driven by the wind, sending forth sparks in myriads, and roaring and
crackling, was racing down upon the Mexican camp.

Ned kept behind the fire and to one side. Sparks fell upon him, and the
smoke was in his eyes and ears, but he thought little just then of such
things. The fire, like many others of its kind, took but a narrow path.
It was as if a flaming sword blade were slashed down across the woods.

Ned saw it through the veil of smoke rush upon the Mexican camp. He saw
the startled Mexicans running about, and he heard the shrill neigh of
frightened horses. Never was a camp abandoned more quickly. The men
sprang upon their horses and scattered in every direction through the
woods. Two on horseback crowded by Ned. They did not see him, nor did he
pay any attention to them, but when a third man on foot came, running
at the utmost speed, the boy seized him by the shoulder, and was dragged
from his feet.

"It is I, Obed!" he cried. "It is I, Ned Fulton!"

Obed White stopped abruptly and the Ring Tailed Panther, unable to check
himself, crashed into him. The three, men and boy, went to the ground,
where they lay for a few moments among the bushes, half stunned. It was
a fortunate chance, as Urrea, who had retained his presence of mind, was
on horseback looking for the prisoners, and he passed so near that he
would have seen them had they been standing.

The three rose slowly to their feet and the two men gazed in admiration
at Ned.

"You did it!" they exclaimed together.

"I did," replied Ned with pride, "and it has worked beautifully."

"I was never so much in love with a forest fire before," said the Ring
Tailed Panther. "How it roars an' tears an' bites! An' just let it roar
an' tear an' bite!"

"We'd better go on the back track," said Obed. "The Mexicans are all
running in other directions."

"My horse is back that way, too," said Ned. "Come on."

They started back, running along the edge of the burned area. Before
they had gone far the Ring Tailed Panther caught a saddled and bridled
horse which was galloping through the woods, and, they were so much
emboldened, that they checked their flight, and hunted about until they
found a second.

"There must be at least thirty or forty of 'em dashin' about through the
woods, mad with fright," said Obed.

"Three are all we can use, includin' Ned's," said the Ring Tailed
Panther, "but I wish we had more weapons."

They had found across the saddle of one of th