Even the Ring Tailed Panther had thoughts that were not voiced.

The hill, the site of the first battle in their great struggle, stood out, clear and sharp, in the moonlight.

But it was very still now.
"We'll date a good many things from that hill," said Ned as they rode on.
They followed in the path of the flying Mexicans who, they were quite sure, would make for Cos and San Antonio.

The Ring Tailed Panther knew the most direct course and as the moon was good they could also see the trail left by the Mexicans.

It was marked further by grim objects, two wounded horses that had died in the flight, and then by a man succumbing, who had been buried in a grave so shallow that no one could help noticing it.
A little after midnight they saw a light ahead, and they judged by the motions that a man was waving a torch.
"It can't be a trap," said Obed, "because the Mexicans would not stop running until they were long past here." "An' there ain't no cover where that torch is," added the Ring Tailed Panther.
"Then suppose we ride forward and see what it means," said Ned.
They cocked their rifles, ready for combat if need be, and rode forward slowly.