"I will, captain; but yourself——"
"Never mind me. Get the boys to a place of safety, and I know our family and Darry's family will reward you well."
"I won't want any reward. I took to the lads from the start, and I'll stand by 'em through thick and thin," said old Benson.
There was but little sleeping done in the fort that night. The majority of the soldiers slept on their arms, expecting an alarm at any moment. Yet it did not come, and the sun rose on a scene of perfect peace and quiet.
But at eight o'clock a sentinel announced a horseman approaching, bearing a white flag.
"So they want to talk, eh?" said the young captain. "All right, anything to gain time."
The flag of truce was promptly answered, and as the horseman came closer many recognized Matt Gilroy. The young captain went out himself to meet the leader of the desperadoes.
"Good-morning, Captain Moore," began the desperado, with a regular military salute.
"What brings you?" demanded the captain abruptly.
"Well, I thought we had best come to terms—that's what brought me."