It is, in fact, a troop--or, as by themselves styled, a "company"-- of Texan Rangers.
About one-half the band belongs to this organisation.

The others are the people of the plundered settlement--the fathers, brothers, and husbands, whom the Horned Lizard and his red robbers have bereft of daughters, sisters, and wives.
They are in pursuit of the despoilers; a chase commenced as soon as they could collect sufficient force to give it a chance of success.

Luckily, a troop of Rangers, scouting in the neighbourhood, came opportunely along, just in time to join them.

Soldiers and settlers united, they are now on the trail of the Tenawas, and have only halted to breathe and water their horses, eat some food themselves, and then on.
Not strange their hot haste--men whose homes have been made desolate, their kindred carried into captivity.

Each has his own painful reflections.