A shower of bullets cut gaps in the Mexican line, both horse and foot.

Many riderless horses galloped through the ranks of the foe, adding to the confusion.

But the Mexican numbers were so great that they continued to press the Texans.

Young Urrea, his head in thick bandages, was again with the cavalry, and animated by more than one furious impulse he drove them on.
It became evident now even to the rawest that the whole Mexican army was present.

It spread out to a great distance, and enfolded the Texans on three sides, firing hundreds of muskets and keeping up a great shouting, Ned's keen ear also detected other firing off to the right, and he knew that it was King and his men making a hopeless defence against overpowering numbers.
"We cannot reach King," groaned Ward.
"We have no earthly chance of doing so," said Ned, "and I think, Colonel, that your own force will have a hard fight to get back inside the mission." The truth of Ned's words was soon evident to everyone.