He had stationed them on a high bluff on the north bank of the Stranger Creek, and, looking across the wide timbered bottom to the opposite bluff, they could dimly see a large number of objects approaching through the brush-wood.

What could it be?
Was it Lane coming to attack him?
And now two horsemen emerged from the brush and rode on a full gallop down the bluff.
"It is Lane! It is Lane!" they cried.

"Let us ride back to Atchison and get ready to defend the town," and on a gallop they skedaddled back to Atchison.
Mr.Speck had been with some of his neighbors to bring home a herd of cattle.

An old cow had broken from the herd, intending to get back to her former grazing ground, and Mr.Speck and his neighbors had ridden full gallop to head her off.

On reaching home, and learning of the visit of the Sheriff, he went at once to Atchison to give bonds to keep the peace; and to make all things square, he took with him the rusty old musket and proffered it to the gentleman that had been so solicitous to get it.