nto the north. There was
no water here, but they had rilled their water bottles at the last brook
and they had no fear of perishing by thirst. Although they had passed
the army of Cos they did not fail to keep a vigilant watch. They knew
that patrols of Mexicans would be in the north, and the red men were
also to be feared. They were coming into regions across which mounted
Indians often passed, doing destruction with rifle and lance, spear and
arrow. Both had more apprehension now about Indians than Mexicans.

At noon of that day they saw four horsemen on their left who shaped
their course toward theirs in such a manner that if they moved at an
equal pace they would meet at the point of a triangle. But the horses
that Ned and Obed rode were powerful animals, far superior to the
ordinary Mexican mounts, and they rode steadily ahead, apparently taking
no notice of the four on their flank.

"They're Mexican scouts," said Obed, "I'm sure of it, but I don't
believe that they'll come too close. They see that we have rifles, and
they know the deadly nature of the Texan rifle. If we are friends it's
all right, if we are Texans it will be wise to keep at a good distance."

Obed was a good prophet. The Mexicans, at a distance of almost a quarter
of a mile, raised a great shout. The two took no notice of it, but rode
on, their faces toward the north.

"I can talk good Spanish or Mexican," said Obed, "and so can you, but
I'm out riding now and I don't feel like stopping for conversation. Ah,
there they are shouting again, and as I live, Ned, they're increasing
their speed. We'll give 'em a sign."

Obed and Ned wheeled about and raised their rifles. The four Mexicans,
who were galloping their ponies, stopped abruptly. Obed and Ned turned
and rode on.

"We gave 'em a sign," said Obed, "and they saw it. We're in no danger,
Ned. We could beat 'em either in a fight or a run. The battle is
sometimes to the strong and the race to the swift."

It was obvious that the Mexicans, who were probably only scouts, did not
want a fight with formidable Texans who carried such long rifles. They
dropped back until Ned, taking a final look, could not tell their
distant figures from the stem of the lonesome cactus.

"Horses and rifles are mighty useful in their place," said Obed. "Add to
them wood and water and what little more a man needs he should be able
to find."

"It's wood and water that we ought to hunt now."

"We may strike both be