No doubt the shots had been heard at the main camp, and many men were seeking their cause.
But Ned, fortunately for himself, was now like the needle in the haystack.

While the trumpets signaled and the groups of Mexican horsemen rode into one another he stole back to the old mission and knocked upon the door with the butt of his rifle.

Answering King's questions through the loophole, he was admitted quickly.
"The main army hasn't come up yet," he said, in reply to the eager inquiries of the defenders.

"Fannin's men may get here in time, and if they are in sufficient force to beat off the cavalry detachment I suggest that we abandon the mission before we are caught in a trap, and retreat toward Fannin.

If we linger the whole Mexican army will be around us." "Sounds right," said King, "but we've got to hear from Fannin first.