Loosen your pistols, and when I give the word to fire let 'em have it with your rifles." They were on the crest of one of the swells and the sixteen horses stood in a row so straight that a line stretched across their front would have touched the head of every one.

They were trained horses, too, and the riders dropped the reins on their necks, while they held their rifles ready.
It was hard for Ned to keep his nerves steady, but Obed was on one side of him and Bowie on the other, while the Ring Tailed Panther was just beyond Obed.

Pride as well as necessity kept him motionless and taut like the others.
Doubtless the Mexicans would have turned, had it not been for the smallness of the force opposed to them, but they came on rapidly in a long line, still shouting and brandishing their weapons.

Ned saw the flaming eyes of the horses, and he marked the foam upon their jaws.

For what was Bowie waiting! Nearer they came, and the beat of the hoofs thundered in his ears.