The Panther groaned aloud, because he knew what had happened.
The axle of the wagon had broken, and it was useless.

They distributed the ammunition, including the cannon balls, which they put in sacks, as well as they could, among the horsemen, and went on.

They did not complain, but every one knew that it was a heavy blow.

In two more hours they came to the banks of the muddy San Antonio, and stared in dismay at the swollen current.

It was evident at once to everybody that the passage would be most difficult for the cannon, which, like the ammunition wagon, were drawn by oxen.
The river was running deep, with muddy banks, and a muddy bottom, and, taking the lightest of the guns, they tried first to get it across.