They were trained horses, too, and the
riders dropped the reins on their necks, while they held their rifles
ready.
It was hard for Ned to keep his nerves steady, but Obed was on one side
of him and Bowie on the other, while the Ring Tailed Panther was just
beyond Obed. Pride as well as necessity kept him motionless and taut
like the others.
Doubtless the Mexicans would have turned, had it not been for the
smallness of the force opposed to them, but they came on rapidly in a
long line, still shouting and brandishing their weapons. Ned saw the
flaming eyes of the horses, and he marked the foam upon their jaws. For
what was Bowie waiting! Nearer they came, and the beat of the hoofs
thundered in his ears. It seemed that the flashing steel of the lances
was at his throat. He had already raised his rifle and was taking aim at
the man in front of him, all his nerves now taut for the conflict.
"Fire!" cried Bowie, and sixteen rifles were discharged as one.
Not a bullet went astray. The Mexican line was split asunder, and horses
and men went down in a mass. A few, horses and men, rose, and ran across
the plain. But the wings of the Mexican force closed in, and continued
the charge, expecting victory, now that the rifles were empty.
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