"I am," answered Ralph. "And you are Mr. Martin, from the Pecan Grove Ranch." "Right, my lad. How in the world did you come here?" "I just escaped from the lockup, and was trying to reach the Texan lines. Do you know anything of my father?" "Do I? Why, he's in the house just below here, along with your brother. We came---- Back, or you'll be shot!" Ralph retreated, and none too soon, for a second later several bullets entered the window and buried themselves in the wall opposite. The Mexicans were firing from several roofs in the neighbourhood. This fire was returned with such good interest that soon the Mexicans were as glad to get out of sight as those who opposed them. Ralph wished to join his father and Dan without delay, but Mr. Martin held him back. "Wait until dark," said the settler. "You are fairly safe here, and it would be foolhardy to expose yourself." "Do you think we will win out?" asked the lad, anxiously. "I do,--but it is going to be a tougher struggle than any of us expected." On the morning of the third day of the attack matters were at first quiet, but then came a fierce fire by the Mexicans on the Texans' trench. The sharpshooters were called again to the front, and in an hour the enemy had stopped almost entirely. "Here goes for another dash!" came the cry at noon, and sure enough another dash was led to a house still closer to the plaza, and the building was soon in the possession of the Texans. They were gaining their victory slowly but surely. At evening Colonel Milam attempted to leave his own position to consult with Colonel Johnson, still at the Veramendi house. "You must be careful, colonel," came the warning, as the gallant fighter stood in the courtyard. The words had scarcely been spoken when a bullet took Milam in the head, killing him instantly. The loss at this critical moment was a severe one, and the officers were called into hasty consultation, the result of which was that Colonel Johnson was placed at the head of the expedition. The battle was now growing fiercer and fiercer, and, angered over the loss of Colonel Milam, the Texans forced their way to another house, which fronted the Military Plaza and was but a block from the Main Plaza. "Down with the Mexicans! Hurrah for the liberty of Texas!" were the cries, and the Texans grew more enthusiastic than ever. In the midst of this uproar Ralph discovered his father and Dan at the doorway to one of the houses, and ran to join them. "Ralph, my son!" cried Amos Radbury, and caught the lad to his breast, and Dan hugged his brother with a bear-like grip. "You are quite well?" "Yes, father. But what a fight this is!" "Yes, and it will be worse before it is over." "Did you see Big Foot?" questioned Dan. "Yes, he helped me to get out of prison." There was no time just then to say more, for the Texans were fighting hotly, holding several houses and endeavouring to keep the Mexicans out of such buildings where they might have an advantage.