After all, Ned, we're serving a good purpose when we induce the Mexicans to shoot good powder and lead here, and not against our people." Encouraged by the failure of the besieged to reply to their fire the Mexicans came closer and grew somewhat incautious.

Ned saw one of them sheltered but partially by a bush and he fired.

The man uttered a cry and fell.

Ned saw the bush moving and he hoped the man was not slain, but he never knew.
The volleys from the Mexicans ceased, and silence came again in the woods.

Wisps of smoke floated here and there among the trees, but a light wind soon caught them and carried them away.