“How?”
“Ah, that is a sticker. There is no hope of reinforcements near?”
“None whatever.”
“The Steam Man could be sent for them in quick time, if such a thing were possible.”
“But it is not. The nearest place is Ranch V, and that is Cliff’s own den. We know that.”
“Certainly.”
“The fort is too far off. There is just one forlorn hope.”
“Ah!”
“The cavalry.”
“But they may have been all wiped out.”