he lances of the
little Mexican force dropped from the perpendicular to the level, the
spear-points glistening like lightning in the evening sun.

This evolution startled the Apaches, some of whom began to draw rein,
others rode over them, and the great cloud of horsemen began to exhibit
signs of confusion. Some, however, charged on towards the waggons, and
thus escaped the impact, as, with a hearty cheer and their horses at
racing pace, the lancers dashed at, into, and over the swarm of Indians,
driving their way right through, and seeming to take flight on the other
side as if meaning to go right away.

Their course was strewed with Apaches and their ponies, but not a
Mexican was left behind; and then, before the savages could recover from
their astonishment, the gallant little band had wheeled round, and were
coming back, trot--canter--gallop, once more at racing speed.

There was another tremendous impact, for there were so many of the
savages that they could not avoid the charge, and once more the lancers
rode right through them, leaving the ground strewn with dead and wounded
men and ponies. Their riderless steeds added to the confusion, while no
sooner were the lancers clear, and forming up once more a couple of
hundred yards away, than a tremendous fire was opened from the rock
fortress and the waggon-train, making men fall fast.

The lancers were soon in motion once more for their third charge, but
this was only a feint, for the firing would have been fatal to friend as
well as foe, there being no one to signal a stay. Still the Apaches did
not know this, and having had two experiences--their first--of the
charge of a body of heavily mounted, well-disciplined men, they were
satisfied, and as the lancers began to canter, were in full flight over
the plain, men and ponies dropping beneath the fire and from previously
received lance-wounds, while the ground for a broad space was literally
spotted with the injured and the dead.

"Oh, if I could have been with you!" cried Bart, riding up to the
captain rifle in hand.

"Let soldiers do soldiers' work, my young friend," said the captain,
bluntly. "You are excited now; perhaps you will think differently
another time."

CHAPTER FORTY TWO.

THE SILVER CITY IN THE PLAINS.

Bart did think differently when he cooled down, and, after a warm
greeting from the Doctor, who praised his bravery and thanked him for
bringing help, saw the dreary business of buryi