He had thought, "Let them kill the Yankees; then I will proclaim myself and save _her_; then she will be mine." And because of these thoughts he had stood irresolute, aiming without firing, and bidding his Mexicans do the same.

The result was that six good shots and superb horsemen, who were capable of making a gallant fight under worthy leadership, had become demoralized, and, but for the advent of Thurstane, might have been massacred like sheep.
Now that three or four Apaches had fallen, Coronado had less hope of making his arrangement.

He considered the matter carefully and judiciously, but at last he decided that he could not trust the vindictive devils, and he turned his mind strenuously toward resistance.

Although not pugnacious, he had plenty of the desperate courage of necessity, and his dusky black eyes were very resolute as he said to Thurstane, "Lieutenant, we trust to you." The young veteran had already made up his mind as to what must be done.
"We will move on," he said.

"We can't camp here, in an open plain, without grass or water.