "Prompt movements are necessary."

Colonel Fannin received the order on the evening of March 13th.

Questions.—What became known in Texas about the middle of February, 1836? What were his plans? How was the siege of the Alamo made known to the country? At what date? What was the appeal? What did he add? What step did Governor Smith take? What was the word from Travis on the 24th? Did he expect reinforcements? What was the response to his appeal? What did Travis write on March 3d? From whom did he hope for aid? What did Travis write to the convention? What did Fannin predict? Who returned on the morning of the 3d? How were the men fed? What seemed to be the purpose of the Mexicans? What did Santa Anna determine? Describe his plan of attack. How were the Texians situated? Describe the fight inside the walls. Where was Travis' body found? Give an account of Bowie. Of Crockett. What was Santa Anna's report? Why did the Mexicans mutilate the bodies of the Texians? What was Santa Anna's force? What was that of Travis? What was done with the bodies of the dead Texians? Who were spared from the massacre? What took place when the fall of the Alamo became known? Who was commander-in-chief on the 4th March? Where did he learn of the fall of the Alamo? What were his orders to Fannin?

CHAPTER XXXVI.

FANNIN AT VELASCO—KILLING OF JOHNSON'S MEN—FATE OF GRANT AND HIS MEN—DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.

Immediately preceding the fall of Travis and his Spartan band at the Alamo, the tidings of which spread like a funeral the Council would have had the pleasure of ascribing to me the evils which their own conduct and acts will, in all probability, bring upon the country."

In February, 1836, General Houston and Captain John Forbes visited the Cherokee Indians in the East as commissioners, to renew the pledge which the "consultation" had so solemnly made them, securing to them their land titles, and defining their boundaries.

The remnant—many having left from time to time—of the Council continued to meet after nominally deposing Governor Smith on the 11th of January, and sometimes passed ordinances on the most weighty subjects. They adjourned to Washington, on the Brazos, on the 16th of February; and, without a quorum, continued their organization, in part, until the 1st of March, 1836, when the convention met, and they delivered their archives to that body.

In the meantime the calamities which had been predicted were already upon the country.

Questions.—Did the members of the provisional council form a harmonious body? What power did the Governor derive from the constitution by which his office was created? What powers were conferred upon the council? What were they authorized to do for the relief of the treasury? What was Governor Henry Smith's policy? What was the policy of the council? What was Colonel F. W. Johnson's opinion of the expedition? What was Captain Edward Hall directed to do? What were Fannin's views of the plan? Who became interested with Johnson in the expedition? Did they receive the approbation of the council ? Of Governor Smith ? Who was Dr. Grant ? What was the condition of affairs in San Antonio? What did the leaders think with regard to a number of Mexicans? Where did Johnson and Grant establish their headquarters? Where were Fannin's? What news did Governor Smith receive from San Antonio? What did this call forth from Governor Smith? What became the war-cry? What did Grant promise to those who would join him? What did he style himself? Where did he join Johnson? What had Governor Smith directed Houston to do? Whose place did Travis take? What order had Houston given to Bowie? Why 1 What did he state in the order? Did it reach Bowie? Where did nouston go? Why 1 What orders had he? What was hoped? What did Houston state on his return? What prophetic remark did he add? What important service did Houston render in February, 1836? What did the provisional council continue to do? When did the convention meet?