Then came a sudden cry, the rapid beat of hoofs, the crack of shots, and a Mexican body of cavalry dashed into the wood directly between the boy and his comrades.

He heard once the tremendous shout of the Panther and the wild Mexican yells.

Two horsemen fired at him and a third rode at him with extended lance.
It was Old Jack that saved Ned's life.

The boy was so startled that his brain was in a paralysis for a moment.

But the horse shied suddenly away from the head of the lance, which was flashing in the moonlight.