"But even if you get to the railroad how are you going to telegraph without an instrument?" inquired Tom.
"Leave that to me," replied Bert; "if I can only get that far I'll manage to telegraph all right, never fear."
By this time the sun was low in the west, and a short time afterward it dipped under the rim of the prairie. For a short time the sky was painted in vivid colors by its reflected rays, and then the sudden prairie twilight descended swiftly.
"Now's your time, son," said Buck; "are you all ready?"
"I'll start the first second you think it best," replied Bert, and then turning shook hands all around, ending up with Dick and Tom.
"We'd go with you, old friend, if it would do any good," said Dick, wringing Bert's hand. "I guess you know that without my saying it."
"I know it, all right," replied Bert; "but don't you worry about me. The Indian isn't born yet that can get my scalp."
As he finished speaking Buck said: "You'd better start now, my lad. It's so dark they can't see you, and I don't think they've had time to surround us yet. If you do get through and send the message make for town. Don't try to get back here, because you'd never make it, and if you did it would do no good. There's no use sacrificing your life along with ours."
"Well, I'll get there first," said Bert, "and then there'll be plenty of time to think about whether or not to come back." Needless to say, in his own mind there was little doubt that if it lay in his power he would return and fight, and if need be die at his comrades' side.