"Powder-House" was applied. Here, as a means of increased vigilance,
was placed a body of horse, for the purpose of watching the plain
which stretched along the river. Fearing every moment to see the
victorious Texans at the heels of their retreating infantry, they had
orders to dash in, at the first glimpse of the advance-guard of the
enemy. But night closed and none appeared, and, dreading the morning
light, many lay down to sleep at the close of that eventful day.
Several hours elapsed, and then the Texan forces, under General
Burleson, wound across the valley, and settled along the verge of the
town. The Alamo was beleaguered.

Forced, as it were, to remain a witness of the horrors of the then
approaching conflict, the cousins strove to cast from them the gloomy
forebodings which crept into their hearts, darkening the present and
investing the future with phantoms of terror. Mrs. Carlton and Mary
were far more hopeful than the remainder of the little circle,
and kept up the semblance of cheerfulness, which ever flies at the
approach of danger. The girls saw but little of the gentlemen, for Mr.
Carlton was ever out in search of tidings from the camp, and Frank,
in opposition to his sister's tearful entreaties, had enlisted
immediately after General Burleson's arrival. His manner, during his
brief visits, was considerate and kind; yet Mary fancied at times
that he avoided her, though, marking her declining health, he had
prescribed some simple remedy, and never failed to inquire if she were
not improving. Still there was a certain something, indescribable, yet
fully felt, which made her shrink from meeting him, and as week after
week passed, her cheek grew paler, and her step more feeble.

With an anxious heart, Mrs. Carlton watched her failing strength; but
to all inquiries and fears Mary replied that she did not suffer, save