A moment later the rest were observed on top of the ridge. Thus, with the exception of the broad level plain stretching in the direction of the Big Horn Mountains, it may be said that the ranch was surrounded by the rustlers, who held the stockmen at bay. What would be the result? None could foresee. Hawkridge drew Sterry aside and said, in a guarded undertone: "There is only one thing to be feared." "What is that?" "It is easy for them to burn this building." "Do you think they will do that, when they know a couple of women are inside?" "It doesn't follow that there is any necessity of their being burned, nor indeed of any of us suffering from fire. When you touch off a barn the rats get out, and that's what we shall have to do." "But they will give us a chance, first." "Yes, a chance to surrender, and we might have done that without putting ourselves to all this trouble." "And suppose we _do_ surrender, after making the best fight we can--what are likely to be the terms offered?" "They will treat the majority, including myself, as prisoners of war; but Capt. Asbury, and probably you, will be excepted--he because of the killing of Perkins last night, and you because you have disregarded the warning to leave the country when ordered to do so." "All of which is mighty interesting to the captain and myself," remarked Sterry, with little evidence of fear; "but we will hope for better things." 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. It was wise, therefore, that the leaders forbore from active hostilities at this early stage of the business. From the front of the structure the plain stretched in the direction of the Big Horn Mountains. It was across this that Jennie Whitney descried, two days before, the return of her friends with the body of her father. She now ascended to the second story and peered long and frequently in the same direction, in the hope of catching sight of her brother. Meanwhile Capt. Asbury disposed of the members of his party as best he could. They needed no instructions from him to avoid in every way possible annoying the ladies, who were considerate and kind.