nous beat of the hoofs. He knew
that the charge was still coming on, but Bowie would attend to that. He
and his immediate comrades never took their eyes from the gun. New
cannoneers, an entire complement, were rushing forward to take the place
of their fallen comrades. The Mexicans showed plenty of courage that
day but the deadly sharpshooters were slaying them as fast as they came.
They were yet unable to fire the gun. Nor could they draw it back from
its dangerous position. A second time all about it were slain, but a
third body came forward for the trial.

"Greasers or no greasers," cried Obed, "those are men of courage!"

But he continued to shoot straight at them nevertheless, and the third
group of cannoneers was fast melting away.

"Some of you aim at the mules hitched to the caisson," cried the Ring
Tailed Panther. "I hate to kill a mule, but it will be a help now."

One of the mules was slain and two others, wounded, dashed wildly
through the Mexican infantry, adding to the confusion and turmoil. The
last of the third group of cannoneers fell and the gun stood alone and
untouched, the shell still in place. No one now dared to approach it.
The dead now lay in a group all about it. Meanwhile, the second charge
broke like the first and the cavalry galloped wildly away.

Ned could turn his eyes now. He saw more riderless horses than before,
while the fallen, lying still on the prairie, had doubled in number.
Then his eyes turned back to the gun, standing somber and silent among
those who had died for it. The battle-fire gone, for the present, Ned
felt pity for the Mexicans who lay so thick about the cannon. Nor did he
fail to admire the courage that had been spent so freely, but in vain.

"They won't come again," said the Ring Tailed Panther, dropping to the
grass. "They have had enough."

"I don't blame 'em," said Obed, lying down by his side. "They must have
lost a third of their number, and they'd have lost another third if they
had charged once more."

"They're not going away," said Ned, who had remained on his perch.
"They're coming again."

A third time the Mexicans charged and a third time they were driven back
by the rifles. Then they formed on the prairie beyond gunshot, and
marched away to San Antonio, leaving behind the mournful and silent
cannon as proof alike of their courage and defeat.

CHAPTER XX

THE WHEEL OF FIRE

Ned watched the Mexicans marching away until the last lance ha