“And it helps out the prairies,” said Obed White, his eyes twinkling.  “Now that winter has made ’em brown, they need a dash of color and the Panther gives it to ’em.  Fine feathers don’t keep a man from being a man for a’ that.  What did you do in the storm, Ned?”

“I found shelter in a thick grove, managed to light a fire, and slept there in my blankets.”

“We did about the same.”

“But I saw something before I reached my shelter.”

“What was that?” exclaimed the two, noting the significance in Ned’s tone.

“While I was waiting in a dip I saw ten Mexican horsemen ride by.  They were heavily armed, and I’ve no doubt they were scouts belonging to some strong force.”

“And so they are back on this side of the Rio Grande,” said Obed White thoughtfully.  “I’m not surprised.  Our Texans have rejoiced too early.  The full storm has not burst yet.”

The Panther began to bristle.  A giant in size, he seemed to grow larger, and his gorgeous hunting suit strained at the seams.

“Let ’em come on,” he said menacingly.  “Let Santa Anna himself lead ’em.  We Texans can take care of ’em all.”

But Obed White shook his head sadly.

“We could if we were united,” he said, “but our leaders have taken to squabbling.  You’re a Cheerful Talker, Panther, and you deserve both your names, but to tell you the honest truth I’m afraid of the Mexican advance.”

“I think the Mexicans probably belonged to Urrea’s band,” said Ned.

“Very likely,” said Obed.  “He’s about the most energetic of their partisan leaders, and it may be that we’ll run against him pretty soon.”

They had heard in their scouting along the Rio Grande that young Francisco Urrea, after the discovery that he was a spy and his withdrawal from San Antonio with the captured army of Cos, had organized a strong force of horsemen and was foremost among those who were urging a new Mexican advance into Texas.

“It’s pretty far west for the Mexicans,” said the Panther.  “We’re on the edge of the Indian country here.”

But Obed considered it all the more likely that Urrea, if he meditated a raid, would come from the west, since his approach at that point would be suspected the least.  The three held a brief discussion and soon came to an agreement.  They would continue their own ride west and look for Urrea.  Having decided so, they went into the task heart and soul, despite its dangers.

The three rode side by side and three pairs of skilled eyes examined the plain.  The snow was left only in sheltered places or among the trees.  But the further they went the scarcer became the trees, and before night they disappeared entirely.

“We are comin’ upon the buffalo range,” said the Panther.  “A hundred miles further west we’d be likely to strike big herds.  When we’re through fightin’ the Mexicans I’m goin’ out there again.  It’s the life fur me.”