This assured him that whatever place was guarded was one by which he might escape.

He headed toward these men and approached to within a hundred paces of the bluff where they were.
There were several men and several boys, all armed and, after the manner of Texans, taking their task leisurely.

Farther down Duane made out black dots on the horizon of the bluff-line, and these he concluded were more guards stationed at another outlet.

Probably all the available men in the district were on duty.

Texans took a grim pleasure in such work.
Duane remembered that upon several occasions he had served such duty himself.
Duane peered through the branches and studied the lay of the land.