While the astonished captain and his companions were looking around for an explanation, Mont Sterry made it in as brief and pointed words as were at his command.
Capt.

Asbury fixed his gray eyes upon the handsome countenance of the young man during the few minutes he was speaking, and Sterry saw, despite the forceful terms in which he stated the agreement, that the leading stockman was angry.
"I've no objection," he remarked, striving to control his voice, which was tremulous with anger, "if you choose to play the woman, but I don't see what I've got to do with it." "Vesey surrendered under my promise that he should be protected; had he not believed that promise he would not have surrendered." "But would have been shot down where he sat in the saddle.

Had he been beyond reach and come in under such a pledge, the case would have been altogether different; but as it is--" The fateful words were interrupted by a rush and dash.

Attention had been diverted for the moment from the prisoner to the one who was pleading for him and to him who held his fate in his hands.

The observant Vesey saw the inevitable trend of events, and, taking advantage of the chance, was off like a thunderbolt.
The parting glimpse showed him leaning forward on his horse, who was plunging at utmost speed straight away in the gloom.