the plain
below us a number of horsemen galloping about. We were too far off to
make out what they were. The rancheroes gazed earnestly at them. Mr
Renshaw had a good glass with him.

"Why, there are red fellows on horseback, with spears and shields, but
without a rag on them," he exclaimed. "They seem to be fighting with
another set of fellows dressed as Spaniards, and, hang it, the latter
are turning heels and flying." The rancheroes seemed very much excited
all the time, and rode a little way down the hill, that they might
better see what was going on. They quickly turned round and beckoned to
us to join them. We did so, and soon saw that if we would save the
lives of the Mexicans, there was not a moment to be lost. Although
there were thirty of them, there were fully four times as many Indians.
It was not difficult to divine what had occurred. The Mexicans had been
taken by surprise, and instead of pulling up and keeping close together,
each man had galloped off in the hope of saving his own life, without
thinking of his companions. The Indians had thus got in among them, and
had already pierced several through with their long spears. Each Indian
warrior, however, as soon as he had killed or disabled a man, stopped to
take his scalp, and this gave time to some of the Mexicans once more to
unite and to present a better front to the enemy. The resistance they
were making, however, was very feeble, and as we galloped on we saw that
they had once more begun to break. The Indians had been so intent on
the attack that they had not perceived our approach, neither had the
Mexicans.

"Now, my friends," exclaimed our friend Captain Driscoll, who seemed as
if by right to take the command, "keep together, shoulder to shoulder,
and dash boldly in among those red villains. Cut them down, and pistol
them as best you can, shouting at the top of your voices. I know them
of old; they won't stand that. When they hear English voices they'll
run; they know what they are to get. Wait till I give the word,
though."

It was very exciting. Down the steep hill we dashed at full speed, our
horses seeming clearly to understand what we were about. Already
several more Mexicans had, through their cowardice, lost their lives.
We were within two hundred yards of the scene of strife. "Now's the
time!" shouted our leader. "Hurrah, hurrah! my lads! Give way, you red
scoundrels!" we all shouted at the top of our voices. The I