While a score or so faced about to meet the Mexicans, a dozen charged with screeches and brandished lances upon the Texan.

Now came a hand-to-hand struggle which looked as if it must end in the death of Smith and perhaps of several of his assailants.

But cavalry fights are notoriously bloodless in comparison to their apparent fury; the violent and perpetual movement of the combatants deranges aim and renders most of the blows futile; shots are fired at a yard distance without hitting, and strokes are delivered which only wound the air.
One spear stuck in Smith's saddle; another pierced his jacket-sleeve and tore its way out; only one of the sharp, quickly-delivered points drew blood.

He felt a slight pain in his side, and he found afterward that a lance-head had raked one of his ribs, tearing up the skin and scraping the bone for four or five inches.

Meantime he shot a warrior through the head, sent another off with a hole in the shoulder, and fired one barrel without effect.