CHAPTER XXV.
THE FLAG OF TRUCE.
In one important respect the combatants showed commendable discretion.
Although there had been considerable firing on the part of the rustlers, none of the cattlemen were hurt.

It is not unlikely that the bullets were intended to frighten them, since such excellent marksmen otherwise could not have discharged their weapons without execution.
Capt.

Asbury and his men had not returned a shot.

When their enemies appeared on more than one side of the building it would have been easy to pick off several without risk to those sheltered within the house, but he gave orders that nothing of that sort should be done.
The bitterness between the parties was already intense.

There were hot-heads on both sides eager to open the lamentable conflict, but were it done, there was no saying where it would end.