The interpreter said, “The colonel conveys his regrets, but he says his orders are specific. Part of his duty is the protection of Anahuac. To give up this post without a fight would be to desert Anahuac and compromise his dignity as an officer.”

One of the Texan leaders declared, “If it’s his dignity he’s worried about, he could put up a show of a fight, then surrender. Down in Mexico City, they would never know.”

The interpreter relayed the message. The colonel remained adamant. The interpreter said, “He would know. He says the schooner shall not pass.”

The head of the committee said, “Tell him we respect him as an officer and a gentleman. Then let us withdraw and be about the business we came for.”

James had never seen a cannon so large as the one on the center of the raised mound inside the small fort, nor had he ever seen one fired. He shivered to an involuntary chill, though the June day was warm. For a moment he wondered if Shipman had been right: He had no business here. But he saw no such reservations in the men around him. They appeared a strong-minded, determined set of men spoiling for a scrap. The mood was contagious, and his moment of doubt passed. He was almost glad Ugartechea had not capitulated.

We’re fixing to see a hot old time around here, he told himself. He was glad to get back to his rifle and feel the comfort of its wood and cold steel in his hands. It gave him a feeling of power, even invincibility.

“Them Mexicans ain’t much for fightin’,” he heard one of the men say. “One of us is good for five of them.”

James hoped they fought better than that, or the contest wouldn’t amount to much.

The plan was announced while the men waited for darkness. The attackers would split into two groups and advance upon the fort under cover of night. They would take up and fortify positions but would not attack until the schooner Brazoria appeared in the morning and brought its two new pieces of ordnance to bear upon the post. The Mexican garrison would then be caught between fire from the water and riflemen on the land. A group under the command of Austin were to carry spades and wooden planks to the open side of the garrison and build a set of breastworks during the night. The second group, under Brown, was to circle the garrison and take positions behind a protective pile of logs and other driftwood cast up by past rises of the river.

James was chosen to go with Austin’s group. He could see the dark and ominous shape of the fortress in the night as they advanced. He wondered that the soldiers inside did not seem to see the Texans’ approach. It would have been far better, he thought, to be able to move in the dark of the moon.

He heard a man named Robinson say that his wife had been bitterly opposed to his joining this expedition. “As I was leaving, the last thing she said to me was, ‘I hope them Mexicans shoot you dead!’ “