He was halfway toward the coveted shelter when Urrea caught sight of
him, gave a shout, and fired his pistol. Ned, filled with hatred of
Urrea, fired in return. But the bullet, instead of striking the
horseman, struck the horse squarely in the head. The horse fell
instantly, and Urrea, hurled violently over his head, lay still.
Ned caught it all in a fleeting glance, and in a few more steps he
gained the second wood. He did not know how much Urrea was hurt, nor did
he care. He had paid back a little, too. He was sure, also, that the
pursuit would be less vigorous, now that its leader was disabled.
The second grove did not contain so many vines and bushes, but, hiding
behind a tree there, Ned saw the horsemen hold off. Without Urrea to
urge them on they were afraid of the rifle that the fugitive used so
well. Two, also, had stopped to tend Urrea, and Ned decided that the
others would not now enter the grove.
He was right in his surmise. The horsemen rode about at a safe distance
from the trees. Ned, taking his time, reloaded his rifle again and
departed for the mission. There was now fairly good cover all the way,
but he heard other troops of Mexicans riding about, and blowing trumpets
as signals.
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