It was very exciting.  Down the steep hill we dashed at full speed, our horses seeming clearly to understand what we were about.  Already several more Mexicans had, through their cowardice, lost their lives. We were within two hundred yards of the scene of strife.  "Now's the time!" shouted our leader.  "Hurrah, hurrah! my lads!  Give way, you red scoundrels!" we all shouted at the top of our voices.  The Indians, hearing our cries, turned their heads, and seeing a large body of horsemen coming down the road, and not knowing how many there might be following, thought that it was high time for them to be off.  Our appearance, also, gave the Mexicans courage, and they charged more manfully than they had done before.