The Alamo
Republic of Texas
March 5, 1836
Republic of Texas
March 5, 1836
"Clean that rifle, boy," said the veteran as he paced the wall, "Can't have it misfiring when they come. Bad way to go." The sun beat down on the Texian militiamen as they stared out at Santa Anna's army, forming up and preparing what was likely their final charge. The crumbling limestone buildings weren't a proper fort, just an old Spanish mission they'd converted. For two weeks now, the Mexican army had besieged them in the damn place. Oh, there'd been a few skirmishes, and a fair bit of bombardment, but they hadn't really tried to take the walls yet. "Y-yes, sir." The youth hastily started polishing the barrel of his weapon, completely misunderstanding the order. The veteran raised a hand to correct him, but let it drop. This was a hopeless fight, what did it matter?
"Look, kid. Yesterday, William Travis gave that big rousing speech about freedom and liberty and all that rubbish. I mean, don't get me wrong, when he drew that blasted line in the dirt, I crossed it too. We all did. Just don't get any delusions here. We're outnumbered. It's about taking as many of them with us as we can." Down the line, near the center, the veteran could just hear Crockett giving a similar speech, but with more hope and encouragement. The young man had stopped polishing his rifle, and his face had blanched pale despite his sunburns and freckles. The veteran sighed, closed his eyes, and spat over the wall at the army that was coming to kill them all.
"Don't listen to me, son. Listen to him, down the line. He's got the pretty words. You and me? We've got the grit, the guts, the goddamned gumption. Let Santa Anna and all his lackeys come and take this fort. As long as you've got me, and I've got you, they can have it over my dead body."
In the distance, trumpets sounded and cannon thundered. The charge began. jjh927 loaded his rifle and turned once more to the quavering young soldier by his side. "Stick close, son. I'll keep you safe."