He turned off at a sharp angle and ran as swiftly and with as little noise as he could.  He heard the horses floundering in the forest, and the curses of their riders.  He ran a hundred yards further and, coming to a little gully, lay down in it and reloaded his rifle.  Then he stayed there until he could regain his breath and strength.  While he lay he heard the Mexicans beating up the thickets, and Urrea giving sharp orders.

Ned knew that his hiding place must soon be discovered, and he began to consider what would be the best movement to make next.  His heart had now returned to its normal beat, and he felt that he was good for another fine burst of speed.

He heard the trampling of the horses approaching, and then the voice of Urrea telling the others that he was going straight ahead and to follow him.  Evidently they had beaten up the rest of the forest, and now they were bound to come upon him.  Ned sprang from the gully, ran from the wood and darted across the prairie toward the next little grove.

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.  No doubt the shots had been heard at the main camp, and many men were seeking their cause.

But Ned, fortunately for himself, was now like the needle in the haystack.  While the trumpets signaled and the groups of Mexican horsemen rode into one another he stole back to the old mission and knocked upon the door with the butt of his rifle.  Answering King’s questions through the loophole, he was admitted quickly.

“The main army hasn’t come up yet,” he said, in reply to the eager inquiries of the defenders.  “Fannin’s men may get here in time, and if they are in sufficient force to beat off the cavalry detachment I suggest that we abandon the mission before we are caught in a trap, and retreat toward Fannin.  If we linger the whole Mexican army will be around us.”