Something in the appearance of the surroundings was familiar to Sterry, but he could not identify them.
Just then two of the rustlers fired their guns, and the pinge of one of the bullets was plainly heard. Sterry looked around and saw Capt. Asbury compress his lips and shake his head; he did not like the way things were going. A crisis was at hand.
The top of the ridge being attained, all saw a large structure below, and not far off.
"Do you recognize it?" asked Hawkridge, with a smile.
"No—why, yes; is it possible?"
"You ought to know it, for, if I am not mistaken, you are considerably interested in one member of the family."
"I never supposed we were so near Fred Whitney's home," was the amazed comment of Sterry, who was in doubt whether, under the circumstances, he ought to be pleased or not.
"There's where we'll make a stand," called out Capt. Asbury, "and let the music begin."