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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online -at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<table style='margin-left:0; border-collapse:collapse'> - <tr><td>Title:</td><td>Buffalo Bill's Big Surprise</td></tr> - <tr><td></td><td>The Biggest Stampede on Record</td></tr> -</table> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Colonel Prentiss Ingraham</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: January 11, 2021 [eBook #64262]</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Character set encoding: UTF-8</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Produced by: David Edwards, Susan Carr and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net</div> - -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BUFFALO BILL'S BIG SURPRISE ***</div> - -<div class="figcenter illowp51" id="cover" style="max-width: 59.75em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/cover.jpg" alt="" /> -</div> - -<hr class="chap p6 pg-brk" /> - -<h1>Buffalo Bill’s Big Surprise<br /> -<span class="fs50">OR</span>,<br /> -<span class="fs80">The Biggest Stampede on Record</span></h1> - -<p class="pfs80 p6">BY</p> - -<p class="pfs135">Colonel Prentiss Ingraham</p> - -<p class="pfs90">Author of the celebrated “Buffalo Bill” stories published in the<br /> -<span class="smcap">Border Stories</span>. For other titles see catalogue.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowe4_375" id="colophon"> - <img class="w100 p4" src="images/colophon.jpg" alt="Colophon" /> -</div> - -<p class="pfs120 p4">STREET & SMITH CORPORATION</p> -<p class="pfs90">PUBLISHERS</p> -<p class="pfs120">79-89 Seventh Avenue, New York</p> - -<hr class="chap p10pc" /> - -<div class="bbox pg-brk"> - -<p class="p2 pfs100">Copyright, 1914</p> -<p class="pfs100">By STREET & SMITH</p> -<hr class="r10" /> -<p class="pfs100 pb2">Buffalo Bill’s Big Surprise</p> -</div> - -<p class="pfs90">All rights reserved, including that of translation into foreign<br /> -languages, including the Scandinavian.</p> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CONTENTS">CONTENTS</h2> -</div> - -<table class="autotable fs90" width="95%" summary=""> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdr fs80">PAGE</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl">IN APPRECIATION OF WILLIAM F. CODY</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_1">1</a> </td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">I.</td> -<td class="tdl">BAD NEWS.</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_5">5</a> </td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">II.</td> -<td class="tdl">THE OUTLAWS’ ALLY</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_11">11</a> </td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">III.</td> -<td class="tdl">PLOTTING WITH A FOE.</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_15">15</a> </td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">IV.</td> -<td class="tdl">BURSTING SHELLS.</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_22">22</a> </td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">V.</td> -<td class="tdl">THE RETURN.</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_31">31</a> </td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">VI.</td> -<td class="tdl">THE FORGED LETTER.</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_48">48</a> </td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">VII.</td> -<td class="tdl">THE FLIGHT.</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_56">56</a> </td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">VIII.</td> -<td class="tdl">IN THE INDIAN VILLAGE.</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_65">65</a> </td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">IX.</td> -<td class="tdl">BUFFALO BILL’S BOLD VENTURE.</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_86">86</a> </td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">X.</td> -<td class="tdl">THE RESCUER REACHES THE GOAL.</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_91">91</a> </td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">XI.</td> -<td class="tdl">THE GUARD OF HONOR.</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_96">96</a> </td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">XII.</td> -<td class="tdl">CORRALLED BY INDIANS.</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_101">101</a> </td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">XIII.</td> -<td class="tdl">THE RIDE FOR HELP.</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_107">107</a> </td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">XIV.</td> -<td class="tdl">THE BLACK TROOPERS AT BAY.</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_113">113</a> </td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">XV.</td> -<td class="tdl">A VERY STRANGE FIND.</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_118">118</a> </td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">XVI.</td> -<td class="tdl">THE NEGRO MESSENGER.</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_123">123</a> </td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">XVII.</td> -<td class="tdl">TWO SHOTS.</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_129">129</a> </td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">XVIII.</td> -<td class="tdl">THE BAD MAN OF THE BIG HORN.</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_137">137</a> </td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">XIX.</td> -<td class="tdl">A DOUBLE ESCAPE.</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_143">143</a> </td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">XX.</td> -<td class="tdl">BLACK SCOUTS ON THE TRAIL.</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_147">147</a> </td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">XXI.</td> -<td class="tdl">TO THE RESCUE.</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_152">152</a> </td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">XXII.</td> -<td class="tdl">BLACK BILL’S LONE HAND.</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_159">159</a> </td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">XXIII.</td> -<td class="tdl">BLACK BILL’S PRISONER.</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_165">165</a> </td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">XXIV.</td> -<td class="tdl">THE LOST VALLEY.</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_171">171</a> </td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">XXV.</td> -<td class="tdl">UNSEEN FOES.</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_178">178</a> </td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">XXVI.</td> -<td class="tdl">FACE TO FACE WITH ENEMIES.</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_185">185</a> </td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">XXVII.</td> -<td class="tdl">A DISCOVERY.</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_194">194</a> </td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">XXVIII.</td> -<td class="tdl">A LIVING TOMB.</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_201">201</a> </td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">XXIX.</td> -<td class="tdl">THE RESCUE.</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_207">207</a> </td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">XXX.</td> -<td class="tdl">OUT OF DEVIL’S DEN.</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_212">212</a> </td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">XXXI.</td> -<td class="tdl">ANOTHER STRANGE STORY.</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_215">215</a> </td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">XXXII.</td> -<td class="tdl">UNDER A CURSE.</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_223">223</a> </td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">XXXIII.</td> -<td class="tdl">THE HACIENDA.</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_230">230</a> </td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">XXXIV.</td> -<td class="tdl">HAUNTED.</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_237">237</a> </td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">XXXV.</td> -<td class="tdl">THE SEARCH OF THE RUIN.</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_243">243</a> </td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">XXXVI.</td> -<td class="tdl">THE FIRST NIGHT.</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_249">249</a> </td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">XXXVII.</td> -<td class="tdl">A DEAD GHOST.</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_255">255</a> </td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">XXXVIII.</td> -<td class="tdl">ON SECRET WORK.</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_261">261</a> </td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">XXXIX.</td> -<td class="tdl">THE SCOUT’S RETURN.</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_270">270</a> </td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">XL.</td> -<td class="tdl">THE SHOT ON THE CLIFF.</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_281">281</a> </td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">XLI.</td> -<td class="tdl">THE FIGHT IN THE SLEUTHS’ CAMP.</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_289">289</a> </td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">XLII.</td> -<td class="tdl">A STARTLING VISIT.</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_302">302</a> </td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">XLIII.</td> -<td class="tdl">THE FAIR HERMIT.</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_310">310</a> </td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">XLIV.</td> -<td class="tdl">REVEALED.</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_316">316</a> </td> -</tr> -</table> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_1"></a>[Pg 1]</span></p> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="IN_APPRECIATION_OF_WILLIAM_F_CODY">IN APPRECIATION OF WILLIAM F. CODY<br /> -<span class="fs70">(BUFFALO BILL).</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>It is now some generations since Josh Billings, Ned -Buntline, and Colonel Prentiss Ingraham, intimate friends -of Colonel William F. Cody, used to forgather in the -office of Francis S. Smith, then proprietor of the <cite>New -York Weekly</cite>. It was a dingy little office on Rose Street, -New York, but the breath of the great outdoors stirred -there when these old-timers got together. As a result of -these conversations, Colonel Ingraham and Ned Buntline -began to write of the adventures of Buffalo Bill -for Street & Smith.</p> - -<p>Colonel Cody was born in Scott County, Iowa, February -26, 1846. Before he had reached his teens, his -father, Isaac Cody, with his mother and two sisters, -migrated to Kansas, which at that time was little more -than a wilderness.</p> - -<p>When the elder Cody was killed shortly afterward in -the Kansas “Border War,” young Bill assumed the difficult -rôle of family breadwinner. During 1860, and until -the outbreak of the Civil War, Cody lived the arduous -life of a pony-express rider. Cody volunteered his services -as government scout and guide and served throughout -the Civil War with Generals McNeil and A. J. -Smith. He was a distinguished member of the Seventh -Kansas Cavalry.</p> - -<p>During the Civil War, while riding through the streets -of St. Louis, Cody rescued a frightened schoolgirl from -a band of annoyers. In true romantic style, Cody and -Louisa Federci, the girl, were married March 6, 1866.</p> - -<p>In 1867 Cody was employed to furnish a specified -amount of buffalo meat to the construction men at work -on the Kansas Pacific Railroad. It was in this period -that he received the sobriquet “Buffalo Bill.”</p> - -<p>In 1868 and for four years thereafter Colonel Cody<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_2"></a>[2]</span> -served as scout and guide in campaigns against the Sioux -and Cheyenne Indians. It was General Sheridan who -conferred on Cody the honor of chief of scouts of the -command.</p> - -<p>After completing a period of service in the Nebraska -legislature, Cody joined the Fifth Cavalry in 1876, and -was again appointed chief of scouts.</p> - -<p>Colonel Cody’s fame had reached the East long before, -and a great many New Yorkers went out to see -him and join in his buffalo hunts, including such men -as August Belmont, James Gordon Bennett, Anson -Stager, and J. G. Heckscher. In entertaining these -visitors at Fort McPherson, Cody was accustomed to -arrange wild-West exhibitions. In return his friends -invited him to visit New York. It was upon seeing his -first play in the metropolis that Cody conceived the idea -of going into the show business.</p> - -<p>Assisted by Ned Buntline, novelist, and Colonel Ingraham, -he started his “Wild West” show, which later -developed and expanded into “<ins class="corr" id="tn2" title="Transcriber’s Note—“A Congress of the Rough-riders of the World” changed to “A Congress of the Rough Riders of the World”.">A Congress of the Rough Riders of the World</ins>,” -first presented at Omaha, Nebraska. In time it became a familiar -yearly entertainment in the great cities of this country and Europe. -Many famous personages attended the performances, and became his warm -friends, including Mr. Gladstone, the Marquis of Lorne, King Edward, -Queen Victoria, and the Prince of Wales, now King of England.</p> - -<p>At the outbreak of the Sioux, in 1890 and 1891, -Colonel Cody served at the head of the Nebraska National -Guard. In 1895 Cody took up the development -of Wyoming Valley by introducing irrigation. Not long -afterward he became judge advocate general of the -Wyoming National Guard.</p> - -<p>Colonel Cody (Buffalo Bill) died in Denver, Colorado, -on January 10, 1917. His legacy to a grateful world was -a large share in the development of the West, and a -multitude of achievements in horsemanship, marksmanship, -and endurance that will live for ages. His life -will continue to be a leading example of the manliness, -courage, and devotion to duty that belonged to a picturesque -phase of American life now passed, like the great -patriot whose career it typified, into the Great Beyond.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_5"></a>[5]</span></p> - -<p class="pfs180">BUFFALO BILL’S BIG SURPRISE.</p> - -<hr class="r10" /> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I.<br /> -<span class="fs70">BAD NEWS.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p>It was at Fort Advance, one of the smaller frontier -posts on the Indian border, just about the hour of sunset. -Buffalo Bill and Colonel Carr, the commandant -of the fort, were chatting together when suddenly Buffalo -Bill raised his hands and pointed across the plains.</p> - -<p>A horseman could be seen in the distance, and he -was approaching at a furious gallop.</p> - -<p>Buffalo Bill scanned the figure for a moment in -silence.</p> - -<p>“It is Hugh Hardin, the oldest of my scouts,” he -said, “and I am willing to bet a few cigars that he -brings news of a fresh Indian uprising.”</p> - -<p>It was, indeed, Hugh Hardin, and a moment later -he had pulled up his steed before Buffalo Bill and -Colonel Carr, and, after saluting his superior officers, -was making his report.</p> - -<p>It was to the effect that the Indians to the number of -several thousands were on the warpath, under command -of Death Face and several other of their chiefs.</p> - -<p>“I scouted near their camp,” said Hugh Hardin, -“and I know that there is at least one white man in<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_6"></a>[6]</span> -their number. I saw him. He is Eagle, a well-known -outlaw. He was formerly chief of the band -known as the Renegade Red Riders, which you broke -up, Buffalo Bill, not long ago.”</p> - -<p>“What! Eagle, the outlaw chief!” exclaimed the -colonel. “I thought you killed him, Cody?”</p> - -<p>“I followed him and drove him off a precipice into -Rapid River—man and horse,” said Cody; “but it -looks as if he had escaped by swimming, and joined the -redskins, now that his own band is wiped out. Are -you sure that he is with the Indians?”</p> - -<p>“Perfectly,” said Hugh Hardin.</p> - -<p>“That man must be captured at all hazards,” said -the colonel. “I shall immediately order out a troop -of cavalry, as well as a battery of infantry, and send -them on to oppose the Indians.”</p> - -<p>An hour later the detachment of cavalry and artillery, -under command of Lieutenant Worth, one of -the most popular young officers in the post, was starting -for Rapid River.</p> - -<p>Two other commands of artillery and cavalry were -dispatched immediately afterward.</p> - -<p>Buffalo Bill headed the column, of course, and when, -early the next day, after a hard night ride, they were -within a few miles of the river, he advised the lieutenant -to call a halt.</p> - -<p>“I will go forward myself on a scout,” he said, “before<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_7"></a>[7]</span> -the Indians discover that there is a body of soldiers -in the vicinity.”</p> - -<p>“I suggest that you take one of the men in my troop, -Sergeant Fallon, as an assistant. He has lived with -the Indians for years, and can disguise himself perfectly -as one, and speak the language well. Besides, -they say that he has powerful friends among the Sioux -chiefs. He can enter the camp in disguise, perhaps.”</p> - -<p>Sergeant Fallon, a tall, lean, dark-faced man, stepped -forward at the command of Lieutenant Worth, and, -after a few words with Buffalo Bill, went off to disguise -himself as an Indian, a complete disguise having -been brought along with the artillery equipments by -command of Lieutenant Worth.</p> - -<p>“He is a mysterious man, evidently well educated,” -said the lieutenant to Buffalo Bill, “and no one knows -why he entered the army, as he is reputed to be very -wealthy. He has good cause to wish to be revenged -on Eagle, the outlaw chief. Eagle captured his daughter, -Lucille Fallon, when she was on her way West, to -hold her for ransom, and it was you yourself who -rescued her when you wiped out Eagle’s band.”</p> - -<p>“I remember the occasion,” said the great scout; -“but here comes the man, and he looks like an Indian, -indeed.”</p> - -<p>Sergeant Fallon’s disguise was perfect, and an hour -later the scout and he set out.</p> - -<p>When they reached Rapid River, Fallon decided to<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_8"></a>[8]</span> -swim his horse across and enter the Indian camp disguised -as he was, and Buffalo Bill, knowing from what -he had seen and heard of the man that he could thoroughly -trust him, allowed him to do so.</p> - -<p>Buffalo Bill accompanied him as far as the river, -and watched him across. He lost his form after he -had got halfway across, but waited until he was sure -that Fallon had reached the other side and found the -Indian guards.</p> - -<p>Hearing no outcry or shot, he muttered:</p> - -<p>“I guess he’s all right, but his danger is great.</p> - -<p>“The man grows upon me more and more, and I am -sure that he has once held a high position and been in -command of men.</p> - -<p>“Well, if he gets back in safety, I will use my influence -to get him the commission he richly deserves.”</p> - -<p>So saying, the scout gazed in silence for a while -over the weird, wild scene, lit up by the moonlight into -picturesque beauty, and then, turning his horse, rode -back to his camp for the night.</p> - -<p>The sergeant, meanwhile, had crossed the river, been -met by the guards, and then rode to the camp beyond -the ridge.</p> - -<p>To his surprise, he found there over a hundred Indian -braves, and about a camp fire built out of sight -up in a niche of the cliff stood several forms, upon -whom his eyes were at once riveted.</p> - -<p>Fighting Bird, an old Sioux chief, was there, and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_9"></a>[9]</span> -near him stood the young chief, Death Face, while, -seated upon a rock near, was a splendid type of a redskin -leader, a man of almost herculean proportions, -robed in gorgeous costume of tanned doeskin heavily -embroidered with wampum, and wearing a war bonnet -of barbaric splendor. His face was bold, rugged, -crafty, intelligent, and merciless.</p> - -<p>That countenance was furrowed with age, silver -threads streaked his raven locks, but he was still the -mighty leader of his people, the grand old fighter, plotter, -good general, merciless foe of the palefaces, Iron -Eyes, the head chief of his tribe.</p> - -<p>By his side stood a fourth person.</p> - -<p>It was one of elegant form, handsome face, dark -and sinister, fine though it was. He was dressed in a -black fatigue suit of army style, wore buttons of ten-dollar -gold pieces, diamond studs and sleeve buttons in -his negligee silk shirt, a massive watch chain, and a -large, brilliant ruby upon the little finger of his left -hand, his right being covered with a red glove.</p> - -<p>This man had a cigar between his lips, stood like one -waiting to be photographed, one booted foot resting -upon a rock before him, and his elbow leaning upon his -knee as a rest.</p> - -<p>His spurs were of gold, his belt of arms showed -that they were ornamented with the same precious -metal, and, altogether, he was a most picturesque and -striking figure, a man to stand in awe of.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_10"></a>[10]</span></p> - -<p>As the sergeant approached, old Iron Eyes arose -and greeted him, greeted him as he would one for -whom he held both reverence and affection.</p> - -<p>“Iron Eyes is surprised at meeting his paleface -brother, the great medicine chief, White Wolf. The -Iron Eyes has with him another great chief of the -paleface race, the Eagle, his brother and ally, and here -is my son, the mighty young chief who will some day -wear the war bonnet of old Iron Eyes.</p> - -<p>“It gladdens my heart to again see my brother, the -White Wolf. He is welcome, and he has proven my -friend.”</p> - -<p>Such was the welcome and the introduction of the -sergeant to those assembled about the camp fire in the -little ravine among the cliffs.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_11"></a>[11]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II.<br /> -<span class="fs70">THE OUTLAWS’ ALLY.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>Sergeant Fallon was perfectly calm under the ordeal -he was passing through. He greeted the old chief -most reverently and kindly, offered his hand to the -outlaw, for he wished to feel his grip and remember it, -and saluted the young son of Iron Eyes courteously, -while he did not by any means ignore Fighting Bird.</p> - -<p>But he lost no time in at once saying:</p> - -<p>“I am here unexpectedly to-night, for I wish to tell -the great chief that his foes are not sure that he has -warriors camped here, and they intend to send out -scouts on foot to cross the river and find out. By -drawing your braves far back, putting out your camp -fires, and not one being seen, the scouts will come over -and find no braves here.</p> - -<p>“They will report this to their chiefs, and then when -another night the force attempts to cross, the warriors -of Iron Eyes will be here to ambush them.”</p> - -<p>The words of the disguised sergeant were listened -to in silence, but with great interest, and old Iron Eyes -said:</p> - -<p>“The Chief White Wolf speaks with wisdom, and -my warriors shall at once draw back to cover.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, it will be the very thing to do, for if the soldiers -believe that you have withdrawn your guards<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_12"></a>[12]</span> -from the fords, they will cross, hoping to surprise you, -and dash upon an ambush and be beaten back right -here, as they should be.”</p> - -<p>“I would send couriers to the other bands, also, -chief,” the outlaw joined in, “to have them also fall -back for the night. Would you not, White Wolf?”</p> - -<p>“It would be just what I should do, sir,” answered -the sergeant.</p> - -<p>Orders were at once given to put out the camp fires, -get the ponies and camp outfit, and retreat over the -range half a mile back.</p> - -<p>The sergeant went along and rode with Iron Eyes, -the two talking together like old friends.</p> - -<p>When they had come to a halt, the outlaw stepped -up to the sergeant and asked:</p> - -<p>“What force is on the other side, sir?”</p> - -<p>“There are three commands, sir; two of considerable -strength, the other not so large.”</p> - -<p>“Have they any guns?”</p> - -<p>“All three commands have artillery, sir.”</p> - -<p>“And infantry?”</p> - -<p>“Mounted infantry, with cavalry and guns.”</p> - -<p>“Then Carr is in earnest?” said the outlaw.</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir, he seems determined.”</p> - -<p>“There are three men there whom I hate. I will -give a reward to get their scalps.”</p> - -<p>“Who are they, sir?”</p> - -<p>“One is Lieutenant Worth, who has been a persistent<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_13"></a>[13]</span> -foe of my band of Red Riders; one is Buffalo Bill, and -the other is Sergeant Fallon.”</p> - -<p>“I know them all, sir.”</p> - -<p>“They have both been strong allies to wipe me out, -and here I am a fugitive to-day with no men left, and -must begin life anew to gain both gold and revenge. -But I am not dead yet, and I will have both.”</p> - -<p>“You are right, Captain Eagle,” said the sergeant.</p> - -<p>“May I ask your name, my friend?”</p> - -<p>“My name is Louis, sir.”</p> - -<p>“What position do you hold under Colonel Carr?”</p> - -<p>“I am in the ordnance department, but hold only an -inferior position.”</p> - -<p>“You have once dwelt among the Indians?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, as a fugitive from my own people, I became -a renegade and was a medicine chief. When I could -do so I returned to my people, unknown, however, to -work like you, for gold and revenge. Some day I will -have both.”</p> - -<p>“See here, you are just the man that can aid me, and -in doing so help yourself.”</p> - -<p>“I am willing, if there is any money in it.”</p> - -<p>“There is, and big money, too, for you.”</p> - -<p>“I am your man, Captain Eagle,” was the earnest -reply.</p> - -<p>The outlaw was evidently greatly excited through -some thought that had crossed his mind. He paced -to and fro for a minute, his hands clasped behind his<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_14"></a>[14]</span> -back, his whole bearing that of one who was moved by -strong emotion.</p> - -<p>Again turning to the sergeant, he said, and in a perfectly -calm tone:</p> - -<p>“You dwell at Fort Advance, of course?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir.”</p> - -<p>“Do you know Sergeant Fallon well?”</p> - -<p>“He is my most intimate friend, and I occupy his -quarters.”</p> - -<p>“Good! Have you any love for him?”</p> - -<p>“I have for him, sir, the deepest hatred, as he has -been my worst enemy, and at times I have been tempted -to take his life.”</p> - -<p>“Then you are the very man I want for an ally—what -do you say?”</p> - -<p>“I will serve you, sir, as I can serve myself in doing -so.”</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_15"></a>[15]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III.<br /> -<span class="fs70">PLOTTING WITH A FOE.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>The outlaw leader seemed pleased with the idea of -his ally’s hatred for Sergeant Fallon, and said, when -he was told that he would serve him:</p> - -<p>“Well, you will have to go slow, and there is much -to be done.”</p> - -<p>“I am ready.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll tell you just what my plan is, and see what -you think of it.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll frankly tell you what I think.”</p> - -<p>“I believe you, for the chief speaks of you in the -highest terms, in fact loves you as a brother, and the -only thing I had against you was that, after being a -renegade, you went back to your people.”</p> - -<p>“It was, as I said before, for a purpose.”</p> - -<p>“Ah, yes; but now to my plot with you.”</p> - -<p>“I am all attention.”</p> - -<p>“You, of course, know the sergeant’s daughter?”</p> - -<p>“I do.”</p> - -<p>“She is an heiress, you know?”</p> - -<p>“I have heard so; in fact, I know that it is the case, -from the sergeant.”</p> - -<p>“I had her a captive, with others, but Buffalo Bill -guided Lieutenant Worth, Sergeant Fallon, and others -to my retreat and rescued the prisoners, destroying my<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_16"></a>[16]</span> -band and making me fly as a fugitive for shelter with -my good friend, Iron Eyes.”</p> - -<p>“I see.”</p> - -<p>“Now, I wish to get possession of Lucille Fallon, the -sergeant’s daughter.”</p> - -<p>“Ah!”</p> - -<p>“And that is what I wish you to aid me in.”</p> - -<p>“I can do it if any man can.”</p> - -<p>“My plan is for you to notify me, by a letter left at -a certain spot on the Overland trail, which I will describe -to you, when I can get possession of her. She -can be called to Pioneer City through an excuse of -some kind to meet a lawyer there who will not come -farther on, and I will hold up the coach and capture -her.”</p> - -<p>“But your men are all dead or prisoners?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, but I am organizing another band out of new -material, men who will serve my purpose even better -than the others did.”</p> - -<p>“You wish to capture the girl and get a big ransom -for her?”</p> - -<p>“That is just it, and Sergeant Fallon with her.”</p> - -<p>“You wish both?”</p> - -<p>“I do, the one for revenge, the other for gold.”</p> - -<p>“Well, I believe I can arrange it.”</p> - -<p>“You must understand the whole situation, the name -of the girl’s lawyer in New York, something of the -facts of the case of her inheritance, and just what to<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_17"></a>[17]</span> -do. Now, when she was my captive, I looked over her -papers, and I have the name and address of the lawyer, -in fact, one of his letters, and I can forge his -writing perfectly.</p> - -<p>“I will write the letter to her, mail it from Pioneer -City, telling her that, writing as the lawyer, I cannot -come any farther, as I am suffering with an attack of -rheumatism, and that she and her father must come to -me, the lawyer, mind you, by return coach. I will then -lie in wait on the trail and capture them.”</p> - -<p>“A good idea.”</p> - -<p>“There is another thing: You must see to it that -the girl’s jewels and money are taken along, though -she must not know this. Smuggle them on the coach -in some way, for you can get possession of them, intimate -as you are at the sergeant’s home, and I will -share with you.”</p> - -<p>“Thank you. I know where the money and jewels -are kept, and I can get them, and will see that they -go through with the sergeant and his daughter, never -fear.”</p> - -<p>“Is Jack Jessop, the star driver, driving now?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes.”</p> - -<p>“It will be his last trip, for I’ll bury him on Monument -Hill. He is too plucky a man to be in the Overland -coach-driving business, and so he goes under.”</p> - -<p>“It is just as well, I guess, though I rather like -Jack.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_18"></a>[18]</span></p> - -<p>“Well, now, we’ll go over the whole matter again, and just as soon -as you return to the fort notify me by letter what you think can be -done, or if you can think of any better plan. The place to leave the -letter is under the end of the third board of the Cañon River bridge, -where it projects over the land, as I suppose it must, though I have -not seen the new structure. At any rate, look well for a spot there, -and I’ll find it, for I’ll take to the trail soon with my new band.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll prepare the way for you, Captain Eagle, never fear,” was the -answer of the sergeant, and then the two went all over the same -ground again, the outlaw asking many questions about the fort and its -people, and coming to what he considered was a thorough understanding -with the man whom he little dreamed to be his foe.</p> - -<p>This conversation being ended, the sergeant held a powwow with his -old friend Iron Eyes, the outlaw, Death Face, and Fighting Bird being -present.</p> - -<p>It being then a couple of hours after midnight, Sergeant Fallon -suggested that he would make a visit to the ford to see if the enemy -had sent their scouts across, and send back word by a couple of -warriors who would accompany him, as he would then be compelled to go -on back to the command where he was expected to serve as the Indians’ -spy.</p> - -<p>Two young braves were, therefore, called to accompany him, and Iron -Eyes said that he had increased the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_19"></a>[19]</span> -force of guards at each ford by fifty men, while several hundred -more braves under Death Face would camp at the first mountain pass -on the trail, where they could give battle to the soldiers, and be -reënforced readily from the village.</p> - -<p>Iron Eyes himself would return to his village, and Captain Eagle was -to remain at the ford, being at liberty to go where he pleased.</p> - -<p>Assured by these facts, and accompanied by the two braves, the -sergeant set out upon his return.</p> - -<p>He left the braves on the ridge, advanced alone to the river, and -discovering, by the sign agreed upon between them, that Buffalo Bill -had been there, he went back and told the warriors to return and -report to Iron Eyes that a scout from the soldiers had been across -the river, so that they could come back into their camp again.</p> - -<p>Then he rode into the river to cross.</p> - -<p>The sergeant was greeted by Buffalo Bill as he rode out of the water, -the two friends clasping hands warmly.</p> - -<p>“I am glad, indeed, to see you again, sergeant, for I was becoming -very nervous about you.”</p> - -<p>“I was delayed, as I did not dare appear anxious to get back.”</p> - -<p>“I found Iron Eyes, Death Face, and the outlaw in camp when I went -over, and a number of warriors, as well, so I decided to get them -well out of the way<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_20"></a>[20]</span> -at once, and would not delay for the time agreed upon.</p> - -<p>“I found, upon my return to the ford, that you had -been there and crossed. I gave the chief a great ghost -story about the soldiers, and I had an hour’s chat with -the outlaw,” and Fallon related all his conversation -with the outlaw.</p> - -<p>“When he holds up the coach he will not only find -Sergeant Fallon in it, but Buffalo Bill, Lieutenant -Worth, and a few good scouts and soldiers, with others -following on behind, and a few more to head off the -outlaws, so that we will catch the whole outfit,” said -the sergeant.</p> - -<p>“The very thing to be done, sergeant; but who has -the outlaw chief for a band?”</p> - -<p>“That is the question, Cody.”</p> - -<p>“Doubtless redskins?”</p> - -<p>“I had that idea at first, but he spoke of going to -Pioneer City, where he had friends, and I believe he -will get men there, and more than he had before, from -what he gave out in the way of hints.”</p> - -<p>“Then, to be sure, we will have to be well provided -with men, say one on the box with Jack Jessop, who -is also to be counted when it’s a scrimmage, and a -dozen can pack away in the coach. Then a few scouts -and soldiers on the trail behind the coach, some more -of my men ahead and we’ll rope in the entire outfit, as -you suggest.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_21"></a>[21]</span></p> - -<p>“We’ll do it, and arrange with the lieutenant, but -keep it as secret as the grave. When the letter comes -we will then be ready to go out on the first coach, and -the man who rides on the box with Jack Jessop can -wear a hat and clothes to appear to be my daughter, for -she rode all the way through on the box, you know. -But here we are at camp.”</p> - -<p>Day had dawned, and the camp was astir, though the -men were not building any fires, but were preparing to -eat a cold breakfast.</p> - -<p>Having washed off his paint and changed his clothes, -the sergeant and Buffalo Bill went directly to the quarters -of the lieutenant.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_22"></a>[22]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV.<br /> -<span class="fs70">BURSTING SHELLS.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>Before nightfall the two reserve commands had -reached the fords, to which they had been guided by -the scout sent to each of them.</p> - -<p>They found them good camping places, water, wood, -and grass in plenty, and which could be readily defended -if need be.</p> - -<p>There were a dozen fires built by those sent on -ahead, and the officers in command were delighted to -learn that there was a chance for a brush with the Indians, -for, being ordered to the front, they believed -there would be.</p> - -<p>It was just before sunset that Lieutenant Worth, -Buffalo Bill, and Sergeant Fallon rode into the camp -at the upper ford, and were welcomed by the officers -and men.</p> - -<p>“Percy, how is your gun placed?” asked Lieutenant -Worth of the officer in charge.</p> - -<p>“It commands the ford and the other shore, though -it is not in position to be seen.”</p> - -<p>“All right, run it into position as soon as Buffalo -Bill shows you, just to toss a shell or two, for he has -been devoting the past day to studying the Indian -camps at two of the fords,” said the lieutenant, with a -smile, while the scout remarked:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_23"></a>[23]</span></p> - -<p>“Say night, rather, lieutenant, for I’ve been resting -by daylight.”</p> - -<p>Going to a point which commanded a view of the -other shore, Buffalo Bill ran his glass over it and -said:</p> - -<p>“Sergeant, when I reconnoitered, the camp was in -those willows.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, that is it; and the ponies are corralled over -beyond them.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll see if I can put a shell there,” and the officer -in charge of the guns sighted one himself, a sergeant -training the other.</p> - -<p>“Fire!”</p> - -<p>The six and twelve-pounders flashed together, and -shells went shrieking across the river.</p> - -<p>One burst directly in the willows, the other beyond, -where the sergeant had said the horses were.</p> - -<p>There was a neighing of horses, several ponies -dashed into view, and it was certain that the shells had -been a startling surprise to the redskins in camp.</p> - -<p>“Percy, I wish one of your guns sent at once down -to my camp, and with full speed, for I shall drop a -shell or two into the camp across the river from me, -and then push on down to the other camp, and have -them give the reds a surprise, though we do not know -just where they are located at the lower ford, and -must guess at it.</p> - -<p>“Toss a few more shells over there, and then limber<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_24"></a>[24]</span> -up and get the gun away, whichever one you care to -send.”</p> - -<p>Half a dozen more shells were sent flying into the -Indian camp, and then the gun was sent down to the -camp of Lieutenant Worth, who, after supper with his -officer comrades there, rode away with Buffalo Bill, the -sergeant, and the three men sent there in the morning -to build fires, back to his camp.</p> - -<p>He found it no easy task to overtake the gun, the -crew being anxious to reach their position and throw in -a few shells before word could be sent down from the -upper ford, though the firing would naturally be heard -there, the sound traveling by the river.</p> - -<p>The gun was dragged to the ridge, and the sergeant -pointed out just where the camp and corral of -ponies were.</p> - -<p>“Aim it yourself, sergeant,” ordered Lieutenant -Worth.</p> - -<p>The sergeant did so, and the shell was seen to burst -right behind the ledge.</p> - -<p>Wild yells followed, and, with the firing of a second -shell into the corral of ponies, it also struck home, for -horses neighed wildly in fright.</p> - -<p>“Give them a few more shells, sergeant, and then -the gun can go to camp, while we hold on down to -the lower ford.”</p> - -<p>This was done, the gun retreated to camp, and Lieutenant<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_25"></a>[25]</span> -Worth, Buffalo Bill, and Sergeant Fallon followed -on down the river trail to the lower ford.</p> - -<p>It was some fifteen miles distant, and over a rough -trail; but they reached the camp soon after midnight, -and found the officer in command and his men all under -arms and ready for the fray, for they had heard the -firing from the middle ford and expected to be called -upon to move at any time.</p> - -<p>“It is no alarm, Benedict, at least to us, though it is -for the Indians.</p> - -<p>“I took a fancy to let the redskins know we were -across here in very heavy force, as Sergeant Fallon had -so reported to them, and got Percy to open on them, -and, borrowing one of his guns, I did the same, and -now I wish you to stir them up.”</p> - -<p>“With great pleasure, Lieutenant Worth,” answered -Lieutenant Benedict, who was in command.</p> - -<p>“Have you any idea of just where their camp and -corral is?”</p> - -<p>“I reconnoitered with my glass just before sunset -and think I found their camp, and behind it is a -meadow where I saw a pony astray.”</p> - -<p>“We’ll chance it.”</p> - -<p>Accordingly, the guns were placed in position, the -spots pointed out to the gunners, and first one, then -another roar came, the shells went shrieking on their -errands, and bursting just where it was intended they -should.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_26"></a>[26]</span></p> - -<p>Again startled yells answered, and then half a dozen -more shells went crashing into the timber on the other -side.</p> - -<p>“Give them a couple of shots just at dawn, Benedict, -and the other camps will do the same to show them -that we have guns at each ford.</p> - -<p>“We will camp at the fords for a couple of days yet, -and then return by easy marches to the fort, for I do -not believe a redskin will venture across the river for -a long while to come. Eh, Cody?”</p> - -<p>“I do not think so, either, sir, unless Eagle, the outlaw, -puts them up to some act of deviltry,” was the -scout’s answer, and, after a snack, the lieutenant and -his two companions returned to their own camp.</p> - -<p>The stay of the commands at the fords was continued -for three days longer, and every morning and -evening what the troops called the “sunrise and sunset -guns” were fired across the river at the Indian camps, -the guns being loaded with shell.</p> - -<p>Since the first night of the firing not an Indian had -been seen or heard. They were either gone or in hiding -farther off.</p> - -<p>Sergeant Fallon volunteered to go across and discover, -making the site of the three fords in the night -along the trail upon the other side, but Lieutenant -Worth said that he did not care to have him take any -more chances.</p> - -<p>Then the sergeant said it would be well for him to<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_27"></a>[27]</span> -cross just where he had before, and let the Indians feel -that he was still trying to serve them, also giving them -another ghost story about the troops intending to remain -for some time.</p> - -<p>Thus urged, the lieutenant yielded, and, rigging out -in his Indian costume once more, Sergeant Fallon rode -slowly away from the fort after supper one night.</p> - -<p>Lieutenant Worth and Buffalo Bill accompanied him -to the river, and then waited.</p> - -<p>It was bright moonlight, and the other shore could -be plainly seen, the officer and the scout watching the -sergeant all the way across and until he disappeared in -the shadows of the other side.</p> - -<p>They waited two hours before they saw him come -again into sight. He rode into the river, came across, -and joined them back in the shadows on the ridge.</p> - -<p>“Have they gone, sergeant?” asked the officer.</p> - -<p>“No, sir, they are there, only camped well back, and -with half a dozen braves on guard at a time, while their -force now numbers a couple of hundred men at each -ford.”</p> - -<p>“Give me the location of their camp, and we will -toss a shell over there in the morning.”</p> - -<p>“Pardon me, lieutenant,” said Buffalo Bill, “but that -would compromise the sergeant, as they would understand -that through him only the location could have -been found out.”</p> - -<p>“You are right, Cody, and it would not do.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_28"></a>[28]</span></p> - -<p>“You could hardly reach there as it is, sir, for they -are well protected; but, as Cody says, it might bring -suspicion upon me, and I was received in a most -friendly manner.”</p> - -<p>“Was Iron Eyes there?”</p> - -<p>“No, sir; he is back at the village, and Death Face -commands five hundred warriors at the pass where -they would hope to check your advance, with the -braves who would retreat from the fords, and others -who would come from the camp.</p> - -<p>“They have planned well, indeed, sir, and are in -dread of your advance, for they think you have two-thirds -of the force from the fort. Fighting Bird is in -command at the ford here, and he is a plucky, able -chief. The shots did some damage at each ford, for -half a dozen warriors were killed opposite to us, two at -the upper camp, and one at the lower, while a score -were wounded, as the shells dropped right into their -midst. Then, too, they lost a number of ponies by -the shelling.”</p> - -<p>“We did do some service then, at random.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir, and they will be most cautious about recrossing -the river for some time to come.”</p> - -<p>“I hope they will not allow us to rust in camp.”</p> - -<p>“No danger of that, lieutenant, for they are Indians, -and they will break out in a new spot when they -think you have forced them to lie quiet,” remarked -Buffalo Bill.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_29"></a>[29]</span></p> - -<p>“There is one thing I did not like, lieutenant.”</p> - -<p>“What is that, sergeant?”</p> - -<p>“The outlaw chief has left the camps.”</p> - -<p>“Indeed?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir.”</p> - -<p>“When did he leave?”</p> - -<p>“The day after my visit, sir.”</p> - -<p>“Where did he go?”</p> - -<p>“I was told by Fighting Bird that the outlaw seemed -sorry to have trusted me, after I left, and told Iron -Eyes so. Iron Eyes and Death Face laughed at him, -and he said that he had made a mistake, but would -rectify it, and soon after he left the camp. I asked -where he had gone, but Fighting Bird said he did not -know; but he thought to the village of the palefaces, -meaning Pioneer City.”</p> - -<p>“But he would not dare to cross the fords?”</p> - -<p>“It seems, sir, that he knows of another ford up the -river to which no trail leads, but where there is really -a good crossing, and he went there. He wished to -lead a band of warriors around that way to attack the -upper camp, but the Indians were too much afraid of -the big guns to listen to it.”</p> - -<p>“It’s well for us they were; but would he dare go to -Pioneer City, where he must be known?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, lieutenant, for you know he always wore a -mask as an outlaw, and no one saw his face.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_30"></a>[30]</span></p> - -<p>“His face is not known in Pioneer City, and I never -saw it that I know of,” the scout remarked.</p> - -<p>“But is he masked now?”</p> - -<p>“No, sir.”</p> - -<p>“Then you saw his face?”</p> - -<p>“I did, sir, and I would know it again if I met his -ghost in Hades,” was the sergeant’s emphatic response, -for a moment did he break out from his accustomed -quiet mien.</p> - -<p>“Describe him, sergeant, please.”</p> - -<p>“A man six feet in height, sir, herculean in strength, -and with a dark, intellectual face, cynical, stern, and -very handsome, but for its look of cruelty. He has a -long dark mustache, and his hair hangs upon his shoulders. -He is a very striking-looking man, sir, and -worthy of a better calling, to judge by his appearance.”</p> - -<p>“Well, I hope to have a close look at him some -day; but what do you think he went to Pioneer City -for?”</p> - -<p>“I told you, sir, of his intended letter to my daughter, -and as it seems he grew suspicious of me, my idea -is that he has gone there to plot to get her into his -power at once.”</p> - -<p>“By the Lord Harry! but you may be right, sergeant. -We will break camp at daylight and push for -the fort. Come, I’ll send couriers to the other camps -to move, also,” and the three returned at a gallop to -the camp.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_31"></a>[31]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V.<br /> -<span class="fs70">THE RETURN.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>When the three forces got under way they marched -at a speed according to the distance they had to travel, -that all might make the same camp the first night on the -way.</p> - -<p>The command from the lower ford made twenty -miles, and, camping early, they were joined in the -afternoon by the party under Lieutenant Worth.</p> - -<p>At dark the third command, under Lieutenant -Percy, came in, and Walter Worth surveyed his little -army with pride at being the superior officer.</p> - -<p>When they pulled out from camp early the next -morning, seeing that the news that the outlaw had gone -to Pioneer City made Sergeant Fallon anxious, he said -to him:</p> - -<p>“Sergeant, you and Buffalo Bill can push on ahead -to the fort, for the command cannot get in to-night -without crowding the horses very hard and riding late, -and there is no necessity for either.”</p> - -<p>The face of the sergeant brightened at the order of -the lieutenant, and he said:</p> - -<p>“Thank you, sir; I shall be most happy to go on -ahead.”</p> - -<p>“Say to Colonel Carr I will arrive with the command -to-morrow, not caring to push the cattle.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_32"></a>[32]</span></p> - -<p>“Yes, sir.”</p> - -<p>The sergeant at once reported to Buffalo Bill what -the lieutenant had said, and the two started off at a -pace more than double that at which the troops were -traveling, retarded as they were by the guns, a couple -of ambulances, and some pack mules.</p> - -<p>The sun was yet above the horizon when the sentinel -on the watchtower reported the coming of two -horsemen by the trail leading to the Indian country.</p> - -<p>The coming of the scout and Sergeant Fallon was -soon reported to the colonel.</p> - -<p>Their stories were told, the sergeant telling his first, -and both were listened to with the greatest attention by -the colonel, who then said:</p> - -<p>“Sergeant, your daring and gallant conduct shall -be reported, with a strong recommendation, added to -others already sent to Washington, for your promotion -to a lieutenancy.”</p> - -<p>“I thank you, sir.”</p> - -<p>“It will be a well-won appointment, sergeant, but, as -you request it, it will be best to say as little as possible -about your going into the Indian lines, as it might -reach the ears of the outlaw, who you say left the -camps after your first visit, presumably going to Pioneer -City.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir.”</p> - -<p>“Then he will be up to more deviltry, I fear; but,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_33"></a>[33]</span> -sergeant, your daughter is not here, you know, or had -you heard of her departure?”</p> - -<p>“My daughter not here, sir?” Sergeant Fallon’s -face turned to the hue of death.</p> - -<p>“Don’t be alarmed, man, for she only went by Jack -Jessop’s coach this morning to Pioneer City to see -her lawyer, who wrote to her that he was laid up there -with rheumatism, and wished both of you to come on -there.</p> - -<p>“As she did not know you would return, she went -alone; but what ails you, sergeant?”</p> - -<p>“Colonel Carr, that letter was a trick of the outlaw -chief to get my child into his clutches again!” gasped -the sergeant.</p> - -<p>The words of the sergeant fairly startled the colonel, -and he looked anxiously toward the scout and -said:</p> - -<p>“Cody, the sergeant is too deeply moved to speak.</p> - -<p>“Tell me yourself what this means?”</p> - -<p>“It means, colonel,” answered Buffalo Bill, “that -while in the Indian lines Sergeant Fallon had a long -talk with Eagle, the outlaw leader, and became his ally -in an intended capture of himself, the sergeant, and -Miss Fallon. A compact was entered into between -them, as I understood it from Sergeant Fallon, that he -should inveigle himself and Miss Fallon to take the -coach to Pioneer City, and he would hold it up and -capture them.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_34"></a>[34]</span></p> - -<p>“The outlaw had seen Miss Fallon’s papers and -letters, when she was his captive, copied the address of -her lawyer, and secreted a letter of his so as to forge -his writing and signature.</p> - -<p>“A letter to her was to be written from Pioneer -City, pretending to come from the lawyer and saying, -as he was laid up and unable to come to the fort, she -must come to him on a most important legal matter -that he would explain.”</p> - -<p>“I see it all, and she has fallen into the trap, for it -was to Pioneer City that the outlaw went to carry out -his infernal plot. Sergeant, you have my deepest sympathy, -and we will do all we can to rescue your daughter, -I assure you.”</p> - -<p>“I feel that, sir; but she is now in that man’s power, -and——”</p> - -<p>“Colonel Carr, may I offer a suggestion?” said Buffalo -Bill suddenly.</p> - -<p>“Out with it, Cody.”</p> - -<p>“The outlaw crossed the river at a point beyond -the upper ford, the Indians told the sergeant, at a secret -ford known to him alone.</p> - -<p>“Now, I believe he carried Indians along with him, -so a trail will be left, and if he has captured Miss Lucille -he will most surely take her to the village of -old Iron Eyes, for nowhere else could he carry her in -safety.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, Cody.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_35"></a>[35]</span></p> - -<p>“If he held up the coach to-day it was on the other -side of Cañon River bridge, and it is as far for him to -ride from there to his secret crossing of the river as it -is for us to go down from here, and by hard riding we -could get there first, sir; begging your pardon, if we -could start at once, push through and meet Lieutenant -Worth, we could——”</p> - -<p>“Cody, you have hit the nail on the head, and you -and the sergeant shall start within half an hour on -your ride.</p> - -<p>“You, sergeant, can ride my best charger, Spur, for -he needs exercise, and Lieutenant Worth will go back -with you and take what men he deems necessary, leaving -the command to Lieutenant Percy to bring on. -Say to Lieutenant Worth, sergeant, that such is my -wish.</p> - -<p>“Let him pick his horses, and you should reach him -in time to-night to get a short rest there for yours, and -be away all together at dawn.”</p> - -<p>“We will, sir; and I thank you deeply for your great -kindness. We will start within half an hour, sir, but -I dislike to force Scout Cody and others on such a hard -ride,” said Sergeant Fallon earnestly.</p> - -<p>“Oh, don’t mind me, sergeant, for I’ve had more -rest of late than I wanted,” said Buffalo Bill dryly.</p> - -<p>“Well, now be off, and remember, sergeant, you are -to ride my horse, Spur.”</p> - -<p>“Thank you, sir.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_36"></a>[36]</span></p> - -<p>With wishes for their success, the colonel saw them -depart hastily for their respective quarters.</p> - -<p>The long ride they had had was forgotten by both -men, for what did they care for fatigue when it was -to save Lucille from the power of the hated outlaw -chief?</p> - -<p>Buffalo Bill hastened to his quarters to change his -clothing, and order two of his best horses brought out, -for the scout was noted for the splendid animals he -always had ready for use.</p> - -<p>One of them he intended to ride, the other to be -used as a pack animal, and he ordered a good supply of -provision put in the pack saddle, and within an hour -after leaving the colonel’s quarters he was ready for -the trail. He had his supper, and just at dark rode -up to the sergeant’s quarters.</p> - -<p>“Time, sergeant, time!” he called.</p> - -<p>The colonel’s magnificent roan, Spur, was there, -with the sergeant’s saddle and bridle on, and there was -a place in the pack saddle for what the soldier wished -to carry along.</p> - -<p>These were stowed away, and the two friends rode -out of the fort side by side, the pack horse traveling -behind.</p> - -<p>The traps of the horsemen had been so divided up -that the saddle horses had only the weight of the riders, -the pack animal carrying the balance.</p> - -<p>They were gazed upon as they rode away back on<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_37"></a>[37]</span> -the trail they had come, the soldiers wondering at -their going so soon after their return.</p> - -<p>As they left the gate, the scout urged his horse -into a slow canter, the sergeant’s and the pack horse -settling down to the same steady pace.</p> - -<p>Thus they went on their way through the darkness, -leaving mile after mile behind them.</p> - -<p>“We will reach the camp by midnight, sergeant, and -that will give our horses and ourselves a good rest until -dawn, and allow Lieutenant Worth ample time to -select his men.”</p> - -<p>“What number do you think he will take, Cody?”</p> - -<p>“I should say six of my men and as many soldiers, -and this, with the lieutenant and ourselves, will give us -fifteen.”</p> - -<p>“Enough, if Lieutenant Worth picks the men.”</p> - -<p>“Which he will do, and yet a few more would not -be amiss.”</p> - -<p>“Well, suggest it, for he is most reasonable.”</p> - -<p>“He is, indeed, and one of the bravest and most -brilliant young officers I ever knew.”</p> - -<p>“You are right there, and he is making his way -well to the front.”</p> - -<p>Seeing that they were not distressing their horses, -the two kept them at a still more rapid pace, and it -was just before midnight that they dashed up to the -camp.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_38"></a>[38]</span></p> - -<p>Lieutenant Worth was at once aroused and the situation -explained to him, and before the sergeant could -deliver the colonel’s message he cried:</p> - -<p>“I’ll take a score of men and go back with you, for -that villain must be run down. You know your men -best, Cody, so pick out from the three commands together -here ten of your best scouts, and let them take -the finest horses, whether their own or not. You, -Sergeant Fallon, pick a corporal and ten troopers, and -see that they get the very best mounts. The quartermaster -shall at once get supplies for a couple of weeks’ -stay, for we must go well prepared, and——”</p> - -<p>“I go, too, Lieutenant Worth, for I shall be needed,” -cried Surgeon Denmead, who was present at the interview.</p> - -<p>“Ah, Denmead, always the right man in the right -place, and I am glad you spoke, for I will be glad to -have you along.”</p> - -<p>“Now, prepare all, for we must be in the saddle -within the hour.”</p> - -<p>There was no use saying wait until dawn, for the -dashing young cavalry officer said:</p> - -<p>“We will go ten miles on our way and then camp, -for I’ll feel then as though we had started. If your -horses are blown, Cody, you can take others.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll ride another, sir, as will Sergeant Fallon, and -take an extra pack horse, too, so the three we pushed -to the camp here can run loose and thus rest.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_39"></a>[39]</span></p> - -<p>“Yes, and I’ve ordered half a dozen extras driven -along loose in case of breakdowns, for there must be -no delay on this ride.”</p> - -<p>The party who were to make the ride then had -supper, and in just one hour after the arrival of Buffalo -Bill and the sergeant in camp, the party, twenty-five -all told and thirty-five horses, rode off on their -expedition to rescue Lucille Fallon.</p> - -<p>“Set the pace, Cody, and don’t make it too slow,” -said Lieutenant Worth, and Buffalo Bill rode to the -front, the sergeant with him.</p> - -<p>Behind rode Lieutenant Worth and Surgeon Denmead, -then the corporal and his troopers, the pack -horses and extras following, and the scouts bringing -up the rear in two detachments, under Will Palmer -and Hugh Hardin respectively.</p> - -<p>When ten miles had been passed over, Buffalo Bill -began to look for a camping place, when Lieutenant -Worth called out:</p> - -<p>“The horses are all right, Cody, so give them another -hour of it, and we’ll reach a good halting place.”</p> - -<p>Another hour was given them, and the scout led the -command to a fine camp where water, grass, and wood -were plentiful.</p> - -<p>They quickly staked out the animals, one scout was -put on duty, with orders to call a relief after one hour, -and he to do likewise, until four hours had passed, -when breakfast would be eaten and the ride resumed.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_40"></a>[40]</span></p> - -<p>The men threw themselves down upon their blankets -and were soon fast asleep.</p> - -<p>Feeling that all was being done that was possible -for the rescue of his daughter, Sergeant Fallon, knowing -his need of rest, followed Buffalo Bill’s example, -and dropped off into a deep slumber.</p> - -<p>Two soldiers and two scouts were awakened by -the sentinel to get breakfast, and the others were allowed -to sleep on until it was ready.</p> - -<p>The meal disposed of, the horses were saddled, and, -mounting, away they started on another mad ride.</p> - -<p>Buffalo Bill was leading the command as guide and -scout, and constantly by his side kept Sergeant Fallon, -while Lieutenant Worth and Doctor Denmead were -not far in the rear.</p> - -<p>The halt was made at noon, but not for two hours, -as a consultation and look at the horses showed that -they were not yet used up, save two, that were left -behind.</p> - -<p>“They will get a rest when we reach the river to-night, -so push them for all they are worth, Bill,” said -the lieutenant.</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir; and we must reach the river while it is -daylight to find that trail, and so wait there, for he may -come up in the night and go across,” answered Buffalo -Bill.</p> - -<p>The halt was, therefore, made at noon for an hour<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_41"></a>[41]</span> -only, and yet the horses were stripped and rubbed down -while they fed.</p> - -<p>Then the party mounted again and pushed on, the -scout setting even a faster pace than before. He was -determined to strike the river above the upper ford, and -from there up look for the trail coming out where the -outlaw crossed. To do this, hard riding must be -made.</p> - -<p>Another horse dropped out during the afternoon, -and a second soon after. They were left by the trail -side.</p> - -<p>Buffalo Bill glanced back to see if he was pushing -too hard, but the lieutenant waved him on, and the -sergeant’s face brightened, as he said, in a low tone:</p> - -<p>“God bless that noble young man.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, he’s got the nerve to push to the end,” answered -Buffalo Bill, and as he spoke, Lieutenant Worth -called out:</p> - -<p>“Your horses can stand the strain, Bill, so you and -the sergeant push on ahead, and I’ll send what men -after you I can pick out with the best animals. The -rest of us can follow, but you go on and try and pick -up the trail.”</p> - -<p>The splendid animals ridden by Buffalo Bill and the -sergeant were yet capable of hard work, as was also -the one ridden by Lieutenant Worth, but he felt that -he had better remain with the men.</p> - -<p>So he picked out several of the scouts whose horses<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_42"></a>[42]</span> -seemed less distressed, and told them to push on with -their chief.</p> - -<p>So on went Buffalo Bill, the sergeant and four -scouts following, the rest bringing up the rear at a -slower pace.</p> - -<p>Buffalo Bill looked back and saw that they were -dropping the command fast enough for the good -of the animals, and so held at the reserved pace he -had set.</p> - -<p>On, on they went, halting at a brook for a few -swallows of water, again a few mouthfuls of grass, -and then on once more.</p> - -<p>The river at last came in sight as they descended -a ridge.</p> - -<p>They had crossed the trail leading back from the -upper ford half an hour before.</p> - -<p>Riding down from the ridge, they reached the river -just three miles above the ford. Here they halted -for a moment, two of the scouts’ horses having failed -them.</p> - -<p>The animals were all panting like hounds, and the -riders relieved them of their weight, and began to go -on foot along the river bank, the scout remarking:</p> - -<p>“There is certainly no crossing between us and the -ford, for I have ridden this far above it several times.</p> - -<p>“It is above that the secret crossing is, and the outlaw -would hardly have risked it had it been nearer to -where the soldiers’ camp was.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_43"></a>[43]</span></p> - -<p>“So I think,” the sergeant remarked.</p> - -<p>So on they went, the scout and sergeant walking -rapidly and viewing every foot of ground, while the -scouts followed behind leading their horses.</p> - -<p>Thus a mile had been gone over, and the face of the -sergeant grew anxious, for he saw that the sun was -drawing near the horizon.</p> - -<p>Buffalo Bill’s face was placid, for he never relieved -his thoughts, no matter what was his distress of mind.</p> - -<p>On they went, limbering up their legs from long -riding by rapid walking.</p> - -<p>At last they came to a rise, when the scout halted. -He saw that there were two ridges running to the river, -a deep ravine between them.</p> - -<p>Across the river he saw that there was a sand bar, -and a point of sand stretched out into the stream, the -swift flow being on the side where they stood.</p> - -<p>The channel here looked narrow, too, and, examining -the water, it appeared to be more shallow than -above and below.</p> - -<p>“Sergeant, I think here is the crossing.”</p> - -<p>“The same thought was mine, sir.”</p> - -<p>“Of course, they would have to swim their horses -for several hundred yards, but by riding out upon that -sand bar which is well above, they would land, forced -down by the current, about at this ravine—in fact, if -they were swept by, would not land at all.”</p> - -<p>“If they crossed from this side, sir?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_44"></a>[44]</span></p> - -<p>“They would have to ride in yonder above at that -break in the bank, and that would bring them on the -sand-bar point. I will go there and see if they could -get down to the river, while you look down in the -ravine for their trail,” and the scout started on his way, -to suddenly call out to the sergeant, who was climbing -down the ravine:</p> - -<p>“Here is the trail coming out, and there were a -score of them.”</p> - -<p>The sergeant, at the call of Buffalo Bill, hastened to -where he stood. He was passing around the descent -to the river between the two ridges, and had found a -trail.</p> - -<p>Reaching the spot, the trail was there, made by all -of two dozen horses, they decided after an examination.</p> - -<p>“It goes straight down the ravine to the river, and -was, as you said, the landing when they rode in from -the bar.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, sergeant.</p> - -<p>“We will leave the boys here and go on to that -break up yonder, for there is where I feel sure they -must cross, and, if my memory serves me right, there -is no other for many a long mile above.”</p> - -<p>Calling to the scouts to halt there where they were, -Buffalo Bill and the sergeant pushed rapidly on to the -break in the bank, nearly a mile above.</p> - -<p>They reached it just as the sun touched the horizon,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_45"></a>[45]</span> -and a glance showed that it was a ravine like the one -below, narrow, rocky, and steep.</p> - -<p>But from that point a descent into the river could -rapidly be made, and as the stream had a bend there, -a swim would carry them across for a landing on the -sand bar below.</p> - -<p>Going around to the head of the ravine, Buffalo -Bill and the sergeant came to a halt, as though they had -been shot at.</p> - -<p>“Too late!” said Buffalo Bill.</p> - -<p>“They have crossed,” said the sergeant, and his face -was white.</p> - -<p>“Yes, not two hours ago, from the looks of the -trail.</p> - -<p>“That man knows the secret pass through Skeleton -Range, or he could never have reached here in this -time, for that cuts off all of thirty miles in coming -from the Overland Trail to the upper ford.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, I have followed the regular trail, long ago, but -knew of no secret pass.”</p> - -<p>“There is one, however, as an old trapper once led -me through it. The outlaw must have known it, to -have reached here before us, riding as we have, for, -remember, it is just twenty-four hours since we left -the fort, and we have come a little over a hundred -miles.”</p> - -<p>“Very true; we have done our duty, but in vain, for<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_46"></a>[46]</span> -my daughter is still in that man’s power, and has been -carried on to the Indian camp in the mountains.”</p> - -<p>“I fear so.”</p> - -<p>“What can we do now?”</p> - -<p>“I’ll tell you.</p> - -<p>“We came here on foot, so have left no trail. We -will go to the lower ravine and join the boys, then -draw off for a camp, for horses and men must rest.”</p> - -<p>“True.”</p> - -<p>“We passed a spot some distance back that will make -a splendid camp, back from the river, and where the -fires cannot be seen by the Indians, who must still be -guarding the fords.”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“Now to see if this trail was made by the same party, -for I took notice of peculiarities I can readily discover, -as there were two shod horses, and large animals, -the others being ponies.”</p> - -<p>“That means the outlaw’s two horses and the ponies -of the Indian allies.”</p> - -<p>“Just that,” and the two began to examine the trail.</p> - -<p>“Yes, here are the tracks of the two iron-shod horses, -Mr. Cody.”</p> - -<p>“There are more shod horses—six more, sergeant—and -that means——”</p> - -<p>“The six horses of the stagecoach,” quickly interrupted -the sergeant.</p> - -<p>“Just that.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_47"></a>[47]</span></p> - -<p>“That tells the story, then, for the other tracks -agree. It is growing dark, so let us hurry back and -make a camp for the tired men.”</p> - -<p>They walked rapidly back down the river bank, -joined the two scouts awaiting them, and told the sad -story to them that they were too late!</p> - -<p>Mounting their horses, they rode back in the gathering -twilight for a mile, when they met the other two -scouts, who had dropped back on account of their -horses.</p> - -<p>They had halted just where the scout intended to -make the night camp, and, seeing that the place was -thoroughly sheltered, they began to build fires.</p> - -<p>Just as the fires began to burn well, the command -came in sight, and the tired horses gained courage and -hastened on.</p> - -<p>They were soon all there, the stragglers dropping in -one by one, and a sadness fell upon all as they heard -the ill-omened words: “Too late!”</p> - -<p>Lieutenant Worth listened, with stern face and flashing -eyes.</p> - -<p>Then he said:</p> - -<p>“Our first duty is to care for our worn-out cattle.</p> - -<p>“Then we will have supper, and, afterward, hold a -council of war, Bill, and decide what must be done, for -Miss Fallon shall be rescued; yes, and that villain, -Lamar, must be hanged.</p> - -<p>“Those two duties must and shall be done!”</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_48"></a>[48]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI.<br /> -<span class="fs70">THE FORGED LETTER.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>Lucille Fallon was surprised when she received a -letter by mail, posted at Pioneer City, and addressed in -the well-known hand of her lawyer.</p> - -<p>It was short, and merely told her that certain legal -technicalities having arisen that required her signature, -and her father’s, to papers he held, he had decided to -come himself and get them, and had reached Pioneer -City, where, on account of an attack of rheumatism, he -was compelled to halt and ask the sergeant and herself -to come to him.</p> - -<p>Lucille expressed her surprise that any business had -been so important as to bring the lawyer out to the wild -West, but she concluded to go, and regretted the absence -of her father.</p> - -<p>Perhaps she could do without him, and, if not, she -would urge the lawyer to return with her to the fort, -where he would be well cared for.</p> - -<p>There were no other passengers, and with a small -satchel as her only baggage, she mounted to the box -with Jack Jessop and rolled away from the fort. She -enjoyed the bright morning and beautiful scenery immensely, -and Jack was glad to entertain his fair companion.</p> - -<p>The bridge was crossed over the river, and then -began the pull up a long hill.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_49"></a>[49]</span></p> - -<p>Suddenly, as though by magic, a score of forms -arose, it appeared from the ground.</p> - -<p>They came from behind trees and rocks, and they -came like so many apparitions.</p> - -<p>They were all dressed in buckskin, wore slouch hats -and masks, while they carried rifles in their hands and -were armed with a belt of weapons as well.</p> - -<p>They were all on foot, save one.</p> - -<p>That one was mounted on a fine horse, and came -out from behind a group of rocks. He sat his horse -splendidly, wore a belt of arms, but carried no rifle. A -broad sombrero sheltered his head, his hair fell upon -his shoulders, and he was dressed in a black suit with -gold-coin buttons. His face was masked completely, -and his hands were covered with red gauntlet gloves. -There was no mistaking the man, for it was Captain -Eagle, chief of the Red Hand Riders.</p> - -<p>“That imp of Satan, ther chief o’ ther Red Hands, -by all that’s holy!” growled Jack Jessop.</p> - -<p>Lucille turned pale, yet remained perfectly calm, -while she said:</p> - -<p>“He has little to rob me of, Jack.”</p> - -<p>Up to the coach rode the chief, while he bent low -in his saddle and said:</p> - -<p>“We have the pleasure of meeting, Miss Fallon.”</p> - -<p>“The pleasure is all yours, sir.”</p> - -<p>“And, Jack, you and I have met before,” resumed<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_50"></a>[50]</span> -the chief, paying no attention to Lucille’s sarcastic -reply to his salutation.</p> - -<p>“Yes, and some day we’ll meet once too often for -your good, cap,” said Jack.</p> - -<p>“Well, what have you aboard to interest me, other -than the fair lady on the box with you?”</p> - -<p>“Nothing, for I’m running light; but I was in hopes -you was dead.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, no; I am still on deck, as you see.</p> - -<p>“But have you no dust from the mines on board?”</p> - -<p>“Not an ounce.”</p> - -<p>“No money?”</p> - -<p>“This ain’t after pay time, as you know, so no money -goes East on this run.”</p> - -<p>“Well, I believe you, but I shall search your old -hearse, all the same.”</p> - -<p>He called to his followers, and they completely surrounded -the coach. Then he began the search personally.</p> - -<p>“What is in these boxes in the rear boot?”</p> - -<p>“Weapons sent to Colonel Buck from the fort sutler; -he ordered them.”</p> - -<p>“They are treasure. Give me your hatchet.”</p> - -<p>The driver passed it down, and, knocking open the -boxes, the chief said:</p> - -<p>“Good! repeating rifles and revolvers—just what I -need; yes, and ammunition, too, with bowie knives -and belts. Ah! here are a couple of fine saddles and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_51"></a>[51]</span> -bridles, too, and a roll of superb serapes. Why, Jack, -I am in luck, especially as a decoy letter I wrote got -Miss Fallon into my power, though I regret to see that -her father is not along. Miss Fallon, the letter from -your lawyer I forged. It has done its duty.”</p> - -<p>When the outlaw chief spoke of the letter Lucille’s -face flushed, and her eyes brightened with indignation -and anger. She knew that she was the victim of a -plot, and quick as a flash she whipped out from her -belt a small revolver and threw it forward, her finger -upon the trigger.</p> - -<p>There was no tremor of the hand, the act was one -of determined intention to kill the man, and she would -have done so then and there, for he was caught wholly -off his guard, had not Jack Jessop struck up her hand -just as she pulled trigger.</p> - -<p>The bullet, as it was, cut through the corner of the -chief’s sombrero.</p> - -<p>“A close call, that! Jack Jessop, you saved my life, -so I’ll not kill you, as I intended to do; that act saved -you.”</p> - -<p>“I didn’t do it for you, but to save her,” grunted -Jack.</p> - -<p>“Oh, I know your intention, but the act was the -same, for you saved me from death.</p> - -<p>“Miss Fallon, you are as quick as a flash as a -drawer, and a ready hand with a revolver. You owe -it to Jack Jessop that you do not suffer for your intended<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_52"></a>[52]</span> -taking of my life, for my men would have been -quickly revenged upon you. Give me that weapon, -please.”</p> - -<p>Lucille sat, white, silent, and almost despairing. But -she turned and handed the weapon to Jack Jessop, who -in turn surrendered it with his own weapons to the -chief.</p> - -<p>“Get off the box, Jack.”</p> - -<p>The man obeyed.</p> - -<p>“Now, Miss Fallon, do you also alight.”</p> - -<p>She also obeyed.</p> - -<p>“Jack, I shall put these irons on your ankles. You -can walk with them, for the chain is a foot long, but -slowly. You will have to walk to the next station, -and you’ll hardly reach there before night. I need -your horses, so will take them, and I have pack animals -along, too, for the plunder.</p> - -<p>“Miss Fallon, I have a horse with sidesaddle for -you, so you see I came prepared, even to good food -for you, a canvas shelter and blankets.”</p> - -<p>“You intend to take me a prisoner?” said Lucille.</p> - -<p>“I certainly do, and hold you until I get the big -ransom I shall demand.”</p> - -<p>“My poor, poor father.”</p> - -<p>“He is fortunate in not having come with you.”</p> - -<p>“Jack, there is no help for it, so I’ll make the best -of it,” said Lucille, turning to the driver.</p> - -<p>“Tell my father what happened, and to arrange for<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_53"></a>[53]</span> -the ransom, as he can do, provided it is not too large, -for there is a limit, you know, and I am not of age -yet, so funds cannot be readily gotten beyond a certain -sum. Tell him not to delay, for I wish my freedom, -and attempt no rescue, but pay the ransom. -Good-by, Jack.”</p> - -<p>Lucille held out her hand.</p> - -<p>“You is the gamest leetle gal I ever seen,” said Jack -Jessop, and the tears came into his eyes. Turning to -the outlaw, he continued:</p> - -<p>“Some day there’ll come a settlement for your red -deeds and your cruel treatment of this lady, and I’d -show you no more mercy than I would a snake.”</p> - -<p>The chief laughed, snapped the irons on Jack’s -ankles, then continued his search of the coach, taking -several things of value.</p> - -<p>Then he called to his silent men to bring up the -horses, and to strip the team of the harness.</p> - -<p>They quickly did so, and a horse was led up with a -lady’s saddle.</p> - -<p>Lucille sprang to her seat without aid, making the -remark in an indifferent tone:</p> - -<p>“It is lucky I wore my riding habit, fearing some -accident.”</p> - -<p>The things from the coach, arms, and other articles, -with the harness, cushions, and rubber coverings, were -soon packed on the horses, the chief mounted, and, -turning to the driver, said:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_54"></a>[54]</span></p> - -<p>“Good-by, Jack. I will not leave you unarmed, so -here is your belt again. My compliments to Buffalo -Bill, and tell him that some day I’ll get his scalp.”</p> - -<p>With a wave of the hand he rode off, leaving Jack -Jessop gazing after them, his eyes full of tears at the -fate of poor Lucille, whom he was powerless to aid.</p> - -<p>But Jack did not hesitate long, for he at once turned -his steps down the trail toward Pioneer City, carrying -the mails, which had not been disturbed, upon his -back. He could not walk fast, ironed as he was, and -it was night when he reached the relay station, utterly -exhausted.</p> - -<p>But he quickly had the iron chain hammered in -two by the stock tender, and, mounting a horse, the -manacles still about his ankles, he rode on to Pioneer -City and reported what had happened, starting out -at once again with a harnessed team after his coach.</p> - -<p>The stock tender at the station he had sent off at -full speed to the fort to report the affair to Colonel -Carr.</p> - -<p>The stock tender reached the fort after midnight, -and, half an hour after, a lieutenant with his troop and -six of Buffalo Bill’s scouts had started for Monument -Hill to pick up the trail of the outlaws at dawn, and -follow it, Colonel Carr believing that he could thus -aid Lieutenant Worth and his party who were pushing -on to the river to head off the lawless band.</p> - -<p>Jack Jessop took his dismantled coach into Pioneer<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_55"></a>[55]</span> -City with all haste, and then went to a blacksmith to -get his manacles removed.</p> - -<p>He found the town all excitement over the affair, -and learned from Colonel Buck, the stage agent there, -that a stranger had come into Pioneer City and purchased -a sidesaddle and a lot of provisions and other -things, remaining but a short while and stating that -he was from the Fort Advance settlement.</p> - -<p>“That man was the outlaw,” said Jack Jessop.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_56"></a>[56]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII.<br /> -<span class="fs70">THE FLIGHT.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>The outlaw chief placed himself by the side of Lucille -as they started away, and she said quickly:</p> - -<p>“There is no possible chance of my escape, so ride -on ahead and I will follow you.”</p> - -<p>“You do not wish me by your side?”</p> - -<p>“I do not.”</p> - -<p>“I wish to talk to you.”</p> - -<p>“I do not care to converse with you.”</p> - -<p>“But I have something of importance to say.”</p> - -<p>“I do not care to hear it.”</p> - -<p>“But you must, and the trail admits of two riding -abreast now, and will not later on, and I will not disturb -you long.”</p> - -<p>“I have no power to enforce my wish.”</p> - -<p>“I shall ask the sum of just thirty thousand dollars -for your ransom, and when that is paid you shall go -free.”</p> - -<p>“You will not get it.”</p> - -<p>“Why?”</p> - -<p>“Well, though I have property of considerable value, -neither my lawyer and guardian, nor myself, can get -money on it until a certain time, and the cash that -can be got is just that which is left over from the sum -appropriated to pay certain fees, my schooling and -living.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_57"></a>[57]</span></p> - -<p>“And what does that amount to?”</p> - -<p>“About eighteen thousand dollars.”</p> - -<p>“Somehow I believe you, so I will take what I can -get. Twenty thousand, then, shall be the price, for -the balance can be raised. Doubtless your father has -it, and when that is paid, you shall go free. I shall -arrange all matters so as to place no difficulties in the -way, and, meanwhile, you shall be treated with every -respect, and given what comforts I can allow you.”</p> - -<p>There was something in the manner of the outlaw -toward her that Lucille could not understand, and that -was his marked respect.</p> - -<p>When it grew near sunset he ordered a halt, sought -a secluded spot for his captive, had her canvas shelter -put up, and placed before her a good supper, after -which he left her, with the words:</p> - -<p>“I shall halt here for four hours, and then it shall -be six more in the saddle, so get what rest you can.”</p> - -<p>Lucille enjoyed her supper, spread her blankets, and -was soon fast asleep.</p> - -<p>A call awakened her, and, fifteen minutes after, they -were again in the saddle, this time the chief riding -ahead of her, his masked followers coming along behind -her.</p> - -<p>“Why do they mask still? for they are all Indians, -I have discovered,” she said to the chief.</p> - -<p>“You are not so sure of that.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes, I am,” was the girl’s confident reply. “I<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_58"></a>[58]</span> -wasn’t born in the West, but I know an Indian when -I see one.”</p> - -<p>Another long ride through the darkness of six hours, -and the chief called a halt, two hours before dawn.</p> - -<p>Again Lucille was placed in a secluded spot, her shelter -put up and she was made comfortable, the chief remarking:</p> - -<p>“We will not move for five hours this time, so you -will have another rest, so make the best of it.”</p> - -<p>Again she slept soundly, and when she awoke the -sun was shining brightly. She at once realized her -position, and sighed.</p> - -<p>But she went to a rivulet near and made her toilet, -then sat down on a rock and ate the breakfast which -the chief had cooked.</p> - -<p>He had killed a deer, and gave her a nice steak, -some bacon broiled on the coals, a crisp hoecake, and -a cup of coffee in which there was some condensed -milk and sugar he had brought from Pioneer City.</p> - -<p>She ate heartily, mounted her horse, and again took -her place behind the chief, who remarked quietly:</p> - -<p>“As you can see through masks, Miss Fallon, I told -my men to take them off.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, they are Indians, and a cruel-looking lot they -are, though with hearts that are not as evil as their -master’s, for their training has been to kill, torture, -and rob an enemy, yours far different.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_59"></a>[59]</span></p> - -<p>He bit his lip, but made no reply, and again rode -to the front.</p> - -<p>After a short while he said:</p> - -<p>“Buffalo Bill and your father are up at the fords -with Lieutenant Worth, hunting Indians, as you doubtless -know. Jack Jessop got in during the night, and -doubtless sent word of the holdup of the coach both to -the fort and to Pioneer City, so that the troops, if -sent at once on the trail, have now reached Monument -Hill.”</p> - -<p>“On your trail?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, but a long distance behind, for we are over -forty miles from the hill, and before night I shall -cross the river into the Indian country, as I know of -a secret trail over the mountain range you see ahead -of us which will cut off half a day’s hard ride, and -treat you to a view of some magnificent scenery as -well.”</p> - -<p>“You are very thoughtful to treat me to grand -scenery under such circumstances.”</p> - -<p>“Well, I wish to make your captivity as pleasant -to you as possible; but I have to ride hard, as I will -only feel safe when I get you across the river.”</p> - -<p>“And I shall be less safe.”</p> - -<p>“You will be all right, for I will take you up into -the village of the old chief, Iron Eyes, and there is a -good cabin there which no Indian will live in. It -was built by a renegade white man who fled with his<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_60"></a>[60]</span> -family to the Indians and was adopted into the tribe. -The man, his wife and the children died off, and their -cabin still remains there in good condition, furnished -as they left it, for they brought all their furniture with -them in their flight.”</p> - -<p>“I shall appreciate being separated from the Indians -at least.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes, you will be free from them, for the -tepees nearest the cabin are not occupied, but all used -to store pelts, food, and the hundred and one things -an Indian snakes in. It is, in fact, the store village, -and the nearest living tepee to you is that of the young -chief, Death Face, and you can trust him, for he is of -a most chivalrous nature.</p> - -<p>“The other Indians will not go near you, I’ll see to -that, so you will be alone; but that will not mean that -you will have a chance to escape, as that would be impossible -for a man to do, let alone a girl.”</p> - -<p>Lucille made no reply, and the chief did not again -break the silence until they had climbed the mountain -range by a most dangerous path.</p> - -<p>The outlaw halted as he neared the top of the range, -having asked Lucille not to look behind her until -he told her to do so, as he did not wish to spoil her -view.</p> - -<p>She wheeled her horse and glanced behind her, -and an exclamation of delight burst from her lips.</p> - -<p>Long she gazed in perfect rapture, and forgetful of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_61"></a>[61]</span> -herself, as she beheld miles of mountain, valley, and -plain scenery.</p> - -<p>“That little grove there shall be your noonday -camping place, directly upon the summit of the mountain, -so that you can see in every direction,” said the -chief. “Down on the other side, a few hundred yards, -is a plateau, a valley in the mountaintop, with a stream -running through it, and there we shall go on and -halt, for there is good grass for the horses. When -you get tired of the view come to where we are, and -dinner will be ready.”</p> - -<p>Reaching the little grove of pines, Lucille again cried -out in admiration, for before her now was a still -grander view.</p> - -<p>Flowing through a vast valley, was a large river.</p> - -<p>“Do you see yonder mountains, miles below the -river?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“It is there that the Indian village is, and that will -be the end of our trail.</p> - -<p>“Just there, where you see a bald hill by the river, -is where we will cross by a ford but very few know -of, for none of my Indians know of it, and it is one -no one could find, save by accident, as I did by seeing -a herd of deer take to the water and swim across.</p> - -<p>“Something frightened them on the other side—a -pack of wolves, I think—and they swam back again, -landing at another point below. It showed me a crossing<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_62"></a>[62]</span> -place, and I let several of my men into the secret -and used to send couriers that way to and from my -retreat to the Indian village. As the known fords are -now guarded by troops, we will cross this way, if you -are not too much alarmed.”</p> - -<p>“And if I am you will go to the regular ford?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, no; I am no fool, to run upon the soldiers.”</p> - -<p>“What will you do if I have not the nerve to go -across?”</p> - -<p>“Simply go around by a ford that will give us two -days’ hard travel.”</p> - -<p>“Never mind me, then; cross by the secret ford, -for I can venture it if you can.”</p> - -<p>The outlaw then rode on, leading her horse, the -Indians having gone to the camping place.</p> - -<p>Lucille was alone on the mountaintop, and gazed -about her in rapt admiration.</p> - -<p>At last she said:</p> - -<p>“If I had my horse and a good start, I would risk -finding my way back to the Overland Trail, for I -watched all along closely, and my horse would retrace -his tracks, I believe.</p> - -<p>“But, no, I must accept the situation as it is, and -take things as they come.</p> - -<p>“The outlaw, from what he says, seems to think -the fords are guarded by a large force, so I will not -undeceive him.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_63"></a>[63]</span></p> - -<p>“Even now my father may be within a few miles of -me, and, oh! if he only knew.”</p> - -<p>The girl weakened for a moment, but quickly rallied -from her emotions and continued her gaze for quite a -while. Then she strolled about the mountaintop, -plucked a few wild flowers clinging among the rocks, -and next started down to the camp with the remark:</p> - -<p>“Ah! I get the odors of boiling bacon and coffee, -for the wind blows up from the camp. It makes me -hungry, so I’ll go down to dinner.”</p> - -<p>Down she went, soon to come upon the trail, and -she was glad to find dinner ready, and enjoyed it.</p> - -<p>Mounting again, the chief said:</p> - -<p>“We must ride hard now, for the river will have -to be behind us when the sun sets. Are you very -tired, Miss Fallon?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, no.”</p> - -<p>So on they went at a very slow pace for several -miles in going down the mountain, and then when -they struck good traveling, they pushed rapidly on, -the chief not sparing the horses now.</p> - -<p>The sun was over an hour high when the river -came into view.</p> - -<p>A halt was made to cool the horses off a little, then, -riding down a steep ravine to the water, the chief said:</p> - -<p>“I’ll take your bridle rein here, Miss Fallon. Permit -me to fold this rubber blanket around your feet<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_64"></a>[64]</span> -and form, and you will not get in the least wet. Let -your horse have full rein and do not be alarmed.”</p> - -<p>“I am not in the least alarmed,” was the reply, and -she permitted the chief to fold the rubber blanket about -her in such a way that she would not get wet when her -horse was back deep in swimming.</p> - -<p>Then the chief rode in, she followed, her horse led, -and the Indians came behind with the pack horses.</p> - -<p>The animals began to swim almost immediately, -and the brave girl rather enjoyed the scene than -dreaded it.</p> - -<p>After a long swim a sand bar was reached, they -landed in safety, and, not to let the horses get cold, -the chief pushed on for a couple of miles and went -into camp, with the remark:</p> - -<p>“We are safe now, Miss Fallon, and you can rest -through the night.”</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_65"></a>[65]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII.<br /> -<span class="fs70">IN THE INDIAN VILLAGE.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>What the outlaw called safety was for himself and -the Indians alone, and far from it for poor Lucille.</p> - -<p>He believed that the three fords were guarded still, -that he might run upon a scouting party from the soldiers’ -camps at any moment, and he did not feel at -ease until he had crossed the river with his captive.</p> - -<p>It was bold in him to venture so near the upper -ford, believing a party of soldiers to be there, yet he -knew that the wild nature of the country through -which the river flowed above would keep him from -crossing for many a long mile, and, for Lucille’s sake -alone, to his credit be it said, he wished to cross by -the unknown ford, though, strictly speaking, it was -not a ford, but a place where a horse or man might -get over by swimming.</p> - -<p>Lucille had escaped getting wet in crossing, and, -as before, was given a secluded camping place to herself.</p> - -<p>The chief made it most comfortable, as there was -no hurry now, by cutting pine boughs and building -a wikiup and placing the pine straw as a couch, with -the cushions from the coach upon it.</p> - -<p>A little fire was built near, just to make it more -homelike, the chief said, and an extra supper was prepared -for all.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_66"></a>[66]</span></p> - -<p>Night fell, and soon after supper the tired girl, for -she was tired, sank to sleep in a few minutes.</p> - -<p>She awoke once in the night, to hear an owl hooting -in the trees not far away, and a coyote yelping a -short distance from camp.</p> - -<p>But she banished all thought with an effort of her -will, and went to sleep again, awakening only when the -sun had risen.</p> - -<p>“I hope you rested well last night, Miss Fallon?”</p> - -<p>“I enjoyed a good night’s rest, thank you.”</p> - -<p>“A ride of a little over thirty miles, and you will be -in your new home to-night.”</p> - -<p>“Home! Do not desecrate the name, for it will be -a prison, not a home to me,” she said bitterly.</p> - -<p>“Breakfast is ready for you.”</p> - -<p>She ate it, her spirits returned, and once more she -mounted for the ride.</p> - -<p>Toward noon they began to climb the range she -had seen from far across the river, and soon after -the chief halted for dinner.</p> - -<p>Then up the steep trail they climbed again, Lucille -glancing back from time to time to behold the scenery, -and, while the sun was yet two hours above the -horizon, they came to a pass in the mountains, where -she suddenly beheld an Indian sentinel standing in -the trail ahead of them.</p> - -<p>“Where is the chief?” asked the outlaw in the Indian -tongue, and which was as Hebrew to Lucille.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_67"></a>[67]</span></p> - -<p>The Indian sentinel pointed, and soon after there -came toward them a horseman that at once riveted -Lucille’s gaze. He was the Indian chief, Death Face, -and he had just come down from the village to the -pass, which his band of braves were guarding.</p> - -<p>The youthful warrior was resplendent in a new costume, -from boots to war bonnet, for he had on a pair -of handsome cavalry boots. Sitting his horse with -conscious power, armed with the white man’s weapons -of revolvers and bowie knife, his face hideously -painted, and mounted upon an animal that was bedecked -in barbaric splendor, Death Face struck Lucille -as being the most remarkable being she had ever gazed -upon.</p> - -<p>The chief fairly started as his eyes fell upon her, -and the outlaw, after greeting him, said:</p> - -<p>“Death Face, I have been on a raid into the white -man’s territory, and this lady is my captive, whom -I shall sell back to her father for a large price.”</p> - -<p>To the utter amazement of Lucille, the young chief -replied, in perfect English:</p> - -<p>“I do not believe in the theory of my people, chief, -of making war upon women and children, and I am -surprised that you, as a white man, should do so; but -that is your affair, not mine. Only treat her well.”</p> - -<p>“That she will tell you I have done. I wish to place -her in the renegade’s cabin in your camp.”</p> - -<p>“You can do so.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_68"></a>[68]</span></p> - -<p>The outlaw and his captive were then riding on, -when he halted and said:</p> - -<p>“Chief Death Face, those braves of yours whom I -took with me I shall arm with repeating rifles and revolvers. -I also have a pair of fine revolvers, a knife -and a rifle for you, with a very handsome buckskin suit -sent by an officer at the fort to a friend in the East, -with slouch hat and all.</p> - -<p>“They will fit you, I am sure, and I wish you to accept -them, as well as several fine Mexican serapes.”</p> - -<p>“Thank you, Captain Eagle, I will take them.”</p> - -<p>“You have done well, I see, on your raid?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes.”</p> - -<p>“Come to my quarters in the village to-night.”</p> - -<p>“I will.”</p> - -<p>“But have you any word of the soldiers?”</p> - -<p>“They are still on the other side, though I did not -see them.”</p> - -<p>“I supposed they had gone, for we had seen no -camp-fire smoke for three days.”</p> - -<p>“It may be a trick, so still be cautious and guard -the fords, especially now that I have a captive here -for whose rescue Colonel Carr would doubtless send -his whole force.”</p> - -<p>With this the chief rode on, muttering to himself:</p> - -<p>“I must win that fellow with presents, for he will -be the next chief after Iron Eyes, and he has as much -influence now. Probably he has been educated in some<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_69"></a>[69]</span> -school, for he speaks English like a paleface, and acts -like one, too. There is some secret about him that I -cannot fathom.”</p> - -<p>He had not ridden far before Lucille came up alongside -of him. She saw now about her in a valley like -cañon a camp of Indians.</p> - -<p>They were in full war paint, and gazed savagely at -her as she rode by, yet were gloating in her capture.</p> - -<p>Once through the cañon, and the trail led down into -a beautiful valley in which was the village of old Iron -Eyes.</p> - -<p>Lucille uttered a cry as the view burst upon her, -for, through the valley ran a mountain stream, upon -both sides of which, for several miles, were the tepees -of the Indians, the scattered village of the red men.</p> - -<p>The valley was dotted with thousands of ponies, -and among the tepees were visible many women and -children.</p> - -<p>Warriors were riding about, youths were mounted -upon bareback ponies, others were playing games, children -were bathing in the stream, and squaws were busy -getting the evening meal.</p> - -<p>At the base of the hills on either side was heavy -timber, and above the village towered the mountain -ranges.</p> - -<p>“What a view for an artist!” cried Lucille.</p> - -<p>“Yes, it must strike you strangely, Miss Fallon.”</p> - -<p>“It does; but you did not answer my question?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_70"></a>[70]</span></p> - -<p>“What was that?”</p> - -<p>“I asked you, after we came through the camp of -braves, who that young chief was?”</p> - -<p>“He is called Death Face, and is the next chief in -power to old Iron Eyes.”</p> - -<p>“He is very young?”</p> - -<p>“Not over twenty-two, I should say.”</p> - -<p>“And yet holds such power?”</p> - -<p>“He is a born fighter, a plotter, a soldier, and he has -won his way up, young as he is.”</p> - -<p>“How is it that he speaks English so well?”</p> - -<p>“Only a few minutes ago he told me that he was -taught by a renegade white man and his family.”</p> - -<p>“And also learned from him, I suppose, not to war -against women and children. He could set you a good -example, chief.”</p> - -<p>“I follow my own inclinations, Miss Fallon.”</p> - -<p>“So I have discovered. But in what part of this -village am I to find refuge?”</p> - -<p>“Up at the head of the valley, in the cabin I spoke -of.”</p> - -<p>“There must be a couple of thousand Indians here, -at least.”</p> - -<p>“Double that number and more, for the village is -five miles long, has some twelve hundred tepees, and -can put out a force to defend it of two thousand warriors. -Then there are several other contingent villages -in these mountains that claim Iron Eyes as chief. It<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_71"></a>[71]</span> -would be a sad day for any force of soldiers to invade -these mountains, Miss Fallon, unless they came several -thousand strong.”</p> - -<p>“That was just what I was thinking,” answered Lucille.</p> - -<p>As they rode into the village the squaws and children -rushed toward them to see the newcomer.</p> - -<p>But a few words from the outlaw prevented any -rudeness, for they held no sympathy for the fair-faced -captive.</p> - -<p>Lucille paled at sight of them, but remained calm, -and rode on by the side of the outlaw, whom she -could not but now regard as her protector.</p> - -<p>Up through the village they rode, the girl’s fears -gradually giving place to interest, until at the upper -end of the valley, under the shelter of a heavily-wooded -ridge, the mountaintop, there were visible a -number of tepees apart from the others.</p> - -<p>“There is your camp, Miss Fallon. It is a deserted -village—the supply tepees, as I told you. Yonder you -see your cabin, apart from them, and there you will be -safe. I shall have a half-breed squaw, who once lived -at the fort as an officer’s servant, remain there with -you and do your cooking.”</p> - -<p>“And be my guard also?”</p> - -<p>“In a measure, yes, for she will keep the Indians -away from you, and you do not need any other guard<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_72"></a>[72]</span> -here, as you could not escape over yonder ridge, unless -you have wings.</p> - -<p>“The squaw speaks English and has cooked for me -when I have been here, for my own tepee is in the -village. The cabin is furnished, as I told you, after -a rude fashion, and you have your own satchel with -clothing, so you will not be uncomfortable.”</p> - -<p>As they passed a large tepee the outlaw called out to -an Indian woman who stood there to approach them.</p> - -<p>She did so, and Lucille noticed that her face was -lighter than those about her, and she looked neat in -her attire.</p> - -<p>“Yellow Bird, I wish you to get your traps and -come on up to the cabin. You are to look after this -captive of mine while she is here, and take good -care of her.”</p> - -<p>The woman had glanced at Lucille as she came up, -but that was all, and she replied, in fair English:</p> - -<p>“Yellow Bird will do as the white chief bids her.”</p> - -<p>Then they rode on, and soon halted before the cabin, -which was built of hewn logs, with boards roughly -sawed out of hewn timber serving as roofing. There -was a porch along the front, and it was certainly a -very fine cabin to find in an Indian village.</p> - -<p>The chief took a key from a hiding place, which -he appeared to know of, and unlocked the door.</p> - -<p>There were four rooms in the cabin, and Lucille saw -that it was furnished, though rudely, for the renegade<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_73"></a>[73]</span> -had brought his belongings with him when he -had fled from his own people.</p> - -<p>“You will be at home here, Miss Fallon.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, at home!” repeated Lucille, with sarcasm, to -add quickly:</p> - -<p>“But it is so much better than I expected, you -have treated me so much differently than I anticipated, -that I thank you.”</p> - -<p>The moment that she was left alone by the outlaw, -and she saw him and his braves ride away, Lucille -Fallon yielded to the prerogative of a woman, and, -seating herself in the cabin, burst into tears.</p> - -<p>“At home! Ah! if this were to be my home, I would -rather that the grave should be,” she cried bitterly.</p> - -<p>She had totally forgotten about the Indian woman -until she heard the gently uttered words:</p> - -<p>“Don’t cry, paleface.”</p> - -<p>She started to her feet, for she was too proud to -wish any one to see her weeping.</p> - -<p>Before her stood Yellow Bird, the half-breed Indian -woman. She had tidied herself up, and had a -bundle under her arms. Her face was a good one, not -cruel, and she said again:</p> - -<p>“Don’t cry, Yellow Bird be good to you.”</p> - -<p>Lucille stepped forward and grasped the woman’s -hand.</p> - -<p>“You are good, I can see that. You have lived -among the palefaces, the outlaw told me?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_74"></a>[74]</span></p> - -<p>“Yes, my mother was a paleface squaw, my father -a great Indian chief. He died, and my mother went -back to her people, taking me with her. She died, -and I work hard for officer’s family at fort far away. -I hear them say: ‘She only half-breed Injun; watch -her.’ I feel mad, I feel bad, and run away back to my -people. But some treat me good, one young squaw -pretty, just like you, and I love her. I love you for -her. Yellow Bird be good to you.”</p> - -<p>The tears came into the eyes of Lucille, and, stepping -close up to the woman, she kissed her.</p> - -<p>It was under the impulse of her loneliness, her sorrow, -her helplessness, and the kind words spoken to -her.</p> - -<p>The squaw started as though she had been struck a -blow, for it fairly frightened her, but she said quickly:</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes, Yellow Bird be heap good to little paleface.”</p> - -<p>Then she set about her work to clean up, just as she -had done when living in the officer’s family. She got -water from a spring near, and built a fire in the large -hearth, so that the cabin soon no longer looked forlorn.</p> - -<p>The outlaw had left the stage cushions there, the -stores he had bought in Pioneer City and Lucille’s -satchel, and the young captive was soon quite comfortable, -and she began to feel that she had cause to<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_75"></a>[75]</span> -congratulate herself, after all, that matters were as -they were.</p> - -<p>In Yellow Bird she believed she had found a -friend. Yet Lucille was not one to gush, and she decided -that there was a very narrow margin between -deceit and sincerity in one’s appearance, so she -wished to know whether the Indian woman was really -true or false.</p> - -<p>As she watched the squaw preparing supper, she -asked her about Death Face, the young chief.</p> - -<p>“He heap good young chief—heap like paleface. -He be great chief some day, and maybe have peace -with palefaces, for he don’t like to kill Little Paleface’s -people, but big fighter in battle. Red people all love -Death Face. Iron Eyes heap cruel man, kill and scalp -paleface, hate them bad. Iron Eyes kill many.”</p> - -<p>Lucille glanced out of the open window and said -half aloud:</p> - -<p>“Speak of the devil, and his imp appears. There -comes Death Face now.”</p> - -<p>He rode up to the front of the cabin and was -alone.</p> - -<p>Lucille walked out on the piazza and to her surprise -he bowed courteously to her and then said:</p> - -<p>“I hope you are comfortable here!”</p> - -<p>“Comfortable, yes, far more so than I anticipated -being, but unhappy, as you may know, for my people<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_76"></a>[76]</span> -are not your people, my life not your life, we are -raised in a different atmosphere and are foes.”</p> - -<p>The chieftain listened to her in deepest attention, -gazing fixedly at her, and then said:</p> - -<p>“I like to hear you talk, for it brings back to me -the voice of those I loved, those who are gone.”</p> - -<p>“Whom do you mean?”</p> - -<p>“I mean one whom I loved as a father, another -who was a mother to me, and a sister and brother. -They are all gone—dead; but I had not forgotten -them, and you bring them back to me now, so I love to -look at you, love to hear you talk.</p> - -<p>“Speak again, for your voice is as sweet as the -murmur of the brook in summer, as sweet as the -trilling of the birds, and your face as lovely as the -mountain flowers that seem timid, just like you.”</p> - -<p>Lucille listened with rapt attention to the words of -the strange young chief, for he spoke with a softness -of tone, a respectful look, and with words that fell -strangely from the lips of an Indian, and were in -strong contrast to the hideously painted death face -with which he had ornamented his countenance.</p> - -<p>As though he feared he should not talk to the captive -longer, Death Face said:</p> - -<p>“I will go now, but I came to see if I could help -you, if I could make you more comfortable.</p> - -<p>“This was my home once, and I am glad to have -you here.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_77"></a>[77]</span></p> - -<p>“Do you see those graves under the ridge yonder?—they -are buried there, those I loved, and I put white -crosses above their graves, and cut their names on -them with my knife.”</p> - -<p>“You can read, then?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes, and write. You will find books in the -cabin to read. Don’t feel bad, for you shall not be -harmed, for Death Face says so. I will come again.”</p> - -<p>He wheeled his horse and rode rapidly away, leaving -Lucille wondering at her strange Indian acquaintance.</p> - -<p>Walking over to the graves under the ridge, Lucille -saw that there were four of them, all marked by rude -wooden crosses, but it was too dark to see the names, -and she hastened back to the cabin, where Yellow Bird -had her supper ready.</p> - -<p>It was a tempting repast, and eaten with real relish, -Lucille talking the while to the squaw and asking her -about the young chief, Death Face.</p> - -<p>Yellow Bird had little more to tell her than what she -had already known, or would not tell her more. She -did not say that all the maidens in the village were in -love with the young chief, but that he seemed to care -for none of them.</p> - -<p>The firelight was the only light they had in the -cabin, and Lucille asked the woman to bring in wood -enough to burn all night.</p> - -<p>This Yellow Bird did, and then the captive spread<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_78"></a>[78]</span> -some bedding, put the serapes the chief had given her -over them, and retired for the night, bolting the doors -firmly.</p> - -<p>Yellow Bird spread her bed in front of the fire, and -the two were soon fast asleep.</p> - -<p>When Lucille awoke the next morning she found -Yellow Bird was getting breakfast, and the squaw told -her that the young chief had been there early and -left bear and other robes for her, dressed deerskins, -and plenty of game and fish which he had shot and -caught.</p> - -<p>The outlaw came after breakfast and asked her -how she was, and then said:</p> - -<p>“There is a hammock in this house, Death Face -told me, so I will swing it on the porch for you.”</p> - -<p>The hammock was found, swung, and then the outlaw -said:</p> - -<p>“I have brought you pen, ink, and paper, Miss Fallon, -and I wish you to write a letter to your father.</p> - -<p>“Tell him how you are treated by me, but make -known that he must pay the sum of twenty thousand -dollars for your ransom. The letter will be mailed -to him at Pioneer City, and he shall send his answer -by Jack Jessop, who will be met by a man whom I -will instruct to be on hand. Your father must state -in his letter if he will pay that ransom on the next -run of the coach, and send it by Jack Jessop to be given<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_79"></a>[79]</span> -to my representative. If my man is harmed, then I -will not answer for your safety.</p> - -<p>“But, if he promises to send the money by Jessop, -when he is ready to pay it, then you will be returned -to him in safety, being given into Jack Jessop’s charge -the third run of the coach after your father writes -agreeing to my terms. Do you understand, Miss Fallon?”</p> - -<p>“Perfectly.”</p> - -<p>“I will write also, and you shall see my letter. Then -I will see that the letters are mailed without delay in -Pioneer City.”</p> - -<p>“It can be done none too soon to please me.”</p> - -<p>“So I thought.”</p> - -<p>“One minute, please?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“You said on the way here that you would tell me -a secret some day that I am interested in.”</p> - -<p>“I believe I will tell you a secret,” said the man, -thoughtfully, and he sat down upon the porch.</p> - -<p>Lucille sat in the hammock, using it for a swing, -and the strangeness of her situation and surroundings -could not but impress her.</p> - -<p>“I’ll tell you my secret, yes, and perhaps you will -then understand that I seek revenge as well as gold -from your father. By the way, do you think I resemble -your father?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_80"></a>[80]</span></p> - -<p>“In form, yes, and in face, also, save for the stamp -of wickedness on your countenance.”</p> - -<p>“Well, he is innocent, I am evil. But we should be -alike, for we are brothers.”</p> - -<p>Lucille sprang out, of the hammock and cried -fiercely:</p> - -<p>“It is false!”</p> - -<p>“I tell you we are brothers, he being several years -my senior,” said the outlaw. “My first love was a -young and beautiful girl, and, though she loved me, he -stole her from me.”</p> - -<p>“I do not believe you.”</p> - -<p>“Well, he married her, that is certain——”</p> - -<p>“My mother?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, no; your mother was his second wife.</p> - -<p>“He won my sweetheart from me, married her, and -then went to Texas to live. I heard afterward that -his wife died after two years of wedded life, but I -did not know, did not care, and I was not aware of -where he was, or what doing until during the Civil -War. I was taken prisoner by the Confederates, when -in my captor, the colonel of a regiment, I recognized -my brother. He knew me at a glance, and he came to -me and we had a long talk together.</p> - -<p>“He told me that he had not known of my love -for the woman he married, that he had never been -told by her or her parents about an engagement between -her and myself, that I was away and he therefore<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_81"></a>[81]</span> -could not hear it from my own lips, and hence he -had asked her to be his wife. He was going to Texas -to live, and the marriage was hastened and she went -with him, and only when on her dying bed had she confessed -to him that she had been engaged to me.</p> - -<p>“Then he had written me the truth; but his letter -I never received, and I did not believe what he told -me.”</p> - -<p>“Yet it was the truth.”</p> - -<p>“How do you know?”</p> - -<p>“I have his first wife’s written confession, in which -she told all, and how her parents had told her not to -speak of her love affair with you, as he was rich, you -were not, having squandered much of your fortune in -fast living. Her name was Dorothy Armand, and she -left her confession with her jewelry and other things -that my father placed in my mother’s keeping, and all -of which she left to me.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, her name was Dorothy Armand, as you say; -but she deceived me, and I would not believe her dying -confession, or take my brother’s word, either, for -they wronged me, and I never forgive a wrong.”</p> - -<p>“But my father never did you a wrong, whatever his -wife did in deceiving him as to her engagement to -you,” said Lucille warmly.</p> - -<p>“His name is Louis Fallon Lamar, and he was a -colonel in the Confederate army, as I have said, and -a Texan ranchero. He got me exchanged, I admit, and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_82"></a>[82]</span> -gave me money; but that did not atone for the past, -and I hated him, for even in war he beat me, as he -rose to be a colonel of cavalry, I only a captain of infantry.</p> - -<p>“He had married again, he told me, and had a -daughter, but I was glad to feel that he was ruined -by the war. What became of him then I never knew -until I recognized him as a soldier in the United States -army, and only a sergeant.</p> - -<p>“Then I remembered that I had heard that a Southerner -of our name had killed a man in the East, and -had fled to escape the gallows.</p> - -<p>“I wrote East, got the particulars, and found that -it was my brother Louis. I have only hoped to capture -him that I might send him back as a fugitive from -justice to be hanged.”</p> - -<p>Lucille’s eyes flashed fire, and for a moment she -did not speak. Then she said:</p> - -<p>“Let me ask you to look me in the eyes while I tell -you what I know about what you have told me of -my father.”</p> - -<p>“I am listening.”</p> - -<p>“My father did come out of the war ruined almost. -He had married again, my mother being his second -wife. He had felt keenly the unhappy circumstances -of his first marriage, in fact, it cut him to the heart. -He saved my mother’s father’s life at the risk of his<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_83"></a>[83]</span> -own, was wounded by the shot intended for my grandfather, -who took father to his home, where his daughter, -my mother, nursed him through a long siege of -suffering. My mother loved him, and he loved her, so -they were married.</p> - -<p>“My father went North on business, accompanied -a gentleman to his home one night with whom he had -some business. Burglars broke into the house, and the -host was shot down and robbed. Before he died he -stated under oath that it was my father who had killed -him, that they had a business deal on hand, that my -father knew he had thousands of dollars in his home, -and had come into his room at night and killed him.</p> - -<p>“My father had been in a distant wing of the house, -had arisen at the noise of the struggle, had gone to -the aid of his friend, to come face to face with you as -you fled. You were dressed just as he was, you had -killed your man, robbed him, and were flying. Stunned -by the recognition, my father had been incapable of action, -and, tottering to a seat, had remained there until -arrested as the murderer.</p> - -<p>“Determined not to hang for your crime, and feeling -that there was no hope for him, he sprang upon -the constable who guarded him, choked him into unconsciousness, -secured the keys of his manacles, freed -himself, and fled. He wrote my mother that he was -not guilty of the crime, but circumstantial evidence -was against him, his insane flight added seeming proof,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_84"></a>[84]</span> -and she unfortunately believed that he had committed -the deed, and wrote to him.</p> - -<p>“Thus a wide gulf was between them, and he became -a homeless wanderer and fugitive. He went to -dwell among the Indians, and, having been educated as -a physician, he became a medicine man in the tribe, -checked a smallpox epidemic in their midst, and became -a great chief, honored and loved by them. Discovering -gold in his wanderings, he hid it away and -at last decided to make good use of it. So he left the -Indian village, carrying his gold on pack horses, and, -going to a settlement, shipped it home to my mother.</p> - -<p>“It was a fortune for us, and she gladly received -it, for her income was not large, and long before she -had repented of her belief in my father’s guilt, and -tried in vain to find him.</p> - -<p>“One day, just one year ago, my mother received -a letter from the judge of the court in the city where -the murder was committed which had wrecked my -father’s life. It told of the confession of a prisoner, -who had died in prison, that my father was innocent -of the crime, that it was his brother who had been the -murderer—he, the prisoner, being his ally—and that -he saw the recognition of his brother by my father, and -the shock it gave him.</p> - -<p>“But the murderer had committed other crimes, -forcing him to become a fugitive, and so he could not -be found, nor could my father, who afterward, I<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_85"></a>[85]</span> -learned, had entered the army on the border. My -mother was dying then, and I had to cling to her. She -died, and soon after I had my lawyer find out if -Sergeant Louis Fallon was my father, and he did so.</p> - -<p>“Then I wrote him that I would come to him. You -know the rest, and I know that you have wronged my -father beyond all forgiveness. Yes, you are his crime-stained -brother, Loyd Lamar.”</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_86"></a>[86]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX.<br /> -<span class="fs70">BUFFALO BILL’S BOLD VENTURE.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>The council of war which Lieutenant Walter Worth -had said he would hold that night in the camp near the -secret crossing of the river, where it was found that -the outlaw had escaped across into the Indian country, -continued until late at night, the young officer, -Surgeon Denmead, the sergeant, and Buffalo Bill being -the four present.</p> - -<p>Talking the matter over, in the light of all the facts -with which they were acquainted, they were certain -that Lucille had been captured by the outlaw leader.</p> - -<p>The letter which the outlaw had told the sergeant -he would write to entrap her had been sent, and so -there was no doubt but that he had been on hand to -receive his prize.</p> - -<p>The Indians had told the sergeant the last night -he had crossed the river that the outlaw had gone to -Pioneer City by a secret ford.</p> - -<p>That trail had been found where it had left the -river, and the trail where it had entered the river going -back had also been discovered.</p> - -<p>This proved that the outlaw had secured his captive -and hastened with her to the Indian camp.</p> - -<p>To rescue her, then, was the question, and Sergeant -Fallon at once said:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_87"></a>[87]</span></p> - -<p>“There is but one thing for me to do, and that is -to put on my disguise and go into the Indian village -after her.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, sergeant, and I will go with you,” said Buffalo -Bill firmly.</p> - -<p>“It would be madness for you to do so, Cody.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, no, sergeant, for I would go as an ally, not -to keep you company. I would go on foot, not -mounted.</p> - -<p>“We can cross the river, and while you go down to -the ford, I will go over here.”</p> - -<p>“You can proceed by the regular trail, while I will -take it afoot to the mountains, there make for the -bald peak we can see, and there you can find me, as -I will look for you.</p> - -<p>“Afoot, I can readily hide. I will leave no trail, -and am afraid of no redskins trapping me, for I have -been within hailing distance of their villages scores -of times.”</p> - -<p>“Pardon me, lieutenant, but do you think Mr. Cody -should make the venture?”</p> - -<p>“No, sergeant, I do not.”</p> - -<p>“Nor do I,” said the surgeon.</p> - -<p>“See here, that young woman is a captive, and I tell -you there should be more than one to aid in her rescue.</p> - -<p>“I know Indians from ’way back, and I’ll guarantee -to go to their village and return.</p> - -<p>“You, in your disguise, are all right, sergeant, and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_88"></a>[88]</span> -you may be able to help me escape with her, and come -away yourself later.</p> - -<p>“We can pick out certain points in the mountains -which we can discern, where we can meet, and I feel -we can accomplish your daughter’s rescue; yes, and -get hold of that outlaw by some means also, for I’ll -not be happy until his chips are called in.</p> - -<p>“I go, too, sergeant.”</p> - -<p>“Well, Cody, I see you are determined, so I yield, -for I have every confidence in your powers to give -the redskins the slip, but what are we to do?”</p> - -<p>“Stay right here, lieutenant, until we bring Miss -Lucille back, for we may need your support and need -it bad.”</p> - -<p>“All right. I will do as you suggest; but you and -the sergeant arrange your plans of action between -you.”</p> - -<p>“We will, sir, to-morrow.”</p> - -<p>The next morning the scout and the sergeant went -up on the range and picked out half a dozen objects -on the distant mountains across the river, and agreed -to make them points of rendezvous.</p> - -<p>Then the sergeant said:</p> - -<p>“Mr. Cody, I wish to confide in you.”</p> - -<p>“Well, sergeant.”</p> - -<p>“I have a brother who was a wild young fellow, and -believed that I had treacherously cheated him out of his -ladylove, when I knew nothing about his love for her,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_89"></a>[89]</span> -and she became my wife. She was not Lucille’s -mother, she being the daughter of my second wife.</p> - -<p>“Now, my brother never forgave me, and some years -after he committed a crime of which I was accused, -and it made an outcast, a fugitive of me.</p> - -<p>“He married and came West, and the other night -when I looked into the face of the man known as -Eagle, the outlaw, I felt sure that he was my brother.</p> - -<p>“I have not seen my unfortunate brother for many -years, but the face, as I saw it by the flickering camp -fire’s light, the voice, impressed me that it was Loyd -Lamar.</p> - -<p>“Now, if he is my brother, he knows that Lucille is -my daughter, and that is a relief to my mind. If -the outlaw is my brother, and I would almost take -oath that he is, I have but one request of you, and -that is to kill him, and not capture him to be taken -to the fort and hanged.”</p> - -<p>“My dear sergeant, I had promised myself I would -do that, on account of his wife, and I will be that more -anxious to save him from the gallows now that he is -suspected of being your brother,” was Buffalo Bill’s -reply.</p> - -<p>That afternoon they started upon their perilous mission, -Buffalo Bill crossing the river at the spot where -the camp was and the sergeant riding down to the -upper ford, to go over after dark and continue on by -the trail to the mountains.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_90"></a>[90]</span></p> - -<p>But the sergeant in crossing came to grief, for there -stood on the other bank as sentinel a young brave who -was striving to win a name for himself.</p> - -<p>He saw in the moonlight a horse and rider crossing -the ford; so, taking aim, the redskin fired, pulling -trigger just as he discovered that it was not a paleface -but an Indian.</p> - -<p>The sergeant felt a stinging pain in his shoulder, -the blood began to flow; he, therefore, turned back, -fearing that he was seriously wounded, and did not -know why he had been fired on.</p> - -<p>Fortunately Surgeon Denmead was there, and at -once went to work on him, remarking after a while:</p> - -<p>“I have got the ball, Worth, and, with care, the -wound will not be fatal, though serious.”</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_91"></a>[91]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X.<br /> -<span class="fs70">THE RESCUER REACHES THE GOAL.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>One afternoon, a week after Lucille’s coming to -the Indian village as a captive, and while Lucille and -the chief, Death Face, who had proved to be half -white, were seated upon the little piazza looking at the -sunset, the young man on the chair, the maiden in -the hammock, there suddenly dashed around the corner -of the cabin a tall form, brandishing a revolver in each -hand. He had his revolver leveled full at the young -man, as he called out sternly:</p> - -<p>“Up with your hands, renegade, or you die!”</p> - -<p>“Buffalo Bill!” cried Lucille, in suppressed tones, -as though realizing, even in her surprise, the danger of -speaking that name there. Then she quickly added:</p> - -<p>“For God’s sake do not kill him, for he is my -friend.”</p> - -<p>Death Face sprang to his feet, yet made no move -to draw a weapon, but stood gazing defiantly into the -face of the scout, who, at the words of Lucille, lowered -his weapons and said quickly:</p> - -<p>“Let me step into the cabin, for I may be seen -here.”</p> - -<p>Quickly Lucille seized his hand and fairly dragged -him into the cabin, while she said reproachfully:</p> - -<p>“Oh, why did you come here, for your life will be -the forfeit?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_92"></a>[92]</span></p> - -<p>“I came for you, Miss Lucille, but I did not expect -to find you in a white man’s cabin, free and with -company.”</p> - -<p>“I will explain all later, but now you must go into -hiding, for if you were discovered——”</p> - -<p>“Not a redskin has seen me, I assure you. I have -been four days coming from the river to this cabin, -which I saw from the ridge above, as I did you also, -and this young man, who I thought must be some -renegade.</p> - -<p>“I crept up behind the cabin, having seen you seated -on the piazza, and, dashing around, covered him; but -you say he is your friend.”</p> - -<p>“You are safe here, Buffalo Bill, for I cannot but -call you so, and you shall know the whole story. So -sit down, for it is a long one, and there are secrets -in it which you must not breathe to any one.”</p> - -<p>“You have my pledge not to betray anything, Miss -Lucille,” said Buffalo Bill, and then he heard the story -of her father’s strange life, her uncle’s, and her own.</p> - -<p>The scout listened with an interest that was intense, -and when he had heard all, said in a low tone:</p> - -<p>“And I have a story to tell, too, Miss Lucille, and -it is that you need no longer dread your wicked uncle, -the outlaw. I crossed the river at the spot where -you did, and that night camped not far away. The -next morning the outlaw rode full upon me: we saw -each other at the same time, but I was a little the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_93"></a>[93]</span> -quickest, and my bullet pierced his brain. I had -crossed the river upon a small raft the soldiers had -made for me, and so I staked his horse out, when I -was sure that he was alone, and, putting the body -on the raft, poled back to the other shore. There I -found that your father, who was to have crossed at -the ford, and go with me to rescue you, had returned, -having been fired on by the Indian sentinel and slightly -wounded.”</p> - -<p>“You mean it—slightly wounded?” cried Lucille.</p> - -<p>“I tell the truth, for Surgeon Denmead was in camp -and extracted the bullet. I had a talk with your father -and he was doing well, but did not wish me to risk -coming. How glad I now am that I did, for I have -found you, though I have not rescued you.”</p> - -<p>“And my outlaw uncle?”</p> - -<p>“Lieutenant Worth had his soldiers bury him, for -the lieutenant is waiting on the river for your return. -Just as I was leaving another force came up which had -taken your trail from Monument Hill and followed it -to the river, so both are there.</p> - -<p>“I recrossed the river then on the raft, waited until -night, and, mounting the horse of the outlaw, made -a flank movement to reach the camp, determined to -play Captain Eagle, if I met a redskin, for we were -not unlike in size and face, and I speak the Indian -tongue fairly well, while the horse and the coat and hat -I appropriated would help me out, I knew.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_94"></a>[94]</span></p> - -<p>“I did not care to risk it by day, so flew by night -only, reached the ridge, reconnoitered, and here I am, -Miss Lucille; and my advice is that we get out of this -at once.”</p> - -<p>Lucille turned to Death Face, who said:</p> - -<p>“Yes, we will go. I will bring ponies, too, and we -will go up the ridge trail, where Buffalo Bill’s horse -is, and then, together, we will go down to the river. -If we meet any bands, Death Face, the chief, passes unquestioned.”</p> - -<p>So it was decided, and, while the young man went -to make his arrangements for leaving the Indian camp -forever, Lucille and Yellow Bird prepared for their -escape, Buffalo Bill keeping in hiding.</p> - -<p>Under the guidance of the young chief, the trail to -the river was made in perfect safety, Buffalo Bill being -taken for the outlaw, and Lucille and Yellow Bird -for braves by the bands of Indians they passed.</p> - -<p>No one questioned Death Face, and on he rode -with his escaping party, Lucille and Yellow Bird having -their faces painted, and in their leggings, riding -in masculine fashion, while the pack horses they had -along were well loaded with things taken from the -Manly cabin and the young chief’s tepee.</p> - -<p>Reaching the river before dawn, the Indians left -them, and Lucille added to her costume her riding -habit and felt better able to face the soldiers on the -other side.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_95"></a>[95]</span></p> - -<p>They crossed on the raft, which made several trips, -the horses swimming over; then, mounting, they rode -on to the soldiers’ camp.</p> - -<p>Such a welcome as greeted them, when Buffalo Bill -and the sergeant’s daughter were recognized, cannot -be described, for the soldiers seemed to have gone wild.</p> - -<p>In the week that had passed since he was wounded -the sergeant had much improved.</p> - -<p>The meeting between father and daughter was most -affecting, while tears came into the brave man’s eyes -as he grasped Buffalo Bill’s hand and said:</p> - -<p>“I owe all this to you, Cody, and Lucille tells me -she has told you all.”</p> - -<p>Fearful of risking his daughter so near the redskins, -the sergeant said he was able to travel. The -march was, therefore, begun after the noon meal, the -trail taken being the same one that Lucille had traveled -with the outlaw.</p> - -<p>The command was three days getting back to the -fort, but when they came in sight, and it was seen -that Lucille had been rescued, again there was a wild -scene of rejoicing.</p> - -<p>Then, too, the sergeant had more joy added to his -cup of bliss, for the last coach through had brought -him his commission, “for special and gallant services,” -as a first lieutenant in the army of the United States.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_96"></a>[96]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI.<br /> -<span class="fs70">THE GUARD OF HONOR.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>After a month’s stay at the fort, under the plea -of his wound unfitting him for service, for it was still -troublesome, Lieutenant Fallon resigned his commission, -feeling that he had been vindicated in having won -it, unaided, and, with his daughter, went eastward, and -thence to Texas, to his old ranch home.</p> - -<p>In a short time there was a wedding at the ranch, -for thither had gone Lieutenant Walter Worth to -claim his bride. Shortly after the lieutenant’s departure, -Buffalo Bill set forth upon a new mission which -promised a harvest of adventures.</p> - -<p>Having been appointed, for a special purpose, chief -of scouts of the Tenth United States Cavalry, a regiment -of black troopers, Cody rode off on one of his -lone trails to reach the command at its frontier post.</p> - -<p>He loved the adventure and danger attending this -new mission, yet sought it also for the benefit he could -bring to those who dwelt upon the advance borderland, -and depended upon just such men as himself to protect -them from the redskins of the wild West.</p> - -<p>The noted scout had been ordered to Fort Aspen for -his special duty, as the commandant, Major Armes, -had made the request that he should be, on account of -the threatened hostility of the Indians, and, also, as<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_97"></a>[97]</span> -Buffalo Bill was the man who knew that country better -than any other frontiersman.</p> - -<p>Major Armes also had been much troubled by the -lawless bands of gold hunters who had sought to invade -the Indian country, risking massacres, and keeping -the redskins constantly worried over the determination -of these palefaces to get a foothold in their -hunting grounds and then force them farther toward -the “Land of the Setting Sun.”</p> - -<p>Many bands of lawless invaders of the beautiful -country had recklessly penetrated the mountain and -valley recesses in search of the precious yellow metal, -and they had thus avoided the chain of soldiers the -government had put there to keep them out.</p> - -<p>One band after another had met its doom in the forbidden -land, and been wiped out utterly by the Indians, -who had left not one of them to tell the story of the -massacre.</p> - -<p>They had taken their lives in their own hands, and, -against all warnings and efforts of the soldiers, had -broken through the military barrier and penetrated the -Indian country, to meet there quick death.</p> - -<p>Even several emigrant trains, with women and children -along, had foolishly ventured, and Buffalo Bill -had reported that the groups of whitened bones he had -found told the story of their fate.</p> - -<p>Though the soldiers were trying to protect their -country from invasion, the hostile Sioux were as bitter<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_98"></a>[98]</span> -toward them as toward those who sought to make -homes there, and war, merciless and unending, had -been declared.</p> - -<p>“If I had Buffalo Bill, as my chief of scouts, I believe -he could, with his knowledge of the country, of -these Indians, and his great skill as a frontiersman, -head off these would-be settlers and bands of gold seekers -from what they regard as a promised land, and this -done, the Sioux would be more willing to make peace -with the army, realizing that our desire was to protect -them.”</p> - -<p>So wrote Major Armes, the commandant of Fort -Aspen, to Colonel Carr, in seeking to have the valuable -services of William F. Cody as chief of scouts.</p> - -<p>And the letter further said:</p> - -<p>“The Tenth Cavalry of colored troops also needs -just such a man as Buffalo Bill to steady them and -give them perfect confidence in the one who leads them -upon deadly trails.</p> - -<p>“They one and all have perfect confidence in Buffalo -Bill, believe that he bears a charmed life—as I also -am inclined to believe—and they know that the Indians -dread him, regard him with a certain superstitious -fear, and his influence is very great along the -whole border.</p> - -<p>“I, therefore, respectfully urge that he be sent to -Fort Aspen, for a while at least, if only to bring confidence -to the garrison.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_99"></a>[99]</span></p> - -<p>The result of Major Armes’ letter was that the next -courier through to Fort Aspen brought dispatches stating -that Buffalo Bill should come very soon, and that, -spoken to upon the subject, he had said that, instead of -making up a scouting band of white scouts, he would -pick colored soldiers to be his allies.</p> - -<p>In other words, he would have a company of black -scouts from the Tenth Cavalry.</p> - -<p>Major Armes at once notified the garrison that Buffalo -Bill was coming to Fort Aspen, and what his intention -was regarding the band of black scouts.</p> - -<p>There was excitement at once in the garrison, and -the colored troopers were delighted that the great -borderman was going to show his confidence in them -by taking his scouts from their regiment.</p> - -<p>“Now we’ll blow de Injuns off de farm.”</p> - -<p>“You better believe I speaks fer bein’ a nigger -scout.”</p> - -<p>“Annudder nigger heah does say de same.”</p> - -<p>“Wonder if Massa Bill gwine ter brack hissef up -so as ter look like us?”</p> - -<p>“Won’t dem red niggers git up an’ lead us brack -scouts arter ’em?”</p> - -<p>“An’ I guesses dem palefaces as wants ter go inter -de Promised Lan’ will tarn back an’ settle somewhar -else.”</p> - -<p>Such remarks and others of a like kind ran the -rounds of the colored troopers, when they heard the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_100"></a>[100]</span> -good news that Buffalo Bill was coming, and better still -that he intended to pick men from their regiment for -his scouts.</p> - -<p>Major Armes was much pleased, and knowing about -the time the scout was expected, he ordered a negro -sergeant and twenty men to take the trail as a guard -of honor and meet him a day’s ride from the fort.</p> - -<p>The sergeant and his picked men were as proud as -peacocks at the duty and the envy of all the rest of -the regiment, who had to remain behind.</p> - -<p>Had the colored troopers had their say, all would -have gone to meet the scout and Fort Aspen would -have been left without a garrison.</p> - -<p>And so the black escort set out upon the trail to meet -the noted scout.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_101"></a>[101]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII.<br /> -<span class="fs70">CORRALLED BY INDIANS.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>The sergeant in command of the escort was Mobile -Buck, and he was so enrolled. He was a fine soldier -and a brave one, and had won his rank for his good -qualities.</p> - -<p>Sergeant Mobile Buck was vary cautious, however, -and he wisely decided that it would be better to have -an advance guard of one man to take chances of an -ambush, than to have his whole force in danger, so -he kept a trooper well ahead.</p> - -<p>What that solitary trooper thought of his being -selected for that post of honor will never be known, -as his sacrifice saved the sergeant and his other men.</p> - -<p>It was when some thirty miles from the fort, and -when nearing the time for going into camp, wild yells -were heard half a mile ahead, and soon back came the -colored trooper’s horse, riderless.</p> - -<p>This and the yells told the story, and the sergeant -was quick to take advantage of a retreat to a little hill, -rocky and wooded, he had found only a mile back. He -ordered his corporal to retreat there and go into camp, -against the advice of several of his men that the safest -place to fall back on would be the fort, and in a hurry, -too.</p> - -<p>But Sergeant Mobile Buck called to two of his men<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_102"></a>[102]</span> -to remain with him, and he set out to discover the -trouble ahead, how many Indians there were, and what -he had better do under the circumstances.</p> - -<p>He soon discovered more than he cared to, for fully -half a hundred Indians were in sight, with no telling -how many more were hidden near by.</p> - -<p>Back he rode to the retreating place, fully convinced -that the advice offered by a few, to fall back on the -fort, was wise.</p> - -<p>But he discovered as he came in sight of the hill, -that the corporal and his men were in trouble, for there -were a number of Indians there also, advancing to the -attack.</p> - -<p>“That cuts off retreat,” said Sergeant Buck, and he -charged for the hill with his two companions.</p> - -<p>This charge checked the attack of the redskins and -greatly pleased Corporal Black, who did not belie -his name, as he was as black as charcoal.</p> - -<p>The corporal was only too anxious to be relieved of -his command, and have the sergeant assume responsibility.</p> - -<p>“We are in for it and no mistake, corporal. How -many Injuns have you seen?” said the sergeant, as he -rode into the retreat.</p> - -<p>“Some says dere is hundreds of ’em, but I ain’t -seen dat many yit, though I has seen more’n I wants -ter,” was the reply.</p> - -<p>“There were about fifty that ambushed Buck, maybe<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_103"></a>[103]</span> -more, and perhaps as many yonder, so we are cut off, -I fear.”</p> - -<p>“Did dey kill po’ Brick?” asked the corporal.</p> - -<p>“I guess they did, for they are Injuns.”</p> - -<p>“An’ scallip him, too?”</p> - -<p>“I don’t know, for that wasn’t easy, as his hair -was cut close.”</p> - -<p>“So hit was, but mine ain’t,” and the corporal felt -of his hair, which he feared was long enough to get -a grip on.</p> - -<p>The sergeant smiled, then took in the chances of defending -the hill, being glad to see that the corporal had -put the horses in as secure a place as could be found -and posted his men in fighting positions.</p> - -<p>The corporal might be scared, but his military training -stood him in need.</p> - -<p>“Grass, but no water here; yet we can hold ’em off -for a while, for some man has got to slip out to-night -and go back to the fort for help,” said the sergeant.</p> - -<p>All had been listening eagerly to his words; but -each one looked away at this suggestion, fearing he -would be the man picked out to go.</p> - -<p>“Maybe Massa Bill Cody come along and sabe us,” -said the corporal.</p> - -<p>There was a cheer at this, and it showed just what -the colored troopers thought of Buffalo Bill’s powers -to help them.</p> - -<p>The sergeant seemed pleased, also, and he set to<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_104"></a>[104]</span> -work to strengthen his position, place his men where -they could do the most good and ordered them to throw -up the earth about each one of them so as to protect -them.</p> - -<p>They were only too anxious to do this, and worked -like beavers.</p> - -<p>“There they come—steady, men, and wait until I -order you to fire!” the sergeant said calmly.</p> - -<p>The Indians had now united their forces, and it was -evident that they belonged to the same band, had been -watching the troopers for some time, and had arranged -to ambush them all: only the advance guard of poor -Brick, sent ahead by the sergeant, had spoiled their -plan, as they had fired on him with their arrows, believing -that the others were close upon his heels.</p> - -<p>Having united their two bands, a hundred in number, -all came with a rush upon the intrenched troopers, -yelling like madmen, their ponies at full speed, and -sending showers of arrows before them with an occasional -shot from a rifle, where a brave was so unfortunate -as to have firearms, then not common among -the redskins.</p> - -<p>“We’ve got ter do ’em, men, or they’ll down us,” -shouted the sergeant, and a moment after he cried:</p> - -<p>“Aim to kill—fire!”</p> - -<p>Some of the troopers may have fired at random; -but more did not, and down went ponies and riders, -while the repeating rifles of the soldiers keeping up<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_105"></a>[105]</span> -their rattle, and deadly rattle it was, checked the onward -rush of the redskins, for they wavered, turned, -and fled for the shelter of the nearest timber.</p> - -<p>The colored troopers were jubilant with delight.</p> - -<p>Without a white officer they had beaten off the redskins, -who were five to one against them, and killed -or wounded a number of braves and ponies.</p> - -<p>Sergeant Mobile Buck was a hero of heroes, and he -felt it, too. Whatever his men might feel about it, he, -at least, was glad he had come. It gave the sergeant -confidence, and it helped the men.</p> - -<p>One trooper had been killed, shot through the throat -with an arrow, and three others slightly wounded.</p> - -<p>But the dead man was removed out of sight, and -the wounds of the three men dressed, weapons reloaded, -the position strengthened, and supper cooked -and sent around, for night was at hand.</p> - -<p>“I doesn’t like dem dead red Injuns lyin’ out dere,” -said a trooper, with an awe of the dead and darkness.</p> - -<p>“Never mind, we’ll have more of ’em soon,” said -the sergeant.</p> - -<p>Then darkness came and the men waited, each man -a sentinel, for there was no sleep for those black defenders -of the hill that night.</p> - -<p>All was silent and darkness, suddenly broken by -the words:</p> - -<p>“Who commands here?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_106"></a>[106]</span></p> - -<p>The voice was clear and stern, and came from a -point close at hand. Then a tall form arose from behind -a group of rocks.</p> - -<p>“Massa Buf’ler Bill!”</p> - -<p>The cry came almost in a shout, and every man left -his position and rushed to where the scout stood, for -he it was, in truth, who had invaded the retreat of the -corralled negro soldiers.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_107"></a>[107]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII.<br /> -<span class="fs70">THE RIDE FOR HELP.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>The darkness hid the tears of joy in the eyes of the -colored troopers, at the coming of Buffalo Bill.</p> - -<p>The scout had crept into the corral unseen, and he -said sternly:</p> - -<p>“If I could get in here, redskins can—who is commander -here?”</p> - -<p>“I am, sir, Sergeant Mobile Buck, and we were -going to meet you, Chief Cody.”</p> - -<p>“I am glad to meet you, Sergeant Buck; but you -have only colored troops?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir, from the Tenth Cavalry, and Major -Armes told us we could come and meet you on the trail, -and mighty glad we are to see you, sir.”</p> - -<p>“I saw your man ahead killed, but could not save -him, for he rode right into an ambush I was watching, -and his doing so saved me. Then I watched developments -and saw you retreat here, so waited until dark -to creep in, for there are more Indians coming and you -are in a bad way.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, Lordy!”</p> - -<p>Buffalo Bill laughed.</p> - -<p>“You are not dead yet, boys,” he said, “and you -made a good fight when they attacked you; but you will -not be attacked again until morning, about dawn, and -then by a force large enough to run you down.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_108"></a>[108]</span></p> - -<p>“Jist you take us to de fort, Massa Bill, fer you -kin do it, sah,” said one, and all held the same opinion.</p> - -<p>“No, you could never leave here, and I’ll have to -sneak out; but my horse and pack animal are a mile -away, on the trail to the fort, and I’ll go there for -help, and it will take three or four troops to do it, -too.</p> - -<p>“The fort is about twenty-five miles from here, and -I’ll make it in three hours, for I’ll hide my pack animal -soon as I can, and I will be back with help in four -hours more.</p> - -<p>“That will get us here just in time, and you keep -watch for all you are worth, strengthen your position -all you can, have your rifles and revolvers ready, and -you can fight them off, if they do attack, until we get -here.”</p> - -<p>“Don’t yer think I better go wid yer, Massa Bill?” -asked a trooper, who preferred to take his chances -with Buffalo Bill alone to remaining with his score -of comrades.</p> - -<p>“No, every man is wanted here.”</p> - -<p>“Dat’s so, an’ I wishes you was goin’ ter stay, too, -sah,” and this remark voiced the idea of all.</p> - -<p>“Now, sergeant, send your men back to their posts, -and let them know if they go to sleep some of them -may wake up in the Indians’ happy hunting grounds.</p> - -<p>“Then Sergeant Buck go with me to the end of the -timber, for I wish a word with you.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_109"></a>[109]</span></p> - -<p>The troopers were sent again to their posts of duty, -and the sergeant went with Buffalo Bill to a gully, -by which he intended to retreat, for it was not guarded -as horses could not go that way.</p> - -<p>“Sergeant, you have done well in your fight, and -I appreciate your having come to meet me. It saved -me. Tell your men I want each one of them in my -band of scouts, so I have my eye upon them. You -may have to fight again, but do it to the death as I’ll -get help to you as soon as I can. Good night, and -luck.”</p> - -<p>Buffalo Bill grasped the hand of the brave negro, -who replied:</p> - -<p>“We’ll die game, sir, if we have to; but we depend -on you, Massa Bill, for you’re the only man who can -save us, and you will, sir, I know you will.”</p> - -<p>The deep voice quivered, and Buffalo Bill turned -away, going rapidly down the gully to where he had -left his horses.</p> - -<p>He passed within a dozen feet of an Indian outpost -of several braves, heard them talking, and the smoke -of their pipes reached him, while he saw a spark of -fire.</p> - -<p>But he went on, reached his horses, mounted and -rode off at a sweeping gallop toward the fort.</p> - -<p>At length he halted and muttered:</p> - -<p>“It is taking big chances, but I will do it. I can hide -my pack horse there and it will cut off a dozen miles,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_110"></a>[110]</span> -if I do risk the lives of my horse and myself in making -the leap, which is all of twenty feet.”</p> - -<p>He turned off the trail, just as the moon, on the -wane, rose to light his way.</p> - -<p>A roar came to his ears, a roar of falling water, and -he soon halted on the banks of a foaming stream.</p> - -<p>“My pack horse will be safe here,” said Cody, and -he quickly unsaddled the animal.</p> - -<p>Then he stripped his own horse of his heavy Mexican -saddle, laid with it his rifle and belt of arms, save -one revolver, took off his boots, hunting coat, and -broad-brimmed sombrero, and approached the steep -banks of the river.</p> - -<p>It was a cliff, and all of twenty feet down to the -water. A quarter of a mile below was a fall over -which the stream wildly rushed, and across from him -a hundred yards or more lay the other shore, the banks -low and sandy.</p> - -<p>“It will save a dozen miles, Buckskin, and we can -make it—we must!” he said, in his decided way, and -he quickly made a bridle of his stake of rope, leaped -across the bare back of his splendid horse, wheeled -suddenly and rode rapidly toward the cliff.</p> - -<p>“Now, Buckskin, make the leap, and by it save the -lives of my black troopers!” cried Buffalo Bill, as -he urged his horse directly out upon the mad leap.</p> - -<p>Buckskin did not hesitate; he seemed to feel, with<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_111"></a>[111]</span> -his master, that only by the leap from the dizzy height -could he save the lives of human beings by cutting off -a dozen miles in the trail and getting help from the fort -to them before they would be wiped out by the Indians.</p> - -<p>The noble horse leaped far out from the cliff, hung -in the air, it seemed, for one precious second, and then -went down swiftly into the raging flood.</p> - -<p>He struck hard, sank from sight, though Buffalo -Bill held his revolver far above his head to prevent -its getting wet, for those were not the days of the -present improved cartridges.</p> - -<p>Then the horse arose, and his rider guided him toward -the other shore.</p> - -<p>It was a wild current, and they were swept rapidly -down toward the falls; but the horse swam with vigor, -and stripped of his saddle and trappings he was not -hampered, Buffalo Bill helping him with all his power.</p> - -<p>At length, the shore was reached, the hoofs touched -bottom, and Buffalo Bill dismounted to give the horse -a rest.</p> - -<p>But only for a minute, for, remounting, he set off at -a sweeping gallop for the fort, from that point not half -a dozen miles.</p> - -<p>“I have saved all of an hour and a half, if not more. -You did it splendidly, Buckskin,” said the scout, and -coming back into the trail, he sent the horse flying -along at full speed.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_112"></a>[112]</span></p> - -<p>Within half an hour the light of the fort came into -view, and it was not yet midnight.</p> - -<p>“Ho, sentinel, let me in—I am Buffalo Bill, the scout—and -sound the alarm, for help is needed at once, or -Sergeant Mobile Buck and his men will all be wiped -out!”</p> - -<p>This startling salute and alarm at once roused the -garrison to action, and Buffalo Bill dashed to the headquarters -of Major Armes, and reported his coming -to that officer and asked for three troops of the Tenth -Cavalry to go to the rescue.</p> - -<p>“God bless you, Cody, you shall have them, and -within ten minutes,” cried Major Armes, and the order -was given.</p> - -<p>Within half an hour, mounted upon a fresh horse, -Buffalo Bill rode away from the fort at the head of -over a hundred black cavalrymen, to the rescue of -Sergeant Buck and his band.</p> - -<p>“I’ll set the pace, Captain Keyes, and those who -cannot keep up can follow.</p> - -<p>“We must make it within three hours, sir,” said -Buffalo Bill, and Captain Edward Keyes answered:</p> - -<p>“Go ahead, Cody, and we’ll be with you.”</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_113"></a>[113]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV.<br /> -<span class="fs70">THE BLACK TROOPERS AT BAY.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>As Buffalo Bill knew just how urgent the demand -for haste might become, he set a pace that, though he -knew many of the troopers might not be able to keep -up, yet many would do so, and these could make the -attack on the Indians, while the others would constantly -be coming up as reënforcements.</p> - -<p>Major Armes had also promised to send a wagon -with rations, a six-pounder gun, and a company of infantry, -mounted, as a reserve, in case the Indians -should be in still larger force than Buffalo Bill had -supposed them to be.</p> - -<p>To the black troopers in the little hill retreat it was -a sad sight to see Buffalo Bill leave them, though they -knew that by his going alone was there a chance for -their rescue.</p> - -<p>They knew their danger, and the warning the scout -had given them, that “if he could get into their retreat -an Indian could also do so,” had made them keep the -closest watch, and not an instant did they close their -eyes.</p> - -<p>“If I wakes up arter a nap, I wants it ter be in this -world, not de next, so I doesn’t go ter sleep,” said a -trooper, and he voiced the sentiments of all.</p> - -<p>To add to their wakefulness the corporal, in going<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_114"></a>[114]</span> -his rounds, was seen to suddenly fall and lie motionless.</p> - -<p>The sergeant hastened to his side to find that an arrow -had penetrated his eye—he was dead.</p> - -<p>Sergeant Mobile Buck dragged the body into hiding -and wisely said nothing. He then went the rounds of -the men himself, and very cautiously, for he knew that -Indians were within arrow range and watching.</p> - -<p>Then the sergeant discovered how it was that the -corporal had lost his life, for the moon was rising, -and he had stood with its light behind him, his form -in bold relief against its silvery face.</p> - -<p>“Be careful of showing yourselves with the moon -behind you, for there are Indians watching for a -chance to send an arrow at you,” said the sergeant, -and he was cautious how he moved, for not only did he -desire to escape what he had warned others of, but he -thought also of the men, should he be killed or seriously -wounded, and how readily they would get into -a panic with no one to govern them.</p> - -<p>So the hours passed, the sergeant going on his -rounds every half hour, and one time discovering a -dark object out upon the open plain, and which he -was sure was not there when last he passed that way.</p> - -<p>“Give me your gun, Benton,” he said to the sentinel -nearest the dark object.</p> - -<p>The trooper obeyed, and the sergeant took a rest<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_115"></a>[115]</span> -with the carbine over a rock, aimed well and pulled -trigger.</p> - -<p>A wild yell, a form springing into the air, measuring -a few feet, and a heavy fall followed.</p> - -<p>“You must keep better watch, Benton, for that -redskin would have plugged you in half an hour -more,” said the sergeant.</p> - -<p>Benton was thoroughly alarmed now, and said:</p> - -<p>“Yas, sah, you done sabe my life, an’ I ain’t gwine -ter fergit it, nuther. You bet I’s keepin’ watch now, -sergeant, I is.”</p> - -<p>The shot had startled the troopers, as it was answered -by yells from the Indians across in the timber.</p> - -<p>But the sergeant continued his round, and to each -man he told of Benton’s narrow escape, until several -shots were fired at rocks fearing they might be large -groups of Indians.</p> - -<p>That a random shot thus fired sounded a death-knell -a choking war cry told.</p> - -<p>The sergeant had got the rifles of the corporal and -of the other slain trooper, and kept them ready for -use when the time came.</p> - -<p>But he continued his rounds through the night.</p> - -<p>Then he ordered all to be ready, for he felt sure an -attack would be made.</p> - -<p>That Buffalo Bill had not got back was a cause of -deepest anxiety, but the sergeant was brave and told -his men that the scout with help was doubtless close<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_116"></a>[116]</span> -at hand, only waiting for the Indians to attack the retreat, -and this gave them hope.</p> - -<p>Soon a dark mass was visible, moving out from the -distant timber. The Indians were advancing to the -attack, and they were mounted.</p> - -<p>“Men, we’ll empty these extra guns at them first, -for they’ll reach them, and then you fire only when I -give the order,” cried the sergeant.</p> - -<p>The three guns rattled forth their seven shots each, -and they must have hit hard, for the redskins wavered, -yelled like demons, and came on with a rush.</p> - -<p>“Fire!”</p> - -<p>All the rifles opened fire, and the shots told, for -ponies fell and riders dropped to the ground.</p> - -<p>But the rush was on, the Indians were in heavy -force, hundreds against a score of black troopers, and -the showers of arrows, the maddened yells and the roar -of the charging ponies, struck terror to the hearts of -the troopers.</p> - -<p>“Hold ’em, men, or all is lost,” shouted the sergeant, -adding:</p> - -<p>“Revolvers now!”</p> - -<p>But as the rattle of revolvers began and the redskins -were almost up to the retreat, above the wild yells of -the redskins arose the piercing, thrilling notes of a -bugle, followed by the ringing war cry of Buffalo Bill, -and a stern command from Captain Keyes:</p> - -<p>“Ride them down, men!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_117"></a>[117]</span></p> - -<p>The bugle notes broke upon the ears of the redskins -just in time to deprive them of their prey, for, wheeling -to one side of the retreat, they drove on at full -speed, for they knew that United States cavalry was -upon them and in large force.</p> - -<p>“After them, men!” shouted Buffalo Bill, and with -Captain Keyes by his side, and nearly a hundred -troopers following, they rode hot on the heels of the -flying redskins.</p> - -<p>It was a complete surprise, of the kind that causes -a stampede, and the Indians only sought to escape their -pursuers until they reached a place where they could -rally and ambush their foes.</p> - -<p>But Captain Keyes was too good a soldier to be -caught in a trap, with tired-out horses and men, and -he called a halt when his command drew near a heavily -timbered hill.</p> - -<p>“Halt here, men, and let them think this is all the -force, while Cody, you go back, meet the other men -and flank yonder ridge with them, ordering a courier to -go to the reserve and fetch them, with the gun, to -your aid with all speed.”</p> - -<p>It was almost daylight now, and the tired men rested -where they were in line of battle, while Buffalo Bill -rode back, checking the troopers still coming up and -ordering them to keep out of sight in the timber, while -he went to the retreat of those who had been rescued -in the nick of time.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_118"></a>[118]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV.<br /> -<span class="fs70">A VERY STRANGE FIND.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>“The goo’ Lor’ bress you, Massa Bill!” came a cry -in chorus from a dozen men, as the scout approached -the retreat.</p> - -<p>Sergeant Mobile Buck came out to meet Buffalo Bill, -and wrung his hand hard, while he said:</p> - -<p>“You did it, sir—you saved us, and just in time, -for my men were giving way.</p> - -<p>“I lost five killed, sir, and half a dozen wounded, -though only two seriously.</p> - -<p>“It will do the men good, sir, this fight, and they’ll -follow you, Mr. Cody, to the devil!”</p> - -<p>“And I want you and every man of them for my -squadron of scouts, sergeant, as I will need yourself, -a corporal, and twenty-four men.</p> - -<p>“Now look to your wounded and then bury your -dead, for I’ll have breakfast sent to you from the main -camp over in the timber yonder, where they are now -cooking for Captain Keyes and his men, who will remain -where they are until I can flank yonder hill, for -we have as many more men in reserve and a gun.”</p> - -<p>“That’s good, sir, and Mr. Injun will get it bad, -won’t he?” said the delighted sergeant, while Buffalo -Bill rode through the retreat and called out:</p> - -<p>“You had it hot and deadly here, I see, boys, but you<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_119"></a>[119]</span> -fought like wild cats, all of you, and I am proud of -my black scouts, for I want you all.”</p> - -<p>A cheer answered the words of the scout, and he -rode rapidly back into the timber, where the stragglers -had come up with the pack animals, a camp had been -formed, and breakfast was being prepared.</p> - -<p>Sending a white scout on his trail of the night before -to bring his pack horse, saddle and bridle from -where he had left them on the river bank, Buffalo -Bill hastily had breakfast with a half a hundred troopers, -and led them by a flank movement to get in the rear -of the Indians on the ridge. He had long before sent a -courier to tell the reserve force, the troopers with their -gun, to branch off at a trail, which would head him off -at a point where they could reach the rear of the redskins.</p> - -<p>All went just as he had hoped it would, the reserve -met the command under Buffalo Bill, and by hard -riding, were after the Indians, halted on the ridge and -watching Captain Keyes in the valley in their front, -feeling that he was afraid to attack them, were surprised -by a shell bursting in their midst on the hill.</p> - -<p>It fairly dazed them with surprise and dread, and -only when shell after shell began to crash among them, -and Captain Keyes mounted his men for a rush on the -ridge, did they break in a wild stampede.</p> - -<p>These, too, saw that they were between two fires, -Captain Keyes and the force of Buffalo Bill with the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_120"></a>[120]</span> -gun, and there was but one way to escape, and that was -to desert their ponies and take to the deep cañons leading -into the mountains where a horse could not find -footing.</p> - -<p>It was hard for an Indian to do, to leave his pony, -but it was a question of life and death, and they fled -on foot, thus making it a glorious victory for the palefaces.</p> - -<p>Sending a courier to have his pack animal and a -fresh horse brought him, Buffalo Bill went on the trail -of the redskins, to see if they continued their flight, -or halted to try and make an effort to regain their -horses when night came, and Captain Keyes came up -with his men to go into camp with the entire force.</p> - -<p>It was nearly midnight when Buffalo Bill, on foot, -returned to the camp.</p> - -<p>“They’ve got enough for the present, sir, and are all -on the jump for their village; but I will go out mounted -at dawn and alone, keeping on their trail for a day, at -least, until sure what they will do,” he said to Captain -Keyes.</p> - -<p>“And shall I camp here, Cody, or return to the -fort?” asked the captain.</p> - -<p>“Better rest here until day after to-morrow, sir, -and then return by slow march toward the fort, so I -can overtake you, if they meet other bands and return, -for there may be more of them.</p> - -<p>“If I see nothing suspicious, sir, please say to Major<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_121"></a>[121]</span> -Armes that I will return to the fort within two or three -days.”</p> - -<p>“All right, Cody, and I hear you are going to have -a squadron of negro scouts?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir, for it will give the colored troops confidence, -and I believe I can make good scouts of them, -while the Indians are as scared of the black soldiers as -the latter are of them—they don’t just understand their -being black and call them ‘Heap Black Paleface -Braves.’”</p> - -<p>“Not a bad name, either, if they will only prove -braves; but the Indians are experts in giving names.</p> - -<p>“Now get what rest you can, for you need it, and I -know of no man who could do what you have.”</p> - -<p>Ten minutes after Buffalo Bill was fast asleep; but -at dawn he woke up, and his pack horse and a fresh -riding animal having come up, he had breakfast, -mounted, and rode away on his lone trail.</p> - -<p>That day every sign pointed to the fact that the Indians -had been so badly beaten that though they had -met a couple of bands of their comrades, they did not -turn back, but went on to their villages together.</p> - -<p>It was toward evening of his second day’s trail, as -he came to a good camping place, that Buffalo Bill decided -to halt for the night, when he was startled by -hearing a human voice calling to him, and the words -spoken in a low tone.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_122"></a>[122]</span></p> - -<p>Out of a thicket staggered a tall, gaunt form, with -black face, haggard, and showing deep lines of suffering, -while his clothing was in rags, his feet wrapped in -deerskins, a foxskin cap upon his head, a tattered -blanket, and a rifle, revolver, and knife his weapons.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_123"></a>[123]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI.<br /> -<span class="fs70">THE NEGRO MESSENGER.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>“Well, my poor fellow, who and what are you?” -asked Buffalo Bill, as he dismounted and stood before -the vagabond negro.</p> - -<p>“I’s mighty near starved ter death, an’ I’d died soon -ef I hadn’t had you find me, boss,” was the answer. -“I seen you comin’, and I lay low and was goin’ ter let -you pass me by, sah, only I seen yer face, and know’d -yer were a good man.</p> - -<p>“If you had been an Injun, sah, or one ob dem bad -white men I seen in dis country, I’d ’a’ jist pulled my -gun on yer and got yer horse an’ rashuns ter eat, fer -de Good Book do say dat preservin’ o’ one’s life am de -bestest law o’ natur’, sah.”</p> - -<p>“So you would have chanced killing me?”</p> - -<p>“Yas, sah, and it w’u’d hev been a big chance, too, -as I has got but one load in my gun an’ one in my -revolver.”</p> - -<p>“Well, I am glad you didn’t take the chances; but I -would have found you, anyhow, as I intended to camp -right here for the night.”</p> - -<p>“Den I is sabed, sah, I is sabed, fer I gits somet’in to -eat, an’ sabin’ me, sah, means a heap, fer dere is lives -dependin’ dis werry minit upon dis nigger.”</p> - -<p>“Where—— But you must be fed first, and then you<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_124"></a>[124]</span> -can tell me. Sit there, and I’ll soon have a fire, and -cook supper.”</p> - -<p>“Boss, I is mos’ so weak I has got ter let you do de -work, an’ you see, sah, I is wounded, too.”</p> - -<p>“Poor fellow!” Buffalo Rill glanced at a bullet -wound in the negro’s side.</p> - -<p>Hastily the scout set to work, pitched his camp in a -secluded spot on the bank of a little stream, and, taking -from his pack saddle a pair of extra blankets, he spread -them on the ground and told the negro to lie down.</p> - -<p>He quickly gathered some wood, built a fire among -some rocks, and, after staking out the horses, started to -prepare a venison steak, bacon, hoecake, and coffee -for supper.</p> - -<p>The negro would have eaten ravenously, so nearly -starved was he, only the scout made him go slow, and -did not give him half what he craved.</p> - -<p>“I’ll give you some more after a while; but now I’ll -build a shelter for you, as I think you’ll have to rest -here for a few days, at least.”</p> - -<p>The shelter was built and made comfortable, and -then the scout cut off from the swollen, blistered, and -bruised feet the deerskin covering that served as shoes, -took a liniment from his pack, and, after having the -man stand in the water for some time, put it upon -them, after which he dressed the wound in his side, -which, though painful, was not serious.</p> - -<p>“Who gave you this?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_125"></a>[125]</span></p> - -<p>“A bad white man, sah, who pretended ter be my -friend, but arter he heerd my story, he shot me, an’ he -meant ter kill me, only I got one in on him, sah.</p> - -<p>“Then I heerd a man call out, an’ voices talking, so -I lit out, thinkin’ they must be his frien’s, an’ I come -rapid, sah, thinkin’ I c’u’d reach the fort afore I died.”</p> - -<p>Buffalo Bill was now convinced that the negro had a -secret of importance to tell, so he gave him another -steak, some hoecake, and a cup of coffee, and watched -him eat it with the look of a half-starved animal.</p> - -<p>“I am mighty glad I met you, my man. What is -your name?”</p> - -<p>“Black Bill, dey calls me, sah.”</p> - -<p>“All right, that is one bond between us, for my -name is Bill. Did you ever hear of Buffalo Bill?”</p> - -<p>“Is I hear ob him, sah? Indeed I has, an’ dere ain’t -nobody livin’ dat ain’t.”</p> - -<p>“Well, I am Buffalo Bill.”</p> - -<p>The look on the negro’s face at this information -fairly startled the scout.</p> - -<p>“You is de very man I’s lookin’ fer,” exclaimed the -negro finally, after he had recovered from his surprise. -“Yas, sah, I knows you is Massa Buf’ler Bill, I does, -as he tole me jist how ye looked.”</p> - -<p>“Who did?”</p> - -<p>“De gemman who sent me ter find yer, sah.”</p> - -<p>“Who was it?”</p> - -<p>“Massa John Hill, sah.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_126"></a>[126]</span></p> - -<p>“Ah! My old friend, John Hill?”</p> - -<p>“Dat’s him, sah.”</p> - -<p>“I thought he went East.”</p> - -<p>“He did went dere, sah, but he come back.”</p> - -<p>“Where is he?”</p> - -<p>“Whar de debble c’u’dn’t fin’ him, sah, fer he do be -los’.”</p> - -<p>“Lost! Where?”</p> - -<p>“In de Big Horn country, sah, whar I left him an’ -t’others. Dere’s a heap ob ’em, Massa Buf’ler Bill, -men, wimmens, an’ chil’en.”</p> - -<p>“When did they go there?”</p> - -<p>“Months ago, sah. Yer see, sah, I ust ter b’long ter -Doctor Miner, a gent from de Souf, who hed los’ his -fortin by de war; but I didn’t leab him, sah, an’ we was -comin’ West ter hunt gold, when we come across a -outfit of folks as was also gold huntin’, fer Massa -John Hill hed met ’em an’ tole ’em he know’d whar ter -git it.</p> - -<p>“So, sah, we all comed along an’ he guided us inter -de Big Horn country, an’ we go down inter a valley an’ -make home dere.</p> - -<p>“But dere was bad men in dat outfit, and four ob -’em one night tuk blastin’ powder we fotch along an’ -blow up rocks ter stop de only path down a cañon we -hed leadin’ inter or out ob dat valley.</p> - -<p>“It were beautiful when we got dere, but dere were<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_127"></a>[127]</span> -no way ob gittin’ out, sah, fer it were all around wid -mount’in cliffs, an’ mount’in sheep c’u’dn’t git out.</p> - -<p>“Yer see, all de gold we hed dug was done by day -an’ left up in de cañon, de men goin’ home to de valley -at night.</p> - -<p>“Dat’s why dem four bad men got dat powder an’ -blow up dat cañon, an’ we c’u’dn’t git out.”</p> - -<p>“Yet, you did.”</p> - -<p>“I has been a sailorman, sah, an’ I don’t git dizzy, -an’ I said as how I’d climb dem cliffs, an’ I did, by -buildin’ ladders wid poles I cut, choppin’ down a tree -here an’ dere, an’ arter weeks of work I got out, an’ -den I fetch up my weepin an’ some grub, an’ Massa -John Hill he told me ter go ter Fort Fettermore an’ -fine you, an’ tell you he sent fer yer ter come an’ save -dere lives; but ter tell no one else but you, an’ when -you come wid your scouts, you was ter bring ropes in -plenty, so as ter git ’em out of dat lonesome valley.”</p> - -<p>“And those four men?”</p> - -<p>“Dey overdid it, sah, fer dey didn’t git a horse, -mule, or waggin out ob de valley fust, an’ dey hed ter -hoof it wid dere gold, or de gold we all hed got, an’ -carry it, an’ I guesses it were mighty slow work.</p> - -<p>“I guesses, sah, dey set off de blow-up business afore -dey was ready, fer all de pervisions were in de valley, -sabe what was kept in de cabin on de cliffs fer de men’s -dinner.”</p> - -<p>“How long have you been on the trail, Bill?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_128"></a>[128]</span></p> - -<p>“’Bout a month, sah, fer I hed to reckon as how -ter go, an’ got los’, so my grub gin out, my ammunition, -too, an’ I has hed a terribul time, sah, so I had.”</p> - -<p>“You look it; but you met white men on the way?”</p> - -<p>“One, sah an’ heerd others. Dey was gold hunters, -sah.”</p> - -<p>“Not the four men who left the valley?”</p> - -<p>“No, sah, dat one I seen wasn’t.”</p> - -<p>“This is a strange story you tell me, Black Bill, but I -believe you.”</p> - -<p>“Praise de Lor’, sah, fer now you kin sabe ’em all.”</p> - -<p>“I will try,” said Buffalo Bill firmly.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_129"></a>[129]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII.<br /> -<span class="fs70">TWO SHOTS.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>Black Bill would have talked all night had the scout -allowed him to do so; but Cody checked him again, -dressed his wound and feet, and gave him a little more -to eat, after which he made him go to sleep.</p> - -<p>The scout looked to the comfort of his horses, and -then, wrapping his blankets about him, lay down to -rest.</p> - -<p>At dawn, Buffalo Bill arose, built a fire, cooked a -substantial breakfast, having caught several fine fish -from the stream, and then he awoke the negro, who -was still sleeping soundly.</p> - -<p>Black Bill was then allowed to eat all he wished, and -the scout gave him a change of his clothing to put on, -and looked after his injuries.</p> - -<p>“Now, Black Bill, you are not fit even to ride, but -you soon will be. This is a good camp for you, and -you will be comfortable. I will leave you my pack -horse, make you comfortable, give you plenty of food -and ammunition for your weapons, and I’ll kill a deer -before I go. Then you can fish and take it easy.”</p> - -<p>“Whar is you goin’, Massa Buf’ler Bill?”</p> - -<p>“To Fort Aspen, with all speed, for I shall get there -a number of negro scouts I want with me, the ropes -John Hill says we will need, pack horses well laden -with provisions, and I’ll be back here in four days.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_130"></a>[130]</span></p> - -<p>“Yas, sah.”</p> - -<p>“Now, I do not think you will see any Indians here, -for they have skipped for their villages, and this camp -is on no trail. If you should, you must mount my -pack horse and get away, for I will leave my compass, -and you must keep directly west.”</p> - -<p>“Yas, sah.”</p> - -<p>“It might be that the white men may be trailing -you; but, if so, you must make your escape, and be on -the watch for any danger.”</p> - -<p>“Yas, sah, I kin do pretty well ter take keer o’ myself.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t doubt it. In four days you will be well -enough to ride, and we’ll start for that valley you -have told me of, and get those people out of their -trouble.”</p> - -<p>Half an hour after, Buffalo Bill, having made his -black comrade thoroughly comfortable, mounted his -horse and departed on his trail to the fort.</p> - -<p>Black Bill looked after him wistfully as long as he -was in sight, but, looking back, the scout saw him -wave a farewell, and muttered:</p> - -<p>“I am sorry to leave him, yet I must do so, as I can -do nothing else, for he could not stand the ride to -the fort and back, and lives depend on quick work, if -I am not mistaken.”</p> - -<p>And the scout put his horse at a swift and steady -pace.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_131"></a>[131]</span></p> - -<p>But he had not ridden many miles when suddenly -he saw an Indian bound from the ground and spring -to the shelter of a tree, his bow and arrows in hand.</p> - -<p>It was a long shot, and the scout had to fire quickly, -and did so. It seemed as though there was a double -report; but the redskin fell, and no others were visible.</p> - -<p>Cody knew that he had killed the Indian, and rode -toward him, dismounted, and bent over the body, when -suddenly a human form confronted him and a voice -said:</p> - -<p>“Pard, I guesses I’ll take the scalp o’ this Injun, an’ -as I holds ther drop on you, ye’d better be kinder discreetlike.”</p> - -<p>Buffalo Bill was certainly caught off his guard by -the appearance of the stranger upon the scene where he -least expected to see a human being, unless a stray -Indian.</p> - -<p>Yet it was a white man, and certainly an odd-looking -one. He was dressed in rudely tanned buckskin from -head to foot, for he wore a cap of that material, ornamented -with the tail of a fox for a tassel. He was a -man of large size, muscular build, and looked hard as -a pine knot, while his hair was long, unkempt, and -iron-gray, and his beard short and grizzly, half hiding -a face by no means prepossessing in the features that -were visible.</p> - -<p>The stranger was armed with an old rifle, a muzzle-loader, -a revolver of rather ancient manufacture, a<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_132"></a>[132]</span> -couple of single-barrel pistols, and a large bowie knife, -while at his back hung a long bow and two quivers of -arrows.</p> - -<p>The eyes that gazed upon Buffalo Bill with a triumphant -leer were vicious, small, and glittering with -hate, that seemed their natural expression.</p> - -<p>He held his revolver upon Buffalo Bill to cover his -heart, and seemed to feel that he was wholly master -of the situation.</p> - -<p>“Well, who in thunder are you, you old sinner?” -demanded Buffalo Bill, seemingly not in the slightest -degree taken aback by the sudden appearance of one -that seemed to be a foe.</p> - -<p>“I are ther Bad Man o’ ther Big Horn,” was the -cool reply.</p> - -<p>“The what?” and Bill smiled.</p> - -<p>“Ther Bad Man o’ ther Big Horn.”</p> - -<p>“You don’t mean it?”</p> - -<p>“I do.”</p> - -<p>“Well, you do look as if you could get away with -a big horn.”</p> - -<p>“Look a-hyur, stranger pard, is yer pokin’ fun at -me?” angrily asked the man.</p> - -<p>“No, you are pokin’ that old gun at me,” was the -cool response.</p> - -<p>“Who is you, anyhow?” asked the man, struck with -the superb bearing and handsome, fearless face of the -scout.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_133"></a>[133]</span></p> - -<p>“Sitting Bull,” answered Bill, most innocently.</p> - -<p>“Do yer take me fer a fool?”</p> - -<p>“Like as not you are one of the renegades said to -belong to his tribe,” was the bold remark of the scout.</p> - -<p>“No, but I are friendly with ther Injuns.”</p> - -<p>“That means you dare not live among your own -race, for you look as though you might have been a -white man once.”</p> - -<p>The basilisk eyes of the stranger fairly blazed at this, -and his brow grew dark with rage, while he answered -quickly:</p> - -<p>“Ef I are, yer’ll never live ter tell thet yer seen me.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll stake that I do. Come, put up your money, or -make no threats.”</p> - -<p>“Waal, you is a bold one, and I’d like ter know yer -handle.”</p> - -<p>“The boys in camp call me Buffalo Bill.”</p> - -<p>Instantly the man’s face changed again, growing -livid with passion, while he hissed forth:</p> - -<p>“You is Bill Cody, is you?”</p> - -<p>“When I am at home, that is my name,” was the -reply, and Bill continued: “Now tell me your name, -for the more I see of your face the more I feel we have -met before.”</p> - -<p>“We have.”</p> - -<p>“What deviltry were you in when I saw you last, old -man?”</p> - -<p>“I’ll tell yer jist what I were doing then: It were<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_134"></a>[134]</span> -a long time ago, and you was a mere boy then, and -you was guide fer a train I went ter rob one night, -and——”</p> - -<p>“You are Ginger Sam, by Jove!” cried Buffalo Bill, -recalling the man’s face, after nearly twenty years.</p> - -<p>“Yep.”</p> - -<p>“I remember you now, you miserable old sinner, and -how you and your gang hired as teamsters to the train -and intended to massacre all hands one night and get -the booty.”</p> - -<p>“Thet’s so; but you overheard two o’ ther boys -talkin’, and ther’ were hangin’ done by ther train -people, and I’d hev gone ther same way if I hadn’ lit -out. Yer thwarted me then, Bill Cody, and I’ve heerd -o’ yer doin’ big things o’ late on these hyur borders, an’ -I intend ter cut yer days short.”</p> - -<p>“And I have heard how you played your old tricks -of deviltry until you could not live in a border settlement, -and here is where you came to hide your ugly -head, was it?”</p> - -<p>“Yas, and it’s better than hangin’.”</p> - -<p>“You are a bad citizen, Ginger Sam,” said Bill Cody, -with a light laugh, although the man still kept him covered -with his revolver.</p> - -<p>“I’m a citizen thet shall take in Buf’ler Bill, fer ye’ve -no business in these hyur parts, and, hevin’ comed -hyur, I’ll see that yer remain, fer I’m ther Bad Man -o’ ther Big Horn, I told yer.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_135"></a>[135]</span></p> - -<p>“Do you see that dead Indian lying there?” asked -Bill.</p> - -<p>“I do.”</p> - -<p>“Well, you had better spend your time burying him -than in killing me, for it will be more profitable business.”</p> - -<p>The outlaw was astounded at the cool nerve displayed -by Buffalo Bill in his danger, and could not understand -his light, bantering tone. He meant to kill -Cody, there was no doubt; but as a cat will play with -a mouse to torture it, he wished to make Buffalo Bill -suffer terror and despair, so he delayed firing the fatal -shot, feeling that he had the scout wholly at his mercy.</p> - -<p>“I kilt that Injun.”</p> - -<p>“Why, I shot him myself!” said Buffalo Bill. “What -a liar you are!”</p> - -<p>“I tell yer I was jist leavin’ ther timber when I seen -thet Injun, hevin’ got sight o’ me, I s’pose. So I -cracks away, an’ I seen him flop over an’ then lie still; -but I lays close, fer I thought t’others mou’t be near, -an’ then I seen you come out o’ thet timber from this -p’int.</p> - -<p>“I flanked yer, and I’ve been lookin’ at yer, an’ now -yer says you kilt ther red.”</p> - -<p>“And I tell you the truth, and I can prove it.”</p> - -<p>“How kin you?”</p> - -<p>“Where did you aim to hit him?”</p> - -<p>“In the heart.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_136"></a>[136]</span></p> - -<p>“Well, look and see if there are two bullet wounds in -his body, for I heard your shot, I remember now, and -have no doubt but that you fired at him; but he was -dying when you did so. Look for the two wounds.”</p> - -<p>The man stooped to do so, and, with the bound of -a panther, Buffalo Bill was upon him.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_137"></a>[137]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII.<br /> -<span class="fs70">THE BAD MAN OF THE BIG HORN.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>Thrown off his guard by the manner of the scout -and by his interest in searching for the second wound -in the body of the Indian, Ginger Sam went right into -the trap which was set for him, and did just what Buffalo -Bill had been endeavoring he should do.</p> - -<p>Quick as lightning in his movements, Buffalo Bill -had sprung forward and seized the hand that held the -revolver, before the outlaw could come to an upright -position, and at the same time he presented one of his -own weapons full in the face of his foe, while he said, -in the coolest manner possible:</p> - -<p>“If you wish to keep in good health, Ginger Sam, -you’ll do as I tell you!”</p> - -<p>The outlaw was livid with rage, and seemed to feel -that his last day on earth had come.</p> - -<p>“Do yer intend ter kill me?”</p> - -<p>“I do not know what I shall do with you in the end, -but at present I intend to disarm you. Drop old -Daniel Boone’s rifle you hold in your hand there.”</p> - -<p>“It mout break it.”</p> - -<p>“I guess not, for it’s too old a settler to be hurt by a -little tumble. Drop it, I say!”</p> - -<p>“It mout go off an’ shoot yer from ther concussion.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_138"></a>[138]</span></p> - -<p>“My revolver will go off and shoot you from the -muzzle, if you don’t obey!”</p> - -<p>“Down she goes.”</p> - -<p>The outlaw dropped it in such a way, at the same -time giving it a kick, that showed he would like to have -it explode in the fall and kill his captor.</p> - -<p>But it did not, and, kicking it one side, Bill commanded:</p> - -<p>“Now, unbuckle your belt and let it fall!”</p> - -<p>“Now, thet would be dangerous.”</p> - -<p>“Do as I tell you, and be careful not to let your hand -touch those blunderbusses you carry, or you won’t -know what killed you.”</p> - -<p>The man uttered an oath, but obeyed, and the belt of -arms fell to the ground.</p> - -<p>“Now step this way.”</p> - -<p>Bill drew him a few steps away from his rifle and -belt, and then, with a sudden violent wrench of the -wrist, tore the revolver from the outlaw’s hand, and -pitched it over with the other weapons.</p> - -<p>“Now, Bad Man of the Big Horn, I was born tired, -and don’t like work, so take your knife and set to work -to build a house under this tree,” said Buffalo Bill.</p> - -<p>“A house?” asked the surprised man.</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“What kind of a house?”</p> - -<p>“One that will fit a dead man.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_139"></a>[139]</span></p> - -<p>“Yer mean a grave?” asked the outlaw, in a tone of -horror.</p> - -<p>“I do.”</p> - -<p>“Yer don’t mean ter kill me, and fust make me dig -my own grave?”</p> - -<p>“No, you are not worth burying; but I wish to bury -that Injun, there, and being lazy, as I told you, I want -you to dig his grave.”</p> - -<p>The outlaw seemed to feel relieved in knowing that -he was not the one to occupy the grave, and he at once -set to work, and with his knife began to throw out the -earth quite rapidly.</p> - -<p>Buffalo Bill sat near, coolly watching him, and keeping -him covered with his revolver, and noticing the -rapid work of the outlaw, he said:</p> - -<p>“I guess you were sexton for some graveyard, Ginger -Sam, before you took to thieving?”</p> - -<p>“Thet are jist what I were, Bill Cody,” replied the -man, stopping in his work.</p> - -<p>“And you took to robbing by night the people you -buried by day, and got caught at it, I guess, so had to -dig for the West?”</p> - -<p>“Waal, you hits things pretty squar’, Bill Cody, fer -they did plant a leddy in my yard one day, thet were -durned fool enough ter leave it in her will thet she -were ter be buried in her di’mints an’ t’other jew’lry.</p> - -<p>“I know’d ther kin folks w’u’d dig her up some -night, ef I didn’t, so I did, an’ them as was comin’<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_140"></a>[140]</span> -ter do it seen me, an’ I jist hed ter light out from them -parts.”</p> - -<p>“Well, you look the ghoul you are: but go on with -your work, for life’s too short to listen to your sins, -old man!”</p> - -<p>The ex-sexton resumed his work, with a sigh, and -soon had an opening which brought from the scout the -remark:</p> - -<p>“No Injun could wish for more than that, Ginger -Sam, and you are the boss gravedigger of the Big -Horn, whatever your other sins may be. Now wrap -that Injun in his blanket and lay him in it.”</p> - -<p>“Won’t yer scalp him?”</p> - -<p>“No. Come, delay no further, but bury that man, -for I wish to be on my way,” said Buffalo Bill.</p> - -<p>“Whar goin’?”</p> - -<p>“You’ll know all in good time.”</p> - -<p>The man muttered an oath, but obeyed orders, and -when the redskin had been buried, Buffalo Bill bound -Ginger Sam securely with one end of his lariat, and -forced the man to go on his way in the lead.</p> - -<p>After gaining a point where the trail led across a -river, Buffalo Bill said:</p> - -<p>“Cross over, Ginger!”</p> - -<p>“What do yer want ter cross fer?” was the surly -response.</p> - -<p>“I have my reasons, so wade in.”</p> - -<p>“No; I don’t keen ter git wet.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_141"></a>[141]</span></p> - -<p>“Very well, take the back trail for the grave you -dug; it will hold two,” said Bill indifferently.</p> - -<p>The outlaw shuddered, and replied quickly:</p> - -<p>“I’ll cross the river.”</p> - -<p>“Right are you, Sammy, my boy.”</p> - -<p>Into the water they went, and, once on the other -shore, where a number of trails divided, Buffalo Bill -selected the one that would lead him to the fort.</p> - -<p>“Thet trail only goes up into ther hills,” said the -outlaw nervously.</p> - -<p>“It is into the hills I wish to go.”</p> - -<p>“Ther’ ain’t nothin’ up thar yer want.”</p> - -<p>“There’s where you are off your base, Ginger, for -there is.”</p> - -<p>“What do yer want?”</p> - -<p>“I desire that you shall take the quickest trail to the -fort.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll die fust,” was the savage reply.</p> - -<p>“You had better do as I ask, for I am not one to -palaver.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll not go a step.”</p> - -<p>“Then I’ll lead you there,” was the quiet reply.</p> - -<p>The outlaw saw that Buffalo Bill was in earnest, and -his thoughts flashed like lightning through his brain.</p> - -<p>His gaze falling upon the lariat end, held loosely in -the hand of Buffalo Bill, his eyes suddenly gleamed -with inborn resolve, and he said resignedly:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_142"></a>[142]</span></p> - -<p>“Waal, pard, as I don’t know thet I kin kick agin’ -yer, I’ll do as you say.”</p> - -<p>“Right, Sammy! Now, move on!”</p> - -<p>The outlaw obeyed, taking the trail once more with -nimble step.</p> - -<p>As it wound along the edge of a ravine, through the -bed of which dashed a stream, the outlaw suddenly -sprang over the precipice into the depths below.</p> - -<p>Buffalo Bill caught hard at the end of the lariat, as -it tightened, but could not hold on, and the end slipped -through his hand, and a plunge following told him that -his captive had fallen into the waters below.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_143"></a>[143]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIX">CHAPTER XIX.<br /> -<span class="fs70">A DOUBLE ESCAPE.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>Hardly had the splash of the descending form -reached Cody’s ears, when he was on foot and peering -over the precipice. He saw that the water was swift-running -and deep, and that the stream wound out of -sight a few rods below by turning a rocky point. Instantly -he decided upon his course, and cast aside his -arms and outer clothing. At once he took the leap.</p> - -<p>It was thirty feet down to the water, but he struck -feet foremost, and without injury.</p> - -<p>In the meantime, a perfect swimmer, Ginger Sam -knew just what was before him, although his arms -were bound behind his back.</p> - -<p>Keeping under water until he had rounded the point, -which the current and his own efforts soon enabled him -to do, he then rose to the surface and began to make -for the shore.</p> - -<p>It was hard work, with only his feet to aid his efforts, -and, retarded as he was by his clothing and the -lariat, but he made it at last, and under the shelter of -the overhanging hill had just sat down to rest, smiling -grimly at his escape, when round the point shot Buffalo -Bill, swimming with tremendous strokes.</p> - -<p>The hunted man uttered a cry of alarm, and, springing -to his feet, darted away at great speed.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_144"></a>[144]</span></p> - -<p>But the scout had always been noted for his fleetness -on foot, and he bounded along at a pace that overhauled -the outlaw, who was hampered, too, by his -bound arms and the dragging lariat.</p> - -<p>Seeing that Buffalo Bill was gaining upon him, he -finally came to a halt, and sang out lustily:</p> - -<p>“Don’t shoot me!”</p> - -<p>“I have nothing to shoot you with, but I’ve a notion -to drown you,” answered Bill Cody, as he laid no light -hand upon the other’s shoulder.</p> - -<p>“Don’t do it, Bill, for ’twan’t no fault o’ mine. Yer -see, my foot slipped when I turned round ter speak -ter you, an’ when I found myself free, I concluded I’d -try an’ stay so.”</p> - -<p>“As a scientific liar, Sam, you are ’way up; but, -come, no funny business, but go!”</p> - -<p>There was nothing for the outlaw to do but to obey, -and he did that promptly, taking a route that soon -brought them to where the faithful horse was standing -guard most patiently in the spot where his master had -left him.</p> - -<p>“Now, I am due at the fort, for I have important -work on hand and do not wish to be delayed, so I will -tie you to a tree here until my return, or I’ll take you -to your cabin, for I am sure you have a camp near. -Which shall it be?”</p> - -<p>“I’d be eaten up by b’ar an’ sich ef yer tied me to -a tree.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_145"></a>[145]</span></p> - -<p>“So I fear, and that would keep you from being -hanged, so where is your cabin?”</p> - -<p>“I got a den.”</p> - -<p>“Then lead to it, and quick.”</p> - -<p>The man saw that the scout was in earnest, so said:</p> - -<p>“We has got ter climb and leave yer boss here, so -untie my han’s, fer we goes up thet cliff.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll do it, and if you attempt to run, look out for a -shot.”</p> - -<p>“I’m inter it now, so I won’t kick.”</p> - -<p>Buffalo Bill then untied the man’s hands, told him -to stand on the cliff until he hitched his horse, and, as -he turned to do so, quick as a flash the man made the -leap again.</p> - -<p>Buffalo Bill sprang to the cliff, but did not follow -him.</p> - -<p>“I have not the time to lose, and I won’t shoot him -when he comes into view,” he muttered.</p> - -<p>Soon the man appeared, smiling boldly, and apparently -believing Buffalo Bill was in pursuit.</p> - -<p>But with his arms free, he felt the chances were that -he could get away, as the scout was not armed.</p> - -<p>“I’ll not shoot you this time, though I could do so—we’ll -meet again,” shouted the scout.</p> - -<p>But the outlaw had at once dove deep, when he saw -the scout on the cliff, rifle in hand.</p> - -<p>Then Buffalo Bill mounted his horse, after hiding -Ginger Sam’s weapons, and rode rapidly away, for<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_146"></a>[146]</span> -already had he lost too much time. He pushed his -horse hard, as he felt he could do so, with the animal -to get rest at the fort, and, making but short halts, -he kept on through the night, to strike at dawn the -camp of Captain Keyes, who had taken up the trail -for the fort, going by easy marches with his wounded -soldiers and Indians.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_147"></a>[147]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XX">CHAPTER XX.<br /> -<span class="fs70">BLACK SCOUTS ON THE TRAIL.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>After a hearty breakfast, Buffalo Bill confided to -Captain Keyes his experience, for he wished to keep -the story of finding the negro, Black Bill, a secret from -all save the commanding officer.</p> - -<p>“Now, captain, I wish to pick my men and go at once -on the trail, for, from what that negro tells me, I fear -those people are in a bad way.</p> - -<p>“I know they have no right in the Big Horn country, -but they are there, in great danger, and there are -women and children to be rescued.</p> - -<p>“Now, I have every confidence in Sergeant Mobile -Buck, and I wish a corporal who is an equally good -man for the work ahead.</p> - -<p>“Then I feel I can trust the men with Buck in his -corral, and I wish twenty-six all told, so, if you will -pick out the balance to make up the number, I know I -will have just the band I can rely on.</p> - -<p>“Then, too, sir, I wish to take all the tools you may -have along, every lariat, stake line, and rope in the -outfit, plenty of provisions on pack animals, and the -cannon powder, as I may need it for blasting, from -what Black Bill tells me.</p> - -<p>“Now, Captain Keyes, if you will fit me out at once -with the men and things I need, it will be a great favor,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_148"></a>[148]</span> -and we’ll be on the return trail within a couple of -hours.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll do it, Cody, for what you tell me about these -people interests me greatly.</p> - -<p>“I know just the men to send with you, and all we -have in the outfit which you can use is at your disposal,” -said Captain Keyes.</p> - -<p>Sergeant Buck was at once called, and Buffalo Bill -told him he wished him, a corporal, and twenty-four -men to take the trail with him, Captain Keyes adding:</p> - -<p>“Yes, and we are to pick the men, sergeant, for -Chief Cody will only take colored soldiers, and they are -to be his scouts.”</p> - -<p>“I’m mighty glad, sir, and I know we can get good -men, sir,” was the answer.</p> - -<p>A corporal was first selected, and though he was the -hue of ink, he rejoiced in the nickname of Milk White, -being generally called “Corporal Milk.”</p> - -<p>With his aid, and he was a splendid soldier, strong -as a giant, and an all-round good man, the twenty-four -colored scouts were selected, the entire squad of Sergeant -Buck’s original escort being taken along, save -the wounded, for all wished to go with “Massa Buf’ler -Bill.”</p> - -<p>The scout took along extra rifles for all, carried on -the pack animals, every horse was picked for speed -and endurance, a large supply of provisions was taken,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_149"></a>[149]</span> -with every rope and lariat in the command, and a big -supply of ammunition and cannon powder.</p> - -<p>Within two hours, as Buffalo Bill had said, the band -of black scouts mounted and rode away from the command, -all wondering what the reason might be for the -strange expedition.</p> - -<p>Buffalo Bill rode at the head, the sergeant following -with fourteen men, and then came the corporal with -his ten men as a guard to the pack animals and a reserve -force.</p> - -<p>Buffalo Bill felt proud of his black scouts, and determined -to push rapidly on to the lone camp of Black -Bill, where a halt for a couple of days’ rest was to be -made, and to enable the wounded and half-starved -negro to recuperate.</p> - -<p>Buffalo Bill also intended to take this time to mount -his own pack animal, which would be fresh, and try -and strike the trail of Ginger Sam, who would not be -expecting him back from the fort for some days.</p> - -<p>He had by no means given up hope of capturing -that gallows bird.</p> - -<p>So Buffalo Bill pushed rapidly on with his scouts, -and halted only when it was near sunset, for dinner -and supper combined, and the men turned in for sleep -until after midnight.</p> - -<p>Then a start was made, and early that afternoon the -camp of Black Bill was reached.</p> - -<p>To the sergeant and corporal the scout had told of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_150"></a>[150]</span> -his coming upon the starving and wounded negro; but -to the men the surprise was very great, upon coming -across the lone camp.</p> - -<p>Black Bill greeted the chief of scouts with a shout, -saying that he was getting well fast, and he knew he -would be ready for the trail at once, if need be.</p> - -<p>“No, take a couple of days more, for I do not wish -you to move until really able to do so.”</p> - -<p>The chief of scouts did not remain long in camp, but -started, mounted on his pack animal, to go to the place -where he had left Ginger Sam and try to pick up his -trail. He was confident that the man had a cabin -somewhere near there, as he had known the cliff trail -so well, and by leaping from it into the stream he could -make a landing and escape.</p> - -<p>The scout felt sure that Ginger Sam was in that -country looking for gold, and doubtless allied with the -Indians, while again he might have another comrade -with him. He was determined to know and capture -the outlaw if he could, to kill him if he had to do so.</p> - -<p>He reached the place where the man had landed from -the stream, and, to one of his great scouting skill, he -readily trailed the tracks of the large and heavy boots, -soaked as they had been with water.</p> - -<p>It soon became a hard trail to follow, but after a -mile it led into a cañon, and there the scout beheld a -small, rude cabin.</p> - -<p>The door was closed, and the scout slipped up cautiously,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_151"></a>[151]</span> -to find it tied on the outside. It was empty, -but it was evident that Ginger Sam had been there, for -he had changed his wet boots for others.</p> - -<p>The ashes in the fireplace were cold, and Buffalo -Bill seemed to grasp the situation, for he said:</p> - -<p>“He came here and left without weapons; he has -gone, and where but to the Indian village to get more.</p> - -<p>“That will take him a week or longer, so I will visit -him upon our return, for he doubtless has a gold find -near here, so that keeps him alone in these wilds, for -alone he certainly is.</p> - -<p>“He may have struck it rich, and so will I when I -find him, as there are old scores to settle with that -man.”</p> - -<p>Then, fastening the door as he found it and returning -to where he had left his horse, for he had followed -the trail on foot, Buffalo Bill started for the camp of -his black scouts.</p> - -<p>The negro courier from the penned-up settlers of the -valley had made himself solid with one and all of the -black scouts, who did all they could to hasten the recovery -of his strength. He had recuperated wonderfully, -and was so anxious to start upon the trail of -rescue that Buffalo Bill decided to make a start the -next afternoon and travel by half-day trails until Black -Bill was able to stand what the others could.</p> - -<p>So the next day the chief and his scouts started upon -the trail of rescue.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_152"></a>[152]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXI">CHAPTER XXI.<br /> -<span class="fs70">TO THE RESCUE.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>Feeling that he was on a trail of rescue, Black Bill -rallied so fast that he began to scout on ahead, and one -day as Buffalo Bill came near to where the negro lay -full length upon the ground, he had reached the summit -of a range and was gazing over at something he had -discovered on the other side.</p> - -<p>Creeping up to the side of the negro, Buffalo Bill -peered over cautiously, and he, too, lay low, and motioned -to the coming scouts to come quietly and see the -discovery that Black Bill had made.</p> - -<p>“Massa Bill, jist look a-yonder, sah, and see what I -found,” said the negro.</p> - -<p>“You can have them, Black Bill, for I don’t want -them,” answered Buffalo Bill, as he looked in the direction -the negro pointed.</p> - -<p>The discovery was an Indian village. There it was -in the valley, a hundred tepees, at least, and with a -large herd of ponies feeding near. It did not look -like a permanent village, and the experienced eye of -Buffalo Bill now told him that it was not. It was an -Indian village upon the march, and apparently halting -there in the valley for rest and game for a few -days.</p> - -<p>One by one, the black scouts came up and dropped<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_153"></a>[153]</span> -down at full length by the side of their chief to peer -over the range.</p> - -<p>They had expected some important discovery, but -they saw more than they cared to see.</p> - -<p>Not a word was spoken other than a low ejaculation -of surprise or a whistle at the startling discovery.</p> - -<p>Every eye was upon Cody, every ear waiting to -catch his words. But he had taken his field glass from -its case and was already surveying the river, the valley, -the Indian village through it. What he was thinking -his face did not reveal.</p> - -<p>“Ain’t yer goin’ ter skeer ’em, Massa Buf’ler Bill?” -asked the guide.</p> - -<p>“You mean by playing ghosts, Bill?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, sah.”</p> - -<p>“There’s safety in numbers, and I don’t think they -would scare so much as we would wish them to.”</p> - -<p>“Jist try it, sah.”</p> - -<p>“We will try it when a plan I have fails, when we -have to do so.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, sah.”</p> - -<p>“Night is not very far off, none of the Indians will -be coming up here at this hour, and we can follow -down the range until we get opposite to where their -ponies are.</p> - -<p>“From there we can see where the guards are, and -how many if, indeed, they have any watching their -ponies.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_154"></a>[154]</span></p> - -<p>“Then as soon as it is dark we can go down into -the valley, mount some of the best ponies and stampede -the whole herd.”</p> - -<p>The scouts all gave a chuckle of delight.</p> - -<p>“We can dash away with them, and keep pushing -them along.</p> - -<p>“Of course, as you know, some of the braves will -have ponies near their tepees, and will follow, but -they won’t see us, and, if there are many of them, we -can push on ahead of the herd, if the pace becomes too -hot.</p> - -<p>“In this way we can get by these redskins without -being seen.</p> - -<p>“The Indians will not know what stampeded their -ponies, and we will leave them to find out the best way -they can.”</p> - -<p>This plan of Buffalo Bill met with the approval of -each man, though Black Bill seemed to regret not being -able to get a chance to “skeer dem red Injuns silly,” as -he expressed it.</p> - -<p>Down the range, out of sight of the Indian camp, -went the scouts, until Buffalo Bill halted at a spot just -above where the herd of ponies were feeding.</p> - -<p>Finding a hiding place, the chief swept the valley -with his glass, and soon discovered that there were -only a couple of youths in charge of the herd, and they -were seated upon their ponies in the shadow of the -trees along the river bank.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_155"></a>[155]</span></p> - -<p>“There are boys in charge, pards, but soon after -night braves will come to relieve them, we may be -sure, so we will be ready to move the moment the -shadows deepen in the valley.</p> - -<p>“Three of you go to the farther end of the herd and -mount, and we will go to the end near the village, so -when you start they’ll follow under our driving.</p> - -<p>“You take the lead, corporal, and keep the ponies -going at full speed when they get started.”</p> - -<p>The men understood the plan, and in half an hour it -was dark.</p> - -<p>Of course, supper was not to be thought of then, -and, while Corporal Milk led the way to the lower end -of the herd, Buffalo Bill and those with him rounded up -the ponies feeding nearest to the Indian village.</p> - -<p>Good ponies were caught without trouble, the scouts -mounted, and, with their lariats for bridles, began to -urge the herd forward.</p> - -<p>The men lay low on the backs of the ponies, so as -not to be seen, and, as the corporal and those with him -dashed off on the leaders, the other scouts pushing the -herd upon them, the two startled Indian boys could -just get out of the way as the stampeded animals went -flying down the valley.</p> - -<p>What stampeded them those two boys could not tell, -but their shrill cries gave the alarm, as well as did the -thunder of hundreds of hoofs.</p> - -<p>There were braves in the village who had ponies<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_156"></a>[156]</span> -near their tepees, and as soon as they could they dashed -off in pursuit.</p> - -<p>But the stampeded ponies had over a mile the start -before the warriors could get away, and that meant a -long, hard chase unless the ponies stopped of their -own free will.</p> - -<p>There were not over a score of braves who had -ponies near by, and, as they came upon the two boys, -the latter had a strange story to tell, of the whole herd -raising their heads as one animal, uttering wild snorts, -and going off as though possessed of evil spirits.</p> - -<p>On down the valley swept the herd, and, as mile -after mile was gone over, the slow ponies and used-up -ones began to lag behind.</p> - -<p>But Corporal Milk and his men led the way, and -Buffalo Bill and those with him kept the pace a hot one, -forcing the ponies that could run and endure the strain -close on the heels of the leaders.</p> - -<p>Behind them they knew the warriors were coming -with all the speed they could to try and head off the -herd.</p> - -<p>But a stern chase is a long one always, especially -when the leaders have a start of over a mile, and several -hours thus passed before at last the shadowy outlines -of the pursuers could be seen.</p> - -<p>“We must push to the lead now, pards, at all hazards.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_157"></a>[157]</span></p> - -<p>“We have to desert our ponies, and, fortunately, we -have the timber along the river to hide us,” said Buffalo -Bill.</p> - -<p>The ponies they rode then were pushed the harder, -and they began to pass animal after animal. The center -of the herd was reached, then they forged nearer -and nearer to the front, the ponies they passed halting -as they went by them, and thus checking the more -rapid pursuit of the braves in chase.</p> - -<p>At last Buffalo Bill saw Corporal Milk’s tall form -ahead, and the next moment the scouts were all -bunched together.</p> - -<p>“Off to the right, here. All lie low on your own -horses now, and no one speak aloud, for there are a -score of braves pursuing,” said Buffalo Bill.</p> - -<p>The word was passed in a low tone from one to the -other, the scouts wheeled to the right, the shadow of -the timber along the river was reached, and each man -slipped from the back of the animal he rode, pulled off -the lariat bridle from his pony, and bounded into the -shelter of the trees.</p> - -<p>Lashed with the lariats to urge them on, the group -of ponies just deserted, though fagged out, ran on -down the valley, and suddenly in chase swept half a -dozen braves.</p> - -<p>“They had gained well on us, but they’ll soon head -those ponies off and return up the valley,” said Buffalo -Bill.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_158"></a>[158]</span></p> - -<p>“It was a successful stampede,” remarked the corporal.</p> - -<p>“Yes; now to push along for a few miles, as soon as -those braves go back.”</p> - -<p>This the braves were not long in doing, going back -at a canter and driving the ponies so recently deserted -by riders before them, yet with no thought of the reason -of the wild stampede.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_159"></a>[159]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXII">CHAPTER XXII.<br /> -<span class="fs70">BLACK BILL’S LONE HAND.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>After going a couple of miles the black scouts returned -to Sergeant Buck and his men, and they all -pushed on once more, flanking the Indian village.</p> - -<p>They came to a small stream running down from the -mountains, and this the chief followed up until it -was seen to come out of a cañon.</p> - -<p>Here was a good camping place, so a fire was built -in a crevice of the rocks, supper was gotten, and the -scouts turned in for the night, well tired out after their -hard day’s work.</p> - -<p>Up with the light, they were determined to press on -before having breakfast, and fortunate for them it was, -as they had not gone half a mile, and were just nearing -the mouth of the cañon they had camped in, when -Buffalo Bill, who was well in the advance, was seen to -come to a sudden stop.</p> - -<p>The scouts halted, also. They saw their chief step -cautiously back into a thicket, then move to the right -and there stand gazing at what had attracted his attention -and halted him so suddenly.</p> - -<p>After a moment he motioned them to approach.</p> - -<p>They did so, and, gaining a point of observation, -beheld, not a quarter of a mile distant, a band of half -a hundred Indians just going into camp. They had<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_160"></a>[160]</span> -picketed their ponies, and were gathering wood with -the intention of having breakfast there.</p> - -<p>“Those fellows are on a rapid march, and evidently -belong to the village up the river, and are going home.</p> - -<p>“I judge they have come from across the Big Horn, -and have struck the trail of their village and now have -halted for rest and food.</p> - -<p>“Pards, we cannot get out of this cañon until they -have passed on, for we can’t scale those cliffs, not being -birds, and you know this stream tumbles over a precipice -at the head of this trap.</p> - -<p>“Corporal, you remain here with me, and we’ll see -what we can discover more about that band, while the -rest of you return up the cañon and take it easy.”</p> - -<p>Buffalo Bill and Corporal Milk then remained in hiding, -watching the redskins, while the remainder of the -band returned up the cañon, which at its entrance was -a quarter of a mile in width, but narrowed to a few feet -at its end, and there the creek tumbled over a cliff into -a waterfall.</p> - -<p>The Indians, the scouts saw, were some threescore -in number, and their ponies stood with heads lowered -as though they had been very hard ridden.</p> - -<p>Several fires had been built, and the smell of broiling -venison floated up the cañon, while the redskins -could be seen gathered about the fire, eating heartily.</p> - -<p>There was a thicket near that hid half of their camp<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_161"></a>[161]</span>ing -place, but Buffalo Bill quickly ran his field glass -over the band, and at last said:</p> - -<p>“Those redskins have been up to some deviltry, I am -certain.</p> - -<p>“They have no plunder or scalps, but they have -not been on a hunt, or they would have their game with -them.</p> - -<p>“Then, too, there is so much game in this country -they would not have to go after it.”</p> - -<p>“They’ve been on a war trail near some of the forts, -sir, and look as though they had been worsted in a -fight,” said the corporal.</p> - -<p>“Yes, that is about it. Doubtless they have been in -the neighborhood of Fetterman, as they came up the -right bank of the Big Horn.”</p> - -<p>“Do you observe any wounded among them, sir?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, now I am looking for wounded I see a number -who appear to have been used rather severely in a -fight. I see that they appear in no hurry now, having -crossed the Big Horn and struck the trail of their village; -but their arrival there will cause wailing instead -of rejoicing—— Holy smoke! Look there!”</p> - -<p>Buffalo Bill pointed toward the other side of the -cañon, where, quietly walking out upon the plain, was -no less a personage than the giant negro, Black Bill. -He had come out of the cañon, and was walking deliberately -down toward the Indian camp, the latter not -yet having discovered him.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_162"></a>[162]</span></p> - -<p>“Blast that darky! He will ruin us!” cried Corporal -Milk, as he looked toward the spot where Buffalo Bill -had pointed and discovered Black Bill going deliberately -toward the Indian camp.</p> - -<p>“He will be killed if we don’t save him. Run, corporal, -and call the boys!” cried Buffalo Bill.</p> - -<p>He was about to obey, when the sergeant came running -up, and not far behind him were the other scouts.</p> - -<p>“Do you see that nigger, chief?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“He’s mad, or a traitor. He was there with us up -the cañon, and said he could scare the reds to death. -Then he got up and walked away, and soon after we -discovered that he had gone toward the other side of -the cañon. We followed, and you see what he has -done!”</p> - -<p>“Yes; perhaps he has got us into a hole from which -there is no escape. Stand ready, men, to see what the -outcome will be.”</p> - -<p>The men were all ready for a fight or a race, as it -might turn out for them.</p> - -<p>Every eye was upon the negro, who was now too far -off to recall. He was walking calmly along, straight -toward the Indian camp, and they, strange to say, had -not yet discovered him.</p> - -<p>They were still broiling venison steak on the end of -sticks and eating it in a way that showed their hunger -by no means satiated.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_163"></a>[163]</span></p> - -<p>Feeling secure where they were, confident that they -would not be pursued that far into their country, and -not knowing that their village could not be over half a -day’s journey ahead of them, they were taking matters -coolly, to recover from the strain they had evidently -been under for some time.</p> - -<p>Still the giant negro guide walked on, while the -scouts could only stand ready for action, watch him, -and wait for the finale. He appeared not in the least -disturbed as he moved toward the Indian camp.</p> - -<p>But suddenly there was heard a wild, almost unearthly -cry.</p> - -<p>It was of terror and ferocity commingled, and it -was echoed by half a hundred throats, while it brought -every brave to his feet.</p> - -<p>There was one glance of wild eyes toward the negro, -gigantic in form, black as ink, and gliding rather than -seeming to walk toward them, and with yells of fright -they sprang for their ponies.</p> - -<p>There was not a moment of hesitation, and their -cries told the story of their stampede and terror, for -loud was heard in their own tongue:</p> - -<p>“The black spirit! The evil spirit of the Big Horn!”</p> - -<p>Leaping upon their ponies, here and there two braves -upon the back of one horse, leaving their camp outfits, -saddles and all, they started off as fast as they could -mount.</p> - -<p>They could be seen lashing their ponies furiously,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_164"></a>[164]</span> -and looking back in terror, and were all soon spread -out as they sped up the valley.</p> - -<p>Then Black Bill was seen by the amazed and watching -scouts to start in a run after them.</p> - -<p>This added to their flight and terror, and the blows -falling upon the worn-out ponies could be distinctly -heard by the wondering scouts.</p> - -<p>The scouts could hardly restrain from a cheer, but -Buffalo Bill said:</p> - -<p>“Remember, boys, we are scouts of silence on this -trail.”</p> - -<p>Not an Indian was now visible, the last one having -turned a bend in the valley that shut them out of sight.</p> - -<p>The negro, however, still kept on after them.</p> - -<p>Then he, too, turned the bend and disappeared.</p> - -<p>Still Buffalo Bill gave no order to move.</p> - -<p>For some time they waited, but Black Bill did not -reappear.</p> - -<p>The Indian camp remained as they had left it.</p> - -<p>If there was a badly wounded redskin there he was -not visible.</p> - -<p>The fires still burned, and several Indian ponies were -grazing near, but no human being could be seen.</p> - -<p>At last an exclamation came from several of the -scouts together.</p> - -<p>The guide was returning down the valley, but was -yet a mile away.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_165"></a>[165]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXIII">CHAPTER XXIII.<br /> -<span class="fs70">BLACK BILL’S PRISONER.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>As Black Bill came on down the valley, the scouts -wished to go out to meet him, to greet him with a -cheer.</p> - -<p>But this Buffalo Bill would not allow.</p> - -<p>“We do not yet know who may have been left in the -camp, pards.”</p> - -<p>Upon second thought, this was considered the wisest -plan, and they kept in their place of concealment and -waited.</p> - -<p>Down the valley in silence walked the guide, and at -last reached the camp. He disappeared behind the -little thicket of pines, then reappeared, and, walking to -a grazing pony, slung his lariat.</p> - -<p>The animal was cleanly caught and led back to the -thicket.</p> - -<p>Then some minutes passed away, and once more the -negro reappeared. He was leading the pony, and upon -the animal, supported by several saddles and blankets -and tied there with lariats, was an Indian brave.</p> - -<p>That he was badly wounded the scouts could see -at that distance. The head of the pony was checked -up, so that he could not feed, and then he was led to -the trail and started up the valley on the trail of the -Indian village and the braves who had stampeded.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_166"></a>[166]</span></p> - -<p>Until the pony disappeared from sight around the -bend the giant negro stood watching him. Then he -turned back to the deserted camp and disappeared in -the thicket.</p> - -<p>Still Buffalo Bill did not allow the scouts to show -themselves.</p> - -<p>After another long wait, the negro reappeared, and, -looking toward the cañon, he beckoned several times. -“Now, pards, we’ll go.”</p> - -<p>With this, Buffalo Bill led the way, and they walked -rapidly toward the Indian camp, Black Bill having -returned to the thicket.</p> - -<p>When Buffalo Bill and his men reached the camp, -they beheld a strange scene.</p> - -<p>The redskins had deserted everything. But that -was not all, for they had left the badly wounded Indian -Black Bill had sent off, and two dead comrades, -the latter having evidently just died of their wounds. -And they had left still more, for, lying in the pine -thicket was a prisoner.</p> - -<p>It was a white man. He was securely bound, painfully -so, and, as the scouts rode up, they saw Black -Bill kneeling by his side and unfastening the thongs -that were about his hands and feet, which were much -swollen.</p> - -<p>A glad cry broke from the lips of Buffalo Bill as he -advanced toward the prisoner.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_167"></a>[167]</span></p> - -<p>It was Don Miller, a gold hunter the scout knew -well.</p> - -<p>“Ah, Miller, I am glad indeed to see you, and I have -found it hard to believe you dead,” said the chief, “as -I heard you were.”</p> - -<p>“Only half dead, Cody; but you have saved me.”</p> - -<p>“And glad we are to do so.”</p> - -<p>“All the rest were killed—I am the last of my band -of hunters.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, and the man I would have risked much to -save, for I have not forgotten what I owe you, Miller. -Scouts, this is my friend, a gold-boomer captain, Don -Miller.”</p> - -<p>The men pressed about him and grasped his swollen -hands, which Black Bill had released.</p> - -<p>Turning to the negro guide, Buffalo Bill said:</p> - -<p>“Well, Bill, you have kept your word and frightened -the redskins into fits, so I know now surely that -there is virtue in what you have asserted about black -spirits being a terror to the Indians of this Big Horn -country.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, sah, dey runs like de debbil when dey sees -a nigger. I done tell dis gemman here so. But, -Massa Bill, we must git out of here right quick, for -dem Injuns will come right back after dere prisoner in -a short time.”</p> - -<p>This was decided upon at once, and preparations to -start were begun.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_168"></a>[168]</span></p> - -<p>“Yer see, sah, we must not disturb de camp ’ceptin’ -de gemman and de gold, and as I hab sent off dat -wounded Injun he’ll tell ’em about me.</p> - -<p>“I didn’t open my mouth to him, was still as death, -but jist took him up, put him on a pony, and tied -him on all right. Then I started him off. He think -I am de black evil speeret of de Big Horn, and when -dey come back dey’ll find I has let de prisoner go, and -what I hab done wid de gold dey won’t care.”</p> - -<p>“Black Bill, you have got a very level head. It is -just what we will do. Come, boys! We must carry -Mr. Miller and the gold, too.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll divide the gold, pards, for saving me as you -did,” said Don Miller.</p> - -<p>“If you can find a man in my band who would touch -a dollar’s worth of it for a service to you I wouldn’t -have him with me five minutes after I knew it,” said -Buffalo Bill, somewhat hotly, and the men joined heartily -in their chief’s opinion.</p> - -<p>A quarter of an hour after their arrival in camp -the scouts started off, with Buffalo Bill in the lead.</p> - -<p>The Indian camp was left just as it was found, with -the exception of the gold and the rescued prisoner.</p> - -<p>The gold boomer’s horse and the ponies were left -grazing near the dead redskins, where they had been -placed by their comrades, and there was nothing to -reveal that other than the supposed “evil spirit,” a -black ghost, had been there.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_169"></a>[169]</span></p> - -<p>The superstitious dread of the Indians all knew -would allow them to believe that the evil spirit had -been angry with them for taking the paleface.</p> - -<p>The scouts turned toward the base of the mountains -and went along the range.</p> - -<p>Mile after mile they held on until a stream was come -to, flowing out of a cañon, a march of fully a dozen -miles had been made, and in a secure spot Buffalo Bill -encamped his men.</p> - -<p>Then the swollen limbs of the rescued prisoner were -bathed, arnica put on them, and a good meal cooked -for all to enjoy, for Buffalo Bill saw that a bend in the -range would completely hide the smoke from the Indians -up the valley.</p> - -<p>It was a good place, too, where the gold could be -hidden, for Don Miller proudly said there was not a -man in the party but whom he would trust with the -secret.</p> - -<p>If the people of the valley were found, the retreat -would be up the Big Horn to that point, at least, -whether they were making for Fort Aspen or Fort -Fetterman, and the gold could be taken up and carried -along or a special expedition made for it.</p> - -<p>So the gold, in bright, glittering particles, from the -size of a pinhead to an acorn, and nuggets as large as -a hen’s egg, were packed more closely and hidden in a -crevice in the cliff overhanging the cañon.</p> - -<p>The march was not resumed that day, for Buffalo<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_170"></a>[170]</span> -Bill wished to see whether the Indians did follow, and, -if so, that was a splendid place for a stand, if as “black -spirits” the scouts could not frighten them off, and had -consequently a fight on their hands.</p> - -<p>The next morning, as not an Indian had been seen, -the party took up the march.</p> - -<p>Don Miller expressed himself as feeling much better, -and said that he would be all right soon.</p> - -<p>On his account it was slow traveling, but Buffalo -Bill felt that he owed his life to the gold-boomer captain, -and could not do too much for him, and the men -had the same feeling toward him for what he had done -for their chief.</p> - -<p>Thus another day passed, and Buffalo Bill knew that -they had got well up toward the Big Horn Mountains, -and if the people of the valley lived they could not be -so very far from where the camp then was.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_171"></a>[171]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXIV">CHAPTER XXIV.<br /> -<span class="fs70">THE LOST VALLEY.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>Still another day and another went by, and each -night brought the scouts farther and farther into a -most beautiful country, yet one that thus far had been -most fatal to all palefaces venturing there, lured to risk -life and untold hardships and suffering in search of -the yellow dross that buys men so readily, body and -soul.</p> - -<p>Buffalo Bill once owed his life to Don Miller when -he was a scout, and liked the man; but he had given -up scouting, and had gone to lawless gold hunting in -the Big Horn, and the report had come that his whole -party had been massacred; but Cody was only glad that -his friend had escaped.</p> - -<p>Noon the next day brought them to a perfect garden -spot in the Big Horn Mountains. The springs were -as clear as crystal and as cold as ice, the trees grand, -and the little valleys most inviting for a camp.</p> - -<p>Black Bill boldly asserted that the Indians would -never come there, that they believed these mountains -the abode of the evil spirits.</p> - -<p>Buffalo Bill knew, in spite of Miller’s protestations -and nerve, that Don was not yet well, but good food, -rest, and bathing in these springs would help him; so -he decided to go regularly into camp there.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_172"></a>[172]</span></p> - -<p>They need have no dread of Indians there, and they -had left no trail to be followed easily.</p> - -<p>They would halt there, for the men needed the rest, -and he and Black Bill would take short searches to -try and find the Lost Valley and its mysterious people.</p> - -<p>Several times in the last day the giant negro had -halted and regarded his surroundings in a fixed way. -He seemed to be trying to recall some feature in the -landscape as though he had seen it before.</p> - -<p>It had been two months and more since he was there -before, if he had passed that way in his wanderings, -and then the trees were bright green, in midsummer.</p> - -<p>Now they were changing to autumn tints, and, as -is well known, this changed the whole aspect of the -country.</p> - -<p>The springs the negro had not seen, though there -were people from the Lost Valley who had been there.</p> - -<p>“Black Bill has been near here before, I feel certain, -Sergeant Buck, and our plan is to scout about the -mountains until we strike some locality familiar to -him.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, chief, that is just it, sir.”</p> - -<p>“We can all have a rest, and Miller is really not well -yet.”</p> - -<p>“No, sir, and it is not any wonder, when you think -them red devils had his hands tied behind him during -all their retreat, and his legs so tightly bound that the -flesh was cut into.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_173"></a>[173]</span></p> - -<p>“Yes; but he will rally quickly here and soon will -be well.</p> - -<p>“He is a brave and noble-hearted man, if he did -break the law by invading this country as a gold -boomer.”</p> - -<p>“He is all you say of him, chief, and the boys are -very much attached to him, sir.</p> - -<p>“Then, too, sir, he’s another strong arm and brave -heart, if we get into trouble, which I now believe we -will not, as Black Bill seems to be a terror the redskins -won’t face,” said Sergeant Buck.</p> - -<p>“But will you pick the camp?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>The spot selected was all that could be wished.</p> - -<p>Wikiups were built as a shelter, for the cold nights -were coming on, and the men made themselves most -comfortable right near a large spring.</p> - -<p>Leaves furnished good mattresses to spread blankets -upon, the provisions were plentiful, and very little use -had been made of the ammunition, save to kill game.</p> - -<p>As there was no game near the spring, it was decided -to send several scouts on a hunt the next day to -get deer, and in the streams the fish were plentiful.</p> - -<p>The scouts had realized the virtue of being blacked -up in that country, and Don Miller had transferred -himself also, in appearance at least, to a negro.</p> - -<p>Without a guard, the scouts lay down to sleep, and -nothing disturbed their slumbers.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_174"></a>[174]</span></p> - -<p>The next morning Corporal Milk took a party hunting -up the valley with him, and Buffalo Bill and Black -Bill began their real search for the Lost Valley.</p> - -<p>The hunters were gone all day, and when they returned -to the camp at sunset they carried very heavy -loads of game of various kinds.</p> - -<p>But the scouts who remained in the camp could give -no reply as to what had become of Buffalo Bill and the -negro.</p> - -<p>They had not put in an appearance, and it was certainly -thought that they should have done so.</p> - -<p>“Was it any one else than the chief, I would be -anxious,” said Sergeant Buck hopefully; but all could -see that he was anxious, even though it was the chief.</p> - -<p>Buffalo Bill had said that they would be back before -night. He had not returned. It had been his intention, -they knew, to go out each day with the negro, and -in a different direction, to try and come upon some -scene Black Bill would recognize.</p> - -<p>If he did not do so from that camp, they would move -to another, and in that time Don Miller would be as -well as any of them, and they would see what discovery -could be made.</p> - -<p>But here, the very first day of the search, the chief -of the scouts and the giant negro did not return. What -could it mean?</p> - -<p>Buffalo Bill was not the man to get lost anywhere. -He could find his way in the darkness right through<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_175"></a>[175]</span> -an unknown country. It was a talent with him—an instinct—and -his men never feared for him, save from -an ambush from an enemy, or treachery.</p> - -<p>There were several of the scouts who still doubted -the black guide. They could not feel the faith in him -which their chief did. In spite of the seeming honesty -of the negro, they doubted him. He was an object -of mystery to them—a man to dread.</p> - -<p>They could not believe that he had started alone to -find aid, to look up Buffalo Bill, and yet could not find -his way back to the point whence he had started. -It looked strange to them. Now he had gone off alone -with the chief of scouts, and they had not returned. -This to some looked like treachery.</p> - -<p>The scouts awaited supper for some time, and then -ate it, as the chief and the negro did not return.</p> - -<p>The meal was, however, not enjoyed by any one.</p> - -<p>Bedtime came, and yet what could be done? No -one could go out at night to look for the missing chief -and the negro.</p> - -<p>If nothing had happened, then Buffalo Bill would -find the way to the camp in a mountain storm.</p> - -<p>All knew that the scout did not go without his -blanket, a haversack of food, and was prepared to -spend the night anywhere he might be overtaken.</p> - -<p>A search of the traps of the negro showed that he -had gone also prepared for a stay, if necessary.</p> - -<p>At last the scouts decided to retire and put the best<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_176"></a>[176]</span> -face on the nonreturn of the chief by saying that they -had doubtless gone so far, made some discovery, and -to carry out their intention had decided to camp where -they were for the night, to be on the spot early in the -morning, rather than return to camp.</p> - -<p>“We will start on the hunt, pards, if they are not -here to breakfast,” said Sergeant Buck.</p> - -<p>Dawn came, but the chief and the negro had not -returned.</p> - -<p>One of those who appeared to be most anxious about -the chief was Don Miller. He wanted to go on the -search.</p> - -<p>“We will all go, and divide in twos, and if we cannot -find their trail we will go the way we think they -must have gone.</p> - -<p>“You take care of the camp, Mr. Miller, and each -one of us, as he gives up the search, will come in; only -I do not wish any man to give up until he is certain that -he cannot find the chief, and must get back here by -night.</p> - -<p>“Yes, I want every man back here in camp by night.</p> - -<p>“You will see where we are located, and no man -need get lost.</p> - -<p>“Come right back to camp if any discovery is made; -and, I tell you, boys, we must find the chief.</p> - -<p>“If he has been treacherously dealt with, as I see -some of you believe, then we know who did it, and we -must find him.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_177"></a>[177]</span></p> - -<p>“Now, pards, let us be off!” said Sergeant Buck.</p> - -<p>Such was the sergeant’s speech to his comrades, and -they all started on their search.</p> - -<p>And in the lone camp, Don Miller remained by -himself, watching them as they disappeared on different -trails, and musing to himself in a very determined -way:</p> - -<p>“Buffalo Bill must be found, dead or alive; and, if -dead, he shall be avenged!”</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_178"></a>[178]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXV">CHAPTER XXV.<br /> -<span class="fs70">UNSEEN FOES.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>When Buffalo Bill and the guide left the camp together, -the chief went down the valley leading from -the Big Horn Mountains, where the camp had been -located, hoping to pass some scene that the negro would -recall at sight.</p> - -<p>Could he do this, Buffalo Bill felt little doubt but -that they could in that way find the Lost Valley, for the -scout had perfect faith that the negro was sincere in all -that he had said, and that it was not the creation of -mind diseased.</p> - -<p>Brave as he was, good plainsman, also, it would be -readily understood by Buffalo Bill how the negro -failed to find a given locality when he had been guided -thither by some one else, and had simply left there to -endeavor to find his way to a place where he could -get word of him, the chief of scouts, who was to be -secretly urged to come to the rescue of people in distress.</p> - -<p>Why some one else—the guide of the party, for instance—had -not been sent on this mission Buffalo Bill -had been unable to find out from Black Bill.</p> - -<p>Starting out alone with Black Bill, and having arrived, -as it were, almost upon the scene to which the -negro had wished to bring him, Buffalo Bill thought<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_179"></a>[179]</span> -that, perhaps, he would tell him more than he thus -far had done, and to encourage him to do so he had -said:</p> - -<p>“Well, you think we are near the Lost Valley?”</p> - -<p>“Sure, sah; very sartin.”</p> - -<p>“What do you tell by?”</p> - -<p>“Well, sah, dere is trees, and mountains, and valleys -dat looks familiarlike, though I can’t jist place ’em; -but I is sartin I has seen ’em before.”</p> - -<p>“Did you ever go far from the valley?”</p> - -<p>“Not very, sah; but I hunted ’round, maybe ten and -a dozen miles away.”</p> - -<p>“Suppose you find some spot that you recall thoroughly, -will you go right to the valley?”</p> - -<p>“Well, Massa Bill, I’ll go as near as I kin, and then -let you decide what is ter be done.”</p> - -<p>“All right; keep your eyes open, and see if you can -find any place you remember to have seen before.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, sah; I’m a-lookin’ hard, sah.”</p> - -<p>They went on together for some miles, and the valley -they were following opened into a larger one.</p> - -<p>As they came out into the larger valley, the guide -halted suddenly, rubbed his eyes, looked about him, and -said earnestly:</p> - -<p>“Massa Buf’ler Bill, I knows whar I is.”</p> - -<p>“What do you recognize about this valley?”</p> - -<p>“If I is right, sah, you see dem cliffs ’way yonder?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_180"></a>[180]</span></p> - -<p>“Dem is over de cañon where dey used ter git gold.”</p> - -<p>The negro started off in a way that told the scout -that he was in earnest, that he had certainly got his -bearings from some familiar scene before him. He -kept up a rapid pace, Buffalo Bill keeping close by his -side.</p> - -<p>The cliffs loomed up nearer and nearer, and at last -the scout and the negro were almost under their -shadow.</p> - -<p>“You see dat break yonder in de cliffs?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“It is a cañon, sah. It runs back from where you see -de open place, and dere big springs yonder dat flow -down the cañon, and dere whar dey found de gold.”</p> - -<p>The negro went forward alone, and began to climb -up the steep rocks to the break in the cliff. Watching -him, Buffalo Bill saw him peep cautiously over, as -though he expected to see an enemy beyond.</p> - -<p>A moment he remained thus, and then came a distant -report of a rifle that echoed and reëchoed among -the cliffs, and Buffalo Bill saw the negro sink down -upon his face as though dead.</p> - -<p>Buffalo Bill was fairly startled at what he beheld. -He had not thought of danger there to himself or to -the negro. The shot had come so unexpectedly that, -for a moment, he did not know where to look for an -enemy.</p> - -<p>It appeared to have ended the life of the guide, for<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_181"></a>[181]</span> -he had fallen in a heap and lay motionless, like a dead -man.</p> - -<p>But the scout was not one to hesitate long when action -was needed, or to allow a crime to go unpunished -when he could bring the perpetrators to book.</p> - -<p>Thoughts went like lightning through his mind. He -thought of the people of Lost Valley that the negro had -risked so much to rescue. Could they have killed their -rescuer?</p> - -<p>How far was the Lost Valley from where he then -was?</p> - -<p>Of course, it must be those from the valley who had -fired on the black giant. But who they were he must -know, and where they were, as well as why that murderous -shot had been sent at a rescuer.</p> - -<p>Bounding forward while these thoughts were raging -through his brain, the scout reached a large rock -at the base of the cliff.</p> - -<p>As he did so, a man sprang in view through the -break of the cliff, and within a few feet of the form -of the negro. He was a large man, heavily bearded, -long-haired, and he held a rifle in his hand.</p> - -<p>With a wave of his hand to some one unseen, he -called out:</p> - -<p>“Come, Tom; for I told you I was right. It’s ther -giant nigger of the valley.”</p> - -<p>Buffalo Bill heard the voice answer afar off, but did<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_182"></a>[182]</span> -not catch what was said; yet he heard the reply of the -man in full view of him, for he replied to the other:</p> - -<p>“Yes, dead as ther devil. I chipped him atween ther -eyes. Come along.”</p> - -<p>The scout remained behind the bowlder. He could -afford to wait; for he knew that another enemy was -near, and would soon be in sight. The one in sight -had fired on the negro, knowing who he was, and being -anxious to kill him. He had spoken, too, of the valley; -so he must know where that was.</p> - -<p>His words told Buffalo Bill that Black Bill was -dead, and, in the very moment of his success in bringing -him to the rescue of people who, if these two were -a specimen of them, did not deserve rescue.</p> - -<p>“I think I’ve got the best of this,” muttered Buffalo -Bill, and, slinging his rifle at his back, he drew a revolver -in each hand.</p> - -<p>“Ho, Rocks, yer got him,” Buffalo Bill heard, for -he dared not look toward the speaker for fear of being -seen.</p> - -<p>“It’s ther nigger, ain’t it?” asked the man who had -fired the shot.</p> - -<p>“Sure.”</p> - -<p>“How’d he get out?”</p> - -<p>“Who knows; fer I thought he’d given up tryin’ -long ago.”</p> - -<p>“He didn’t, though, if he’s here.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_183"></a>[183]</span></p> - -<p>“No, he didn’t; but there can’t be any more of ’em -out.”</p> - -<p>“You bet ther ain’t, and they won’t be no more; so -we’ve got it our way, sure.”</p> - -<p>“We has, ef our two pards come back all right.”</p> - -<p>“They’ll git here, fer gold will fetch ’em, you bet.”</p> - -<p>“Then we’ll be rich for our nat’ral lives.”</p> - -<p>“We will; and hev something ter leave after death.</p> - -<p>“We played to win, and we got ther game; only I -don’t like this nigger gettin’ out.”</p> - -<p>“Me nuther.”</p> - -<p>“More might be gettin’ out now.”</p> - -<p>“Not ef they’re comin’ ther way he did; fer thar -ain’t many men kin do it that I’m acquainted with.”</p> - -<p>“Nor me; but I wish our two pards would git back -with the horses, for it’s after time some weeks, and -provisions is running low.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, and gold won’t buy food in this country.”</p> - -<p>“No; all we has got won’t git us a meal if we was -starving.”</p> - -<p>“That’s so; but suppose we keep a eye on ther valley, -for if we see more of ’em gittin’ out, it means death -ter us, if we don’t fust kill them.”</p> - -<p>“It does; but we’ll do ther killin’, as has just been -done in this case of ther nigger; but let’s drag him -down inter ther soft ground, go through his pockets, -and see what he’s wuth to us outside of the killin’, and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_184"></a>[184]</span> -then he kin be left for coyotes ter chaw on, fer it’s too -much like work ter plant him.”</p> - -<p>With this, the two men took hold of the negro, and -their oaths revealed to Buffalo Bill that they were dragging -him along down the steep hillside, and found it -no easy task.</p> - -<p>Nearer and nearer they came, and the scout moved -to the side of the rock nearest to which they must pass.</p> - -<p>A moment more and they came within ten feet of -him, and would have come full upon him, when suddenly -they were confronted by a tall form, and heard -the words:</p> - -<p>“Hands up, both of you!”</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_185"></a>[185]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXVI">CHAPTER XXVI.<br /> -<span class="fs70">FACE TO FACE WITH ENEMIES.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>The sudden appearance of the chief of the black -scouts before them, appearing like an apparition to the -two men, who had no thought of danger near, caused -them to cry out in mingled terror and utter surprise.</p> - -<p>The form of the negro, which they were half bearing, -half dragging along, was dropped with a suddenness -that was by no mean showing a proper respect -for the dead.</p> - -<p>The two men stood for an instant like statues, and -before them towered the tall, athletic form of Buffalo -Bill. He held a revolver in each hand, and was ten -feet from them.</p> - -<p>“Hands up, I said!”</p> - -<p>The men had not heeded the first command, perhaps -from utter helplessness, in their amazement. Now -they did heed, and quickly.</p> - -<p>Buffalo Bill stepped forward toward the one nearest -him, unbuckled his belt, thus disarming him of his -knife and revolvers, and then drew the strap of his -rifle over his head.</p> - -<p>“Now, your turn, sir!”</p> - -<p>The man did not move.</p> - -<p>“Step here, quick, or I’ll reach you with a bullet!”</p> - -<p>The scout saw that the men had discovered that they<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_186"></a>[186]</span> -were two to one, and were plotting resistance. But -the hint of reaching for him with a bullet brought the -man quickly to within the length of the scout’s arm. -He, too, was disarmed of his belt and weapons and his -rifle.</p> - -<p>“Now, I wish to tie you, and if I see the first show -of funny business, you will hand in your chips.”</p> - -<p>The men made no resistance, but they were glancing -toward each other furtively, and certainly were plotting -to escape.</p> - -<p>“Lie flat on your faces, both of you, and put your -hands behind your backs!” came the order.</p> - -<p>“I’ll tie ’em, Massa Buf’ler Bill.”</p> - -<p>The words fairly startled the scout, with all his -iron nerve. It was as though a dead man was speaking -to him.</p> - -<p>The two men uttered a yell of fright, and, for a moment, -seemed about to risk bullets in the face of superstitious -fear.</p> - -<p>Had it been nighttime, the added dread that darkness -brings to the superstitious would have sent them -away on the jump.</p> - -<p>“Why, Black Bill, I thought that you were dead, -and, thank Heaven, it is not so!” said Buffalo Bill earnestly.</p> - -<p>“No, massa; it was a close call, for dat bullet done -cut my head, and I guess will kill me yet.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_187"></a>[187]</span></p> - -<p>“I is awful dizzy in my head like, but I kin tie dese -gemmens, all right.”</p> - -<p>With this, the negro passed his hand across his head, -took his lariat from over his shoulder, and began to tie -the two men, Buffalo Bill keeping them covered with -his revolver, and aiding in binding them securely.</p> - -<p>“The one lariat will do for them both, and keep them -tied together—there, now we have them; but you cannot -stand up?”</p> - -<p>“It don’t seem as though I could, sir,” said the black, -who kept sitting on the ground.</p> - -<p>“I’ll see to your wound right off.”</p> - -<p>With this, the scout placed the weapons on the -ground, wheeled the prisoners face to face, and bound -them thus with his own lariat.</p> - -<p>“Now, Black Bill,” and he began to examine the -wound.</p> - -<p>It was in the center of the forehead; but, having -been fired upward, the bullet had glanced on the frontal -bone, cut along under the scalp for several inches, and -then made its way out, leaving a long gash, not serious, -though the shock of the blow had felled the black -and rendered him unconscious for some minutes.</p> - -<p>Bathing the wound with water from his canteen, and -binding it up with a bandage moistened with arnica, the -scout said:</p> - -<p>“You are all right now, and the dizzy feeling will -soon wear off.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_188"></a>[188]</span></p> - -<p>“It don’ hurt, sah; but it do feel like a mule hed -kicked me.”</p> - -<p>“Rest is what you want, and we’ll go to the camp of -these two men, for it cannot be far away.”</p> - -<p>The men had stood watching the every movement -of the scout, and talking in whispers to each other.</p> - -<p>“We ain’t got no camp,” said one.</p> - -<p>“See here, men, you sought to kill this negro pard -of mine, and that he escaped death is a marvel. I -heard all that you said, and I know that you have a -camp here, for you came from the camp of those who -settled in this basin.”</p> - -<p>“That’s so, Massa Bill, fer I knows ’em both, one -being named Tom Vail and t’other they calls Rocks. -Dey had two pards, and we all thought dey got kilt de -day of de ’arthquake. I knows ’em, sah; but why dey -want ter kill me I doesn’t know, fer I never did ’em -no harm, and den I thought dey was dead, and felt -sorry for ’em, but dere must be two more of ’em, sah, -so look out, Massa Bill.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, there are two more of them, though they are -not here just now, but are due. I know a little about -these fellows myself, for they gave themselves away -when they thought they had killed you. Come, lead -the way to your camp, or I’ll find a way to make you, -and which you will not like.”</p> - -<p>The scout had unwound his lariat, so that they -could walk side by side, and the two men saw that there<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_189"></a>[189]</span> -was no nonsense to be put up with on their part, so -one said:</p> - -<p>“We has a leetle camp down the valley, if yer wants -ter go there.”</p> - -<p>“Lead the way. Black Bill, I’ll help you,” and, supporting -the negro with his arm, Buffalo Bill followed -on behind the two men, as they shuffled along down -the valley, the weapons of each man being hung about -their necks so that they would have to carry them.</p> - -<p>The two prisoners walked slowly, partly because -their legs were tied so as to prevent rapid traveling, -and also because they did not wish to go. They were -livid with rage and fear, with hate and anxiety, for -they did not know what would be their fate, while they -saw their hopes dashed to earth in a second of time.</p> - -<p>Down the valley they went for a mile, perhaps, the -walk seeming to benefit the negro, and, at last, they -turned into a small cañon in which grew a grove of -pines, and at the head of which was a spring.</p> - -<p>“De cañon whar de people hunt fer gold not far -from here, Massa Bill,” said the negro, and then he -added:</p> - -<p>“I jist guesses dat’s what dese men is here for, -while t’others is in ther Lost Valley, for something had -been de matter, sartin.”</p> - -<p>The camp now came into view, a stoutly built log -cabin, with door and shutters of hewn timber, and a -shed along the front.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_190"></a>[190]</span></p> - -<p>It was near the spring, was sheltered by the overhanging -cliffs and the pines, and, winter or summer, -was a safe and comfortable retreat.</p> - -<p>“De people built de cabin, Massa Bill; put it up -fer dere provisions, which dey kept here, ter keep -from going back to de valley, sah, every night, and -dey only all went on Sundays.”</p> - -<p>“So you did find your camp, eh?” said Buffalo Bill -to the two men, and he made them fast to a tree, back -to back.</p> - -<p>Then he spread the negro’s blanket for him upon -the pine straw, and said:</p> - -<p>“Now, you lie down there, while I reconnoiter this -camp, which is a very snug affair, I see.”</p> - -<p>The two prisoners muttered oaths, the black lay -down at full length, and Buffalo Bill threw open the -door of the cabin and the shutters, which gave light -within.</p> - -<p>It was a large cabin, and there were a number of -bunks in it along the rear wall.</p> - -<p>There were shelves, too, with provisions, and a table, -cooking utensils, weapons, and picks, shovels, axes, -and hatchets.</p> - -<p>A haunch of venison hung under the shed outside, -with bacon, hams, and dried fish, showing that the -men were still well supplied with provisions.</p> - -<p>In a plot of ground back of the cabin there were<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_191"></a>[191]</span> -potatoes, cabbages, and turnips growing, and places to -store them away for the winter.</p> - -<p>“You fellows have had the best, I see, and I am -going to know about you before I am done with you,” -said Buffalo Bill.</p> - -<p>Then he added that he would cook dinner for all -hands, and draw on the cabin’s larder for his supplies.</p> - -<p>A fire was smoldering outside of the cabin, and this -was replenished, and soon a dinner of roast potatoes, -bacon, venison, hoecake, and coffee was prepared.</p> - -<p>Black Bill was asleep; but woke at the scout’s call, -saying that he felt much better, save for a headache.</p> - -<p>“It is well it is no worse. Now, see what a good -dinner we have; or, I may say, supper, for it is getting -late. I guess we’ll camp here to-night and return -to our camp to-morrow; or I will go and bring the -boys here, for you must keep quiet for a few days.”</p> - -<p>“What is you doing here in the Big Horn country, -anyhow?” said Rocks, as Buffalo Bill untied the hands -of the prisoners for them to eat their dinner.</p> - -<p>“That is just what I came here to ask you, and, as -a government officer, I have the call.”</p> - -<p>“The nigger calls you Buffalo Bill.”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“Is you him?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“I has heerd of yer,” said Rocks, watching the scout -with interest.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_192"></a>[192]</span></p> - -<p>“So has I,” Tom Vail added.</p> - -<p>“You may hear of me before I leave this country -of the Big Horn.”</p> - -<p>“Did ther nigger bring you here?”</p> - -<p>“About that.”</p> - -<p>“What for?”</p> - -<p>Buffalo Bill was willing to be questioned. He might -find out what Black Bill had so far not made known -to him. So he answered:</p> - -<p>“You know this country belongs to the Indians, and -the government wishes to protect them in it, and will -not send troops here, unless compelled to do so to punish -murdering redskins.</p> - -<p>“You men, and others like you, are aware that the -Big Horn is rich with gold finds, care nothing for the -government’s pledges to the Indians, and invade the -mountains and valleys as gold boomers.</p> - -<p>“This keeps the Indians restless, revengeful, and -hostile, causing them to kill bands of whites where -found, raid settlements away from their lands, and -thus force the military to punish them severely for -what you gold boomers have driven them to do.</p> - -<p>“You are, therefore, lawbreakers, and become murderers, -for you kill the Indians, and they in turn kill -the gold boomers and many innocent whites as well.</p> - -<p>“Now, I know that there is a settlement here, and, -though they may have done no harm to the Indians,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_193"></a>[193]</span> -they are still lawbreakers, and must leave the country.”</p> - -<p>“You’ll have a lively time getting ther people of -ther Lost Valley out of this country, Buffalo Bill.”</p> - -<p>“It may be; but they must go,” was the determined -rejoinder of the chief of scouts.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_194"></a>[194]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXVII">CHAPTER XXVII.<br /> -<span class="fs70">A DISCOVERY.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>Buffalo Bill would have liked to have returned to his -own camp that night, but he saw that Black Bill was -still somewhat dazed by the wound in his head, and -he did not just know how it would turn out.</p> - -<p>The scout had known similar wounds prove fatal -when least expected, and if the negro was left to -guard the two prisoners he might lapse into unconsciousness, -and there be a possibility of the men getting -free.</p> - -<p>Then, too, he knew what had been said by the two -men of the pards they were expecting.</p> - -<p>They were overdue and might never come; and -again, if they did happen to come that very night it -would mean sure death to Black Bill, should he be -left there alone.</p> - -<p>So the scout decided to remain, and, after the meal -was over, he secured the prisoners, left the negro in -charge, and started out on a search. He was not long -in finding a trail leading into a wild cañon, through -which flowed a stream, like a river in wet weather, but -at other times dry.</p> - -<p>Going down this, the scout saw that he had struck -the gold beds of the people of the Lost Valley.</p> - -<p>It was a case of placer mining, the wash from the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_195"></a>[195]</span> -mountains of the particles of gold, and yet the pick -and shovel had been brought into use also in the bed -of the cañon.</p> - -<p>“They have gotten considerable gold out of here, -that is certain, and these men have been steadily at -work, I see; but where are the people of the Lost -Valley, for only these two murderous scamps seem to -be anywhere about.”</p> - -<p>So musing, Buffalo Bill went on through the cañon, -came out into a large valley, and, climbing to the top -of a lofty cliff, looked about, glass in hand.</p> - -<p>It was nearly sunset; and the rays of light were cast -far down the valley, and the eyes of the scout fell -upon moving objects there.</p> - -<p>At once he turned his glass upon them.</p> - -<p>“They are horsemen!” he cried, “and they are coming -this way.”</p> - -<p>A moment after he continued:</p> - -<p>“There are two of them, but they are leading five -horses. By Jove! I believe they are the pards of these -two murderers, just returning. How lucky I did not -return to my camp!</p> - -<p>“Yes, they must be their two comrades; and, if these -men are murderers, they can be no better that are -coming.</p> - -<p>“They are all of half a dozen miles away, and it -will be an hour and a half before they can reach the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_196"></a>[196]</span> -cabin, and darkness will be in soon. I’ll go and prepare -for them.”</p> - -<p>The scout took another long look at the far-distant -horsemen, then descended from the cliff, walked rapidly -back through the gold cañon, and reached the -cabin just as dusk fell.</p> - -<p>“Men, I am sorry to have to gag you and make -you more secure, but I am determined to be upon -the safe side. Are you well enough, Bill, to help me?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes, sah.”</p> - -<p>“Then get two sticks, put a piece of blanket over -the head of each, and have it so you can tie it back of -their heads.</p> - -<p>“I will tie these men in their bunks, when they have -been gagged and they will give us no trouble or anxiety.”</p> - -<p>“It will kill us,” shouted Rocks.</p> - -<p>“Oh, no; you don’t die so easily.”</p> - -<p>The two men, bound as they were, sought to resist, -but they soon found that they were as children in -the hands of the scout, and they were placed in their -bunks, made fast there, and the gags put in their -mouths so that they could utter no sound.</p> - -<p>To test this the scout gave each one a severe pinch, -to make them cry out, but a low groan was all that -they could utter.</p> - -<p>“You see, I discovered some visitors coming, and -who I am sure are the pards of these two men coming<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_197"></a>[197]</span> -for them; so we wish no outcries of alarm, for I shall -capture them also.”</p> - -<p>The two men could hear, if they could not talk, and -they writhed and moaned at what they heard.</p> - -<p>“You, Black Bill, hide in the pines, rifle in hand, -and be ready to drop those men if they attempt to run -away.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, sah, I’ll do it.”</p> - -<p>“Hide a short distance off in the pines. Are you -ready?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, sah.”</p> - -<p>“All right. I’ll wait in the cabin to welcome them.”</p> - -<p>The negro shouldered his rifle and walked to a place -of hiding, with the scout by his side.</p> - -<p>Then Buffalo Bill returned to the cabin and closed -the door, to wait the arrival of the visitors.</p> - -<p>That the chief of scouts had made no mistake in -his surmise as to who the two horsemen were was -proven by the sound of hoofs coming up the cañon.</p> - -<p>The guide saw by the moonlight two men, with five -led horses, two carrying packs, pass by him. He heard -one say:</p> - -<p>“I’ll be sartin afore I make a break, for we don’t -know what has happened in ther three months we -has been away.”</p> - -<p>“All right; I’ll wait here,” was the answer.</p> - -<p>The first speaker then rode on alone to the cabin -and called out:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_198"></a>[198]</span></p> - -<p>“Ho, pards, kin yer give a couple of friends lodgin’ -fer ther night?”</p> - -<p>The two prisoners writhed in agony of spirit, but -Buffalo Bill, imitating the voice of Rocks, and having -learned the names of the two men, called out:</p> - -<p>“Hooray! Is that you, Jim Sims and Alex Sands?”</p> - -<p>“It are. Any one with you?”</p> - -<p>“Yes; two pards is here. Wait until I open the -door, and you bet we is glad ter see yer, fer Tom is -laid up jist now and feelin’ mighty bad.”</p> - -<p>“Hoop-la! Come on, Alex!” cried Jim Sims in a -joyful tone.</p> - -<p>“They are here, and all’s O.K., with the goose hanging -high.”</p> - -<p>The tone was exultant, and Jim Sims leaped from -his horse, stepped to the door, and was suddenly seized -by the throat with a grip of iron, hurled to the dirt -floor and heard the words:</p> - -<p>“Utter a sound of warning to your pard and you -are a dead man!”</p> - -<p>The man was silent with fright, and, in an instant, -the lariat of Buffalo Bill had been passed round and -round his arms, pinioning them to his body, while his -weapons had been removed.</p> - -<p>“Come in, Alex, and see poor Tom,” said Buffalo -Bill, and the other man, having dismounted, stepped -into the cabin, to be felled his full length by a stunning -blow dealt him by Buffalo Bill full in the face.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_199"></a>[199]</span></p> - -<p>“Ho, Black Bill!” called out the scout, and the negro -sprang into the cabin at the call, having followed the -last man closely.</p> - -<p>The latter found himself bound before he recovered -from the scout’s stunning blow full in the face, but -he gasped:</p> - -<p>“Who is yer, cuss yer?”</p> - -<p>“A government officer on the track of gold boomers, -four of whom we have just roped in, for there lie your -pards Tom and Rocks, in as bad way as you are.”</p> - -<p>“Is this one all secure?”</p> - -<p>“You bet he is, Massa Buf’ler Bill.”</p> - -<p>“Buffalo Bill! That means we hang, Jim!” cried -Alex Sands, in bitter tones.</p> - -<p>“So you are Buffalo Bill, is yer?” asked Jim Sims.</p> - -<p>“Yes; anything else I can do for you?” The scout -naturally felt elated over his successful capture without -firing a shot or having taken a life.</p> - -<p>“No, cuss yer, yer hev done too much.”</p> - -<p>“We’ll take the gags out of the fellows’ mouths -now, as we have these two secure,” and, going over to -the bunks, the two gags were removed, water was -handed the men, and the four were at liberty to talk -together, as soon as all four were secured in bunks -for the night.</p> - -<p>Then Buffalo Bill and the negro went to care for -the horses, and a good grass plot was found down the -cañon, where the animals were staked out.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_200"></a>[200]</span></p> - -<p>The two packsaddles were well filled with supplies, -and two of the other horses had bridles and saddles on -them for the use of the men who were to ride them -back to civilization when the gold boomers returned -with their riches.</p> - -<p>From the conversation of the four, Buffalo Bill soon -gleamed that the two had had a hard time of it going -through on foot, but had reached Helena at last, and, -after a long rest, had bought horses and supplies, and, -watching their chance, had started back again for the -Big Horn Basin for their pards, and cheered by the -riches they would become possessors of and going to -bring back with them to civilization.</p> - -<p>The firelight showed Buffalo Bill that the two men -had hard faces, about on a par with his first two prisoners, -and he knew that it would not do to leave them -alone, bound as they were, with Black Bill, until the -negro felt wholly himself again, and so he said:</p> - -<p>“Now, we will turn in, Black Bill, and get a good -night’s rest, and to-morrow I’ll go after the boys and -bring them over here, for this seems to be about the -end of our trail.”</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_201"></a>[201]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXVIII">CHAPTER XXVIII.<br /> -<span class="fs70">A LIVING TOMB.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>When morning dawned, the scout and the giant -black were on their feet.</p> - -<p>The latter said that he was all right, only his head -was sore and felt twice as heavy as usual.</p> - -<p>The prisoners were taken out of the bunks in the -cabin and tied to trees near the outside fire, where -breakfast was put on by the negro, while the scout -went to lead the horses to water and to change them -to a fresh grazing ground.</p> - -<p>This was accomplished by the time the guide had -breakfast done, and, as the chief came up, he found -the prisoners talking earnestly with the black, who -called out:</p> - -<p>“Massa Bill, what you think dese bad gemmens want -me to do just now?”</p> - -<p>“Kill me, I suppose, and set them free.”</p> - -<p>“Lordy, Massa Bill, you read minds same as you -does a book.”</p> - -<p>“It does not require much mind-reading to know -that they offered you big money to turn against -me.”</p> - -<p>“That’s just what they did do, sah; offer to give me -half de gold dey have got ter set ’em free and let ’em -kill you.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_202"></a>[202]</span></p> - -<p>“They didn’t know you, Black Bill. But I don’t -blame them, for killing is their trade, and they naturally -wish to go free. Come, men, and we’ll have -breakfast,” said the scout, with no show of resentment -toward his prisoners.</p> - -<p>The meal over with, Buffalo Bill decided to start at -once for the scout’s camp, leaving Black Bill to guard -the four prisoners, who were greatly cast down at their -failure to bribe the negro to allow them to go free, -and which they could only do by putting the chief out -of the way.</p> - -<p>They had, indeed, offered him half the gold that they -had, and said he could accompany them on their way.</p> - -<p>That the guide would prove false to him Buffalo Bill -did not for a moment believe, and he called him aside -and said:</p> - -<p>“Last night I would not leave you alone, with those -fellows, black pard, for I was not just sure how that -head of yours would pan out after that wound, and -feared they might best you. But now you are all right, -and I will go to our camp after the boys.</p> - -<p>“You keep your eyes upon these men, for they are -as tricky as snakes, and bound as they are, they are -four, you one, and they may find some way of getting -the best of you should you be off your guard for a -moment.”</p> - -<p>So saying, he shouldered his rifle, and started off for -the scout’s camp. He had not gone very far before he<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_203"></a>[203]</span> -saw two men approaching. At a glance he recognized -Sergeant Buck and a soldier.</p> - -<p>They saw him about the same time, and gave a shout -of joy.</p> - -<p>“We are after you, chief, for, as you did not put in -an appearance last night we got anxious about you.”</p> - -<p>“Where’s the black giant?” called out Sergeant -Buck.</p> - -<p>“Safe, but by a miracle only, for he got a wound -that was a very close call.”</p> - -<p>“Fell on the rocks, sir, I suppose?”</p> - -<p>“No, he was shot.”</p> - -<p>Then Buffalo Bill told of the discovery so far made, -and the capture of the gold boomers, and learning -that the scouts were scattered in search of him, he -said:</p> - -<p>“You return, sergeant, and bring the outfit here, for -I will have some one down the valley to meet you. If -the boys do not come in until night, come to-morrow, -and Ben will go with me now, and see if we cannot -make further discoveries.”</p> - -<p>Sergeant Buck at once set off on the return trail, and -Buffalo Bill and Ben went back down the valley.</p> - -<p>As the break in the cliff was reached Buffalo Bill -led the way up the steep hillside, and the two continued -on through the narrow pass.</p> - -<p>Buffalo Bill had an idea that he would make some<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_204"></a>[204]</span> -discovery by going through that pass that severed the -range.</p> - -<p>As they drew near the farther end, they could see -through the opening that a large valley lay far below -them, a thousand or more feet.</p> - -<p>The pass had narrowed to less than a hundred feet, -and arose in solid walls of rock far above them.</p> - -<p>When within a short distance of the end, Buffalo -Bill halted suddenly and cried:</p> - -<p>“See there, Ben!”</p> - -<p>“This end of the pass has been blasted out with -powder.”</p> - -<p>“That is just what it was, Ben, and—we have found -it—see? The Lost Valley lies before us!”</p> - -<p>The chief of scouts, since his meeting with the black -giant, almost used up by starvation and wounds, had -had his mind set on the penned-up settlers in the Lost -Valley. He had given his pledge to the negro to answer -the call upon him for aid, to go with him on what -to other men would have seemed an aimless trail. He -had pushed on against all dangers, all obstacles, and -his intention was to triumph.</p> - -<p>There before him was the Lost Valley.</p> - -<p>It was no wonder that a triumphant smile hovered -about the mouth of Buffalo Bill and his dark eyes -glowed with joy. He had come to the end of the long -and perilous trail.</p> - -<p>Where they stood, beneath their feet, and all around<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_205"></a>[205]</span> -them, the rocks were blackened with powder. There -had been a heavy blast there, as they could see. And -that blast of powder had shattered the cliff, and hurled -a small mountain of rock down into the valley far below.</p> - -<p>It had broken off the edge of the cliff right at the -end of the pass most abruptly.</p> - -<p>Right beneath their feet the cliff broke off and went -downward almost like an artificial wall for a thousand -feet or more.</p> - -<p>The two scouts advanced to the edge and their eyes -became riveted in wonder at what they beheld.</p> - -<p>Below them was a valley, or, rather, a basin, for it -was surrounded on every side by towering cliffs. No -break could be seen anywhere, no cañon pushing into -the surrounding wall of rock.</p> - -<p>It was not a valley surrounded by mountain ranges, -but a valley completely encircled by cliffs rising one -thousand feet.</p> - -<p>But that was not all, for right in its center was a -large lake, with wooded shores.</p> - -<p>Around the lake, in the timber, were scattered a -score of cabins. A herd of cattle, horses, and mules -were there, too. A group of wagons were in one -place. Men, women, and children were also visible.</p> - -<p>The crowing of a rooster was heard down in the valley, -and a flock of sheep was feeding right beneath the -cliff on which the scouts were standing.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_206"></a>[206]</span></p> - -<p>For a long time Buffalo Bill gazed through his field -glass at the strange sight, and then without a word -handed it to Scout Ben.</p> - -<p>He, too, looked long and attentively, and when he -removed the glasses from his eyes Buffalo Bill said:</p> - -<p>“How to get down there is the question.”</p> - -<p>“There must be some way, sah.”</p> - -<p>“I can discover no break anywhere in the walls. We -must start those people out pretty soon, for it will be -slow traveling with a wagon train, and we must not -be caught on the way. Come, we will go after Black -Bill.”</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_207"></a>[207]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXIX">CHAPTER XXIX.<br /> -<span class="fs70">THE RESCUE.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>Black Bill, revolver in hand, lay on the pine straw, -guarding his prisoners, who were tied to trees in front -of him.</p> - -<p>Neither the negro nor his prisoners heard the scout -approaching, but the latter heard Rocks saying:</p> - -<p>“See here, nigger, don’t you be fool enough to think -all four of us is goin’ ter hang, and that one of us -won’t git away, and that we will kill you sure as the -sun shines if you don’t let us go.</p> - -<p>“That fool, Buffalo Bill, has gone off trustin’ you, -and our horses ain’t far away, so we can all pack some -provisions on, load up with gold, and be far away -afore he comes back.</p> - -<p>“As you say you are all on foot, ther scouts kin -never catch us, and you’ll git gold enough to last you -all your days as a rich man.”</p> - -<p>“I’d ruther be a poor honest man than a rich one -what had betrayed the gemman I owes my life to more -than one time.</p> - -<p>“You gemmen is as bad as you kin be, and I’m onter -your whole game now, though them in the valley don’t -know it.</p> - -<p>“When dey does, your necks won’t be worth nothin’, -I is a-thinkin’, gemmens.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_208"></a>[208]</span></p> - -<p>“Good for you, black pard.”</p> - -<p>The negro sprang to his feet, and was face to face -with Buffalo Bill and Ben. The four prisoners -scowled and muttered curses.</p> - -<p>“Well, Black Bill, we have found your valley.”</p> - -<p>“Done found it, Massa Bill?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, we went through the break in the cliff where -you so nearly lost your life yesterday.</p> - -<p>“I have sent to our camp after the boys; but it must -have been a very hard and dangerous task, from what -I have seen of the descent, to get that train down into -that sunken valley, a very Devil’s Den I would call it.”</p> - -<p>“De pass led through and down de side of de cliff, -sah. It were mighty dangerous fer wagons, sah, but -all right for de people ter walk.</p> - -<p>“Saturday nights dey all went down in de valley -ober Sunday.</p> - -<p>“One Saturday, Massa Bill, all went but four men—here -dey is, right here now.</p> - -<p>“Dey had been working on de cliff road, blastin’ it -out wid powder, for we brought our wagons along, -with plenty of powder, sah.</p> - -<p>“Just at sunset dere came what we all thought was -a ’arthquake or volcano, and de whole front of de cliff -fell into de valley. Dere was rocks and fire and smoke -go way up inter de air, and three people in de valley -was kilt dead.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_209"></a>[209]</span></p> - -<p>“When dey all got deir senses de next day, Sunday, -dey came to de conclusion dat de four men, dese -very gemmens here, hab let de powder git on fire and -blew up de cliff and dem, too.</p> - -<p>“But I now know dat dese gemmens blowed up dat -cliff on purposse, sah, dat dey might git all de gold -what was found in de cañon and keep it. But, Massa -Bill, dem poor people in de valley was same as in jail, -for dey couldn’t git out.”</p> - -<p>“These four men did prepare that powder mine to -blow off the edge of that cliff and keep those people -in the valley, which you call lost, and they were a lost -people as well.”</p> - -<p>Standing on the very edge of the precipice, Buffalo -Bill began to watch the cliffsides with his glass.</p> - -<p>“Try and make them see you, Bill,” said the scout.</p> - -<p>The negro fired his rifle, and gave a loud halloo.</p> - -<p>Many faces were upturned at once, women and children -were seen running here and there, and a wild -cheer arose as the negro was recognized.</p> - -<p>The scene was a startling one, for the people in the -valley were wild with joy.</p> - -<p>Writing with a pencil upon several pages of his notebook, -Buffalo Bill put them in his handkerchief, -wrapped it around a large stone, and tossed it down -into the valley. There was a wild rush for it at once.</p> - -<p>“I told them that we were here, planning to get them -out of their valley.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_210"></a>[210]</span></p> - -<p>“That I had noticed that the winding trail along -the face of the cliff had been blocked up where the -rocks had fallen below, and also that it would readily -be reached by lariats from here, and we would find a -way to rescue them.”</p> - -<p>“You’ll do it, Massa Bill, and I kin see now, sah, -dat a few lariats tied together will reach de old trail -yonder.”</p> - -<p>“We can blast the rocks out that fell and choked up -the trail, and we can bring that whole outfit out of -that valley, though it may take us a week, perhaps -longer, to do so.</p> - -<p>“I will write them what to do.”</p> - -<p>Another note was written and thrown down as before.</p> - -<p>Captain John Hill himself picked it up, and his voice -reached those on the cliff:</p> - -<p>“God bless you, Buffalo Bill.”</p> - -<p>“If you will spare us some powder, we can blast this -end clear.”</p> - -<p>“There is another pass farther along, which you -can blast out down to the trail.”</p> - -<p>“Good!”</p> - -<p>“We will begin work to-morrow, for all my men will -be here then,” was shouted back in the clear tones of -Buffalo Bill, and a great cheer told him he had been -heard, and hope filled every heart.</p> - -<p>Within one week the scouts slept in the valley, and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_211"></a>[211]</span> -the next morning all hands went to work repairing -wagons, harness, and shoeing the horses and mules, -while preparations were made by the women for leaving -the place, which had so long been to them a living -tomb.</p> - -<p>Just two weeks after the arrival of the scouts, the -march was begun.</p> - -<p>One wagon at a time was taken up the ledge trail; -the women and children followed, then the extra -horses, and next the cattle, sheep, and all that could -be carried along.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_212"></a>[212]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXX">CHAPTER XXX.<br /> -<span class="fs70">OUT OF DEVIL’S DEN.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>The march from the Devil’s Den, as Buffalo Bill -called the sunken valley, was a long one and slow, -with wagons, stock and all on the move, for chasms -had to be bridged. Ten miles a day was a fair rate -of travel at first.</p> - -<p>Buffalo Bill led the way by the spot where Don -Miller’s gold had been buried, and this was recovered.</p> - -<p>In fairly good time Fort Aspen was reached.</p> - -<p>When nearing the fort, Buffalo Bill appointed Don -Miller as guide to the wagon train, and, with his black -scouts, he started on a secret expedition.</p> - -<p>The chief of scouts had a certain object in view, and -he wished each one of his men to share the honor -with him, if the expedition proved to be the success -he hoped it would.</p> - -<p>Of course, Black Bill also went along, for he had -become the very shadow of Buffalo Bill, and was the -hero of the whole band of black scouts.</p> - -<p>The object of Buffalo Bill was to capture Ginger -Sam, whom he felt sure he would find at his cabin in -winter quarters.</p> - -<p>At night the cabin was reached and quietly surrounded, -and at daylight, when the cabin door was -opened by Ginger Sam, he looked squarely into the -muzzle of Buffalo Bill’s revolver.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_213"></a>[213]</span></p> - -<p>Up went his hands and he said:</p> - -<p>“Waal, you wins ther game.”</p> - -<p>“I will, when I play my last card, Ginger Sam.”</p> - -<p>“What are that?”</p> - -<p>“A rope,” was the significant reply.</p> - -<p>“You don’t intend ter hang me?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, with four more of your kind I found in the -Big Horn and whom Major Armes will make short -work of, as he will you, and that will about clear this -country of such cattle as you. I knew you were bad -as they make ’em, but I have a friend who knows you -to be a renegade and the secret instigator of half the -Indian deviltry done here. I refer to Don Miller, -whom the Indians captured, and understanding Sioux -well, he asked about you, as he thought you might get -them not to kill him, for once he had saved your life. -But get your traps ready, for after breakfast we start -for the fort.”</p> - -<p>The next afternoon Buffalo Bill, his black scouts, and -his prisoner reached Fort Aspen, and the welcome the -garrison gave them, and also the rescued settlers, for -they had arrived the day before, was enough to repay -the men all the hardships they had endured.</p> - -<p>“Another one to hang, Cody?”</p> - -<p>“Well, he’s a little late, for the other four were -hanged this morning; but it is never too late to do a -good act, and there has been a price on that man’s -head for a long time.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_214"></a>[214]</span></p> - -<p>“Yes, the four wretches who proved such traitors to -the settlers, I had tried at once, and they were quickly -sentenced, and to-morrow this man’s life shall end, -for white outlaws must expect no mercy here.</p> - -<p>“But, Cody, let me thank you for your splendid -services in behalf of Fort Aspen and its garrison, and -believe me, a full report of what you have done shall -go to headquarters without delay.”</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_215"></a>[215]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXXI">CHAPTER XXXI.<br /> -<span class="fs70">ANOTHER STRANGE STORY.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>About a week later, Cody returned to Fort Advance -one night from a lone expedition, just as all the -garrison were looking upon him as dead, believing -that he had at last met the doom so many had predicted -he would, and wondering why he had not long -before done so.</p> - -<p>“Corporal of the guard! Cody is returning,” repeated -the sentinel, as he recognized a horseman coming -at a lope over the plain.</p> - -<p>And such a cheer as went up at the words of the -sentinel was seldom heard, for that Buffalo Bill had -discounted all predictions and again proved his title -to “bearing a charmed life,” was a joy to one and all -in the fort.</p> - -<p>He looked worn and haggard, and his horse was -gaunt and weary, as they passed in through the stockade; -but the greeting was a grand one.</p> - -<p>Even Colonel Carr had begun to regard the scout -as dead, for many anxious days had passed since he -had left the post on his recent mission.</p> - -<p>Straight to headquarters he rode, dismounted, -turned his horse loose to go to the stable, and was met -by Colonel Carr on the piazza, so glad was that officer -to welcome the great scout back again.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_216"></a>[216]</span></p> - -<p>“Come in, Cody, and I feel as though I was welcoming -you back almost from the grave.”</p> - -<p>“Not so bad as that, colonel, though I have been -on a long trail, and a strange one, sir.”</p> - -<p>“I do not doubt it—you show it in your face, and -I was sorry that I allowed you to go on the search.”</p> - -<p>“And I am glad that I went, sir, for I found the -secret valley, and I discovered enough to know that -the inhabitants need looking after. But I have a new -plan to submit to you, sir. I’ve found a mystery that -must be uncovered.”</p> - -<p>“Well, tell me about your trip.”</p> - -<p>“I went on the trail, after leaving Fort Aspen, -which a Mexican who died there told me to take, -and it led me into a country seldom traveled, down -in the land of an old deserted fort, Rosal.</p> - -<p>“I struck the Rosal range and found there a large -lake in a most beautiful valley, situated by itself, for -all approaches to it are desert lands, beyond which -no one would suspect to find a garden spot of beauty.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, I have heard only indirectly of such a country -there, but not that it was settled.”</p> - -<p>“Well, it is settled, as you shall hear:</p> - -<p>“The valley is beautiful, fertile, the surroundings -well timbered, grass abundant, and there is a large, -deep lake of clear and icy water.</p> - -<p>“I was surprised, I can tell you, sir, when I saw<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_217"></a>[217]</span> -it, and yet my suspicions were only beginning with -the first view from the range summit.</p> - -<p>“But first, sir, two days ago I ran upon an adventure -and a strange one.</p> - -<p>“As I began to enter the unknown and beautiful -lake land, I came unexpectedly upon what had been -once the home, doubtless, of some old Spanish or -Mexican don; but it was in ruins, almost, and seemed -to have been long deserted.</p> - -<p>“Halting to gaze at it, I was startled to hear voices, -the first I had heard for days, and in English.</p> - -<p>“There was a shot, a cry in a woman’s voice, oaths -in Mexican, and I knew that some one was in trouble, -so I rode to the rescue.</p> - -<p>“It didn’t last long, for I saw a man in Mexican -uniform lying on the ground, a young girl near him, -their horses close by, and they had been held up by -several outlaws.</p> - -<p>“One I dropped, the others skipped, and I found I -had rescued a Mexican officer and the young girl, -who, while on a ride had been attacked by road agents, -who had not expected help near.</p> - -<p>“A glancing shot on the head had stunned the officer, -knocking him from his saddle.</p> - -<p>“As the men dashed off and escaped me, for I -didn’t press them close, I admit, there being more -than I wanted, one called out: ‘I’ll remember you -for this, Buffalo Bill.’”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_218"></a>[218]</span></p> - -<p>“This showed that he knew you.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir.”</p> - -<p>“But go on with your strange story.”</p> - -<p>“In a few words, sir, the officer had revived, and -from the young girl I learned that she lived some -distance away, and the outlaws had sought to force -from her some secret, what I did not know, and, as I -felt that the villains believed I had help near, and finding -out that I had not would return, I urged a quick -movement to a place of safety.</p> - -<p>“The girl and the officer quickly mounted, the latter -still half dazed from his wound, and I told them -I would remain behind to check pursuit and then follow -upon their trail.</p> - -<p>“I did remain for a while, then left, but I stuck to -the trail I had been traveling, thinking that they -might think there was a crowd if I followed the girl -and the officer.</p> - -<p>“As I rode along I suddenly spied a glittering object -on the ground, and picking it up I was surprised -to find that it was a bracelet studded with gems. I -will show it to you later, for I have it.</p> - -<p>“Feeling sure that the lady had dropped it, I retraced -my steps and picked up their trail, only to -lose it, and I am certain that they covered up their -tracks to throw me off the track.</p> - -<p>“Search as I might, I could not pick up the trail -of the officer and the girl, so I gave it up at last and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_219"></a>[219]</span> -went on to the valley, to halt at a fine ranch I came -upon and there ask hospitality.</p> - -<p>“But to tell you first of this strange valley and its -people.</p> - -<p>“The settlement numbers a thousand people, is an -adobe village, and the dwellers there are Mexicans, -with a mixture of Americans and Indians.</p> - -<p>“From Silver Lake’s settlement the ranches branch -out in the valley, and there are some fine haciendas -among them, the rancheros being rich in cattle and -horses, and a mixture of Americans and Mexicans of -the better class.”</p> - -<p>“You surprise me, Cody, and interest me greatly,” -said Colonel Carr.</p> - -<p>“I was greatly surprised and interested myself, sir, -during the two days and nights I was in the valley.</p> - -<p>“All seems peaceful there, too, and yet upon that -valley rests a cruel curse, for it is under a ban of -outlawry that is most mysterious, and the more terrible -because the actors are unseen, unknown, and -therefore secret foes.</p> - -<p>“Upon this strange community hangs my mission -of duty that I ask to go upon.”</p> - -<p>“Well?”</p> - -<p>“I was struck with the beauty of the valley, the -apparent wealth of the rancheros, and where I stopped -was the home of an American, who was half Mexican,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_220"></a>[220]</span> -for he had had a Texan for his father, who had -married a lady of Mexico. He received me with the -greatest hospitality, and we became so friendly that -he told me that night, as we sat together, of the ban -upon the fair valley.</p> - -<p>“I questioned him closely, for I wished to know -all that I could discover, and he made known, though -with considerable dread at doing so, that the curse -upon the community was from the deeds of a secret -foe or rather foes. Who that foe was no one could -tell, and yet he was most in evidence at every ranch -in the valley, upon which he levied tribute or blood -money, I may say, and got it.”</p> - -<p>“But how did he do this?”</p> - -<p>“By a placard stuck on the gate of a ranch house, -or hacienda, demanding a certain sum to be placed -in a designated spot on a day or night named, under -the penalty, if refused, of a death in the family.”</p> - -<p>“This must be looked to, Cody.”</p> - -<p>“That is just what I am after, colonel.”</p> - -<p>“But why do not the rancheros have the nerve to -put this unseen robber to the test?”</p> - -<p>“They have, sir, and to their bitter cost.”</p> - -<p>“He has carried out his threats, then?”</p> - -<p>“He has, sir, promptly and without mercy, and -that is why they no longer refuse the demands upon -them.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_221"></a>[221]</span></p> - -<p>“I can hardly wonder at it, when an unseen foe -strikes at those they love.”</p> - -<p>“He does more, sir, for he has taken from each -home a hostage, keeping them comfortably, as they -are allowed to write home, but holding them against -refusal of his demands, and threatens to thus keep -them until he gains the purpose for which he is striving, -a certain amount of money, I take it, sir.”</p> - -<p>“There is no doubt of it, and it is a novel way of -gaining his ends; but still I believe he can be checkmated.”</p> - -<p>“I feel confident of it, sir, and for that reason I -wish your permission to go to that valley and solve -that mystery, hunt down that unseen and unknown -foe.</p> - -<p>“You know that Scout Texas Jack brought with -him a dozen Texans as scouts, and they are all saddle -sharps, superb lassoists, dead shots, speak Spanish -more or less fluently, and are utterly fearless.”</p> - -<p>“They are all that you say, Cody.”</p> - -<p>“Now, colonel, I wish to take Texas Jack and his -Texans and go to that valley and take possession of -a deserted hacienda I saw there and turn ranchero, -buying cattle and horses, and establishing myself there -for the one purpose of discovering the daring leader -who thus threatens, robs, and persecutes these people, -and I am sure, sir, that I can unearth a mystery that -will fully compensate for our time.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_222"></a>[222]</span></p> - -<p>“Cody, you can go, and take the men you ask for. -You have been there, understand the situation, and -know what you are doing, so I leave all to you.”</p> - -<p>“Now, colonel, as the owner of this bracelet dodged -me, beyond all doubt, I have it to return to her and -will do so. Here it is, sir.”</p> - -<p>“Why, it is worth a small fortune, Cody,” said the -colonel, gazing earnestly at the handsome bracelet.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_223"></a>[223]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXXII">CHAPTER XXXII.<br /> -<span class="fs70">UNDER A CURSE.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>Buffalo Bill went on to tell how hard he had tried -to find the owner of the bracelet, and what he considered -proof that she and the wounded Mexican -officer had covered up their tracks.</p> - -<p>“I gave that deserted ranch a close call, sir,” resumed -the scout, “for I was interested in it, and it -was really a grand old ruin, avoided, as I found out -later, by all, and feared, for it is known as the Haunted -Hacienda, and the believers in ghosts all are sure -that it is the haunt of evil spirits.</p> - -<p>“I took it all in and made up my mind that it would -be valuable for me to haunt when I returned to the -valley with the force I was going to ask you to let me -have, and which you have kindly given me.</p> - -<p>“I rode on up the valley to the settlement of Silver -Lake City without meeting a soul.</p> - -<p>“That city, as they call it, is beautifully situated, -and is composed of adobe houses, the people seeming -to have very little to do. Some mine in the mountains, -others of the men are cowboys on the ranches -down the valley, there are several stores, saloons, and -a blacksmith shop or two, with an old mission chapel -and a priest. There is a halfway inn there, and if the -landlord is not a villain, then his looks belie him.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_224"></a>[224]</span></p> - -<p>“I told him I was looking for a ranch, and he told -me there was none for sale.</p> - -<p>“I asked him about the deserted hacienda, and he -said that no one would live there, as it was haunted -by evil spirits, and he either believed it, or could lie -with as straight a face as I ever saw.</p> - -<p>“He said the place belonged to some one in Mexico, -who had inherited it; that every one who had last -lived there had died overnight, from what cause no -one knew, for there were no signs of violence upon -them, but all were found dead in the morning, as also -every horse, cow, sheep, and dog in the walled-in -place.”</p> - -<p>“This is a remarkable story, Cody.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, but he told it as the truth, and there stands -the deserted hacienda, with the graves, thirty-three in -number, in one corner of the grounds.</p> - -<p>“I asked the landlord as much as I dared, to try -and find out who the maiden and the Mexican officer -were. From what I could learn from him, if the one -I rescued was the one he had in mind, the young lady -is known as Suelo, the Recluse. She is the daughter -of a Mexican nobleman, I heard, but lives alone at -her hacienda, which is a fine one, with only her -servants and a score of Mexican cattlemen, and all -appear to worship her.</p> - -<p>“But no one in the valley knows much about her,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_225"></a>[225]</span> -the landlord said, and who the Mexican officer was -he did not know.</p> - -<p>“I did not tell him I had rescued them, but merely -said I had met them, and her beauty and his fine looks -and uniform impressed me.</p> - -<p>“I called upon the priest, but he was absent, and -so I determined to bring the bracelet on with me, and -when I go back I shall look up the owner, and then, -sir, I shall take the deserted hacienda as my ranch.”</p> - -<p>“Well, Cody, you are the best judge of just what -to do; but I assure you I will not only be anxious -about you, but will watch the result with great interest. -If you need aid I will give you letters to the -nearest posts, so you will be able to call on them for -what men you may wish.”</p> - -<p>“Thank you, sir. My idea was to stop at the government -corrals on my way down—for you know they -send the cattle southward to feed in winter—and borrow -a lot of steers and horses to drive to my ranch -and care for, thus carrying out the idea that I had -gone to the valley to settle and make it my home.</p> - -<p>“I shall tell the priest that I will pay rent when the -owner demands it, and thus keep my taking possession -of the deserted ranch from appearing a lawless -act.”</p> - -<p>“It would be a good idea. Come to me when you -are ready to start, and I will give you all letters necessary -to have you carry out your plans,” said the commandant,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_226"></a>[226]</span> -and Buffalo Bill departed, to prepare for -his latest mission.</p> - -<p>All the garrison at the fort wondered what was -going on when they saw Buffalo Bill ride away from -the post at the head of fourteen of the best scouts, -most daring Indian fighters, and wildest riders on -the frontier.</p> - -<p>Men and horses had been picked for a purpose, it -could be plainly seen. They had extra animals along, -and half a dozen pack mules, well loaded with a camp -outfit, provisions, and ammunition.</p> - -<p>Those that saw them waiting for the start beheld -Texas Jack, the noted ranger scout from the Lone -Star State, and next in rank to Buffalo Bill at the -post.</p> - -<p>“Where are you going, Jack?” asked an officer of -cavalry, passing the squad of wild riders.</p> - -<p>“Don’t know, sir. Got orders to get ready for a -long trail, and am prepared for a fight, foot race, or -siege, sir.”</p> - -<p>“I have not heard of any news that causes Colonel -Carr to send out Cody and his picked saddle sharps,” -continued the officer.</p> - -<p>“Nor have I, sir.”</p> - -<p>“Have none of the men an idea?”</p> - -<p>“Not one, sir, and we are waiting for Cody, now, -for he has gone to the colonel for last orders.”</p> - -<p>As Texas Jack spoke, Buffalo Bill appeared, coming<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_227"></a>[227]</span> -from the colonel’s quarters. He was splendidly -mounted and armed.</p> - -<p>“Which way, Cody?” asked the major of the post.</p> - -<p>“Southward on a scout, major,” was Buffalo Bill’s -reply, and, saluting, he rode to the head of the line, -and gave the order to march.</p> - -<p>The scouts obeyed, following in two files, Texas -Jack at the head of one, Winfield leading the other, -while two men brought up the rear, to keep the pack-mules -closed up.</p> - -<p>That the band of wild riders were curious about -their going, was certain; but not a hint came from -their chief, and not a man dared to question him.</p> - -<p>The start had been made after dinner, and after a -ride of twenty-five miles a halt was made for the -night.</p> - -<p>The next day forty miles were placed behind them, -and the scouts knew that the chief had started upon -a long journey.</p> - -<p>So it went on for day after day, from forty to fifty -miles being made, the cattle being well cared for, with -long noonday halts, until the chief of scouts bore -toward the right, into a land that was unknown to -his followers.</p> - -<p>“We will leave Santa Fe well to our left,” said -Texas Jack to Winfield one day.</p> - -<p>“Yes, but why does not the chief give us a hint of -where we are going?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_228"></a>[228]</span></p> - -<p>“He will, in good time.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes; but it is an important trail, I feel sure, -and connected with his trip southward which he has -just returned from.”</p> - -<p>“No doubt it is; but the government cattle corrals -must be in this course.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, and I believe we are going after cattle; but -to-morrow will tell, as the corrals and grazing grounds -are on the headwaters of the San Juan, and that is -the way we are pointed now, and we must reach there -before two more camps.”</p> - -<p>The same style of conversation and guesswork the -other scouts indulged in, and still the chief said nothing -as to their destination, and all decided that it was -to the corrals to drive back cattle.</p> - -<p>But that night, when they went into camp, Buffalo -Bill said, after all had had supper:</p> - -<p>“Pards, I have had nothing to say as to our mission, -as there was little to tell you. But, as we strike -the government corrals at noon to-morrow, I wish to -say that we are to get there a large herd of cattle, and -a band of a hundred or more horses.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, we supposed that was what we were going -for, chief,” said Texas Jack.</p> - -<p>Buffalo Bill smiled, and replied:</p> - -<p>“Colonel Carr thought it best for me not to tell you -my purpose until we neared the corrals, and then, if -any of you wished to back out, you could remain there,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_229"></a>[229]</span> -and I could find other men in your places; but I think -I picked those men who will stand by me.”</p> - -<p>“Just try us!” cried Texas Jack, and the other men -all cried out in the same vein.</p> - -<p>“Now, though we are going to get cattle and horses, -we drive them south instead of north, and I tell you -plainly that we are going to a pleasant valley where -I am to turn ranchero, and you are to be my cattlemen.</p> - -<p>“That I do this for other motives than posing as a -ranchero, you may all be certain, and that there will -be hot work ahead of us I feel very confident.</p> - -<p>“Does any man wish to remain at the corrals?”</p> - -<p>The response to this question of Buffalo Bill was -so earnest that he knew he had nothing to fear from -any one of his riders.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_230"></a>[230]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXXIII">CHAPTER XXXIII.<br /> -<span class="fs70">THE HACIENDA.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>After an uneventful journey, Buffalo Bill rode up -to the little inn where he had before halted, and was -greeted by the same Mexican landlord, whom he had -not particularly fancied.</p> - -<p>Speaking English well, the landlord recognized the -handsome scout, and said in a way that was meant to -be hospitable, but which was full of curiosity:</p> - -<p>“Ah, señor, you again come this way—is your stay -to be short, as before?”</p> - -<p>“On the contrary, Señor Riel, I am here to stay.”</p> - -<p>“Ah, señor! you like the Silver Lake Valley, then?”</p> - -<p>“Very much.”</p> - -<p>“You are a gambler, perhaps, señor, or you have -no business?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, no, I am a ranchero, and have come to settle -down the valley, near the lake.”</p> - -<p>“You amaze me, señor, for there is no ranch to -sell there.”</p> - -<p>“There is one unoccupied, and may be for sale. -I shall take possession of it, herd my cattle in the -surrounding country, and, when the owner appears, -will pay him what is just. Now, tell me, Señor Riel, -if the padre is at home—— Oh, I see him there -now,” and Buffalo Bill walked rapidly away to where<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_231"></a>[231]</span> -a small, dark-faced man was standing, dressed as a -Mexican priest.</p> - -<p>“The Padre Juan, I believe?” he asked politely.</p> - -<p>“Yes, my son, but I know you not.”</p> - -<p>“No; I am an American, and once passing through -this valley, decided to find a home here. I called upon -you, but you were away from home, and I have just -arrived to settle here.”</p> - -<p>“How can I serve you, señor?”</p> - -<p>“I have some miles away my cattle and horses, and -my destination is the old deserted hacienda down the -valley on the lake. I would ask you if you can place -me in communication with the owner?”</p> - -<p>“I cannot, my son, for the one who fell heir to that -truly accursed place is a stranger, and was never here. -It is a blot upon the valley, and will be a home of ill -omen should you dwell there, which Heaven forbid.”</p> - -<p>“I thank you, padre, but my men and cattle are -near, and to-morrow night I will take possession of -the ill-omened place, as you call it, with the pledge to -you to pay what is right for its use. As we are all -men, we need but little household furniture, and that -I can buy at your stores here in Silver Lake City.”</p> - -<p>“But, my son, let me tell you that this whole valley -is under a curse, and if you remain here, especially -within that dreary hacienda with its record of death, -you but become another upon whom suffering must -fall.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_232"></a>[232]</span></p> - -<p>“I will take all chances, padre, and as the deserted -hacienda is to be my home, let me say that I will be -happy to entertain you there whenever you pass that -way.”</p> - -<p>“Thank you, señor, thank you, but only in case duty -called me would I cross the threshold of that house, -for it is haunted by the crudest of memories, if not -worse. I wish you well, señor, but I have warned you—it -was my duty.”</p> - -<p>Returning to the landlord of the little adobe tavern, -Buffalo Bill told him that he wished to make some -purchases, and to get a wagon to take them to the -deserted hacienda.</p> - -<p>“You will go there, then, señor?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes.”</p> - -<p>“You do not heed the warnings, then?”</p> - -<p>“I am not superstitious, and so warnings of imaginary -evils have no dread for me; but, if warned of a -real danger, I heed, as I flatter myself that I am no -fool.”</p> - -<p>The landlord shook his head; and then said he -would furnish the means of transportation for what -the señor cared to purchase, and he would take him -to the best places at which to buy them.</p> - -<p>The purchases were soon made, loaded in a wagon, -and started upon the way for the hacienda, the scout, -after having dinner at the tavern, starting on after<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_233"></a>[233]</span> -the men, for they were already well on their way to -the new home of Buffalo Bill in the mysterious valley.</p> - -<p>The wagon was soon overtaken, and afterward the -herd, and Buffalo Bill said:</p> - -<p>“We now camp, pards, and to-morrow early we go -into our home.”</p> - -<p>The night halt was made, an early start followed -the next morning, and before noon the cattle were -halted upon the rich meadowland on either side the -lake, several scouts left to guard them, while the rest -rode on after their chief, who had gone on ahead to -the hacienda.</p> - -<p>“If that is not an owl’s roost I’m mistaken,” said -one.</p> - -<p>“It may be an outlaws’ retreat.”</p> - -<p>“The place may be haunted.”</p> - -<p>Some laughed, some did not, others looked grave, -and said nothing. The superstitions of a few had -been aroused.</p> - -<p>But into the walled-in plaza rode the scouts, followed -by the wagon, and there stood Buffalo Bill, but -his left sleeve was stained with blood, his face had -a bruise upon it, and he had the appearance of one -who had been in a terrible struggle.</p> - -<p>“Boys,” he said calmly, “make yourselves at home, -for I am master here.”</p> - -<p>Telling Texas Jack where to halt the cattle and -horses, to have a guard of several men over them,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_234"></a>[234]</span> -and then come on with the others and the wagon and -animals.</p> - -<p>The chief of scouts had cantered on alone to the -hacienda.</p> - -<p>As he approached it, he saw that all appeared there -as he had left it a month before.</p> - -<p>To him it looked as though no one had visited the -place, and he saw not even a skulking coyote. This -put him on his guard, for he knew that when he had -visited the place first many coyotes had run out. Now, -having found none about, he at once concluded that -some one had been there within the last few minutes. -So he was on his guard. Leaving his horse in the -grounds, he entered the hacienda.</p> - -<p>It was a large structure, one story in height, built -of adobe, and in the center was a square towerlike -structure, with a top that looked very much as though -the whole space within the walls, several acres in area, -could be swept by even revolvers in the hands of persons -stationed there on the tower roof. In the rear -was a lofty cliff. It commanded, too, a wide range -with rifles, and that it was intended for a stronghold -there was no doubt in the scout’s mind.</p> - -<p>There were about thirty rooms in the building, some -furnished with chairs and bedsteads, but of all else -the place had been swept clean.</p> - -<p>Selecting the rooms that were to be their quarters, -and being glad to see that the place within the walls<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_235"></a>[235]</span> -would readily hold all their horses and cattle in an -emergency when the entrance was repaired, Buffalo -Bill was passing out through a long and dimly lighted -corridor, when he beheld before him what appeared -to be two diamonds glittering in the half darkness.</p> - -<p>But he was not deceived, he had seen just such -balls of fire often before in his eventful life, and he -was as quick as a flash in dropping his hand upon a -weapon in his belt.</p> - -<p>It was his knife, and he had just time to draw it -and raise the point, when, with a savage growl there -sprang upon him a huge mountain lion.</p> - -<p>The weight of the animal hurled Buffalo Bill backward, -and he fell against the rough wall with considerable -force, bruising his face badly, while he also -felt the teeth of the mad animal buried in his arm.</p> - -<p>But he had got his knife on guard, and the long, -sharp blade had cut into the heart of the lion, the -force of the spring driving it to the hilt.</p> - -<p>Half dazed by the fall against the wall and the -blow of the huge body against him, Buffalo Bill yet -recognized that he must cut, and once more he drove -his knife deep into the shaggy hide.</p> - -<p>But to his joy he recognized that there was no need -of his doing more, for the animal upon him was a -dead weight, the first knife thrust had entered his -heart, and the teeth that had been driven into the -scout’s arm had not been closed upon it, for the mountain<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_236"></a>[236]</span> -lion had sprung to a quick and sudden death, the -keen blade catching, by an accident, just in the right -spot to kill.</p> - -<p>Throwing off the weight, Buffalo Bill arose to his -feet.</p> - -<p>Was it from the concussion that he had received -that made strange figures appear before his eyes, or -did he really behold a ghostly form, clad in white, at -the end of the long, dark corridor, one arm pointing -straight outward, the other down at the ground.</p> - -<p>“I’ll tackle you, too, for ghosts are more to my -liking than mountain lions,” said Buffalo Bill grimly, -and he rubbed his eyes to see that they were not deceiving -him, and, drawing his revolver now he rushed -forward to grapple with this new foe.</p> - -<p>But then, as he felt that it was no vision of the -brain, but in reality a ghostly looking form, not fifty -feet from him, he halted and called out in a voice -that echoed through the corridor:</p> - -<p>“Hands up, there, or I’ll fire and kill you!”</p> - -<p>But the order was not obeyed, the form still standing -mute and motionless, and pointing as before.</p> - -<p>Instantly came a red flash from the scout’s revolver, -and a sharp report rang through the hacienda.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_237"></a>[237]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXXIV">CHAPTER XXXIV.<br /> -<span class="fs70">HAUNTED.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>Buffalo Bill at once moved rapidly toward the spot -where he had seen the white form. Twice he fired -his revolver as he approached to light up the scene. -But he saw nothing.</p> - -<p>The rear of the corridor had no egress, only a window -some eight feet from the floor. Upon either side -were doors, full a dozen feet from the end of the -corridor, but one of these was closed too securely to -open, and the other was the one he had entered the -long hall from and led into the rooms he had selected -for himself and comrades to dwell in.</p> - -<p>Not a particle of superstition had the scout, but -here was a mystery he could not solve.</p> - -<p>How had the mountain lion got into that corridor? -He had not entered by the door, for that was closed -and locked on the other side. He could not have -come through the window, even had he been able to -leap that high, for it was closed. The other door was -locked or bound on the other side, but to have come -through that way it could only have been done with -the aid of a human being. All the doors, save the one -the scout had entered by, were closed. How, then, -could the mountain lion have got into the corridor -without human help, and who was the white-robed -form at whom he fired?</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_238"></a>[238]</span></p> - -<p><ins class="corr" id="tn238" title="Transcriber’s Note—“Lighting match after mach” changed to “Lighting match after match”.">Lighting match after match</ins>, -Buffalo Bill looked about him. He could discover nothing to show how -the lion and the white form had entered.</p> - -<p>There lay the lion dead. The spectral visitant was -gone. And yet he had aimed to kill, and Cody knew -that he was not one to miss.</p> - -<p>Going out of the door through which he had entered, -the scout closed it behind him, and, leaving the -building, walked out into the bright sunlight.</p> - -<p>His sleeve was wet with blood, and he was feeling -weak and a little shaky.</p> - -<p>But just as he was going to the brook to bathe his -wounds, Texas Jack, Winfield, and eight of the men -came at a canter into the plaza.</p> - -<p>They saw that there had been a death struggle, and -he did not keep them waiting long to know what it -was.</p> - -<p>“I have had a fight with a mountain lion I found -in the hacienda, Jack, and killed him, fortunately, before -he did me much harm. Get my medicine case -from my saddle, and you, Stevens, see just how badly -he bit my arm, for you are the surgeon of the outfit.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, chief,” answered Stevens, who had gone to -Texas to practice medicine, but had devoted himself -to scouting instead.</p> - -<p>The chief’s wounds were soon shown, and the -marks of the teeth of the animal were seen below and -above.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_239"></a>[239]</span></p> - -<p>“It is not nearly as bad as I would expect from the -teeth of a mountain lion,” said Stevens, whom his -comrades called “Doc.”</p> - -<p>“He must have been small,” said Winfield.</p> - -<p>“No, he was large enough. I have him in the hacienda; -but that is not all I found, boys.”</p> - -<p>“I see that your face is bruised and head cut,” Doc -Stevens said. “What was it, chief?”</p> - -<p>“A ghost.”</p> - -<p>Some of the men looked startled at this announcement, -while others laughed.</p> - -<p>“Well, boys, I saw a human form, clad in white, -and, as it did not obey my order to hands up, I fired. -But I could find nothing when I looked for the dead -body.”</p> - -<p>The words of the chief created an impression, for -all knew that he was not in a joking humor.</p> - -<p>“The truth is, pards,” Cody went on to say, “we -are not wanted in this valley, and I will tell you why. -I had no idea that there was such a settlement as this -in this valley, and I wish to know if you had ever -heard of it?”</p> - -<p>“I have been through here, before, ten years ago, -and it surprised me then, chief, but I have met no -one else who knew that there was a settlement here. -Then its people were Mexicans, Indians, negroes, and -a few Americans.”</p> - -<p>The one who spoke was Lone Star Sam, a handsome,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_240"></a>[240]</span> -dashing fellow, reserved, courteous, whom his -comrades regarded as a man with a past that had left -its impress upon him, for he never spoke of it.</p> - -<p>“What did you find out about it, Sam?”</p> - -<p>“Very little, sir.”</p> - -<p>“What brought you here?”</p> - -<p>“I was in search of one I was anxious to find, and, -hearing of this settlement from a Mexican officer, I -came here to see if my man was here.”</p> - -<p>“Was he?”</p> - -<p>“He was not.”</p> - -<p>“Did you stay long at that time?”</p> - -<p>“About a month, chief.”</p> - -<p>Then Buffalo Bill told his story, and let the scouts -understand what discovery he had made, and what -Señor Otega, the ranchero down the valley, had made -known to him, though he did not say where he had -got the information.</p> - -<p>“Now, boys, we are here to find out where these -secret outlaws are. They are doubtless leagued for -gold alone, but revenge may play a part in their actions -also. That they have a retreat is assured by their -keeping their captives as hostages. Where this retreat -is we must find out. Who they are we must -know, and when we have set our trap we must spring -it in a way that will leave escape for none. A dozen -there may be, perhaps more, to work so well and successfully.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_241"></a>[241]</span></p> - -<p>“The landlord—Riel is his name—I do not trust, -so beware of him; yes, and every one else, even the -Padre Juan in Silver Lake, as he, too, may be a wolf -in the garb of a sheep, though I think not. Trust no -one, but keep your eyes and ears open, and be prepared -at any time to fight for your lives.</p> - -<p>“I am, remember, an American ranchero, and you -are my cattlemen. We are here to stay, you can tell -the inquisitive, and secretly we are here to ferret out -the mysteries of this valley.</p> - -<p>“The curse that rests upon it is a mystery, the secret -band of robbers and kidnapers is another, my having -met that Mexican officer and maiden is a third, while -the masked man and his four unmasked followers is -a fourth mystery. Then there is this deserted and -haunted hacienda, and let me warn you that it has -begun its underhand work already, for human hands -led that mountain lion in where I found him, and the -white-robed form I fired at was no apparition, and -you are all too sensible to believe that such a thing -could be.</p> - -<p>“Now come up and see our quarters, and get the -packs off the mules and unload the wagon, for I wish -to get lanterns, and, first of all, make a thorough -search of the old place. Where are the two wagon -drivers?”</p> - -<p>“Back with the men I left with the herd, for nothing -would induce them to come any nearer to this<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_242"></a>[242]</span> -hacienda, so one of the boys brought the wagon on, -and when it is unloaded, will drive it back and let -them skip, for they wish to be well on their way before -night overtakes them, and swear they would not -have come a step had the landlord told them where -they were to take their load.”</p> - -<p>Buffalo Bill laughed at the fears of the two Mexicans -who had come with the wagon, and Texas Jack -went on to say:</p> - -<p>“And, chief, those two fellows vowed that there -was not a man in the valley you could get to come to -this hacienda, day or night.”</p> - -<p>“All right. We don’t want any to come. But we -are men, and here we remain until I accomplish what -I came for.”</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_243"></a>[243]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXXV">CHAPTER XXXV.<br /> -<span class="fs70">THE SEARCH OF THE RUIN.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>The corridor of the hacienda was first entered -through the wing the chief of scouts had selected for -occupation, and it was seen that all, save the door -through which he had made his entrance and exit, was -securely fastened.</p> - -<p>Whoever it had been the chief had fired at, could -only have entered by that single door, as far as could -be seen.</p> - -<p>The rear window was opened then, and showed -that it had been closed for a long time. So did the -wide front doors, which filled almost the other end -of the corridor. But the other doors, save that one -through which Buffalo Bill had entered, showed plainly -that they had not been opened for a long while.</p> - -<p>That door the chief himself had opened from -within the wing, and yet the lion had been found in -the corridor, as also had the white apparition, whatever -it was.</p> - -<p>“Well, if a mountain lion could get in here, a ghost -ought to. The lion was certainly not a specter brute, -as I have proof,” said the chief, with a grim smile. -“We will now look over the rest of the building.”</p> - -<p>And they did so, going into each wing, the chapel, -and the basement in the solid rock beneath it, the -second story, and up to the tower.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_244"></a>[244]</span></p> - -<p>This done, and finding nothing more than that it -had been the haunt of owls and bats, the party blew -out their lanterns and returned to the wing where -their comrades had been hard at work.</p> - -<p>With water from the stream, and brooms, they had -cleaned up the rooms well, a fire had been built in the -large open chimney, the tables got out, chairs set -around, the cooking utensils put in the fireplace, the -bedding placed in the sleeping rooms, and in little -more than three hours the hacienda, in that wing at -least, presented a very comfortable appearance.</p> - -<p>Then the wagon was returned to the two waiting -Mexicans, and the broken-down plaza entrance was -repaired, as it was decided best, for a few nights at -least, to drive the horses and cattle into the walled -grounds about the hacienda, so that they would begin -to understand that it was home.</p> - -<p>Just before sunset the stock was driven up, and -the gateway having been finished, so as to make it -strong again, it was closed for the night, and the -scouts went to get supper.</p> - -<p>Two guards were appointed for the night, one in -the hacienda, one at the entrance to the grounds, and -Buffalo Bill selected men whom he knew were not of -a superstitious turn of mind, remarking to Texas -Jack:</p> - -<p>“If we put on a man who was looking for ghosts, -this is the very place to find them, and he would be<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_245"></a>[245]</span> -alarming us constantly with challenges of apparitions, -so I just put on men who have no fear of the -dead.”</p> - -<p>“You are right, for though there is not a man in -the band who would not fight big odds if he knew he -was facing men, several of the boys would skip at -the sight of anything in this ruin they did not understand. -I am sorry that you told them the ghost story.”</p> - -<p>“No, it was best, for if this hacienda is the haunt of -outlaws as I believe it has been, it will be by springing -the supernatural upon us, that they will endeavor -to frighten us away.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, that is so, and from that standpoint it was -best; but the cleverness of that apparition act shows -that they have some means of getting in and out that -we are not on to yet, chief.”</p> - -<p>“Well, it won’t be long before we are, if the men -are not stampeded by a supposed ghost,” was Buffalo -Bill’s answer.</p> - -<p>In the band of brave men congregated in the hacienda -that night, about half of them had a superstitious -dread of the old deserted mission ranch.</p> - -<p>Buffalo Bill saw just how these men felt, and he -read the faces of those who had no dread. So he said, -as all were seated in the ranch waiting to retire:</p> - -<p>“Remember, pards, I believe that efforts will be -made to drive us out of here to-night. Not by direct<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_246"></a>[246]</span> -force, for, with our numbers, they will not attempt -any attack.</p> - -<p>“But this hacienda is very old. Strange deeds have -been done here, crimes committed, and most mysterious -happenings have occurred.</p> - -<p>“Now, there is no such thing, as all of you know, -as spooks and ghosts, for the dead never come back -to earth in spirit form. But, relying upon the fears -of many that believe in spooks, wicked men play the -ghost act to frighten all away from this place for a -purpose of their own.</p> - -<p>“My idea is that this place has been the abode of -outlaws, and our coming here thwarts their game to -keep hidden. As they dare not attack us openly, they -will play the specter game and try and stampede us.</p> - -<p>“But that will not go with you, and as an extra precaution -to-night I will keep four men on duty instead -of two. Two of you can be together: a couple in the -hacienda, the others about the grounds.</p> - -<p>“But, remember, neither of the guards must move -into the domains of the others, for my orders are to -shoot everything on two legs you see prowling about, -be it ghost or man.</p> - -<p>“Now, Jack, you go on duty with three men until -midnight, and I will relieve you then with three more.”</p> - -<p>This plain talk quieted the foolish dread of those -who had been feeling anxious as to what might happen,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_247"></a>[247]</span> -and Texas Jack went on duty with three men -whom he called to follow him, being careful to select -two of the three whom he knew had an uncanny fear -of the place.</p> - -<p>One of them he left on guard at the hacienda with -a comrade who had no fear of ghosts, and the other -he took out in the grounds with him, though showing -no sign that he suspected either.</p> - -<p>The horses were huddled together in one corner -of the walled-in plaza, and the cattle were in another, -all quiet and apparently wondering why they were -penned up.</p> - -<p>As the guards left the hacienda the others turned -in for the night, and were soon fast asleep, Buffalo -Bill setting the good example by dropping off instantly -into a deep slumber.</p> - -<p>Soon after the guards had gone on duty, the horses -began to grow uneasy, just why Texas Jack could -not understand. As they still continued their restlessness, -he told the man who was with him to stand -guard at the gateway while he went among the restive -animals.</p> - -<p>But the man preferred to go with him, and he said -no more.</p> - -<p>The two quieted the horses, to find that the cattle -also were getting restive, and, cowboy fashion, Texas -Jack began to sing to them, for, as he muttered to -himself:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_248"></a>[248]</span></p> - -<p>“If they stampeded they may break out, and about -half the nags will go with them.”</p> - -<p>The cattle also became quieted under the weird -chanting of the Texan, and then the horses once more -became restive.</p> - -<p>“Say, Pinto Paul, you stay about the horses while -I soothe the split-hoofs with the melody of my voice, -which can lull them to rest,” said the Texan, in a -light vein.</p> - -<p>“Jack, give me an order to tackle the mate of that -mountain lion the chief killed, or to brace up against -a couple of outlaws, and I’ll do it, but don’t expect -me to play a lone hand, for I don’t intend to do it.”</p> - -<p>“You are surely not scared, Paul?”</p> - -<p>“I tell you that this is no place for living men -when the dead are prowling about.”</p> - -<p>Texas Jack saw that Pinto Paul was in deadly -earnest, and he said no more, merely remarking:</p> - -<p>“Well, Paul, if you think I am a foil to the ghosts -we’ll stay together, and we’ll keep by the gate, so as -to head the cattle if they make a break for it, and I’ll -keep up my song.”</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_249"></a>[249]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXXVI">CHAPTER XXXVI.<br /> -<span class="fs70">THE FIRST NIGHT.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>The plaintive song of the Texan did have a soothing -effect upon both cattle and horses.</p> - -<p>Thus the time passed away out in the grounds, -while in the hacienda when all became quiet it seems -that the spooks began to get in their work also.</p> - -<p>The first the guards heard was a low moan which -sounded like a man in suffering, but just where it -came from the two guards could not tell.</p> - -<p>The superstitious one of the two was for rousing -the men at once, but his comrade said:</p> - -<p>“What for? We see no one, and it is merely a -trick to frighten us, for the chief is right; this is an -outlaws’ haunt.”</p> - -<p>When there joined in with the moaning the sound -of a woman weeping, Mustang Frank began to show -real fright, but Lone Star Sam calmed him, and the -two listened to the strange sounds. As though a -man’s moaning and woman’s weeping were not -enough, there joined as a treble the sound of a child -crying like one in pain.</p> - -<p>“Let’s arouse the chief.”</p> - -<p>“No, Frank, it is nearly midnight, and he’ll be on -hand then. Besides, we cannot shoot, mind. This -place is haunted by men whose interest it is to frighten -us away; but we won’t scare a little bit, Frank.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_250"></a>[250]</span></p> - -<p>“Speak for yourself, pard, for I’m about scared -silly this blessed minute.”</p> - -<p>Lone Star laughed.</p> - -<p>“Listen!” he said. “I thought we would have more -of it, for hear that dog join in the quartet, only I -don’t like the music—ah! here comes the chief.”</p> - -<p>Buffalo Bill just then came out into the corridor.</p> - -<p>“Well, pards, we are having a serenade, I hear. -But it is time for you to turn in, just twelve, and I’ll -watch here, while Haskell stands by the outer door; -but remain on duty until I return from seeing Texas -Jack.”</p> - -<p>“Do you mean any one can sleep, chief, with this -going on?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, Frank. We were not born in the woods to -be scared by an owl,” was the answer, and Buffalo -Bill left the corridor and met Winfield, and the other -two men who were to go on guard.</p> - -<p>They were Haskell and Broncho Rawlings, and -both of them were very nervous, for they had heard -the weird sounds echoing through the hacienda.</p> - -<p>“Winfield, you and the others come with me to -where Texas Jack and Pinto Paul are on duty, and -we will see if they have been disturbed by these outlaws -playing ghosts.”</p> - -<p>On they walked and found Texas Jack having as -much trouble to soothe Pinto Paul as he had to keep -the cattle quiet.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_251"></a>[251]</span></p> - -<p>“Anything wrong, Jack?”</p> - -<p>“The cattle and horses are very restless, and Paul -thinks ghosts are about, but we have seen nothing, -though we have heard the howling of a dog and hooting -of an owl.”</p> - -<p>“Well, Jack, I will relieve you and Pinto Paul, and -Broncho Rawlings will stand guard over the cattle -while I take the gate. You, Winfield, return to the -hacienda and relieve Sam, taking Haskell with you.”</p> - -<p>This was done, Broncho Rawlings taking his stand -among the cattle, and at once beginning to sing as -Texas Jack and Pinto Paul had done, for they were, -indeed, restless.</p> - -<p>Winfield and Haskell returned to the hacienda, accompanied -by Texas Jack and Pinto Paul, who muttered:</p> - -<p>“I suppose it will be out of the frying pan into the -fire in the old ghost nest.”</p> - -<p>The men were all awake now, yet not up. But -Texas Jack showed no dread, simply remarking that -a ghost would be made of those in reality who were -playing the spook act, and he turned in.</p> - -<p>Pinto Paul, meanwhile, stirred up the fire for light, -not heat, and sat by it, merely remarking:</p> - -<p>“Now, I’m not sleepy a little bit, pards.”</p> - -<p>Winfield meanwhile had placed Haskell on guard -at the outer door of the hacienda, while he went in -to relieve Lone Star Sam and Frank.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_252"></a>[252]</span></p> - -<p>These came into the large sleeping room, and while -Lone Star calmly went to bed, Mustang Frank joined -Pinto Paul at the fire, remarking:</p> - -<p>“I’m with you, pard, for I always was scared of a -danger I couldn’t see.”</p> - -<p>“Me, too.”</p> - -<p>“This old rookery is a graveyard from ’way back, -and, you bet, ghosts are on the prowl this night, for -they’ve invited no company, and don’t keep a hotel -for men in the flesh, such as we are. Just listen to -that music, will you?”</p> - -<p>Weird sounds rang through the hacienda.</p> - -<p>When Buffalo Bill had gone into the corridor he had -intended to relieve Lone Star and Mustang Frank. -But when he visited the spot where Texas Jack was -on guard he thought that the entrance to the ranch -was the best place for him, after he had heard the -Texan’s report. He knew if the cattle and horses -were restless some one was causing them to be so by -prowling about among them, and in some way exciting -them.</p> - -<p>If that “some one” could only stampede the whole -lot, causing them to break through the gateway, then -he and his scouts would be in a bad way indeed.</p> - -<p>It was true that the gateway had been repaired, -but not as well as was intended, for timber would -have to be cut and hauled there to make it secure,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_253"></a>[253]</span> -and a rush of steers would break down the barrier -that was there.</p> - -<p>That any other demonstration would be made in -the hacienda than the weird sounds already heard, -Buffalo Bill did not believe, so he decided that he -would keep his stand at the gate and let Rawlings -guard the cattle, singing to them to quiet them.</p> - -<p>The moment the others had walked away, Buffalo -Bill had quickly crouched down in the shadow of -the wall, just at the entrance. He heard no sound save -the impatient tramping of the horses, the singing of -Broncho Rawlings, and an anxious lowing of a frightened -steer.</p> - -<p>An hour passed, and he saw that the horses were -becoming more restless.</p> - -<p>A moment after his keen eyes detected a white -object running along the wall. It came from the -corner where the horses were.</p> - -<p>Keeping his position, Buffalo Bill watched the -white object as he could distinctly see it.</p> - -<p>The song of Broncho Rawlings was still kept up, -and the cattle, too, became restive in spite of the -lulling notes of the melody.</p> - -<p>“Broncho soothes them, but if I attempted to sing -to them I’d stampede the whole outfit, yes, scouts and -all,” said Buffalo Bill, with a full realization that music -was not one of his accomplishments.</p> - -<p>The chief of scouts was upon the opposite side,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_254"></a>[254]</span> -crouching in the shadow of the massive adobe column -on either side of the entrance.</p> - -<p>The white figure came straight toward him, and -had Pinto Paul been where Buffalo Bill was, he would -have stampeded with alacrity.</p> - -<p>The white figure did not seem to be able to see -well, for the scout had not been discovered yet.</p> - -<p>Halting at the entrance, not twenty feet from Buffalo -Bill, the “ghost” showed what its intention was. -It intended to break down the barrier, and thus leave -an open way for the cattle to stampede.</p> - -<p>But the entrance had been better closed than the -midnight prowler in white thought, as it had some -difficulty in its attempt.</p> - -<p>Just then there came from the hacienda, rising far -above the singing of Broncho Rawlings and all other -sounds, wild and piercing shrieks.</p> - -<p>The ghost seemed determined to break down the -barrier as he heard the sound, but was suddenly -startled by the stern command:</p> - -<p>“Hands up, there, or I’ll fire!”</p> - -<p>A cry broke from the white-robed form, and, with -a bound, he was off, when sharp, loud, and deadly -came the report of a revolver.</p> - -<p>Just as Buffalo Bill pulled the trigger it seemed as -though the white form fell heavily, and then Buffalo -Bill’s voice was heard:</p> - -<p>“Turn out, all, to quiet the cattle.”</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_255"></a>[255]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXXVII">CHAPTER XXXVII.<br /> -<span class="fs70">A DEAD GHOST.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>Out of the hacienda came Texas Jack and the -others, while, springing before the entrance, Buffalo -Bill called out soothingly to the cattle, the other scouts -doing the same as they came out.</p> - -<p>There was a moment of suspense, but then the herd -calmed down, as all the scouts, thoroughly trained -cattlemen, began to sing to them.</p> - -<p>Then Texas Jack went to the aid of Buffalo Bill, -calling out as he advanced:</p> - -<p>“Winfield stands guard with several men in the -hacienda, and I came to see who fired that shot, chief.”</p> - -<p>“I did. There is a dead ghost lying yonder, and I -hope it will end this fool dread of spooks,” was Buffalo -Bill’s reply.</p> - -<p>Seeing that the cattle were being quieted by the -scouts, Texas Jack walked toward the white object -lying thirty feet away, at the foot of the high wall.</p> - -<p>“Well, Jack, it’s a flesh ghost, isn’t it?” called out -Buffalo Bill, as he saw his pard bend over it.</p> - -<p>“It is, sir, and I’ll call several of the men to guard -the gate while we carry it up to the hacienda to have -a look at it.”</p> - -<p>“Do so.”</p> - -<p>Several men at once came at the call, among them -Pinto Paul.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_256"></a>[256]</span></p> - -<p>“There’s the ghost, Pinto Paul; at least, he is more -ghost now than he was a short while ago,” said Texas -Jack.</p> - -<p>“What is it?” he asked, in an awed way.</p> - -<p>“A dead man, now, who was playing ghost a while -since. He did not know that I was on duty at the gate -there, for he heard Broncho Rawlings singing, and -supposed he was alone on watch.</p> - -<p>“As the ghost was trying to take down the barrier, -to let the cattle out, I held him up, but, as he did not -heed, I fired on him. I did not fire to kill, but to wing -him, but just as I pulled trigger he fell into a hole -I remember is there, and caught the bullet in a vital -spot. But it shows that spirits can be killed, Pinto.”</p> - -<p>The scout made no reply, for he was beginning to -see that if the hacienda was haunted it must be by -flesh and blood of ghostly forms.</p> - -<p>“I’ll give you a hand, Jack,” said Buffalo Bill.</p> - -<p>But the Texan dragged the white form out of the -gully into which he had fallen, and shouldered it -without an effort.</p> - -<p>As he moved off toward the hacienda Buffalo Bill -joined him, calling out to the scouts to keep the cattle -quiet, while he went to investigate the ghost in the -glare of the light.</p> - -<p>Arriving at the hacienda, Texas Jack deposited his -load before the fire, and lighted a couple of lanterns,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_257"></a>[257]</span> -while Buffalo Bill walked to the corridor where Winfield -was on guard.</p> - -<p>“Well, Winfield, how goes it?”</p> - -<p>“All quiet, now, sir; but that shrieking was a bloodcurdler, -even to me, and I feared it would stampede -some of the boys along with the cattle.”</p> - -<p>“No, we headed them off. But keep your ears open -for the slightest sounds, now, though I do not believe -we will have any more disturbances. The ghost is -laid, I think.”</p> - -<p>So saying, Buffalo Bill returned to the large room.</p> - -<p>The fire had been brightened up, and, with the light -of several lanterns, the room was very light.</p> - -<p>Texas Jack had laid the form upon the floor before -the fire, and, with a couple of the men who had come -in, was standing looking at it. It was clad in a white -garment, made to resemble a shroud, and the head was -also wrapped around, though two holes had been -made for the eyes to peer through. On each side, -near the belt, there were two slits, through which -the arms could be thrust.</p> - -<p>The white covering was taken from the form by -Buffalo Bill and Texas Jack, and a dark, foreign face -was exposed.</p> - -<p>“It is a Mexican,” said Texas Jack.</p> - -<p>“Yes, and he came to kill, if need be.”</p> - -<p>Buffalo Bill pointed to the belt of arms the man -wore. He was attired half in Mexican, half in frontier<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_258"></a>[258]</span> -garb, and his face was an evil one. Also, about his -waist was a buckskin belt that contained several hundred -dollars in gold.</p> - -<p>“Well, Jack, we need not report the killing of this -man, at least just yet. We will wait and see if we -hear of it, and, if so, the man who makes it known -we will spot. I trust, now, the boys will not fear -ghosts any more.”</p> - -<p>“I hope not, chief.”</p> - -<p>“Send each one of them here to have a look for -himself, and they will know that I was right when I -said an effort would be made to scare us away from -here.</p> - -<p>“As we did not scare, they will try some other plan -to get rid of us; but, one thing is certain, that these -men have some way of entering and leaving the hacienda -we do not know of, but must find out.</p> - -<p>“You see there is not a sound now, for they know -that one of their spirits has come to grief.”</p> - -<p>Texas Jack went out after the men, and they all -took a look at the “ghost,” made their comments, saw -where the bullet of the chief had struck him in the -head, and then the body was put in a vacant room, -a guard placed in the grounds, at the gate, and the rest -of the scouts returned to their blankets, Pinto Paul -remarking:</p> - -<p>“Well, I take no more stock in ghosts, though I -don’t just love this old owl’s nest.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_259"></a>[259]</span></p> - -<p>The night passed away without much sleep for a -few of the scouts. There was not another sound -heard in the hacienda, and the horses and cattle quieted -down. This proved to the men that they had been -frightened by the white-robed form going about among -them.</p> - -<p>The body of the dead Mexican was buried in the -walled inclosure, while Winfield prepared breakfast -and put things to rights.</p> - -<p>After the meal was over, he and six of the scouts -took the cattle to graze, while Texas Jack and the -others started upon a thorough search of the old -mission ranch. They were anxious to find out just -where their disturbers of the night before had hidden, -or, if concealed in the place, how they had got -into it, and made their exit.</p> - -<p>Having posted men here and there on the watch, -one in the tower, one upstairs, one in the grounds, -and seen the others start in the search, Buffalo Bill -put on his best rig and rode away, his men wondering -where, and why he had dressed up. He rode his best -horse, carried a rifle slung to his saddle, and seemed -prepared to meet friend or foe.</p> - -<p>That he carried no provisions along, after saying -that he would not return until night, was also a surprise -to the scouts, who knew that their chief was -not one to miss a meal except on compulsion.</p> - -<p>Down the valley rode the scout, and, following the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_260"></a>[260]</span> -lake shore its length, he turned, after going half a -score miles, in a trail leading to the left toward the -mountain range on the eastward.</p> - -<p>Up among the foothills he saw a fine hacienda -which he knew was the place where he had spent the -night in passing through the valley a month before.</p> - -<p>Toward this he wended his way, for he wished to -talk with Señor Otega.</p> - -<p>The señor it was who had told him of the secret -band of robbers in the valley, of the curse that rested -upon the people, and this had influenced him in coming -there to solve the mystery, to hunt down the outlaws.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_261"></a>[261]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXXVIII">CHAPTER XXXVIII.<br /> -<span class="fs70">ON SECRET WORK.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>Buffalo Bill did not care to trust even Señor Otega -with any secrets, for he knew not who he could place -confidence in; but, having now come to the valley, -being on the spot, he might find out from the señor -some information that might be of value to him.</p> - -<p>He wished to see just who the maiden he had rescued -was, who the band of outlaws might be, when -Señor Otego had said that not one of the secret foes -of the people in the valley had ever been seen.</p> - -<p>Then who was the officer in the Mexican uniform, -and why was he in the valley thus attired, why the -victim of these men?</p> - -<p>It was to get at the bottom facts, as well as he -could, that Buffalo Bill had started upon his visit to -Señor Otega.</p> - -<p>As he neared the ranch he saw the cattle and horses -feeding near, the cowboys, five in number, guarding -them and gazing curiously at him, and to these he -nodded as he rode near, and said pleasantly:</p> - -<p>“Good morning, pards.”</p> - -<p>They returned his salute in silence, and were evidently -surprised at seeing a stranger.</p> - -<p>Going on up to the hacienda he saw Señor Otega -just about to mount his horse, but discovering him, -he turned toward him, and said:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_262"></a>[262]</span></p> - -<p>“Why, señor, you in our valley again? You are -welcome, I assure you.”</p> - -<p>Buffalo Bill responded to the questions, and then -said:</p> - -<p>“But my coming prevents you from going on a -ride, I fear?”</p> - -<p>“No, for I can go another time, as there is no -great hurry. I was merely intending to ride over to -see the stranger who had taken possession of the old -mission ranch and urge that he give up such a thought, -for I deem it my duty to advise him.”</p> - -<p>“Thanks, señor. Do you know who he is?”</p> - -<p>“An American of wealth, I believe, who came -here with his people, cattle, horses, and all.”</p> - -<p>“Permit me to say, señor, that I am the one. I took -possession yesterday.”</p> - -<p>“You surprise me.”</p> - -<p>“And it is a surprise to me that you should know -it so soon.”</p> - -<p>“I learned it last night, from my men. But, señor, -I am the more distressed, now, as I learn you are the -man, for I like you, and to go to that terrible place -is but to go to your doom.”</p> - -<p>“Not so bad as that, I hope, Señor Otega. The -fact is, I fell in love with your beautiful valley, and, -anxious to find a home, I decided to settle here, and -the old hacienda was the only place I could get. So -I came here from the northward, bringing my cattle,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_263"></a>[263]</span> -horses, outfit, and cowboys with me, and I assure you -we shall be most comfortable. You see, I took an -early opportunity to call upon you.”</p> - -<p>But Señor Otega seemed to be lost in thought, and -said, in an absent-minded way:</p> - -<p>“Come in, come in! Why did you come to this -valley, señor?”</p> - -<p>“To settle here, at least for a while.”</p> - -<p>“You have your people with you?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, all of them, and real men, too.”</p> - -<p>“I am glad. But why did you seek a home beneath -that doomed roof?”</p> - -<p>“Do you remember telling me the curse that rested -upon this valley? You told me that your daughter -had been taken from you by an unseen foe.”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“Has she been restored to you?”</p> - -<p>“Alas, no! She is still a prisoner. Only yesterday -I paid the tax of one thousand pesos put upon me.”</p> - -<p>“It is an outrage.”</p> - -<p>“It is the seventh I have paid, señor, and I believe -there are to be five more, if not still more, before -she is returned to us.”</p> - -<p>“And other families pay this same tax?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, señor.”</p> - -<p>“It is infamous.”</p> - -<p>“But they do not all pay the same sum, señor, for -the taxgatherer knows well the circumstances of each<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_264"></a>[264]</span> -of his victims, and collects accordingly. He does -not put upon any one a sum that cannot be paid, for -when I pay a thousand, a poor man pays a hundred, -and one pays five thousand pesos, señor.”</p> - -<p>“Who is that?”</p> - -<p>“A young girl, the Señorita Suelo Sada, known as -The Fair Hermit.”</p> - -<p>“Ah! who did you say she was?”</p> - -<p>“One left a large fortune by a kinsman, who owned -the ranch where she lives, and she came here to -dwell, but receives no visitors, has no friendships, -and lives such a life of utter seclusion we call her here -in the valley the hermitess, the beautiful recluse, and -other such names.”</p> - -<p>“Who of her family are with her?”</p> - -<p>“Not one.”</p> - -<p>“Does she dwell all alone?”</p> - -<p>“All alone, señor, save her servants and cattlemen, -of whom there are quite a number, but they, too, hold -themselves aloof from all others, and the stockmen -are known as the hermit cowboys.”</p> - -<p>“Then how can these secret taxgatherers, as we -may call them, make a demand upon the Señorita -Sada for so large a sum, as they cannot have any of -her loved ones, señor?”</p> - -<p>“Ah, but they have. She is betrothed to a Mexican -officer, I hear, and he came here on a visit to her, was -seized on his way home, and is now held a prisoner<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_265"></a>[265]</span> -by these men whom no one knows. I learn the demand -is made upon her regularly for five thousand -pesos, and she pays it.”</p> - -<p>“Is the officer a man of any prominence?”</p> - -<p>“He is a captain of lanceros, señor, in the Mexican -army.”</p> - -<p>“It is strange that his government has taken no -steps to release him.”</p> - -<p>“There is a threat to put him to death if such an -attempt is made.”</p> - -<p>Buffalo Bill did not tell about his rescue of the fair -hermit and the officer.</p> - -<p>“Do you know his name, señor?”</p> - -<p>“It is said to be Del Sol.”</p> - -<p>“You know the padre in Silver Lake City.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes, Padre Juan.”</p> - -<p>“Can he do nothing to help you?”</p> - -<p>“He is under a ban also—a threat—if he does.”</p> - -<p>“And the landlord of the inn? The Señor Riel?”</p> - -<p>“Señor Cody, I do not like that man, I do not trust -him, though he, too, is under the ban, as his son, an -only child, is a prisoner. Still, I have a dread of -him.”</p> - -<p>“Well, Señor Otega, the secret foe can only capture -me or one of my men, to get a ransom, and we’ll -watch that they do not.</p> - -<p>“I did not come here to pay ransom to robbers;<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_266"></a>[266]</span> -but I came here to settle, and I like our home, haunted -though it may be.</p> - -<p>“I told you that I intended to help you, and I am -here to do so; but, remember, not a word of that to -any one, for it might thwart my plan.”</p> - -<p>“I will be silent, señor, for something tells me you -are here for good, to be relied on. I was going over -to the old mission ranch to warn whoever had settled -there to leave, for I did not know it was you. -Are you sure that nothing disturbed you last night?”</p> - -<p>“We heard sounds, the cattle were restless, but no -harm befell us, señor, and we’ll take chances, for that -is what we are here for.”</p> - -<p>“How many men have you, señor.”</p> - -<p>“I thought it best to bring at least half a dozen,” -was Buffalo Bill’s evasive reply, for he did not wish -his force to be known, even to Señor Otega. He had -not allowed the two Mexicans who drove the wagon -from Silver Lake City to see more than six men beside -himself, keeping the others off beyond the cattle.</p> - -<p>“It will be best to have just double the number they -think I have,” was the chief of scouts’ way of thinking.</p> - -<p>Buffalo Bill remained to dinner at the hospitable -ranch, and the señora, a sad-faced, lovely woman, -gave him a warm greeting, for she had been pleased -with his frank and genial manner upon his last visit -to their home.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_267"></a>[267]</span></p> - -<p>Late in the afternoon the scout started upon his -return, the señor accompanying him a few miles on -the trail.</p> - -<p>Learning that he had just moved in, the Señora -Otega insisted that she be allowed to add to his comfort, -and when he was ready to go he found a pack -horse ready for him to carry along, and it had been -loaded with grapes, vegetables, preserves, and a large -quantity of choice provisions, which the good lady -insisted that he must accept from her.</p> - -<p>“Just turn the pack horse loose to-night, and he -will come home and give you no further trouble,” -said the señor.</p> - -<p>The scout was touched by the señora’s kindness, -and as he rode away with her husband, he said:</p> - -<p>“You told your wife, then, that I was here to help -you?”</p> - -<p>“Not a word, señor; but I told her when you left -a month ago that you were Buffalo Bill, the great military -scout, and had promised to be our friend; and, -with a woman’s quick intuition where her love is interested, -she feels sure that you have come to save our -poor daughter.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, I saw that she was trying to read me, and I -appreciate her kind gifts to make me comfortable. -We will enjoy her bounty greatly.”</p> - -<p>As they reached the lake shore the sun was touching -the horizon, and the señor halted.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_268"></a>[268]</span></p> - -<p>“I will turn back here, Señor Cody, for my wife -will be anxious. You see, we have lately received -quite a handsome legacy, and if it were known, then -our secret foes would capture me or my wife and -demand a much larger ransom.”</p> - -<p>“Then return home at once, and I regret that you -came thus far with me.”</p> - -<p>“You have the most dangerous trail to travel, Señor -Cody, and a long ten miles.”</p> - -<p>“I am used to dangerous trails, señor, but if I -thought danger might beset you I would return with -you.”</p> - -<p>“Not unless you remain all night, señor.”</p> - -<p>“I could not do that. The ghosts in the old hacienda -might put my men to flight.”</p> - -<p>The sun had now sunk behind the western range of -mountains, and the lake valley was already darkening -under the fall of night.</p> - -<p>“That man is all right, for he told me of a legacy -lately received. I came here prepared to doubt every -one, but I’ll set him down as a square man,” muttered -Buffalo Bill, as he rode along the lake shore, -under the shelter of the fringe of timber, beneath -which led the trail up the valley.</p> - -<p>Señor Otega had turned his horse toward home, -and set out at a rapid canter.</p> - -<p>Reaching a belt of timber, the animal was walking -along at his ease, the night having set in, when, without<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_269"></a>[269]</span> -a warning, there settled over the señor’s head a -coil of rope, and he found his arms pinioned to his -side, while he heard the words in Spanish:</p> - -<p>“Resist, Señor Otega, and you are a dead man. I -have men here to master you.”</p> - -<p>Señor Otega thought first of his wife, and he -groaned in agony of spirit.</p> - -<p>“What does this outrage upon me mean, for you -call me by name, and hence know me?”</p> - -<p>“It means that you are a prisoner, and the Señora -Otega will be taxed to keep you alive,” was the reply.</p> - -<p>Señor Otega now, to his chagrin, saw that he had -been lassoed by one man, and he had seized his bridle -rein and stood by him, with a revolver leveled at his -head.</p> - -<p>But there came a flash, a report, and the kidnaper -sank in his tracks by the side of the señor’s horse.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_270"></a>[270]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXXIX">CHAPTER XXXIX.<br /> -<span class="fs70">THE SCOUT’S RETURN.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>At first thought Señor Otega had believed that he -had been the one shot at, and as his horse set a good -example of flight, he determined to encourage him -in it, believing there were other outlaws about.</p> - -<p>But ere the horse had made half a dozen bounds, -a voice called out:</p> - -<p>“Ho, señor, I fired that shot!”</p> - -<p>Señor Otega recognized the voice at once. It had a -ring in it that once heard could not be forgotten. So -he wheeled his horse, and rode back to find the one -who had rescued him standing by the side of the fallen -outlaw.</p> - -<p>“Señor Cody!”</p> - -<p>“Yes; I had a dread that your coming with me as -far as you did might get you into trouble, so I turned -back to dog your steps, unseen by you, and see you -enter your ranch in safety.”</p> - -<p>“How glad am I that you did, señor!”</p> - -<p>“I was not very far behind you, nearer you than I -thought, for you must have slackened your speed, and -I distinctly heard the voice of your captor.</p> - -<p>“I instantly sprang from my saddle, and, advancing -on foot, realized that you had been captured, and I -saw one man, but took the chances of there being -more.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_271"></a>[271]</span></p> - -<p>“As he was an outlaw, I thought it best to put him -out of the way.”</p> - -<p>“God bless you,” was all the ranchero could at first -say.</p> - -<p>But he soon conquered his emotion and told just -what his captor had said to him.</p> - -<p>Buffalo Bill listened attentively, and then said -abruptly:</p> - -<p>“This man was sent to kidnap you?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“Is he alone?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“His being there shows that he saw you leave your -home, was watching your return, shadowing you in -fact.”</p> - -<p>“No doubt of it, señor.”</p> - -<p>“Well, I wish you to be guided by me in this matter.”</p> - -<p>“I will.”</p> - -<p>“Say nothing, even to your wife, of this attack on -you to-night. I mean that no one must know of this -attack on you, señor.”</p> - -<p>“But why, Señor Cody?”</p> - -<p>“This man was sent to do this work. If he does -not return to report, they will not know what has -become of him, for I shall strap his body upon his -horse, which must be near, take the animal to the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_272"></a>[272]</span> -lake, lead him in, and thence along the shore in the -water to a spot near my ranch.</p> - -<p>“I will search the body for any telling articles there -may be on it, and will hide away his saddle and bridle.”</p> - -<p>“But the horse, señor?”</p> - -<p>“I will give him into the keeping of my men for a -day, and after they have branded him and disguised -him, his own master, if alive, would not know him, -and one of them will ride him, so he will not go back -to his home, at least, not just now.”</p> - -<p>“You know what you are about, Señor Cody?”</p> - -<p>“I hope so. Now we will find that horse, mount -his master on him, and I’ll lead him back through the -timber, not in the trail.”</p> - -<p>“And your horse, señor?”</p> - -<p>“Is trained, señor, and will keep always in the trail -as I start him until we reach the lake shore, and there -I will mount him.”</p> - -<p>“What will this dead man’s comrades think?”</p> - -<p>“In my opinion they will track him, find his trail -leading here, then back to the lake, where they will -lose it.</p> - -<p>“They will see that your horse was halted here, -remained for some time, and the tracks will reveal -that two men were here, their comrade and you. They -will take my footprints for yours, so you must not -dismount.</p> - -<p>“But when I have removed the body, you must<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_273"></a>[273]</span> -move your horse about all over the spot, to mark -out all traces of where it lay, for the ground is soft, -I notice, beneath my feet. Then you go on homeward, -and continue to gallop until you get there.”</p> - -<p>“But that will not explain that dead man’s absence?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, for they will believe that, being alone, when -he captured you, why you simply bribed him to let -you go.”</p> - -<p>Going into the timber, Buffalo Bill was not long in -finding the horse of the outlaw, and the body of the -dead kidnaper was tied across the saddle with his -own lariat, and then the animal and that of Señor -Otega were moved all about, until every trace of -where the man had fallen had been destroyed.</p> - -<p>Bidding the señor good night, and promising to -pay him another visit in good time, Buffalo Bill walked -back to his own horse and the pack animal, turned -toward the old ranch, threw the rein of the other -over the saddle horn, and started them off at a walk.</p> - -<p>Then he returned to the kidnaper’s horse, and led -him through the timber, and then back over the two -miles to the lake shore. There he overtook his horse -and the pack animal, and they were taken into the lake, -but at different points.</p> - -<p>Along the beach, ankle deep in the lake, they continued -their way, over the miles that lay between the -point where they had entered the water and the old -Mission Ranch.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_274"></a>[274]</span></p> - -<p>At last the scout left the lake at a place where his -trail led direct to the hacienda. He saw the glimmer -of a light there, and he knew that it must be at the -gate, and placed as a beacon to guide him home. Not -a horse or a steer did he see, and he felt that they -had all been driven into the grounds again for safety.</p> - -<p>As he neared the gate, the cheery voice of Texas -Jack called out:</p> - -<p>“Is that you, chief?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, Jack.”</p> - -<p>“We were getting anxious about you, and not one -of the men has retired.”</p> - -<p>“What, more ghosts?”</p> - -<p>“Not the shadow of one, but the men wished to -remain up to see if you came in all right.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes, I am all right. But I have a pack animal -loaded with good things, for I have been off on a -visit, and, Jack, I have another horse here, with his -dead master upon him.</p> - -<p>“Now, walls have ears, they say, and for fear the -old hacienda may have some secret closets where foes -are watching, I do not wish the men to breathe a word -of this dead man.</p> - -<p>“First, he must be searched, then buried to-night -in the grave with the other one, and his horse must -be disguised.”</p> - -<p>“I understand, chief.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_275"></a>[275]</span></p> - -<p>“In the morning drive the cattle and horses over -my trail to the lake.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, chief.”</p> - -<p>Feeling that he could leave all to Texas Jack, Buffalo -Bill dismounted and entered the walled-in -grounds, discovering that the men had during the day -made a barrier that nothing could break through. -Then he went on to the hacienda, for he was both -tired and hungry.</p> - -<p>The men welcomed their chief in a way that showed -how glad they were to see him back, and that they felt -a most warm regard for him.</p> - -<p>But he said nothing of his adventure other than to -tell them to go out and see Texas Jack.</p> - -<p>Buffalo Bill had no desire to say anything in the -hacienda that other ears than those his words were -intended for should hear. He was very suspicious -about the old structure, for, though it seemed one -could discover if there were secret closets about it, he -very well knew that such had not been found out, and -they were certainly there.</p> - -<p>This was proven by the mountain lion in the corridor, -the sounds of moaning and weeping, and the -howling of a dog the night before. Those sounds -could only have been made by persons in concealment.</p> - -<p>The scouts had discussed the matter among themselves -when out of the place, and off from it, for the -chief had warned them about talking when in the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_276"></a>[276]</span> -hacienda, and, where they could understand that men -could have uttered the moans and other sounds, they -could not comprehend just how the weeping of a -woman and the voice of a child could have been heard.</p> - -<p>“Pards, those ghosts must enter here by way of -the cliff up yonder, so to-night we’ll put a strong -guard there to head them off,” said Buffalo Bill.</p> - -<p>And so it was planned for the next night.</p> - -<p>Going out to Texas Jack, they saw the dead body, -and it was quietly buried; then they took the horse -in hand, and soon had him cleverly metamorphosed.</p> - -<p>The saddle and bridle were taken into the hacienda -and hidden, and all were told that they must utter not -a word within the house that they did not wish to be -known as there might be eavesdroppers whom they -did not wish to know their plans.</p> - -<p>This all attended to, Texas Jack went up to the -hacienda to report, and that also he had what had -been taken from the dead man put away for inspection -on the morrow.</p> - -<p>There was a guard of four men that night, two in -the hacienda, two in the grounds.</p> - -<p>Soon after midnight Buffalo Bill was awakened by -low groans. Where they came from he could not -tell. He arose in the darkness, and tried to trace the -sound to its source. But in vain.</p> - -<p>Lone Star was on guard in the corridor, but he, too, -knew not whence they came.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_277"></a>[277]</span></p> - -<p>Then followed the sound of weeping in a woman’s -voice, as upon the night before.</p> - -<p>“Go, Sam, and see if there is any disturbance -among the cattle. I will keep watch until you return,” -said Buffalo Bill.</p> - -<p>Lone Star left, and the chief took his stand just in -the middle of the corridor, and listened attentively.</p> - -<p>As he listened, there was heard the wailing of a -child, as though in pain. And the moans, the weeping, -and the wailing continued.</p> - -<p>“It all comes from the center of this hacienda, -either from overhead or from underneath, which I -cannot tell,” mused the scout.</p> - -<p>Suddenly there rang out the wild, piercing shriek -of the night before.</p> - -<p>For a moment Buffalo Bill was startled, so close to -him did it seem.</p> - -<p>The men were all awakened by it, and upon their -feet in an instant.</p> - -<p>There was an alarm sounded, but just then Lone -Star Sam returned, and reported the horses and cattle -quiet.</p> - -<p>“Yes, and the same game must be played here to -quiet these ghosts,” said Buffalo Bill.</p> - -<p>Lone Star had heard the shriek, for it had even -reached the men on guard at the gate. He said every -scout was up and ready for business.</p> - -<p>“This must not be,” said Buffalo Bill. “They must<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_278"></a>[278]</span> -pay no attention to any sounds they hear, and then -we will master the situation.”</p> - -<p>This order was given secretly to each one of the -men, and they returned to their beds, though some -did not care to sleep, as that unearthly shriek still -echoed in their ears.</p> - -<p>The morning dawned, and then Buffalo Bill gave -orders to each man to retire the next night early, and -to pay no attention to moans, groans, weeping, wailing -or shrieks.</p> - -<p>“We will disappoint them, pards. And more, only -one man need stand guard to-night in the hacienda, -and one at the gate.</p> - -<p>“If there is cause for alarm, a pistol shot will be -the signal to bring up to the spot where we are needed, -but remember, nothing less than seeing a ghost to-night -counts, for hearing them is nothing.”</p> - -<p>These orders were given away from the hacienda, -where no one could hear, if concealed within the walls.</p> - -<p>The men to guard the cattle left early with the herd -and the horses, and the trail of Buffalo Bill’s horse -and the led animals was blotted out to the lake.</p> - -<p>One of the men even rode the horse of the dead -kidnaper out on duty.</p> - -<p>His heavy tail had been thinned out more than -half, as also had his bushy mane, while two brands -had been put upon him that looked old. This was -done by folding a cloth, saturating it in water, placing<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_279"></a>[279]</span> -it upon the side of the animal, and then holding the -red-hot brand against it until the hair was scalded off, -but the flesh not burned.</p> - -<p>This gave it an old look, and the horse certainly -would not be known by the man who had owned him.</p> - -<p>Just at midnight a low moaning was heard. As -the wind had come up, and was whistling about the -old hacienda, it made the moaning seem more dismal -than ever. Then deep groans were heard.</p> - -<p>A few scouts moved uneasily at this, but no one -rose, no one spoke.</p> - -<p>The weeping of a woman followed, without causing -any disturbance among the sleepers, if any one -was really asleep. Next was heard the plaintive wailing -of a child.</p> - -<p>Still no one stirred. A few minutes after there was -a perfect chorus of these melancholy sounds, and still -the scouts lay quiet.</p> - -<p>Suddenly, without warning, the same unearthly, -terrible shriek which had before brought all the scouts -to their feet echoed through the old hacienda.</p> - -<p>To say that some of the scouts started would be -but the truth. But all had their orders from Buffalo -Bill, and not a man moved. The shriek had caused -hardly any more disturbance than had the moans, -weeping, and wailing.</p> - -<p>But, as though angry at having remained unnoticed,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_280"></a>[280]</span> -the shrieker sent forth peal after peal, until Buffalo -Bill called out:</p> - -<p>“Oh, quit that racket, ghost, and go back to your -grave; for we can’t help you.”</p> - -<p>The scouts laughed, and in a moment the sounds -ceased altogether.</p> - -<p>Nothing more disturbed the night’s rest, and the -morning dawned with the secret sleuths the victors.</p> - -<p>Buffalo Bill rose early, and while breakfast was -being got ready he went out and scaled the cliff.</p> - -<p>“Pards, to-night some of us will camp out upon -that cliff,” he said upon his return.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_281"></a>[281]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XL">CHAPTER XL.<br /> -<span class="fs70">THE SHOT ON THE CLIFF.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>The secret sleuths all seemed particularly pleased -with their chief and themselves, when they felt that -they had not been turned out of their beds by the -carrying on of the “ghosts” during the night.</p> - -<p>Those who had been most superstitious took heart -also, and began to feel that the “dead folks” were not -so much to be dreaded, after all.</p> - -<p>The guard at the entrance had reported that the -cattle had shown no restlessness, and he had neither -seen nor heard anything to alarm him, save the wild -shrieks up at the hacienda.</p> - -<p>Buffalo Bill had picked out four men to accompany -him to the cliff, when night came, to remain there on -watch.</p> - -<p>A guard was also to be stationed in the tower, one -at the gate and another at the entrance of the living -wing.</p> - -<p>In case of an alarm five more scouts were to hasten -over the wall, and, led by Lone Star, who knew the -way, go to the help of those upon the cliff.</p> - -<p>Buffalo Bill had selected to accompany him Texas -Jack, Kit Kingdon, Rio Grande Dick, and Blue Jacket -Bob, all of them splendid fellows in a close fight.</p> - -<p>And all were to take their rifles along.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_282"></a>[282]</span></p> - -<p>They were to carry their blankets as well, so that -all could sleep except one who watched.</p> - -<p>Quietly they slipped out of the gate, after dark, -and, Buffalo Bill leading the way, they went around -the wall to the cliff and began the steep climb by the -aid of the trees.</p> - -<p>It was no easy task by day, and doubly dangerous -in the darkness.</p> - -<p>But the climb was made in safety, and when the -plateau was reached the five men formed a line, and, -spreading their blankets upon the ground, lay down to -watch.</p> - -<p>Buffalo Bill had taken the center position, and he -told his men that they could go to sleep, as he would -remain on guard and call them if he had any grounds -for alarm.</p> - -<p>The men were thus stretched right across the -plateau from one cliffside to another, and about a -hundred yards apart, just over the ranch.</p> - -<p>But though each man spread his blanket, he did not -go to sleep.</p> - -<p>All were too anxious to make some discovery that -would enable them to entrap the outlaws.</p> - -<p>If there was an alarm, they were to rally toward -their chief, and if their foes proved too numerous -they were to give a signal for help from the hacienda, -and then retreat toward the cliff overlooking it.</p> - -<p>Midnight came and passed without any sound, and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_283"></a>[283]</span> -then Texas Jack, who held the end position on the -right, beheld a form in white coming from the cliff -that looked down from the range over the plateau, -and which rose several feet above it. He was instantly -on the alert, and expecting that the one he saw was -not alone, he dared not yet give the alarm.</p> - -<p>Nearer and nearer drew the form in white, gliding -quickly along, until suddenly Texas Jack called out -sharply:</p> - -<p>“Halt! Hands up!”</p> - -<p>There was a startled cry, a quick shot at random -toward Texas Jack, and the white form was off like -a deer toward the cliff.</p> - -<p>Seeing that he must get away, Texas Jack raised -his rifle and fired as the shadowy form was disappearing -in the darkness.</p> - -<p>Instantly all was excitement on the plateau, the -scouts rallying quickly toward Texas Jack, who had -darted forward in pursuit, calling to his comrades to -follow.</p> - -<p>Buffalo Bill was the first to reach his side, and he -was bending over a man lying upon the ground and -groaning with pain.</p> - -<p>“Stay and see what you can get out of him, Jack. -Blue Jacket, run to the cliff and give the alarm for -Lone Star Sam and his party to come in. Dick, light -those lanterns and have them ready, but under cover, -and then all of you follow me.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_284"></a>[284]</span></p> - -<p>With these orders Buffalo Bill moved rapidly on -toward the cliff, and as quickly as possible his men -followed, two of them with lanterns.</p> - -<p>Buffalo Bill reached the cliff of the range rising -above the spur, and as the others came they stretched -out along its base.</p> - -<p>Blue Jacket Bob called out to say that Lone Star -Sam and the others were coming, and in a quarter of -an hour they were on hand, and half a dozen lanterns -were following like fireflies along the wall of rock -which towered above the plateau.</p> - -<p>But not another soul was seen, nothing was found, -and the whole cliff seemed to be nowhere scalable.</p> - -<p>But the scouts kept up their search until the dawn, -determined to see then if there was any discovery that -could be made.</p> - -<p>Stevens, the surgeon, had been called to the wounded -man, and as Buffalo Bill went to where he lay, just -as day broke, he found the scout doctor seated by -his side, Texas Jack having left the unfortunate fellow -to his care.</p> - -<p>“Well, doc, how is he?”</p> - -<p>“Perfectly conscious, sir, but he will utter no -word.”</p> - -<p>“His pallid face shows that death is not far off.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir; I have told him that he must die, that -he can live but an hour or more, and that I could do -nothing for him, though I have tried. But the wound<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_285"></a>[285]</span> -is mortal.” Stevens showed where the bullet had torn -its way.</p> - -<p>Buffalo Bill knelt by the side of the dying man, -who was beyond doubt an American, for his hair was -light in hue, and his eyes dark blue. He was dressed -in buckskin leggings, a blue woolen shirt, moccasins, -and a slouch hat, but, in strange contrast, about him -was wrapped a large white robe, intended to be white, -though much soiled. He had had on a belt of arms, -but it had been removed by Texas Jack to make him -more comfortable.</p> - -<p>The man’s blue eyes rested upon Buffalo Bill with -a strange expression in them.</p> - -<p>“My poor fellow, I am sorry I can do nothing for -you,” said Buffalo Bill kindly.</p> - -<p>The man shook his head.</p> - -<p>“Can you not talk?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.” The word was distinctly uttered.</p> - -<p>“Will you not tell me if I can serve you in some -way?”</p> - -<p>Again the wounded man shook his head.</p> - -<p>“Why were you playing ghost, for you thus brought -your death upon yourself?”</p> - -<p>No reply.</p> - -<p>“Have you no kindred, no friends to whom you -wish to send a last word?”</p> - -<p>“I will leave no word.”</p> - -<p>“But would it not be best?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_286"></a>[286]</span></p> - -<p>“No.”</p> - -<p>“If you wish your friends to know of your death, -upon my word I will not tell them what you are.”</p> - -<p>“Let me die in silence.”</p> - -<p>“Doc, can you not give him something to relieve his -sufferings?”</p> - -<p>“He refused it—he will soon be beyond suffering.”</p> - -<p>Just then Texas Jack approached, and as he did so -Buffalo Bill said:</p> - -<p>“Texas Jack, the poor fellow is dying, but will -utter no word to commit himself or betray his comrades.”</p> - -<p>The blue eyes of the dying man rested upon the -face of Texas Jack in an earnest way:</p> - -<p>“Jack Omohundro, I know you. We were boys -together in far-away Virginia. And your hand has -ended my career. So be it, for I might have met a -worse death—— Ah! I see that you know me now, -but do not betray me here, nor to the people at home, -who believe me dead years ago. Give me your hand, -Jack.”</p> - -<p>Into the bright eyes of the Texan, who had witnessed -many a death scene, came tears that rolled -down his bronzed cheeks, as he grasped the hand, -while he said softly:</p> - -<p>“Yes, Ned, I know you, my boyhood friend. We -never dreamed of this in those old days. I will not -betray you.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_287"></a>[287]</span></p> - -<p>The Texan’s form quivered with emotion, and a -smile swept over the face of the dying man.</p> - -<p>Buffalo Bill’s fine face grew stern as death, but it -was to force back the flood of feeling that rushed -upon him, and Doc Stevens hastily drew his sleeve -across his eyes.</p> - -<p>“Jack, I will atone all I can for my evil past, I will -tell you that which will let me die easy in mind, for -it will save many from sorrow and suffering, yes, and -some lives, too—listen to me while I can talk.”</p> - -<p>The scouts walked away, but the dying man recalled -Buffalo Bill, who had removed his broad sombrero, -as Texas Jack’s fell from his bowed head.</p> - -<p>Bold, fearless, reckless fellows that they were, the -scouts all saw that their chief was respecting a death -scene, even though it was an outlaw that was dying. -They beheld the attitude of their lieutenant, Texas -Jack, saw that his hand clasped that of the dying man, -and they bared their heads in compassion, for they -knew that there was some link that bound the two -together.</p> - -<p>Later came the last words of the dying man:</p> - -<p>“Jack, old friend, good-by.”</p> - -<p>All heard the words, saw the smile, and then beheld -the ashen hue deepen on the face of the dying man, -as the end came.</p> - -<p>Texas Jack folded the hands upon the breast, and -wrapped the white shroudlike robe about the form.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_288"></a>[288]</span></p> - -<p>“He was my boyhood friend, pards, and as he asked -me to keep his secret it will die with me,” said the -Texan. And to his dying day Texas Jack never -made known the identity of the outlaw.</p> - -<p>After the body of the dead outlaw had been decently -buried down in the ranch graveyard, Texas -Jack motioned to the chief of scouts, and the two -walked apart together.</p> - -<p>“You heard his strange story?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, Jack.”</p> - -<p>“And who the leader of these secret foes is?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, he is known as El Diabolo, the Cowboy King, -is feared by everybody, and is the chief of cowboys -on the ranch of the girl hermit.”</p> - -<p>“And you will act upon the information he gave -us, Bill?”</p> - -<p>“Of course, but not too hastily, as I wish to make -a clean sweep of all the guilty ones, and have none of -the innocent suffer.”</p> - -<p>“You are wise in that; but if you could trust your -friend, Señor Otega, he might help greatly.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, but I’ll know just who to trust before I make -a move. I shall make a visit to Silver Lake City -and see how matters are there, for I wish to see the -priest, and also have a talk with Riel, the innkeeper. -In fact, I expect to go on a still hunt and be much -away, so you take full control here, and at the right -time we will act and make no mistake.”</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_289"></a>[289]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XLI">CHAPTER XLI.<br /> -<span class="fs70">THE FIGHT IN THE SLEUTHS’ CAMP.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>Several days passed away, and Buffalo Bill was absent -from the camp, for, acting under his orders, -Texas Jack had encamped his men outside of the hacienda -and away from its immediate surroundings.</p> - -<p>The chief of scouts was what the men called “playing -a little game,” in this, for it could give those who -haunted the hacienda the idea that the scout sleuths -were afraid to stay there any longer.</p> - -<p>The truth was that Buffalo Bill was on a still hunt -of detective work, and each one of his men was aiding -him all in his power.</p> - -<p>The scout had not been gone a day from the camp -before visitors began to drop in there, a thing that -had never happened while they were at the hacienda.</p> - -<p>Just how it happened Texas Jack and his men did -not know, or if they did they kept it to themselves; -but trouble came, and at night, when the scouts were -away from the camp.</p> - -<p>Blue Jacket Bob and Rio Grande Dick were the -two men left in camp, and following the arrival of -three strangers came a fatal fight.</p> - -<p>To the surprise of Blue Jacket Bob, two of the -cowboy visitors were from the ranch of Señor Otega, -and the other was from the hacienda of the fair hermit,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_290"></a>[290]</span> -and known to belong to the band who served -the cowboy king, the Señorita Suelo’s chief of cowboys.</p> - -<p>Perhaps they had expected to find only one guard -at the cowboy camp and rob it; but the two men they -found there had proven more than a match for them.</p> - -<p>When Buffalo Bill returned to camp he found Texas -Jack and the men, save two, off on scouting duty; but -of those two one was dead, Rio Grande Dick, and Blue -Jack Bob was wounded.</p> - -<p>With Buffalo Bill came Señor Otega.</p> - -<p>Doc Stevens had joined his chief back on the trail, -fortunately as it proved, and as the three rode into -camp there stood Blue Jacket Bob in the moonlight, -and he called out:</p> - -<p>“Doc, I have a wound in my arm for you to dress, -and it needs it, for I could not go to look you up, -being all alone in camp.”</p> - -<p>“Why, where is Rio Grande Dick?”</p> - -<p>“I am sorry to say, sir, that he is dead.”</p> - -<p>“Dead! How was it, Bob?”</p> - -<p>But Buffalo Bill could see that Blue Jacket Bob -was suffering, and he insisted that he should not make -a report until his wound had been tended.</p> - -<p>This was now done by Doc Stevens, who said:</p> - -<p>“It is not dangerous, but he has lost considerable -blood. Here is the bullet—give him a drink, please.”</p> - -<p>The bullet had been extracted from the shoulder,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_291"></a>[291]</span> -a drink of brandy was given the wounded man, and -as soon as he was made comfortable he said:</p> - -<p>“There lies poor Dick over there, chief.”</p> - -<p>“How was it, Bob?”</p> - -<p>“You see that man lying yonder?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“He was one of the cowboy king’s men.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, I remember him, and next in authority to -him,” said Señor Otega.</p> - -<p>“I guess he was; there is his horse hitched where he -left him. He came to our camp with two men. One -said to us that they had brought a friend of theirs -over who wanted to know us, and he had some fine -liquor and cigars, and wished us to join him. I said -that we did not drink, but would smoke with them, -and asked them to be seated.</p> - -<p>“We all sat down here, and were talking when he -called out suddenly: ‘Now!’</p> - -<p>“The three men, with that, at once drew their revolvers -and turned them on us.</p> - -<p>“But, though we were taken by surprise, we are -quick on the draw, and our revolvers were going off -with theirs, and for a second or so it was lively here.</p> - -<p>“We all sprang to cover of the timber, of course, -and so we had it.</p> - -<p>“I don’t think it lasted half a minute, and then I -found I was the only one standing up, and I was -wounded.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_292"></a>[292]</span></p> - -<p>“I walked over to where those three traitors lay, -but they were dead. I then went to poor Dick. He -was gasping, but murmured something about a plot -to kill us. Then he grasped my hand, and the poor -boy was gone.”</p> - -<p>As he spoke, Bob brushed tears from his eyes, and -there were others who felt the drops trickle down -their bronzed cheeks as they thought of their dead -comrade.</p> - -<p>The scouts had listened with rapt attention to Blue -Jacket Bob’s story, and Buffalo Bill said:</p> - -<p>“Bob, you have done nobly, old fellow, and there is -proof lying before us of your plucky fight against -odds. Now, señor, what is your opinion of the treachery -of your men to-night?”</p> - -<p>“They came to rob this camp, señor, and failed, -though they had one of the fair hermit’s cattlemen as -an ally.”</p> - -<p>“What a pity that they all got killed, that we cannot -entrap one alive, or wound and capture one!”</p> - -<p>“It is, indeed, a pity, Señor Cody. But you recall -that I told you the secret foes had spies on every ranch, -or were suspected of having?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, Señor Otega.”</p> - -<p>“Well, these two were the spies, doubtless, on my -ranch.”</p> - -<p>“I see.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_293"></a>[293]</span></p> - -<p>“And the other man was a comrade of theirs, and -hence a spy on the ranch of the fair hermit.”</p> - -<p>“I guess you are right.”</p> - -<p>“Now, what is to be done with these bodies, for -poor Dick we will take with us for burial at the -ranch?”</p> - -<p>“It would be best if you ride over with me and report -the affair to the alcalde.”</p> - -<p>“Who is he?”</p> - -<p>“The landlord, the Señor Riel.”</p> - -<p>“All right,” and to Texas Jack, who just rode up:</p> - -<p>“Jack, you and three others be within call if I -need you, for I may have to shoot the alcalde,” said -Buffalo Bill, to the surprise of Señor Otega, who -cried:</p> - -<p>“Oh, señor!”</p> - -<p>“If ever there was a scamp, Señor Otega, that landlord -is one, and I shall stand no nonsense with him.”</p> - -<p>“All right, sir, and you’ll find us within call,” said -Jack.</p> - -<p>With this, Buffalo Bill and the Señor Otega -mounted their horses and rode away from the camp. -Texas Jack, Lone Star Sam, and Mustang Frank following -soon after.</p> - -<p>The landlord was found in the Fandango Hall, at -Silver Lake City, but he was called into his office by -Señor Otega, who said at once:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_294"></a>[294]</span></p> - -<p>“Señor Alcalde, we have an unfortunate affair to -report to you.”</p> - -<p>“The Señor Cody I suppose has killed some one?”</p> - -<p>The look the man got from the scout made him -wince, but the words were calmly uttered:</p> - -<p>“You must not jump at conclusions, sir, or I might -be tempted to punish impertinence. I am here to report -to you that two of our men were left to guard -camp, while the rest were away. We returned to find -that one of our men had been killed, the other -wounded, and the three men who had gone there to -rob the camp were lying dead, having been shot by -our comrade, Blue Jacket Bob.”</p> - -<p>“This is bad, very bad.”</p> - -<p>“The three men were those whom we had reason to -believe friends, for two were Señor Otega’s cowboys, -and the other was a cattleman of the band of the cowboy -king, and he it was who arranged the robbery, -which ended in the loss of their lives.”</p> - -<p>“This is bad, very bad. I must demand the man -who did this killing, and while the Señor Otega goes -to fetch him I will hold you as hostage, Señor Cody.”</p> - -<p>“You shall neither take Blue Jacket Bob, nor will -you keep me here. I have reported the facts, and it is -a pretty state of affairs when we cannot protect our -camp and our lives. If you wish a trial, name the day -and we will be here.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_295"></a>[295]</span></p> - -<p>“And I will guarantee on bond, Señor Alcalde, for -the appearance of the accused man,” said Señor Otega.</p> - -<p>“I must have a guarantee from them also.”</p> - -<p>Buffalo Bill laughed and replied:</p> - -<p>“You doubt my word, and I have reason to doubt -you, and, in fact, do. No, I’ll pledge my word, and -remember, the Señor Otega here shall give no bond -for us, and we will be here on the day you set for -trial.”</p> - -<p>“I wish a guarantee.”</p> - -<p>“See here, Landlord Riel, you shall have one. With -your own people you would consider this justifiable -killing of three robbers and murderers. We are here -in this valley as are others, and you shall not make -us an exception.”</p> - -<p>“But I must punish murder,” said the landlord, all -in a tremor.</p> - -<p>“There was no murder, save the killing of my poor -comrade by those men who were murderers and robbers. -Blue Jacket Bob acted in self-defense, and I’ll -tell you to your face, if you dare to attempt to hold me -a prisoner, or arrest my comrade, I’ll make known to -these people the confession of one of those three men, -and a dying man does not lie.</p> - -<p>“I alone know that confession, Landlord Alcalde, -or whatever you choose to call yourself, and I will -make it known, and leave it for you to prove that -dying lips lied.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_296"></a>[296]</span></p> - -<p>“Do you grasp my meaning as I intend you shall, -Señor Riel?”</p> - -<p>Señor Otega stood amazed at the bold words of -Buffalo Bill. He knew perfectly well that there had -been no dying confession; he was surprised and -startled at the daring shown by the scout, and flinging -into the face of a man whom every one in the valley -feared, a charge of guilt, as it were. He glared at -the alcalde, expecting a terrible outbreak.</p> - -<p>Instead, he saw that his face was livid, that his lips -were drawn back from his white teeth like a snarling -dog, and that they were clicking together with a nervous -chill.</p> - -<p>“Señor Otega retire a moment, please, for I wish to -ask our friend here of this man’s confession.”</p> - -<p>The voice of the alcalde was hardly audible.</p> - -<p>A glance at Buffalo Bill, and the Señor Otega saw -a sign for him to go.</p> - -<p>“I will soon join you, señor, as the alcalde will -not detain me long,” said the scout pleasantly.</p> - -<p>When the door closed behind Otega, the alcalde -said in a low tone:</p> - -<p>“Who made this confession you speak of?”</p> - -<p>“I do not know the name of the man of the cowboy -king’s band,” was the evasive reply.</p> - -<p>“Ah! it was he?”</p> - -<p>“Shall I tell you that the confession appeared like -that of a man who sought to destroy you, alcalde; but<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_297"></a>[297]</span> -where there is smoke you will always find fire, and -were I to speak there are plenty to listen, though I -myself might not believe that you can be guilty.</p> - -<p>“Suppose we square this matter by your giving me -a discharge for my comrade; in other words, that he -acted in self-defense, and you bury the three bodies at -your expense.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, yes, señor, that will do, for I have no desire -to prosecute you or your comrades. You are strangers -in our valley, and I will give you the paper asked, and -in return your lips are sealed about the confession of -that dying man. As you said, it was the malignant -confession on the eve of death, to ruin me, for we -had had some trouble several times, and there is not -a word of truth in it.”</p> - -<p>“I did not tell you what he had said.”</p> - -<p>“No, no.” The alcalde looked most anxious.</p> - -<p>“Just write out the paper for my pard, please—his -name is Robert Mead, nicknamed Blue Jacket Bob.”</p> - -<p>“I see.” The alcalde hastily filled in a discharge -and handed it to the scout, saying as he did so: “Now, -there is no charge, you know.”</p> - -<p>“Thanks, señor.”</p> - -<p>“Now, what did that wicked man have to say about -me?”</p> - -<p>“Well, I heard enough to know you were in some -way allied to these secret foes of the valley, and kept<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_298"></a>[298]</span> -by fear of death of making known all that you are -aware of.”</p> - -<p>“Nonsense, señor, utter nonsense! Still, it is best -not to let it be known that I had such a charge against -me, and you are not to speak of it, you know.”</p> - -<p>“Not one word I ever heard from that dying man -against you, señor, shall ever pass my lips, at least as -long as you don’t forget.”</p> - -<p>“Then that will be all right. I will call in the Señor -Otega, and you are to have a glass of wine with me.”</p> - -<p>“Thanks, but I do not often drink; the Señor Otega -never does, and you must excuse us. But you will -send over after the bodies, for we shall leave camp -to-night.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, I will return with you, with two of my men, -and take them in charge.”</p> - -<p>Señor Otega was again surprised when the alcalde -and the scout came out together, and as Texas Jack -saw them approaching he and his comrades hastened -back to camp.</p> - -<p>The alcalde had two men and a wagon to follow -him, and the bodies of the three robbers were taken -back into the settlement, where there was already -plenty more work for the landlord in his magisterial -capacity, there having been a riot in the Fandango -Hall, and half a score of men lay around dead, while -many more were wounded.</p> - -<p>“Those three dead from our camp will fit in with<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_299"></a>[299]</span> -the ones slain at the fandango,” said Señor Otega, as -he rode with Buffalo Bill as they started on their -homeward trail just before dawn.</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes, the alcalde will fix things up all right, and -I have Blue Jacket Bob’s acquittal paper here,” replied -Buffalo Bill.</p> - -<p>“And, señor, how did you manage it?”</p> - -<p>“Easy enough.”</p> - -<p>“Well, you played the boldest game I ever saw, and -you are the first one who ever frightened Alcalde Riel, -I assure you. Why, not one of those men made a -confession.”</p> - -<p>“No, but if he thought they did, and he was guilty, -it was just as well as though they had.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, just as well.” Señor Otega was lost in admiration -at the bold deed of Buffalo Bill in bringing -the alcalde to terms.</p> - -<p>Back to his ranch went Señor Otega, while Buffalo -Bill and his men returned on the trail that would take -them by the way of the temporary camp where poor -Rio Grande Dick had lost his life.</p> - -<p>The chief of scouts found that his orders to get -ready to return to the haunted hacienda had been carried -out, and all were in readiness for the move.</p> - -<p>Rio Grande Dick had been given decent burial, and -the men felt that their chief had been doing some -splendid secret-service work during his short absence -from them.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_300"></a>[300]</span></p> - -<p>“Pards, I have found out enough to convince the -most skeptical of you, that is the most ardent believer -in ghosts, that every spook we will have to deal with -can be brought down with a bullet,” said Buffalo Bill.</p> - -<p>“I have gleaned certain information that fastens -the crimes in this valley upon a man, yes, men whom -no one suspects; but what we do now will bring the -guilty to the end of their rope.</p> - -<p>“Though you did not know it, there was one of -our band left alone and in hiding in the haunted hacienda, -and what he discovered proved that we are -on the right track.”</p> - -<p>Though Buffalo Bill did not even hint as much, -the men were sure that their chief had been that lone -watcher in the ruins of the fatal ranch.</p> - -<p>Continuing in his easy way, Buffalo Bill said:</p> - -<p>“Now, men, we return to that old spook nest next, -and we stay there until we lay the ghosts, mark my -words.</p> - -<p>“All I ask is for each man to give me his full support, -and we’ll soon strike the end of our trail.”</p> - -<p>The answer was a cheer, and the march was taken -up for the fatal ranch.</p> - -<p>If there was one of the scouts who longer felt dread -of the ruin, that is, a superstitious dread, he did not -show it.</p> - -<p>The place was again occupied, and after a talk with -the men, before they reached the hacienda, it was<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_301"></a>[301]</span> -agreed by one and all that not a word should be uttered -there that would in any way give their plans -away.</p> - -<p>That night a move would be made by Buffalo Bill -which should lay the foundation for the laying of the -spooks, and all were on the eager watch for what was -to come.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_302"></a>[302]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XLII">CHAPTER XLII.<br /> -<span class="fs70">A STARTLING VISIT.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>Night came and Buffalo Bill was on guard at the -gate with Winfield.</p> - -<p>The cattle and horses had not been driven in, as the -scouts had returned home, and there were enough for -four for night duty and four for day duty, with the -others to look to the duties about the hacienda, and -be ready for any service they might be called upon -to do.</p> - -<p>As Buffalo Bill had signified his intention of going -on an expedition the next day, he carried his blankets -down to the entrance to sleep there, and have Texas -Jack call him.</p> - -<p>Jack awoke the chief just at dawn, asking:</p> - -<p>“Now, what does it mean, chief?”</p> - -<p>“I am going to make a call—in fact, a couple of -them, for I shall dine with Señor Otega, and from -there go on to the hacienda of the fair hermit.”</p> - -<p>“Do you mean it, chief?”</p> - -<p>“Certainly.”</p> - -<p>“Don’t go there.”</p> - -<p>“Is it the fair hermit you distrust, or her cowboys?”</p> - -<p>“It is the king of the cowboys I have no faith in, -and his men will do as he tells them, as my dying -friend said.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_303"></a>[303]</span></p> - -<p>“I do not doubt that.”</p> - -<p>“He is bitter over our coming here, as all of them -are, and he will seek to do you harm in some way, I -am sure.”</p> - -<p>“My dear Jack, that is just why I want you and the -boys along.”</p> - -<p>“Ah!”</p> - -<p>“You are to follow my trail, you know, and, stopping -at the Otega ranch later in the afternoon, some -time after my departure from there, he will give you -a couple of men to accompany you, guiding you to the -hacienda of the fair hermit.</p> - -<p>“You can then go as near as you dare, meet me -upon my departure, and on the return, instead of -having one man to waylay, as they will expect, they -will find half a dozen, and I will not fall into the -trap.”</p> - -<p>“I see.”</p> - -<p>“I do not know that they would kill me, I rather -think they would not; but just now I wish to take no -chances—wish to keep out of trouble—as I am playing -a little secret game myself, which you will all be -let into as soon as I make a discovery or two I hope to.</p> - -<p>“Now, follow in a couple of hours, and when you -reach the Otega ranch go there alone, leaving the men -in hiding.”</p> - -<p>With this Buffalo Bill rode along the trail, now -well known to him, leading to the home of Señor<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_304"></a>[304]</span> -Otega. He was watchful as he rode along, as he -deemed it necessary that he should be.</p> - -<p>It was within half an hour of dinner time when he -reached the Otega ranch, and he was received by the -señor and his lovely wife most cordially.</p> - -<p>“You are going to be our guest for several days, I -hope?”</p> - -<p>“Thank you, no, for I must go on my way this -afternoon.”</p> - -<p>“I am sorry; but we will soon have dinner.”</p> - -<p>Señora Otega left the room to see to it, when the -señor remarked:</p> - -<p>“Now, which way, señor, for I am sorry to see you -alone on a trail?”</p> - -<p>“I have company, sir, but they are not visible.”</p> - -<p>“Good!”</p> - -<p>“My friend, Texas Jack, will be here this afternoon, -and will you give him a couple of men whom you feel -that you can really trust as guides?”</p> - -<p>“I can give him a dozen men, Señor Cody, but candidly, -and with shame I say it, I know of but one man -on my ranch whom I would fully trust. The fact is, -I do not know in whom to place confidence. They -may be all faithful, and yet one may not be so, and -that one might be the person I select for you.”</p> - -<p>“That is very true.”</p> - -<p>“But one man I am sure of, Palma, my cowboy -chief, and he will go with you where you please.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_305"></a>[305]</span></p> - -<p>“Thanks, señor, he will do, and if you will allow -him to go with Texas Jack I will feel obliged.”</p> - -<p>“But you, señor?”</p> - -<p>“I am going to make a visit, señor, to the hacienda -of the fair recluse.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, señor!”</p> - -<p>“Yes, and I wish you to give me full directions for -reaching there.”</p> - -<p>“I will, yet—— I do not wish to see you go there.”</p> - -<p>“Why not?”</p> - -<p>“The cowboy king.”</p> - -<p>“Is not the Señorita Suelo a protection upon her -own ranch?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, but——”</p> - -<p>“Well?”</p> - -<p>“She will not see you.”</p> - -<p>“I will make the trial at least.”</p> - -<p>“But why go there?”</p> - -<p>“I have a special desire to see her.”</p> - -<p>“In your mysterious but seemingly sure way you -are working for an end, señor, and I say Heaven -speed you.”</p> - -<p>“When I come back from my visit to the hacienda -of the Señorita Suelo, I will get your cowboy chief to -come to the Mission Ranch for a visit of several days, -and he will guide us around to the other side of that -range, for up there is the retreat of the secret foes.”</p> - -<p>“I believe you are right. But I also will go, for<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_306"></a>[306]</span> -you, a stranger, must not run all the risk in working -for us here in this valley, who have suffered at the -hands of the secret foes. I will accompany you, señor, -and you may need my aid, as well as that of Palma.”</p> - -<p>“I shall be only too happy to have you go, señor, -for I shall go there for work, deadly work.”</p> - -<p>Buffalo Bill rode away from the home of Señor -Otega half an hour after he had enjoyed one of the -señora’s most substantial dinners.</p> - -<p>The ranchero was sorry to see him go, yet he was -beginning to feel that all the scout understood he -would accomplish. He had given him full directions -for reaching the hacienda of the fair recluse.</p> - -<p>It was situated down the valley from him, at the -foot of the lake, and just half a score of miles from -the Otega ranch.</p> - -<p>As he drew near it, after a brisk ride, Buffalo Bill -was glad to discover that there were innumerable -hiding places for Texas Jack and his men, and their -approach could not be seen by any one in the hacienda.</p> - -<p>Some of the cowboys herding cattle gazed at the -scout with interest as he rode along, but he seemed -neither to avoid nor care to meet them.</p> - -<p>One, however, rode in such a way as to cross his -trail, and he said, as he drew near:</p> - -<p>“Going to the hacienda, señor?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“The cowboy king is not there.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_307"></a>[307]</span></p> - -<p>“I wish to see the Señorita Suelo.”</p> - -<p>“She receives no strangers, señor.”</p> - -<p>“I shall at least try to see her.”</p> - -<p>“It will be useless.”</p> - -<p>“Has she not cattle and horses for sale?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, señor, but the cowboy chief attends to that.”</p> - -<p>“In his absence who does?”</p> - -<p>“You will have to come again, señor.”</p> - -<p>“I will ride on, however, and request to see the -señorita.”</p> - -<p>“It will only be refused.”</p> - -<p>“Very well, I can then turn back. But when will -the cowboy king return?”</p> - -<p>“To-night, señor.”</p> - -<p>Thanking the man, Buffalo Bill rode on, and soon -approached the heavy gate of the hacienda.</p> - -<p>A man stood within, looking through a small window, -and said, somewhat rudely:</p> - -<p>“The señorita entertains no strangers beneath her -roof.”</p> - -<p>“I have not asked it, my man. But you will go and -say to the señorita that the Señor Cody desires to see -her for a few minutes.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll go, señor, but she will not see you.”</p> - -<p>He returned within ten minutes and said:</p> - -<p>“The señorita regrets to decline to see the señor, -and that she is not able to offer him hospitality beneath -her roof.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_308"></a>[308]</span></p> - -<p>Buffalo Bill smiled, and, taking from his pocket a -notebook, he tore out a leaf and wrote upon it:</p> - -<p>“‘If taken from the wrist the charm is broken.’ -The Señor Cody begs to restore the charm.”</p> - -<p>“Hand this to the señorita, my man.”</p> - -<p>A silver dollar slipped into the hand prevented any -reply, as the man had upon his lips a refusal to bear -the message. But he walked off, and Buffalo Bill -waited with no show of anxiety as to the result.</p> - -<p>This time the gatekeeper was gone for a much -longer time than before, and when he returned there -was a puzzled look upon his face, as he said:</p> - -<p>“I’ll allow you to enter, señor, for the señorita will -see you?”</p> - -<p>“I felt that she would see me,” was the quiet reply -of Buffalo Bill.</p> - -<p>“She has done so, but——”</p> - -<p>“But what?” asked Buffalo Bill, looking the evidently -greatly surprised gatekeeper straight in the eye.</p> - -<p>“The señor is doubtless an old friend of the -señorita?”</p> - -<p>This was ventured as though the man was cautiously -feeling his way.</p> - -<p>“I may and may not be a friend.”</p> - -<p>The man halted at this and said:</p> - -<p>“Well, I am very sure of one thing, señor.”</p> - -<p>“It matters nothing to me what you think; do as<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_309"></a>[309]</span> -you were told to do—lead me to the presence of the -señorita.”</p> - -<p>The man had a dogged look and manner. He appeared -as though he meant not to obey the bidding; -but there was that in the look of the scout which commanded -obedience.</p> - -<p>And so he moved on once more.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_310"></a>[310]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XLIII">CHAPTER XLIII.<br /> -<span class="fs70">THE FAIR HERMIT.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>“Visitors are not allowed here, and, were the cowboy -king at home, he would not have admitted you,” -said the man to Cody, as though determined to make -another effort to talk.</p> - -<p>“My visit is to the Señorita Suelo, not to her servant, -the cowboy chief,” was the stern reply.</p> - -<p>The gateman winced, for the cowboy king evidently -was all powerful in that hacienda.</p> - -<p>The gateman did not lead the visitor into the hacienda, -but, halting at the flower-garden gate, said:</p> - -<p>“The señor will find the señorita in yonder arbor.”</p> - -<p>“She does not intend to have any eavesdroppers, -that is certain,” muttered the scout to himself.</p> - -<p>A short walk brought him to the arbor, a perfect -bower of beauty amid the flowers that were upon all -sides.</p> - -<p>The señorita arose from a hammock, a book in her -hand, as the caller approached.</p> - -<p>“Señor, be seated,” she said, and she appeared embarrassed.</p> - -<p>“Señorita, I have no right, perhaps, to intrude myself -upon you, knowing the unwritten law of your -house that no stranger must enter, but I have done so -to return to you a trinket that belongs to you—one I -picked up upon the scene when last we met.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_311"></a>[311]</span></p> - -<p>As Buffalo Bill spoke, he held out the bracelet he -had found upon the spot where he had rescued the -Mexican officer and the maiden from the outlaws.</p> - -<p>The face of the fair Mexican flushed and paled in -turn, and, stepping forward, she said earnestly:</p> - -<p>“Señor, can you ever forgive me for my treatment -of you that day, leaving you, as we did, after your -saving the señor captain from certain death, and rescuing -me from the power of cruel foes?</p> - -<p>“Yes, the bracelet must have been torn from my -wrist unnoticed by my captors in the struggle.</p> - -<p>“You read what is written within it, señor, so the -charm is broken. I will never wear it again; no, never! -For what is there graven has come true—the charm -is broken.”</p> - -<p>She turned her head, and for a moment was silent, -when Buffalo Bill spoke:</p> - -<p>“I am sorry you no longer have faith in the charm; -but I am glad to have returned it to you.”</p> - -<p>“Señor, I am glad you have done so, for it has given -me the chance to meet you to tell you how I appreciate -all you did that day. Why we left you so unceremoniously -I cannot tell, for my lips are sealed.”</p> - -<p>“And who were those foes of yours, señorita?”</p> - -<p>“I do not know.”</p> - -<p>“And the señor captain—did he recover from the -cruel treatment they gave him?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, señor.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_312"></a>[312]</span></p> - -<p>“Señorita, I have a request to make.”</p> - -<p>“I will grant it.”</p> - -<p>“The favor I would ask is that when I come again -to see you, you will see me.”</p> - -<p>“I have promised; but you must not come when the -cowboy king is here, señor.”</p> - -<p>Buffalo Bill’s face did not change a muscle at this -remarkable request of the fair recluse.</p> - -<p>The girl looked at him somewhat anxiously, while -he answered graciously:</p> - -<p>“It shall be as you wish, señorita. I will now bid -you adios and thank you for having received me.”</p> - -<p>“Then thanks are due to you, señor, and I wish you -would tell me if in any way I can serve you.”</p> - -<p>“By allowing me to call again, as you have promised, -if I deem it best to come.”</p> - -<p>“You have my promise.”</p> - -<p>“And may I again ask if you have any idea of who -the men were who attacked you that day?”</p> - -<p>“I have not.”</p> - -<p>“Were they not the secret foes?”</p> - -<p>“No, señor.”</p> - -<p>“I did not know but that they might be,” said Buffalo -Bill, in a peculiar way.</p> - -<p>“No, señor, they were not of that band. Their -masked leader was a foe to—to—the señor captain, -and to me. I know; but, just who he is I am not aware.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_313"></a>[313]</span> -He wanted gold, and revenge, as well, it seemed, but -he thwarted his purpose as far as getting money was -concerned, for, but for your coming, as you so bravely -did, he would have killed the señor captain, and from -me he would have obtained nothing. The outlaws -were strangers in the valley, señor, save their chief, -and just who he was I do not know, as I have stated.”</p> - -<p>“Perhaps when I call again, señorita, I may be able -to inform you as to his identity.”</p> - -<p>“Ah! can you?”</p> - -<p>“I may,” was the cautious reply, and, declining the -offer of refreshments, the scout took his leave, the -señorita offering her hand as she bade him farewell.</p> - -<p>“Señor, this valley is full of dangerous characters, -and one knows not whom to trust. You are going -alone upon a dangerous trail, and I warn you that you -may be halted and held up, as they say here. This will -protect you from robbery, perhaps from death. Wear -it!” and she took from the silk scarf about her neck -a pin of unique design and fastened it upon the lapel -of Buffalo Bill’s jacket.</p> - -<p>“Señorita, I will keep it as a souvenir of you; it -will doubtless be a charm to protect me. I thank you.”</p> - -<p>Again bidding the beautiful girl good-by, Buffalo -Bill left the garden, crossed the plaza to where his -horse awaited him, and rode toward the gate.</p> - -<p>There stood the keeper, who now saluted him with -marked respect, again saying:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_314"></a>[314]</span></p> - -<p>“You are the first stranger, señor, who ever gained -entrance to this hacienda.”</p> - -<p>As Buffalo Bill rode along he was not forgetful of -being in great danger, and he was surprised when he -did not see the ranch cowboys he had seen when he -was on his way to visit the fair hermit. He was riding -quietly along when he saw a horseman approaching, a -splendid-looking man, well mounted, and with silver-mounted -Mexican saddle and bridle.</p> - -<p>Buffalo Bill knew him at once from what he had -heard of the cowboy king.</p> - -<p>Both saluted and halted, the cowboy king saying:</p> - -<p>“Off your trail, señor?”</p> - -<p>“No, for I have been to the hacienda.”</p> - -<p>“And why?”</p> - -<p>“That I consider none of your business.”</p> - -<p>“I shall make it my affair, Señor Cody, and you -are covered by my men,” responded the cowboy king.</p> - -<p>It was true, for four men were peering over a rock -with rifles leveled at the scout, who said:</p> - -<p>“So it seems; but do you not respect this badge?” -and he pointed to the pin Suelo had given him.</p> - -<p>“Not this time, for you are too dangerous a man to -be at large. I know you, Buffalo Bill.”</p> - -<p>“And I know you, now, for you were a deserter -from the army, and later became a finished cutthroat; -but I thought you were dead, Dallas Mowbray.”</p> - -<p>“No, I left the northern country several years ago,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_315"></a>[315]</span> -as it became too hot for me, and came back to the -Southwest, for I am really a Mexican, you know, and -was once an officer of the Mexican army, but was -exiled for certain acts. You see, I don’t mind telling -you, as I regard you as good as dead.”</p> - -<p>“Thanks; but while there is life, there is hope.”</p> - -<p>“So I have found out; but I’ll fix you now—ho, -men, come here!”</p> - -<p>The four men came, their rifles still loaded; but -as they neared the scout there were several shots heard—then -one.</p> - -<p>The first came from some thick timber close at hand, -and the four men with rifles dropped dead.</p> - -<p>The single shot was from Buffalo Bill’s revolver, -who was quick to take advantage of the volley in his -favor. He had sent a bullet through the heart of the -cowboy king.</p> - -<p>The next moment Texas Jack, four of his pards, -with Señor Otega and his cowboy chief, Palma, came -into view.</p> - -<p>“You were just in time, Jack, and I thank you all.</p> - -<p>“Find the horses of those four men, strap the bodies -in the saddles, and we’ll take them to our ranch to-night, -and to-morrow there will be two visits for us -to make, and in full force, for I can see the beginning -of the end of our trail.”</p> - -<p>“As I also can, chief,” answered Texas Jack.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_316"></a>[316]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XLIV">CHAPTER XLIV.<br /> -<span class="fs70">REVEALED.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>Again did Buffalo Bill pay a visit to the hacienda -of the fair hermit. It was the day following his meeting -with the cowboy king.</p> - -<p>Again he was received, and in the garden, as before, -while the señorita said:</p> - -<p>“You have come sooner than I expected, señor; but -it is well, as the cowboy king is not here.”</p> - -<p>“Why do you fear that man?”</p> - -<p>“Ah! I cannot tell.”</p> - -<p>“What is he to you?”</p> - -<p>“Do not ask me.”</p> - -<p>“Do you love him?”</p> - -<p>“No!”</p> - -<p>“I am glad, for I can tell you that you need no -longer fear him.”</p> - -<p>“What do you mean?” she gasped.</p> - -<p>“Señorita, I have read your secret, for that man -was the Mexican officer I saved with you from those -men that day nearly two months ago.”</p> - -<p>“You recognize him, then?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, and as a vile cutthroat who joined our army, -robbed the paymaster, deserted, and became a fugitive -and an outlaw, at last, as we believed, being killed, -but, instead, coming here. Did you not know him as -all that was bad?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_317"></a>[317]</span></p> - -<p>“Señor, I was deceived by him, for I believed him -an officer of the Mexican army. I was left this place, -and he urged me to marry him secretly, and I did so, -then coming here to live, and obeying him blindly. At -times he came here, I believing he was on duty when -he was away.</p> - -<p>“It was when he was here that you rescued us, and -from men I now think were not outlaws, but those -who suspected him of certain deeds and determined -to kill him. Perhaps they were my own cowboys, who -sought to kill him, not wishing a master over them.</p> - -<p>“Of late, I have had reason to doubt him, and I -meant to know the truth, even if he killed me, as he -has often threatened to do.”</p> - -<p>“Have no fear now, for he is dead.”</p> - -<p>“No, no, it cannot be, for he bears a charmed life.”</p> - -<p>“It has ended—the charm is broken, as was the case -when you lost your bracelet.”</p> - -<p>“Which he gave to me; but do you know that he is -dead?”</p> - -<p>“I killed him, Señorita Suelo Sada,” calmly said -Buffalo Bill.</p> - -<p>“You?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, I made you a widow, I am glad to say, for -that man was the leader of the secret foes of this -valley, the one who has put the curse upon it which -all have dreaded.”</p> - -<p>“God bless you, señor, for those words. You have<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_318"></a>[318]</span> -freed me from worse than death. But only lately did -I suspect that he was really bad at heart, and the words -I got came to me by a secret letter, and I was told to -closely watch his movements and I would discover -the truth.</p> - -<p>“My servants here are innocent, all in the hacienda, -but I believe all the cowboys are guilty, and were -members of his band.”</p> - -<p>“I know that they were; but let me tell you that they -are all prisoners now, for I led my men to their retreat -last night, on the cliffs, back of my ranch, and through -a secret entrance into the old hacienda, surprised their -hidden camp.</p> - -<p>“They had there a score of prisoners, men, women, -and children, held for ransom, and I learned the story -from dying lips, and enough more to enable us, under -Señor Otega and his chief of cowboys, to find the -secret entrance to the cliffs.</p> - -<p>“We set free all who were there, killed the five -guards over them, and to-day rounded up and captured -your cowboys, seven in number, who shared the -ransoms paid with their chief.</p> - -<p>“You were not guilty, I know, Señorita Suelo Moro, -for such is your name as Dallas Moro’s wife; but you -will be so thought by many in this valley, and my -advice is that you at once leave here and seek a home -elsewhere, where no cloud hangs over your life, and -Señor Otega will see to your property here.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_319"></a>[319]</span></p> - -<p>“Señor Cody, again I say, ‘God bless you,’ and from -my heart I thank you more than words can tell. I -have an ample fortune of my own, independent of -this accursed ranch, where I have known only sorrow; -but what I have done he forced me to do. To Señor -Otega I leave this ranch, cattle and all, for him to -dispose of, and pay back to those who have paid ransom, -every dollar they have been cheated out of.</p> - -<p>“Señor, with my few faithful servants I will leave -here at sunset, and into your hands will I give the -paper by which Señor Otega can act for me.”</p> - -<p>From his heart Buffalo Bill pitied the beautiful and -unhappy woman, and he was glad, a few hours after, -to see her and her few faithful servants depart from -the hacienda forever, while Señor Otega willingly accepted -the duty, to carry out the mission she had intrusted -to him, through Cody.</p> - -<p>As quickly as Buffalo Bill and his secret sleuths had -entered the mysterious valley, they departed from it, -carrying with them their horses and cattle, and their -prisoners also, to deliver over to the commandant of -the fort nearest the scene, who held control of that -part of the country.</p> - -<p>Among the prisoners was Riel, the innkeeper, who, -next to the cowboy king, was the guilty one in the -many crimes committed in the beautiful valley.</p> - -<p>It is needless to say that quick punishment was -visited upon all the prisoners, and Buffalo Bill and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_320"></a>[320]</span> -his sleuths of the saddle gained great praise for their -splendid services rendered, and Colonel Carr sent a -special report to headquarters about the great chief of -scouts’ brilliant achievement.</p> - -<p>As to the beautiful valley, it is as peaceful to-day as a -Quaker village, and the fair hermit of the hacienda is -forgotten, for she was never heard of again by those who -dwelt in the Silver Lake settlement, while the haunted -ranch remains but a ruin, surrounded by its graves.</p> - - -<p class="pfs80 p2">THE END.</p> - - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p>No. 104 of the <span class="smcap">Buffalo Bill Border Stories</span>, entitled -“Buffalo Bill’s Barricade,” is a rattling good story of -Indian warfare among the red men themselves, helped -out by the great scout, who as usual, is on the side of -those who are fighting for the right.</p> -</div> - -<hr class="chap pg-brk" /> - -<p class="pfs120 p2">A REQUEST</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowe4_6875" id="endillo"> - <img class="w100 p1" src="images/end_illo.jpg" alt="" /> -</div> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p>Conditions due to the war have made it very difficult -for us to keep in print all of the books listed in our -catalogues. We still have about fifteen hundred different -titles that we are in a position to supply. These -represent the best books in our line. We could not afford, -in the circumstances, to reprint any of the less -popular works.</p> - -<p>We aim to keep in stock the works of such authors as -Bertha Clay, Charles Garvice, May Agnes Fleming, -Nicholas Carter, Mary J. Holmes, Mrs. Harriet Lewis, -Horatio Alger, and the other famous authors who are -represented in our line by ten or more titles. Therefore, -if your dealer cannot supply you with exactly the -book you want, you are almost sure to find in his stock -another title by the same author, which you have not -read.</p> - -<p>It short, we are asking you to take what your dealer -can supply, rather than to insist upon just what you -want. You won’t lose anything by such substitution, because -the books by the authors named are very uniform -in quality.</p> - -<p>In ordering Street & Smith novels by mail, it is advisable -to make a choice of at least two titles for each -book wanted, so as to give us an opportunity to substitute -for titles that are now out of print.</p> - -<p class="center">STREET & SMITH CORPORATION,<br /> -<span class="pad5">79-89 Seventh Avenue, New York City.</span></p> -</div> - -<hr class="chap pg-brk pb4" /> - -<div class="transnote"> -<p class="center bold">Transcriber’s Notes</p> - -<div class="blockquotx"> -<p>The Table of Contents at the beginning of the book was created by -the transcriber.</p> - -<p>Inconsistencies in hyphenation such as “gold-boomer”/“gold boomer” -have been maintained.</p> - -<p>Minor punctuation and spelling errors have been silently corrected -and, except for those changes noted below, all misspellings in the -text, especially in dialogue, and inconsistent or archaic usage, -have been retained.</p> -</div> - -<ol> -<li><a href="#tn2">Page 2</a>: “A Congress of the Rough-riders of the World” changed to “A Congress of the Rough Riders of the World”.</li> - -<li><a href="#tn238">Page 238</a>: “Lighting match after mach” changed to “Lighting match after match”.</li> - -</ol> - -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BUFFALO BILL'S BIG SURPRISE ***</div> -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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