Raising his pistol he fired, and the bark flew from the right side of the tree. A man instantly sprang out, rifle in hand, and rushed toward him expecting to take him, unarmed. Like a flash Ned seized his own cocked rifle and covered the man. When he looked down the sights he saw that it was Urrea.
Urrea halted, taken by surprise. His own rifle was not leveled, and Ned held his life at his gun muzzle.
"Stop, Don Francisco, or I fire," said the boy. "I did not dream that it was you, and I am sorry that I was wrong."
Urrea recovered very quickly from his surprise. He did not seek to raise his rifle, knowing that it was too late.
"Well," he said, "why don't you fire?"
"I don't know," replied Ned.
"I would do it in your place."
"I know it, but there is a difference between us and I am glad of that difference, egotistical as it may sound."
"There is another difference which perhaps you do not have in mind. You are a Texan, an American, and I am a Mexican. That is why I came among you and claimed to be one of you. You were fools to think that I, Francisco Urrea, could ever fight for Texas against Mexico."
"It seems that we were," said Ned.