Before I could rein him round, he had brought me close to the pickets of the corral; and on turning to meet the deserter, I found that we were separated by a band of dark objects.
It was a detachment of mules that had backed from the gates of the corral and were escaping to the open plain.

We reined up, eyeing each other with impatient vengeance; but the bullets of my men began to whistle from the pickets; and Dubrosc, with a threatening gesture, wheeled his horse and galloped off to his comrades.

They had retired beyond range, and were halted in groups upon the prairie, chafing with disappointment and rage..