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THE MOTION PICTURE STORY MAGAZINE.
THE ATTACK ON THE ALAMO.
yards of the fortress and poured in a steady stream of bombs for days.
The most effective fire from the defenders was that of the sharp-shooting rangers. They not only picked off stragglers with unerring precision, but made the lot of Mexican artillerymen unenviable. When a heavy piece was planted in close range to make a breach in the walls, Crockett allowed them to charge the gun but dropped one after another who attempted to fire it, until it was given up as a dangerous piece of business and the cannon was abandoned where it stood. The Mexicans, however, gradually secured a correct range from protected points, and the interior of the mission became a scene of carnage. Among those soon disabled was the redoubtable Bowie, but his spirit failed not. Wounded in a dozen places, he was stretched helpless on a cot when Travis gathered the fragments of his company together and drew a line on the floor with his sword.
Those who preferred fighting to the death were asked to step over the line to his side.
All but one crossed, even disabled
Bowie insisting unon being carried over.
Travis fell during the terrible cannonade of March 5th, but the unequal and hopeless struggle was continued by his undaunted followers. All night long, while death, was reaping a terrible harvest within those crumbling walls and most of the garrison were on the verge of exhaustion, every man who could fire a gun fought on with desperate courage. At daybreak the citadel was assaulted by the entire Mexican army. The assailants infuriated by such desperate resistance swarmed over the works and the defenders fell like autumn leaves until only six remained. Of these six Crockett stood alone in an angle of the fort like a lion at bay. His right hand wielded a shattered rifle, his left a bowie knife streaming with gore, his face was covered with blood from a sabre cut on his forehead, while he fought on behind a veritable breastwork of dead and wounded Mexicans.
When at last the swords of the invaders were sheathed in the hearts of these devoted men, none remained in