n' these Mexicans won't go back to
Cos as fine as they were when they started. The tall an' broad thing
that you see is a big mound on the prairie an' they're goin' to make a
stand on it. It ain't a bad place. A hundred Texans up there could beat
off a thousand Mexicans."

They went a little nearer and saw that a fringe of bushes surrounded the
base of the mound. Further up the Mexicans were digging in the soft
earth with their lances as best they could and throwing up a breastwork.
The horses had been tethered in the bushes. Evidently they felt sure
that they would be attacked by the Texans. They knew the nature of these
riders of the plains.

"I think we've seen enough," said Obed. "We'll go back now to Colonel
Moore and the men."

They found their horses undisturbed and were about to gallop back to the
main body with the news that the Mexicans were on the mound, when some
Mexican sentinels saw them and uttered a shout. The three exchanged
shots with them but knowing that a strong force would be upon them in an
instant returned to their original intention and went at full speed
toward the camp. It was lucky that the fog still held, as the pursuing
bullets went wide, but Ned heard more than one sing. The Mexicans showed
courage and followed the three until they reached the Texan camp. As Ned
and his comrades dismounted they shouted that the Mexicans were on a
hill not far away and were fortifying.

Moore promptly had his men run forward that bone of contention, the
cannon, and a solid shot was sent humming toward those who had pursued
the three. The heavy report came back in sullen echoes from the prairie,
and the stream of fire split the fog asunder. But in a moment the mists
and vapors closed in again, and the Mexicans were gone. Then the little
army stood for a few moments, motionless, but breathing heavily. The
cannon shot had made the hearts of everyone leap. They were inured to
Indian battle and every kind of danger, but this was a great war.

"Boys," said Moore, "we are here and the enemy is before us."

A deep shout from broad chests and powerful lungs came forth. Then by a
single impulse the little army rushed forward, led by Ned, Obed and the
Ring Tailed Panther, who took them straight toward the mound. As they
ran, the great Texan sun proved triumphant. It seemed to cleave the fog
like a sword blade, and then the mists and vapors rolled away on either
side, to right and to left of the Texans. The whole