"Then how can Badger get at him?"
"The Apaches say they are not at war with the whites——"
"I don't take no stock in them or their sayin's," said Collins.
"But they are at peace, else they would have killed Sam at once. As it is they will either rob him and turn him loose, or else hold him for a reward."
"Well?" said Collins reflectively.
"And if Badger and his gang meet the Apaches and pay the reward, then they will have Sam Willett in their power——"
"Hold!" cried Collins. "I see it all! Once in their power they will kill the boy and get the receipt Tom Edwards gave when he was paid for the mine. Then the dogs can come back here and defy us. We must move to the rescue, Ulna! We must move at once!"
Accompanied by Ulna, Collins went to Si Brill and others of his friends, and after warning them to say nothing to Mr. Willett, he told them of his fears for Sam and urged the necessity of getting out a rescuing party at once, which he was ready to lead "if no one else didn't offer."
At this time there were not many horses in camp, and unfortunately nearly all were owned by the men who had been so bitter against Mr. Willett.
It was after midnight when Collins succeeded in getting three horses and a mule; they belonged to Mr. Willett and this limited the rescuing party to four, one of whom was Ulna, who went along as a guide, though all knew he could be depended on if there were serious work on hand.