But, as leader, he insisted upon the
least possible noise. The greatest difficulty would be with the horses.
Ned, at the head of Old Jack, led the way.
Old Jack made the descent without slipping and in a few minutes the
entire force stood upon the sand. They had made no sound that any one
could have heard thirty yards away.
"Now Mr. Roylston," whispered the Panther to the merchant, "you get on
Ned's horse an' we'll be off."
Roylston sighed. It hurt his pride that he should be a burden, but he
was a man of few words, and he mounted in silence. Then they moved
slowly over the soft sand. They had loaded the extra rifles and muskets
on the other two horses, but every man remained thoroughly armed and
ready on the instant for any emergency.
The Panther and Obed led. Just behind them came Ned and Will. They went
very slowly in order to keep the horses' feet from making any sound that
listening Mexican sentinels might hear. They were fortunate in the sand,
which was fine and soundless like a carpet. Ned thought that the
Mexicans would not make any attempt upon the grove until late at night,
and then only with skirmishers and snipers. Or they might not make any
attempt at all, content with their cordon.
Pages:
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82