“Well, go back to Lone Jack and tell him I said to come himself—that I will give him a taste of powder-and-ball instead of dog-meat. Be off!”
Grumbling and snarling, the braves disappeared in the darkness; and Scar Face re-entered the cabin.
At that moment Douglas stirred uneasily and murmured:
“Joe and Bright Wing—come—rescue——”
Bradford raised his head and listened attentively. Ross’s lips were moving, but the words were so softly spoken that the listener could not catch them.
“Poor fellow!” the older man whispered pityingly. “He’s dreaming of rescue. How sweet is freedom. Well—well, the whole of life is but a dream—a miserable nightmare——”
“At the ravine—to-morrow evening,” Ross mumbled.
Then he sighed deeply, changed his position—breathing heavily—and again slept soundly.
Bradford started and sat erect.