"Accidents are liable to take place in this part of the world—"
"Hands up!" was the startling command that broke upon the couple at that moment, from a point directly behind them.
The truth was, Sterry and Vesey had been seen by the horsemen as they stole away in the gloom. Capt. Asbury, suspecting they were rustlers, sent three of his men out beyond them on foot, and they did their part so well that they came up without alarming either of their horses, who ordinarily would have detected them.
"I've been trapped!" muttered Vesey, savagely, glancing at the figures, standing but a short way off in the moonlight, with their Winchesters levelled.
"Never mind," said Sterry, quickly, "up with your hands, as I do, or we'll both catch it; I'll stand by you."
The rustler was wise enough to obey, with only a momentary hesitation. Had he not done so, he would never have had a second chance, for the stockmen were very much in earnest.
The footmen came forward with their weapons at a level, for they were too prudent to give their prisoners a chance.
"How are you, Hendricks?" asked Sterry, with a laugh, as the trio joined them.
The man addressed peered closely in his face, suspecting, and yet not convinced of his identity until after a minute or two.
"Well, I'll be hanged!" he exclaimed; "is that you, Mont?"