He paused, but the faint tread
suddenly became rapid and heavy. A half dozen horsemen who had ridden
into the prairie had caught sight of him and now they were galloping
toward him. The brightness of the night showed Ned at once that they
were Mexican cavalrymen, and as he was on foot he was at a great
disadvantage.
He ran at full speed for the nearest grove. The Mexicans fired several
musket shots at him, but the bullets all went wild. He did not undertake
a reply, as he was straining every effort to reach the trees. Several
pistols also were emptied at him, but he yet remained unhurt.
Nevertheless, the horsemen were coming alarmingly near.
He heard the thunder of hoofs in his ears, and he heard also a quick
hiss like that of a snake.
Ned knew that the hissing sound was made by a lasso, and as he dodged he
felt the coil, thrown in vain, slipping from his shoulders. He whirled
about and fired at the man who had thrown the lasso. The rider uttered a
cry, fell backward on his horse, and then to the ground.
As Ned turned for the shot he saw that Urrea was the leader of the
horsemen. Whether Urrea had recognized him or not he did not know, but
the fact that he was there increased his apprehension.
Pages:
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369