It was quite
evident that instinct was warning them of something that human beings
could not yet detect.

Ned wondered. He put his hand on the neck of his own horse which knew
him well, yet the beast trembled all over, and uttered a sudden shrill
neigh. It was quite dark in the place, only a little light coming
through the broken windows, yet Ned was quite sure that no Comanches had
managed to get inside, and lie in hiding there.

A few moments later the Ring Tailed Panther uttered a fierce cry.

"I smell smoke!" he cried. "That's why the horses are so scared. The
demons have managed to set fire to this place which is wood. That's why
they've been so quiet!"

Ned, too, now smelt the strong odor of smoke, and a spurt of fire
appeared at a crack between two of the planks at the far end of the
place. The struggles of the horses increased. They were wild with
fright.

Ned instantly recognized the danger. The burning wooden building would
fill the stone convent itself with flame and smoke, and make it
untenable. The sparks already had become many, and the odor of smoke was
increasing. Their situation, suddenly become desperate, was growing more
so every instant. But they were Texans, inured to every kind of danger.
Bowie shouted for more men to come from the convent, leaving only five
or six on guard there.

Then the Texans began to bring method and procedure out of the turmoil.
Some held the horses, others, led by Bowie, kicked loose the light
planks where the fire had been started, and hurled them outward. They
were nearly choked by the smoke but they worked on.

The Comanches, many of whom were hugging the wall, shouted their war
cry, and began to fire into the opening that Bowie and his men had made.
They could not take much aim, because of the smoke, but their bullets
wounded two Texans. Despite the danger Bowie and most of his men were
still compelled to work at the fire. The room was full of smoke, and
behind them the horses were yet struggling with those who held them.

The Ring Tailed Panther lay down and resting himself on one elbow took
aim with his rifle. He was almost clear of the smoke which hung in a
bank above him. Ned noticed him and imitated him. He saw a dusky figure
outside and when he fired it fell. The Ring Tailed Panther did as well,
and Obed joined them. While Bowie and the others were dashing out the
fire, three great marksmen were driving back the Comanches who sought to
take advantage of