As Hawkridge took it he felt something in his palm.
"I understand," he said; "it shall be delivered." No one watching the couple, as nearly all were doing, suspected this little by-play.

They saluted, and Vesey spurred his pony to a gallop, passing up the ridge and joining his friends to report, while Hawkridge was admitted through the door, which was immediately closed and secured behind him.
To the captain and the others who crowded around he quickly told what had passed.
"Your order was to let you know the terms before giving an answer," he added, addressing the leader, "but you see it wasn't necessary." A buzz of commendation left no doubt of the wisdom of his course.
"But what about his threat to burn the building ?" asked Sterry, addressing no one in particular.
"He will do it, or at least will try it," replied Hawkridge, "for he doesn't intend any one shall have time to interfere, as may be the case if he delays too long." "To set fire to the house," remarked the captain, who had given much thought to the question, "they must first reach it, and that manoeuvre will prove a costly one to them.

I suspect that some other firing will take place about that time--eh, boys ?" The response revealed the feelings of the men, who were chafing under their restraint.
"But, surely," continued Sterry, "they do not mean to burn the building while Mrs.Whitney and her daughter are within ?" "As was said some time ago," replied Hawkridge, "that makes little difference, since it is not to be supposed that even we will stay inside during the conflagration.

The firing is meant to drive us out, and it will do it." "But there must be considerable shooting, and the ladies will be in danger." "I think Inman will order us to send them out, so as to prevent harm to them." "If they were Sioux or Crows they might launch burning arrows and fire-balls; but they can't do that, and will have to run some risk in getting the flames under way." "There are signs of a storm, and if the night proves dark it will be much in their favor and against us." "Suppose they fire the stables," suggested one of the men.
"They are too far off to place us in danger, unless a strong wind should blow directly this way." "Well, boys," said Capt.

Asbury, hopefully, "the thing isn't through yet.