"Over the ridge, yonder; you will be out of danger; you need fear nothing; why should you, for your mother will be with you and your brother will be with us, so that he can take no part in the fight."
He made no reference to Mont Sterry, and she was too wise to let fall a hint of her anxiety concerning him.
"But, Larch, suppose, when you set fire to the house, as I heard your folks intended, our people rush out and attack you?"
"Do they intend to do that?" he asked.
"I am sure I don't know; but you can see, if they do, the shooting will be going on all around mother and me."
"You can pass farther out on the plain or take shelter in the stable, among the horses."
"But that may be too late," interposed Jennie, in well-feigned alarm.
"You can take refuge here now."
"I can't bear to stay in the stable, for the horses will become terrified when the shooting begins; they may break loose and prove more dangerous than the flying bullets."
There was sense in this objection, and the rustler saw it. He was anxious to propitiate the young woman, whom he admired so ardently.