"What if we starve you out?"
"You cannot do that. Still, you may try it, if you wish," continued the capitan hurriedly. If the Americans tried starving them out, it would give them time in which to perfect some plan for escape.
The talk continued for several minutes, and then the Texan came back with the information that the enemy would agree to nothing.
"He's willing to be starved out," went on the ranger. "But I think he wants the chance to get away in the darkness."
"We will draw closer to the cave as the darkness settles down," answered Amos Radbury. This was the first time, as an officer, that he had been sent out on a commission, and he was resolved not to fail.
The night came on swiftly. Evidently a storm was brewing, for not a star lit up the heavens.
"We'll catch it, in more ways than one, soon," said Stover to Dan, suggestively.
The Texans had had a small fire, but now this was deserted, and the party moved down into the ravine on foot.
Just as the first rain of the coming storm began to fall, one of the men of the party set up a shout.
"There they go!"