“I have not, but I wish to say, Mr. Palmer, that I’m sorry you returned this answer.  I should gladly take my chances if the rest of you could go.”

“We’d never think of it,” said the Panther.  “Besides, them Mexicans wouldn’t keep their word.  They’re goin’ to besiege us here, hopin’ maybe that starvation or thirst will make us give you up.  Now the first thing for us to do is to get water for the horses.”

This presented a problem, as the horses could not go down to the creek, owing to the steep high banks, but the Texans soon solved it.  The cliff was soft and they quickly cut a smooth sloping path with their knives and hatchets.  Old Jack was the first to walk down it and Ned led him.  The horse hung back a little, but Ned patted his head and talked to him as a friend and equal.  Under such persuasion Old Jack finally made the venture, and when he landed safely at the bottom he drank eagerly.  Then the other two horses followed.  Meanwhile two riflemen kept a keen watch up and down the creek bed for lurking Mexican sharpshooters.

But the watering of the horses was finished without incident, and they were tethered once more in the thicket.  Fields and another man kept a watch upon the plain, and the rest conferred under the trees.  The Panther announced that by a great reduction of rations the food could be made to last two days longer.  It was not a cheerful statement, as the Mexicans must know the scanty nature of their supplies, and would wait with all the patience of Indians.

“All things, including starvation, come to him who waits long enough,” said Obed White soberly.

“We’ll jest set the day through,” said the Panther, “an’ see what turns up.”

But the day was quite peaceful.  It was warmer than usual and bright with sunshine.  The Mexicans appeared on some of the knolls, seemingly near in the thin clear air, but far enough away to be out of rifle shot, and began to play cards or loll on their serapes.  Several went to sleep.

“They mean to show us that they have all the time in the world,” said Ned to Will, “and that they are willing to wait until we fall like ripe apples into their hands.”

“Do you think they will get us again?” asked Will anxiously.

“I don’t.  We’ve got food for two days and I believe that something will happen in our favor within that time.  Do you notice, Will, that it’s beginning to cloud up again?  In winter you can’t depend upon bright sunshine to last always.  I think we’re going to have a dark night and it’s given me an idea.”

“What is it?”

“I won’t tell you, because it may amount to nothing.  It all depends upon what kind of night we have.”

The sun did not return.  The clouds banked up more heavily, and in the afternoon Ned went to the Panther.  They talked together earnestly, looking frequently at the skies, and the faces of both expressed satisfaction.  Then they entered the bed of the creek and examined it critically.  Will was watching them.  When the two separated and Ned came toward him, he said: