It saves wear an' tear." A friendship like that between him and Bowie was established already between Ned and Crockett.

Ned's grave and serious manner, the result of the sufferings through which he had gone, invariably attracted the attention and liking of those far older than himself.
"I'll remember your advice, Mr.Crockett," he said.
A rest of a half hour for the horses and they started riding rapidly.
After a while they struck the belt of forest and soon the cabin was not more than a mile away.

But the Panther, who was still in the lead, pulled up his horse suddenly.
"Boys," he exclaimed, "did you hear that ?" Every man stopped his horse also and with involuntary motion bent forward a little to listen.

Then the sound that the Panther had heard came again.

It was the faint ping of a rifle shot, muffled by the distance.