of the Mexicans. As the Texans halted, the Mexicans likewise halted at a distance, and demanded repeatedly that the Texans surrender or be overwhelmed by superior forces. When the Texans gave no indication of laying down their arms, the challengers sounded their bugle and launched an attack, but owing to the distance their escopetas did no harm. The Texans returned their fire, killing one Mexican ranchero and wounding another. The enemy now rode off a short distance and endeavored to surround the Texans and to create the impression that his force was much larger than it really was. The Mexicans filed off to the left of a small knoll and through the brush circled the hill and appeared from the opposite direction in an attempt to give a false impression as to their actual numbers. They opened fire on the Texans, while proceeding to a hill in the Texan rear with the object of cutting off any effort of the Texans to retreat. Being somewhat confused as to the number of the Mexicans and seeing themselves about to be surrounded, and the Mexicans occupying at their rear a strong position upon an eminence, where some of their number were already dismounting, the Mexican-Texan volunteers seemed on the verge of panic, when Captain Parez assured them he was well aware of the material comprising the enemy force, and declared that with ten men selected from the rangers he could put the enemy to flight. As a result of this little speech, the confidence of the Texans was restored and they prepared to fight. Hays' men now crossed a deep ravine to their left, dismounted within two hundred yards of the enemy, and tied their horses in a mott of Spanish persimmons (chapotes), which they left under guard of five men, while the remainder of their group deployed left and right through a thick underbrush in the direction of the enemy. Upon coming within six yards of the enemy, the Texans commenced firing. Since most of the Anglo-Americans carried Kentucky rifles and Colt's "Patent Rifles," whose rate of fire was five to one for the old guns,[22]  their fire was not only more intense but their shots were accurate. Five Mexicans were killed and several were wounded at the