fell from his horse, and
then, with a great shout, the Mexican horsemen charged, presenting a
gallant array as they bent forward, their rifles and lances ready. The
beat of their horses' hoofs came over the prairie like roiling thunder.
They wheeled suddenly toward the wood, and then the infantry, advancing,
opened heavy and repeated volleys upon the Texans. The horsemen also
fired from their saddles.

It was the heaviest fire under which Ned had ever come, and, for a few
moments, he quivered all over. He saw a great blaze in front, above it a
cloud of lifting smoke, and he heard over his head the hum of many
bullets, like the whistling of hail, driven by a heavy wind. But he was
experienced enough now to note that the Mexican fire was wasted. That
bank was a wonderful protection.

"It's almost a shame to shoot 'em," roared the Ring Tailed Panther who
had reloaded. But up went his rifle, his finger pressed the trigger and
another Mexican officer fell from his horse. All along the Texan front
ran the rifle fire, a rapid crackling sound like the ripping apart of
some great cloth. But the Texans were taking aim. There was no confusion
among the hardy veterans of the plains. Lying against the face of the
bluff they were sending in their bullets with deadly precision. Horse
after horse in the charging host galloped away riderless over the
prairie, and the front rank of the infantry was shot down.

Ned, like the others, was loading and firing swiftly, but with care. The
imminent danger kept down any feeling that he would have had otherwise.
The Mexicans sought their lives, and he must seek theirs. The smoke and
the odor of burned gunpowder inflamed him. There was still a blaze in
front of him, but he also saw the brown faces of the Mexicans yet
pressing forward, and he yet heard the continued thunder of the charging
hoofs.

"Another bullet, Ned," roared the Ring Tailed Panther and he and the
others around him sent a fresh volley at the horsemen. The Mexican
cavalry could stand no more. Five companies strong, they broke and
galloped away, seeking only to escape from the deadly fire of the Texan
rifles. The infantry also gave back and for a few minutes there was a
lull.

"That's the end of Chapter One," said Obed White. "Our Mexican friends
came in haste and they will repent at a distance."

The smoke lifted and Ned saw many fallen, both men and horses, on the
plain in front of them, and there was confusion in the Mexica