early hear the Mexicans; officers shouting to men; men
shouting to horses; horses neighing and mules squealing, and he knew
from these noises that the report of their great force by the scouts was
correct. He also heard the clank of the artillery wheels again, and he
feared that the cannon would prove a very dangerous foe to them. All the
pulses in his body began to beat fast and hard.

"Will the sun ever get through the fog and let us see?" he exclaimed
impatiently. It was hard to wait at such a time.

"It's comin' through now," said the Ring Tailed Panther.

The pale yellow light turned suddenly to full red gold. The banks of
mist and vapor dissolved under the shining beams, and floated away in
shreds and patches. The river, the forest and the prairie rose up into
the light, everything standing out, sharp and clear.

Ned drew a deep breath. There was the Mexican array, massed along the
entire open space of the horseshoe, at least five to the Texan one, as
the scouts had said, and now not more than two hundred yards from them.
Five companies of cavalry were gathered ready to charge; infantry stood
just behind them and back of the infantry Ned caught the gleam of the
cannon he had heard in the night. Evidently the Mexicans had not yet
brought it to the front, because its fire would interfere with the
charge of the cavalry which they expected would end the battle in five
minutes. There was no chance for the Texans to retreat, but it was not
of retreat that they were thinking.

"How's your pulse, Ned?" asked the Ring Tailed Panther.

"It's beating fast and hard, I won't deny that," replied Ned, "but I
believe my finger will be steady when it presses the trigger."

"Fine feathers make fine Mexicans," said Obed White. "How they do love
color! That's a gorgeous array out there, and it seems a pity to break
it up."

The Mexican force certainly looked well. The cavalry, in brilliant
uniforms, presented a long front, their lances gleaming. The Texans,
standing in the steps that they had cut in the earth, were in sober
attire, but resolute eyes looked out from under their caps or the wide
brims of their hats.

"They'll charge in a moment," said Obed, "and they'll try to break their
way through the wood. They cannot ride down this bluff."

The Ring Tailed Panther raised his rifle, and looked down the sights.
His eyes were glittering. He drew the trigger and the sharp lashing
report ended the silence. A Mexican officer