CHAPTER XXXIII.
THE PRISONER.
It may be said that Monteith Sterry's main hope for the success of his perilous scheme lay in its boldness.
It was not to be supposed that the rustlers, surrounding the besieged on every hand, would forget the probability of just such an attempt as he made.

The stockmen could not expect to slip away one by one, or in a body; nor was there anything to tempt such an effort, even if it offered a fair prospect of success; for, of necessity, they would have to depart on foot, and with the coming of daylight their situation would be worse than now, with a strong shelter above and around them.
But it was known among the defenders that two of their number were doomed, if they fell into the hands of the rustlers.

It was probable, therefore, that one or both of these individuals would try to get away.
Whether or not the leaders held any distrust of Vesey cannot be known; but his little scheme for befriending Monteith Sterry was nipped in the bud by his being retained at the front of the building, where, as has been shown, he acted as the bearer of messages between Inman and Capt.

Asbury.
There were men closely watching the building from the moment darkness closed over the scene.

Had Sterry attempted to steal along the side of the house and then dodge away, he would have been detected and halted at once.