What could men without ammunition do against many times their number, well armed?
He resolved that he would not be taken with them, and shortly before day he pulled through the mud to the edge of the Guadalupe.

He undressed and made his clothes and rifle into a bundle.

He had been very careful of his own ammunition, and he had a half dozen rounds left, which he also tied into the bundle.
Then shoving a fallen log into the water he bestrode it, holding his precious pack high and dry.

Paddling with one hand he was able to direct the log in a diagonal course across the stream.

He toiled through another swamp on that shore, and, coming out upon a little prairie, dressed again.
He looked back toward the swamp in which the Texans lay, but he saw no lights and he heard no sounds there.