It was apparent that Duke Vesey was in a rage over the mishap that had befallen his friend.
Capt. Asbury quietly placed himself between the fellow and the door by which he had entered.
"What is the meaning of that?" demanded the rustler, turning his head; "I'm here under a flag of truce."
"Where is it? You haven't shown any, and you can't. I shall hold you as a hostage for the safety of Mont Sterry; whatever harm is visited upon him shall descend upon your head!"
CHAPTER XXXIII. — THE PRISONER.
It may be said that Monteith Sterry's main hope for the success of his perilous scheme lay in its boldness.
It was not to be supposed that the rustlers, surrounding the besieged on every hand, would forget the probability of just such an attempt as he made. The stockmen could not expect to slip away one by one, or in a body; nor was there anything to tempt such an effort, even if it offered a fair prospect of success; for, of necessity, they would have to depart on foot, and with the coming of daylight their situation would be worse than now, with a strong shelter above and around them.
But it was known among the defenders that two of their number were doomed, if they fell into the hands of the rustlers. It was probable, therefore, that one or both of these individuals would try to get away.