Crockett's Last Stand

               Crockett’s Last Stand

Suzanne Marsh

“Hey, you see what I see. Looks like three riders, volunteers ya think?”

“Yeah, hey one has on a coonskin cap.”

“Colonel Travis, there are three men ridin up one with a coonskin cap. Hey you don’t suppose that is Davy Crockett do ya?

“Yeah, I seen a poster once with his picture on, when he was campagin, it sure rightly looks like the

same feller.”

“Howdy, my name is David Crockett, we, the three of us want to volunteer to fight for Texas

freedom. I ain’t gonna do no speachifying, least wise not today.”

“Sergeant go git Travis on the double.”

“Colonel Travis, this here is David Crockett and his three volunteers from Tennessee.”

“My pleasure sir, I am Colonel Travis.”

“Pleased to meet you Colonel Travis, we been riding hard for a few days; we could use some food.

The horses are tuckered and so are we.”

“Yes, Colonel Crockett, there are a few rooms in the long barracks; make yourselves comfortable. I

can’t spare anyone to take you there, we are shoring up the abatis on the south wall. I just hope

it will hold when the time comes.”

“Colonel Travis, you sure that is a good idea. I mean how are you gonna explain to Crockett that

he and his Tennessee volunteers are the only reinforcements that have come to our aid.”

“Simply put, we don’t at least not yet. I have sent a letter to Washington on the Brazos telling

them we are going to stay stating we need reinforcements.”

“When Crockett has rested send him to me and where the hell is Jim Bowie?”

“Ah, Colonel Travis I ain’t got no idea.”

“Is he drunk again?”

“Sir I told ya I ain’t got no idea.”

“Very well Captain Dickinson, when you find him send him to me.”

“Yes, sir colonel.”

“Colonel Bowie, sir, Colonel Travis wants to talk to you NOW!”

“Hell don’t yell so loud Dickinson, my head aches. I’ll go talk to Travis when I am damn good and

ready, tell him I will be there within the hour.”

“Travis, what do want?”

“Colonel Bowie, where have you been?”

“Catching up on some much-needed sleep.”

“In other words, you were drunk again.”

“Colonel Bowie, try to remain sober. What is latest from Juan Seguin, has he located Santa Ana?”

“Seguin, sent word early this mornin, Santa Ana is about one from here.”

“Bowie, are you sure Seguin is right?”

“Yeah, Travis I trust Juan Seguin more than I trust you.”

“Then we better begin to prepare to fight. The abatis I hope will hold, that is where we should place

Crockett and his volunteers.”

“Travis, we ain’t got a chance in hell of winning this battle. You know it and I know, most of the

men know or have guessed.”

“We will stand and fight Bowie, there is no choice. We have to buy time for Sam Houston to

prepare to fight Santa Ana.’

“I know that Travis, how are we going to buy him time?

“Bowie, we will discuss this once David Crockett joins us; until then resume work on the cannon on

the north wall.”

“Travis, you are a fool.”

“Fool or not Bowie, I am in charge, therefore you do what I tell you to do.”

“Go to hell Travis.”

“I have no doubt that I will.”

“Colonel Crockett, please sit down. This is Colonel Bowie.”

“Good to meet you, Colonel Bowie.”

“Thank you, Crockett, I sure have heard a great deal about you.”

“I have heard about you also Colonel Bowie.”

“Call me Jim.:

“Call me David.”

“Now that the introductions are finished, we must begin to speak about the Alamo. The plan was

originally to torch the Alamo, but defensively it is a good fortress. We can hold off Santa Ana

and the Mexican Army at least for a while until reinforcements arrive. We need to shore up cannon

platforms. Let’s have at it men.”

“Why is the bell ringing?”

“Santa Ana is close by, the big mucky muck himself. Juan spotted their movements sending one of

his riders with the message. The bell David, is the warning bell, Santa Ana is approaching.”

“Senor, Generalissimo Antonio Lopez de Santa Ana demands the surrender of Bexar immediately.”

“Travis…”

“Hell, Travis, I didn’t think you had it in you to fire on Santa Ana. We’re in for it now.”

“Bowie, we will not surrender no matter the cost.”

“Crockett, did you hit any of the soldiers close by?”

“Yep, that I did, just grazed him.”

“That should give Santa Ana something to chew on for a bit.”

“Now gentlemen, we must begin to prepare for battle.”

“Travis, you are insane! Those Mexicans are here and there are more em comin. We should git while

the gittin is good.”

“Bowie, we are here to buy time for Sam Houston, we will fight.”

“Fine, I am takin my men out of here at dawn.”

“You do that Bowie.”

“Just a second I thought there were reinforcement coming.”

“Colonel Crockett, we have sent several messages to Fanin, we are still waiting.”

“David, you stayin or leavin?”

“I am staying Jim. We are all staying to fight for freedom.”

“All right Travis you won this round. You better be real grateful to David here.”

“Travis, get out of here.”

“Men, as you know the red flag flying from that steeple over there means no quarter, no mercy. You also know

now there are no more reinforcements coming to our aid. I am going to draw a line here in the

compound. If you decide to stay and fight step over the line, if not you may attempt escape

over the wall tonight. Those are the choices.”

“Hey, boys carry me over. I ain’t leavin.”

“Bowie, thank you.”

“Ah, Travis, let's make Santa Ana sorry he came to Texas.”

“Yes, lets.”

“Crockett, will you and MacGregor play tonight?”

“Sure, Colonel Travis, we’ll make it extra loud, drown out that miserable what did you call it?

Del somethin or thuther.”

“Deguello, it means slit no quarter no mercy; at least that is what one of the Mexican soldier.

here said it meant.”

“We must be prepared to die.”

“Susannah, er Mrs. Dickinson, I would like to give this to your daughter. I cut a piece of leather to tie

it around her neck. Perhaps you can tell her about me someday.”

“Colonel Travis, I will do that. But surely you will be alive to tell her.”

“Get some sleep Mrs. Dickinson.”

“The Mexicans are comin, they are on the move. Git Travis NOW!!!”

“Men to your posts. Ladies take cover.”

“Fire!”

“General Castrillon, why have you brought these prisoners to me? You know my order?”

“Yes, Generalissimo Santa Ana, but they have fought so bravely. Spare them I beg of you.”

“Who here is willing to kill these traitors?”

“Last thing I heard about Crockett: “he died without complaining and without humiliating himself.

before his torturers.”