Squabbles among the Texan leaders had reduced their army to five or six hundred men.
"Don't you think," said Ned, "that we ought to find out just exactly what is here, and what this army intends ?" "Not a doubt of it," said Obed.

"Those who have eyes to see should not go away without seeing." The Panther nodded violently in assent.
"We must scout about the camp," he said.

"Mebbe we'd better divide an' then we can all gather before day-break at the clump of trees back there." He pointed to a little cluster of trees several hundred yards back of them, and Ned and Obed agreed.

The Panther turned away to the right, Obed to the left and Ned took the center.

Their plan of dividing their force had a great advantage.