They ain't cowards, the
Mexicans--I will say that for them; and when these fellows found
they were caught like rats in a trap, they fought desperately. They
knew there was no mercy to expect from Rube and me. They divided,
and three came at each of us. Two went down as if they were shot,
and I was just whirling my rifle for another blow, when I heard a
crash, and then a shout from Rube,
'Help, Seth!'
I saw at once what had happened. Rube's rifle, as he was making a
blow at a man, had struck a beam over his head, and the shock had
made it fly from his hands across the room. In another moment the
two Mexicans were upon him with their knives. He hit out wildly,
but he got a gash across the forehead and another on the arm in a
moment. I made two strides across the hut, and the Mexicans who
were attacking me, instead of trying to prevent me, made a rush to
the corner where their rifles were, which I had left unguarded. It
was a fatal mistake. My gun came down crash upon the head of one of
Rube's assailants before he knew of my approach, and another minute
did for the second. As I turned from him the remaining two Mexicans
leveled at Rube, who had rushed across to pick up his gun, and
myself, and gave a cry as the flints fell and there was no report.
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