A moment later Tonto entered the cave. The Indian looked gratified when he saw that color had returned to the face of the Texan. He examined the wounded shoulder critically, and announced that the infection had gone down considerably and that now there was no longer any doubt about the Ranger's full recovery.
"Me leave camp on mountain," the Indian explained. "Fetch um Silver here."
"Silver?"
"That right, him plenty safe here for time." The Indian explained how huge rocks near the wall of the Gap made a satisfactory hiding place for both the Ranger's white stallion and his own paint horse.
"Where was your camp, Tonto?"
Tonto told about the clearing on the side of Thunder Mountain and the trail that led from the clearing downhill to the Basin and uphill to the mountain's top. From the top of the mountain it was possible, despite all rumors to the contrary, to ride in many directions.
"Then the Basin can be entered without going through this canyon?"
Tonto nodded.
"I've always been told that was impossible."
"It not impossible. You see bimeby. Get rest first. Get well. Then we ride."