The three knew them well, and they kept so far behind that they were not likely to be observed.
It was only a half hour past noon when Urrea's men reached the Rio Grande, and without stopping made the crossing.

They avoided the quicksands with experienced eyes, and swam their horses through the deep water, the prisoners always kept in the center of the troop.

Ned, Obed and the Panther watched them until they passed out of sight.

Then they, too, rode forward, although slowly, toward the stream.
"We can't lose 'em," said the Panther, "so I think we'd better stay out of sight now that they're on real Mexican soil.

Maybe our chance will come to-night, an' ag'in maybe it won't." "Patience will have its perfect rescue, if we only do the right things," said Obed.
"An' if we think hard enough an' long enough we're bound to do 'em, or I'm a Ring Tailed Panther an' a Cheerful Talker fur nothin'," said the Panther.
Waiting until they were certain that the Mexicans were five or six miles ahead, the three forded the Rio Grande, and stood once more on Mexican soil.