“If the Alamo can hold out until we relieve it, there will be no danger to Fannin,” mused the general. “And if he will obey the orders of his superiors, whoever they may be,――――”
But a sudden shout from the convention hall interrupted him. The cries swelled, spreading to the crowd outside the door.
“You’re wanted inside the hall, general,” he said. “You’ve been elected commander-in-chief, on first ballot; fifty-five votes for you, only one against.”
“I accept,” remarked the general, solemnly. “I will be there directly, but this is a time for acting, not for talking.”
He strode for the convention hall, and most of the group with him. Ernest squirmed in. The general appeared on the rude platform, and spoke briefly, thanking the convention and the people of Texas for the honor paid to him. Scarcely had he concluded when a delegate arose.
“I move that it be the sense of this convention that Major-General Sam Houston immediately depart for the army, or resign.”
A storm of cheers and hisses followed. The general waited. He levelled his finger at the delegate, and answered for himself.
“I trust that the gentleman will withdraw his motion. In that belief I will state that my purpose is to start for the army on the morrow morning, and I will be glad _to have the gentleman’s company_!”
What a round of cheers and laughter now resounded!
“I withdraw my motion,” stammered the delegate, much confused by the unexpected challenge and the uproar, and sat down.
However, the general did not leave on the next day. The convention had adjourned over Saturday and Sunday, to enable the committees to prepare further reports. There was much important work yet to be done, ere the Republic of Texas was organized; a constitution must be adopted, and the republic’s officers elected. General Houston had his duties to perform as a delegate; and, besides, he was waiting for instructions.
The delay was exasperating; but it seemed necessary. If the Alamo would only hold out! Surely the volunteers at Gonzales were marching to help it!
Sunday morning, which was March 6, Ernest had taken a walk about, exploring (for it was rather trying, just to lie ’round), when a commotion in town caught his ear and eye. Men were hurrying to gather in a crowd on the street, as if surrounding some speaker. So back into the excitement sped Ernest. News from the Alamo, perhaps! Another messenger! Or had Colonel Fannin been attacked, too! Or Gonzales taken! Or perhaps Colonel Travis had driven off the Mexicans!
