By the twelfth day of the siege of the Alamo in 1836, Travis knew that time was running out. That Saturday evening, as the sun began to set, he stood before the tired group of Texans who had gathered in the courtyard of the Alamo chapel. He offered them the chance to escape the fortress before it was too late, with the promise that they would go with his blessing. A single Frenchman took him up on the offer, and Travis was true to his word. With a handshake, Travis bid him safe passage through the enemy lines.
William Barret Travis drew his sword from his sheath, drew a line in the sand with its tip, and offered his men a final choice. Then he and said to those in the Alamo Chapel courtyard: "Those of you prepared to give your lives in freedom’s cause, come
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