Davy Crockett by Robert E. Hollmann Read Free Book Online Page A

ma’am.”
    “Tell him that we love him and we miss him and we hope he hurries home.”
    “I surely will. I imagine he wants to get home as fast as he can.”
    Mrs. Millsaps stood up. “I better go in and get the children ready for bed.”
    Davy watched as she walked inside the cabin. He sat there staring at the ground in silence. Finally Addie sat next to him. “What are you thinking about, Davy?”
    Davy looked at her and the other children. “I am thinking we better get some sleep. We have an early start and a long ride tomorrow.”
    “Where are we going?” Dylan asked.
    Davy stood up and stretched. “San Antonio. We have a message to deliver.”

Chapter Fifteen
    “There she is, Davy. San Antonio.” One of Davy’s companions pointed to the buildings rising from the plains. “Looks good, doesn’t it?”
    “Sure does.” Davy took off his cap and looked at the buildings. “Guess we should ride down and say hello.”
    The children followed the men as they rode into the town. The dusty street was crowded with people. Adobe buildings lined the street. The interiors of the buildings looked dark and cool. Davy stopped his horse in front of a blacksmith shop. A strong-looking man was pounding on a horseshoe.
    Davy dismounted and walked over to the blacksmith. “Howdy. My name’s David Crockett. My friends and I have just arrived from Tennessee.”
    The blacksmith wiped his hands on his leather apron and shook Davy’s hand. “Glad to meet you. My name’s Almeron Dickinson. I’m from Tennessee myself. I heard of you, Mr. Crockett. Glad to meet you.”
    “Call me David. Or Davy if you heard the stories. What’s going on here, Almeron?”
    “Everybody’s getting ready for Santa Anna and his army. They should be here anytime. Colonel Travis doesn’t think they will be here for several weeks, but we have had reports that they are getting close.”
    “Colonel Travis. He the one in charge?”
    “Yes. Well, he and Bowie are splitting the command right now. Trouble is, they don’t always agree. Bowie believes the reports that Santa Anna is near. He wants us to get ready faster. Not a good situation to have your leaders fighting when an enemy army is coming.”
    “Where would I find these two?” Davy asked.
    Almeron Dickinson pointed across the street. “That’s Travis’s office. I don’t know where Bowie is.”
    The back door of the shop opened, and a young woman walked in carrying a baby.
    “Davy, this is my wife, Susannah. And my daughter, Angelina. Susannah, this is the famous Davy Crockett. You remember we heard about him back in Tennessee.”
    The young lady extended her hand. “Of course I remember. Nice to meet you, Mr. Crockett.”
    Davy took her hand. “Please, ma’am, call me Davy. It makes me feel old to be called Mr. Crockett.”
    Davy smiled down at the baby. “You have a lovely daughter, Susannah. Well, I guess I better go meet Colonel Travis. I hope to see you later.”
    Davy and his friends walked across the street. Addie, Dylan, and Braden followed Davy into the small room. A young man was sitting at a small desk writing a letter. He looked up as Davy entered.
    “Yes, sir. What can I do for you?”
    Davy walked over to the desk. “Colonel Travis? My name is David Crockett. I hear you are in charge here.”
    Travis stood up. “Congressman Crockett. It is a great pleasure to meet you.”
    “Please, don’t call me Congressman. Those days are long gone. Call me David, or Davy.”
    Travis motioned to a chair. “Please sit down, Davy. I am glad you are here.”
    Davy sat in the chair. Addie and the others stood behind him.
    “Colonel Travis, I hear that Santa Anna is getting close.”
    Travis laughed. “Those are rumors being spread by people who are scared by their own shadows. This is February, Davy. The grass is dead. Where would Santa Anna get food for his animals? He will need a lot of animals to transport such a large army. No, I believe he will wait until spring, when the