He dropped his rifle, leaped upon the astonished officer, wrenched the whip from his hands, slashed him across the cheeks with it until the blood ran in streams, then broke it in two and threw the pieces in his face.

Ned's serape fell away.

Urrea had clasped his hands to his cheeks that stung like fire, but now he recognized the boy.
"Fulton!" he cried.
The sharp exclamation brought Ned to a realization of his danger.

He seized his rifle, pulled up the serape and sprang back.

Already Mexican soldiers were gathering.