The chief guide, who called himself Roy Velvet, Billy had never met, until the morning the train rolled out of camp on its way westward, and from the very first he did not like him.
He was a handsome, but dissipated looking young man, dressed like a dandy, was more than thoroughly armed, and rode a superb bay mare.
He smiled when Captain Luke Denham, the Train Boss, introduced Billy as an assistant guide, and said sneeringly:
"I guess he won't be of much use ten miles away from Leavenworth, captain."
Billy made no reply, but kept up considerable thinking, and set to work at his duties.
For some days the train went on finely, and all felt the new guide knew his business; but then there came some stormy days, it was hard traveling, several times the train had to make a dry camp, and once they were attacked by Indians, until some of the old teamsters felt confident that Roy Velvet had lost the way.
Yet on they plodded until at last the nature of the country was such that it was difficult for the train to travel, while, to add to their discomfort and fears, a large band of Indians were hovering near them.
"Well, Velvet, where will you find a camping place to-night?" asked Captain Denham, riding forward and joining the guide.
"Oh! I'll find a good place, and only a short distance ahead; after that the country will be all right for traveling," was the quiet answer.
"I don't believe it, for it has not that look."