They
would withdraw gradually at the appearance of the Texans, keeping just
out of gunshot, but always watching these dangerous horsemen whom they
had learned to fear. The Texans were near enough to see from some points
the buildings of the town, and the veins of the Ring Tailed Panther
swelled with ambition.
"Ned," he said to the boy who rode by his side, "if Bowie would only
give the word we would gallop right into town, smashing through the
Mexicans."
"We might gallop into it," said Ned, laughing, "but we couldn't gallop
out again. No, no, Panther, we mustn't forget that the Mexicans can
fight. Besides, Bowie isn't going to give the word."
"No, he ain't," said the Ring Tailed Panther with a sigh, "an' we won't
get the chance to make one of the finest dashes ever heard of in war."
"He who doesn't dash but rides away will live to dash another day," said
Obed White oracularly.
They rode on in a half circle about the town, keeping a fairly close
array, every man sitting his saddle erect and defiant. It seemed to Ned
that they were issuing a challenge to the whole army of Cos, and he
enjoyed it. It appealed to his youthful spirit of daring. They
practically said to the Mexican army in the town: "Come out and fight us
if you dare!"
But the Mexicans did not accept the challenge.
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