time," said Moore. "He's expecting a fresh Mexican force, but we'll see
that it comes too late."

Then raising his voice, he shouted to his command:

"Boys, they've chosen to fight, and they are there on the hill. A man
cannot rush that hill with his horse, but he can rush it with his two
legs."

The face of the Ring Tailed Panther became a perfect full moon of
delight. Then he paled a little.

"Do you think there can yet be any new trick to hold us back?" he asked
Obed anxiously.

"No," replied Obed cheerfully. "Time and tide wait for no Mexicans, and
the tide's at the flood. We charge within a minute."

Even as he spoke, Moore shouted:

"Now, boys, rush 'em!"

For the third time the Texans uttered that deep, rolling cheer. The
cannon sent a volley of grape shot into the cluster on the mound and
then the Texans rushed forward at full speed, straight at the enemy.

The Mexicans opened a rapid fire with rifles and muskets and the whole
mound was soon clothed in smoke. But the rush of the Texans was so great
that in an instant they were at the first slope. They stopped to send in
a volley and then began the rush up the hill, but there was no enemy.

The Mexicans gave way in a panic at the very first onset, ran down the
slope to their horses, leaped upon them and galloped away over the
prairie. Many threw away their rifles and lances, and, bending low on
the necks of their horses, urged them to greater speed.

Ned had been in the very front of the rush, Obed on one side and the
Ring Tailed Panther on the other. His heart was beating hard and there
was a fiery mist before his eyes. He heard the bullets whiz past, but
once more Providence was good to him. None touched him, and when the
first tremors were over he was as eager as any of them to reach the
crest of the mound, and come to grips with the enemy. Suddenly he heard
a tremendous roar of disgust. The Ring Tailed Panther was the author of
it.

"Escaped after all!" he cried. "They wouldn't stay an' fight, when they
promised they would!"

"At least, the Mexicans ride well," said Obed.

Ned gazed from the crest of the mound at the flying men, rapidly
becoming smaller and smaller as they sped over the prairie.

CHAPTER XVI

THE COMING OF URREA

Many of the Texans were hot for pursuit, but Moore recalled them. His
reasons were brief and grim. "You will not overtake them," he said, "and
you will need all your energies later on. This is only the