time for more."

"That's so," admitted the Ring Tailed Panther, "but when you've got all
your teeth and claws sharpened for a fight you want it right then an'
not next week."

The Mexicans tethered their horses and began to form camp about a half
mile from the river. They went about it deliberately, spreading tents
for their officers and lighting fires for cooking. The Texans could see
them plainly and the Mexicans showed the carelessness and love of
pleasure natural to children of the sun. Some lay down on the grass and
three or four began to strum mandolins and guitars.

There was a sterner manner on the Texan side of the Guadalupe. The watch
at the fords was not relaxed, but Ned went back into the little town to
carry the word to the women and children. Most of the women, like the
men, were dressed in deerskin and they, too, volunteered to fight if
they were needed. Ned told them what Castenada had asked, and he also
told them the reply which was received with grim satisfaction. The women
were even more bitter than the men against the Mexicans.

Ned passed a long day by the Guadalupe, keeping his place most of the
time at the ford with the Ring Tailed Panther, who was far less patient
than he.

"My teeth an' claws will shorely get dull with me a-settin' here an'
doin' nothin'," said Palmer. "I can roar an' I can keep on roarin' but
what's the good of roarin' when you can't do any bitin' an' tearin'?"

"Patience will have its perfect fight," said Obed, giving one of his
misquotations. "I've always heard that every kind of panther would lie
very quiet until the chance came for him to spring."

The Ring Tailed Panther growled between his shut teeth.

The sight of the Mexican force in the afternoon became absolutely
tantalizing. Although it was early autumn the days were still very hot
at times and Castenada's men were certainly taking their ease. Ned could
see many of them enjoying the siesta, and through a pair of glasses he
saw others lolling luxuriously and smoking cigarettes. It was especially
irritating to the Ring Tailed Panther, who grew very red in the face but
who now only emitted growls between his shut teeth.

It was evident that the Mexicans were going to make no demonstration
just yet and the night came, rather dark and cloudy. Now the anxiety in
Gonzales increased since the night can be cover for anything, and,
besides guarding the fords, several of the defenders were placed at
intermediate poin