fresh air an' outdoors, but I don't object to a roof in cold weather.
Always take your comfort, boy, when it's offered to you. It saves wear
an' tear."

A friendship like that between him and Bowie was established already
between Ned and Crockett. Ned's grave and serious manner, the result of
the sufferings through which he had gone, invariably attracted the
attention and liking of those far older than himself.

"I'll remember your advice, Mr. Crockett," he said.

A rest of a half hour for the horses and they started riding rapidly.
After a while they struck the belt of forest and soon the cabin was not
more than a mile away. But the Panther, who was still in the lead,
pulled up his horse suddenly.

"Boys," he exclaimed, "did you hear that?"

Every man stopped his horse also and with involuntary motion bent
forward a little to listen. Then the sound that the Panther had heard
came again. It was the faint ping of a rifle shot, muffled by the
distance. In a moment they heard another and then two more. The sounds
came from the direction of their cabin.

"The boys are attacked," said the Panther calmly, "an' it's just as well
that we've come fast. But I can't think who is after 'em. There was
certainly no Mexicans in these parts yesterday, an' Urrea could not
possibly have got ahead of us with a raidin' band. But at any rate we'll
ride on an' soon see."