[CHAPTER XIV.]
THE TEST UNDER THE STARS.
The shades of evening deepened.
Merle Macray and Belle Demona made preparations to meet the threatened attack, and watches were placed under their own supervision.
Old Broadbrim, as Roland Riggs, the trusted man of the new recruits, was stationed in the vicinity of the sheep sheds, and this just suited him.
He could see if Merle would carry out his threat to fire them, and thus deprive Stareyes of a hiding place, and, at the same time, prevent the robbers of the ranches from using them to cover their advance.
The night that settled down over the scene was a bright starlit one.
The sheep had been corralled to prevent them from being killed by Blacklocks and his men, and the cattle had been driven to pens and secured there.
Within the walls of the ranch house stood Merle and the ranch queen.
They were alone.