the opening in the wire fence had spread out into open order. It
followed down after Captain Luna's troop and D and E Troops, which
were well already in advance. Roosevelt ran forward and took command
of the extreme left of this line. Wood was walking up and down along
it, leading his horse, which he thought might be of use in case he
had to move quickly to alter his original formation. His plan, at
present, was to spread out his men so that they would join Young on
the right, and on the left swing around until they flanked the enemy.
K and A Troops had already succeeded in joining hands with Young's
column across the valley, and as they were capable of taking care of
themselves, Wood was bending his efforts to keep his remaining four
companies in a straight line and revolving them around the enemy's
"end." It was in no way an easy thing to do. The men were at times
wholly hidden from each other, and from him; probably at no one time
did he see more than two of his troops together. It was only by the
firing that he could tell where his men lay, and that they were
always advancing.

The advances were made in quick, desperate rushes--sometimes the
ground gained was no more than a man covers in sliding for a base.
At other times half a troop would rise and race forward and then
burrow deep in the hot grass and fire. On this side of the line
there was an occasional glimpse of the enemy. But for a great part
of the time the men shot at the places from where the enemy's fire
seemed to come, aiming low and answering in steady volleys. The fire
discipline was excellent. The prophets of evil of the Tampa Bay
Hotel had foretold that the cowboys would shoot as they chose, and,
in the field, would act independently of their officers. As it
turned out, the cowboys were the very men who waited most patiently
for the officers to give the word of command. At all times the