“Have they learned anything about last night’s doings?” asked Sterry.

“That’s what started me off after you in such a hurry.  My callers stayed more than two hours, and were about leaving when who should ride up but Duke Vesey, with his story of the killing of his comrade, Jack Perkins, by you and your men.”

“I suppose he called it a murder,” remarked Capt.  Asbury, sarcastically.

“Yes, the worst kind, too.  I knew he was drawing a long bow, but he will tell it to others, and it will spread like wildfire.  He was looking for Ira Inman, Larch Cadmus and his party.  There are more of them than you and others are aware of, riding up and down the country, ripe for any mischief.  From what I know, Inman and a dozen of the most desperate rustlers are in the neighborhood, and as the two fellows who were at my ranch volunteered to help Vesey find them they will do it pretty soon, if they have not already done so.  Vesey declared it as his belief that you would be discovered not far from his burned home, so as soon as they left I mounted my best horse and started to give you warning.”

“I appreciate your kindness, Hawkridge; how did you know the right direction?”

“I knew the course to Vesey’s ranch, and was speeding that way when I caught sight of you and Sterry on the top of this hill.  I took a squint through my glass, was pretty sure who it was, and then came like mad.  I didn’t suspect it was you though, Mont, until I almost ran against you.”

“Did Vesey say anything about me?” asked Sterry, with a meaning glance at the captain.

“He said you had acted like a white man in some dispute, but he didn’t give the particulars and I didn’t question him.  He is intensely bitter against the captain and his party, and declares that not one of them shall get out of the country alive; and, captain, Duke Vesey is a man of his word.”

“Then I suppose I may consider myself disposed of,” replied Asbury, with a laugh.

“Not as bad as that, but it depends upon yourself.”

“What do you advise?”

“Start southward at once with your men; if you meet the Texans and their friends, join them if you choose; it will make their strength so much the greater, and they need it all.  If you fail to meet them, keep on till you cross the Platte and strike Fort Fetterman.  In other words, captain, you have no business to be where you are.”

CHAPTER XXIII.

At bay.

Capt.  Asbury drew a cigar from his pocket and lit it, first offering one to each of his companions.  He puffed in silence for a minute or two, evidently absorbed in thought.  He was a veteran of the civil war, and had learned to be cool in dangerous crises.

“Hawkridge,” he remarked, removing his cigar, “you are right in the main, although not wholly so.”

“I await correction.”