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It was early in the month of May, when even in the Middle States it is not often comfortable to remain seated out of doors after the close of day, but Sterry and Whitney found it pleasant to occupy their chairs in front of the building, with no other protection then their own warm garments. Whitney's wound was doing so well that he expressed himself ashamed to wear his arm in a sling.
In connection with Henry James I had often heard the name of W.D. Howells. I bought some three or four of his novels. I found them pretty, very pretty, but nothing more, a sort of Ashby Sterry done into very neat prose.
As she paused the amazed Sterry asked: "But why did she think I would venture unless I got the sign from Vesey?" "Because you told her so. You were so confident, when she expressed her misgivings, that you said you would wait a few minutes after 10 o'clock and then try it, even if no signal appeared." "You are correct; I did tell her that." "I consented to her plan on condition that if Mr.
Vesey signalled you should go and she should stay; if he did not do so, she was to venture alone." "Why didn't she consult with me?" asked Sterry; "I could have given her some suggestions." "Ah, what a question, Mont!" said Fred Whitney, with a smile, as he comprehended the plan; "we know what suggestions you would have given her."
Here was a representative of each of the factions, or associations, so hostile to each other. The rustler knew Monteith Sterry, and must have felt a consuming resentment toward him. His words and manner indicated, too, that he was not averse to a quarrel.
"She thought of all that," smiled the mother; "she took her saddle with her." "Well, I'll be hanged if this isn't a little ahead of anything of which I ever heard or read!" was the only comment Monteith Sterry could make, as the full scheme unrolled before him. "Jennie may fail," continued the proud parent, "but if she does, her situation and that of all of us will be no worse than before.
He can't get out of the country without some of the boys running against him, and the first rustler that catches sight of Mr. Sterry will drop him in his tracks." "If he gets the chance to do it," was the wise comment of another. "That fellow is quick on the shoot and isn't afraid of any of us." "He ain't the first one that's made that mistake, only to find himself rounded up at last.
Mont Sterry was safe beyond pursuit, for there was no horse in the company that could overtake him. Spark Holly returned to the party in front and made his report. It may be said the report was accepted and placed on file for future reference. It was characteristic of those men, too, that they did not delay their own actions, now that their business may be said to have been finished.
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."
It was now growing so late that Sterry placed himself near the rear door to watch for the expected signal from Vesey, feeling, as the minutes passed, a nervousness greater than at any time before. Since no light burned in the house, the only means of determining the hour was by striking a match and holding it in front of a watch. Hope became high when 10 o'clock was at hand.
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