“True, indeed!  And if I could be assured that you would succeed in reaching the camp of the cattlemen, I would bid you Godspeed.”

“I certainly will never reach it by staying here, and I think if my chances were doubly less they ought to be taken for the sake of the good that will come to all.”

At this juncture, Capt.  Asbury, sitting near the window, called out: 

“Here’s a visitor!”

In the gloom he was not clearly visible, even though he was seen to advance, and heard to knock on the door.  But when the latter was opened, Fred Whitney stepped inside.

Here the gathering darkness was more pronounced, for it was not deemed prudent to have a light.

“Inman has sent me with his ultimatum,” said the messenger; “he says he has given you abundant time to think over the matter, and wants your decision.”

“What are his terms?” asked Capt.  Asbury.

“The same as before.”

“He promises to treat all of us as prisoners of war, with the exception of Sterry and myself.  We are guaranteed a trial, which is another way of saying we shall be shot.  I will allow my men to vote on the question,” added the leader.

The indignant protests, however, compelled the officer to recall his harsh remark.

“Of course I knew that would be your reply,” Fred hastened to say; “and it is what Inman and Cadmus expect.  I have been sent to bring my mother and sister out of the house, for the rustlers intend to attack you before morning.  That means, too, that they intend to burn it.”

The three defenders who were in the secret saw the danger in which this placed Sterry’s intended flight.

If the attack were made before 10 o’clock, there could be no possible opportunity for his getting away.  Some means, therefore, must be found for deferring the assault until after that hour, if it could be accomplished without arousing the suspicions of the rustlers.

CHAPTER XXIX.

A STRANGE OCCURRENCE.

“Do you know,” inquired Sterry, “how soon it is contemplated making the attack?”

“I have not heard Inman or Cadmus say, but from the talk of the men I judge it will be quite soon.”

“Probably within a couple of hours?” “Sooner than that—­by 9 o’clock at the latest.”

It was the mother who now spoke:  “Suppose Jennie and I decline to leave the house?”

“That has been considered,” replied the son, “and I am sorry to say it will make no difference.  The rustlers are in an uglier mood than before—­wrathful because they have been kept idle so long.  They can claim that they have given you ample notice, and if you refuse to come out they cannot be held blamable for the consequences.”

This would never do, and Hawkridge interposed: 

“If the attack cannot be prevented, Fred, it must be delayed.”

“On what grounds?”