"Don't think I want to desert you, sir, and skip the ranch. I'll stay here and do my best with the others, but I thought, perhaps, if I could do it, I might save you all."
"God bless ye, my boy; nobody can doubt yer fightin' 'bility; yer was born a soldier. I was only thinkin' yer chance uv gittin' by them two redskins at the spring's mighty small."
"Then you think it a good plan?"
"Yes; I'd like to have ye do it, if ye can."
"Thank you, sir. I'll do my best."
Then the lad passed around the rooms, taking the hand of each defender in farewell until he reached Brenda. As he took her hand in his right and fondly lay his left upon it, the young girl broke into uncontrollable sobbing, and, throwing her disengaged arm over his shoulder, said:
"Oh, Henry! what a dear, brave boy you are! You never think of yourself, but always of your friends!"
"I will bring the soldiers, Brenda, and you shall all be saved. Keep up a good heart."
"But it is such a long ride, and even if you do get away, you may find us dead or captives when you return."
"You must be brave, Brenda—no, not brave, for you are that already; but be patient. We are sure to be here before those fellows can take the little fort. That can be defended as long as the ammunition holds out."