The Alamo by Robert E. Hollmann

Description:

The Alamo is one of the most famous stories in Texas history. The story of the bravery of the defenders and the sacrifice they made for Texas is known throughout the world.

Come now and join two students, Nancy and Jimmy,as they travel with Lady Texas to that shrine of Texas liberty when Santa Anna's troops surrounded the old mission. Be there when Travis answers Santa Anna with a cannon shot. Watch as Juan Seguin rides through the enemy lines to get reinforcements for the Alamo. Listen as Davy Crockett and John McGregor battle with fiddle and bagpipe to raise the spirits of the tired defenders. Cross the line with the men who chose to die so that Texas could be free. Fight in the final assault when men became heroes and heroes became legends.

Excerpt:

Nancy and Jimmy looked around the room. They didn’t see anyone. Suddenly a light began to glow around the statue of Lady Texas. The children shielded their eyes from the bright glow. The light began to fade, and then Lady Texas stepped down from the pedestal she had been standing on. The children looked at her in disbelief. Lady Texas was no longer a stone statue; she was a beautiful woman. She smiled as she walked toward the two children.

“I’m sorry if I scared you,” she said. “I’m Lady Texas.”

The sword fell from Jimmy’s hand and made a great clattering noise as it hit the floor. Nancy stared wide-eyed at the figure walking toward them. She backed up until she hit the wall and could go no further. She reached behind her for the doorknob, but was unable to find it.

“Don’t bother with the door. It’s locked, as I said. Please don’t be afraid. I won’t hurt you. Why don’t you tell me your names?” Lady Texas said.

Nancy looked Lady Texas. “My name is Nancy. This is Jimmy. Our class was on a tour of the museum, and we came in here to see what was in this room. We don’t mean any harm. We just want to leave and go find our class.”

Lady Texas smiled. “Oh, your class left hours ago. You’ve been here longer than you think. The museum is closed until tomorrow. There is a night watchman, but he’s probably asleep at the front desk by now. I’m afraid you’re in here for the night.” Lady Texas turned to Jimmy. “Well, Jimmy, do you still think I’m ugly?”

Jimmy swallowed hard. “No, Lady Texas. I was just making a joke. I make jokes all the time. Just ask Nancy. I’m always making jokes, aren’t I? Why, I think you’re real pretty.”

“Why, thank you, Jimmy. That was nice of you to say. Well, what do you two think of the new exhibit?”

“I’m sure it’ll be nice when it’s finished,” Nancy said.

“What about you, Jimmy? Do you like it? I heard you say it was boring,” Lady Texas said.

Jimmy looked at Lady Texas and then looked around the room. “Well, I didn’t mean just this stuff. I think history is boring. It is just dates and talking about dead people.”

Lady Texas smiled. “No, Jimmy. History is more than just dates. And the people were alive at one time. Just like you are now. When you study history, you study about those people and their lives. It is really very interesting.”

“If you say so,” Jimmy said.

“Come on. Let me show you how interesting history can be.” Lady Texas walked over to the table with the model sitting on it. Nancy and Jimmy followed her.

“Now see this model? One of the most famous events in Texas history took place here.”

“Are you kidding?” Jimmy asked. “That’s just an old run-down building. I bet it doesn’t even have a name.”

“Oh, yes it does,” Lady Texas said. “Its name is the Alamo.”

“Now I know you’re trying to fool us. This doesn’t look anything like the Alamo. Right, Nancy?”

“That’s right. My parents took me to see the Alamo once, and I’ve seen a lot of pictures of it. This building doesn’t even have a roof.”

“The Alamo you see today is very different from the Alamo in 1836. There have been many changes, including adding a roof.”

Jimmy looked at the model. “This doesn’t even look like a fort. I know there was a big battle at the Alamo. There had to be a real fort to have such a big battle.”

“Oh, there was a big battle there, all right. Would you like me to tell you about it? Or better yet, why don’t we go see it?”

Nancy shook her head. “I don’t know. My mother is probably worried about me. I better be getting home.”

“I told you, it will be tomorrow before anyone finds you. We will be back by then. What do you say? Want to see the story of the Alamo?”

Jimmy nodded. “That would be fun. But I don’t want to get shot.”

Lady Texas smiled. “Oh, don’t worry. No one will be able to see or hear us. We’ll just watch and listen to the people who were part of the story of the Alamo.”

Nancy shrugged. “How do we get there?”

“That’s easy,” Lady Texas said. “Each of you take one of my hands. Hold on tight and don’t let go.”

Jimmy and Nancy walked over to Lady Texas and took her hands. They squeezed them tightly. A mist began to rise and curl around them. It got thicker and thicker until they could see nothing but the mist. They heard the sound of the wind, and it felt like they were flying.

“Hold on tight,” Lady Texas said. “Next stop, the Alamo.”