The great horse was a lather of foam, his sides heaving and panting, and Ned sprang to the ground.

He reloaded his rifle and pistol and then walked toward the west, leading Old Jack by the bridle.

He reckoned that the Mexicans would go toward the north, thinking that he would naturally ride for San Antonio, and hence he chose the opposite direction.
He walked a long time and presently he felt the horse rubbing his nose gently against his arm.

Ned stroked the soft muzzle.
"You've saved my life.

Old Jack," he said, "and not for the first time.
You responded to every call." The horse whinnied ever so softly, and Ned felt that he was not alone.
Now he threw the bridle reins back over the horse's head, and then the two walked on, side by side, man and beast.
They stopped at times, and it may be that the horse as well as the boy then looked and listened for a foe.