They could not see the Indians, but they used an old device, often successful in border warfare.

Whenever an Indian fired a spurt of smoke shot up from his rifle's muzzle.

A Texan instantly pulled trigger at the base of the smoke, and oftener than not the bullet hit his dusky foe.
This new duel in the dark went on for two hours.

The Indians could fire at the mass in the hollow, while the Texans steadily picked out their more difficult targets.

The frightened oxen uttered terrified lowings and the Indians, now and then aiming at the sounds, killed or wounded more of the animals.