Page:For the Liberty of Texas.djvu/259

Rh ," replied the major of the Texans, and withdrew.

Travis received the message with all the quiet dignity for which he was noted.

"I will send him his answer at once," he replied, and ordered a cannon-shot to be fired over the heads of the Mexican army.

This threw the Mexicans into a rage, and they quickly hung a blood-red flag from the tower of the San Fernando Church in San Antonio. This flag meant "no quarter," and, as it went up, several cannon-shots were aimed at the Alamo; and thus was the battle begun.