CHAPTER XV.
THE FIRST GUN "Well, Ned, it's sometimes ask and ye shall not receive, isn't it ?" said Obed White, looking at the retreating Mexicans.
But the Ring Tailed Panther growled between his shut teeth.

Then he opened his mouth and gave utterance to his dissatisfaction.
"It's a cheat, a low Mexican trick," he said, "to come here an' promise a fight an' then go away.

I'm willin' to bet my claws that them Mexicans will hang around here two or three days, without tryin' to do a thing." "An' won't that be all the better for us ?" asked Ned.

"We're only eighteen and we surely need time for more." "That's so," admitted the Ring Tailed Panther, "but when you've got all your teeth and claws sharpened for a fight you want it right then an' not next week." The Mexicans tethered their horses and began to form camp about a half mile from the river.

They went about it deliberately, spreading tents for their officers and lighting fires for cooking.