It was beyond explanation.
But the stockmen were wise enough to turn to the best account the grace thus given to them.
They stationed themselves at the front and rear doors and windows with loaded weapons, on the alert to wing the first rustler who showed himself.
Sterry found time to exchange a few words with Jennie and her mother.
"It is too bad," he said, "to put you to this trouble and danger; but the rustlers outnumber us more than two to one, and it was the only hope that offered itself." "And glad am I that it _did_ present itself.

O, if my poor husband had been here when they attacked him!" "When do you expect the return of Fred ?" "Not before night, and the hands may not come with him.

He does not dream of anything like this." "Nor did we, a little while ago.

Had any other refuge presented itself we would have seized it; but I never suspected we were near your home until we came over the ridge and saw it but a few rods away." "But, where are they ?" asked the wondering Jennie.
"That's something I don't understand, for they were near enough for their bullets to whistle about our ears." "They have seen where you took shelter and are afraid to attack you." "That may be; but why don't they show themselves ?" At this moment Capt.

Asbury approached.