The latter had just returned from an unavailing search for the trail of Mainwaring and the others, but Wild Bill and the other scouts were still looking for it.
“I’m afraid Mainwaring has met with bad luck, or we should have heard from him before now,” said the border king. “Brave and rash, he has hurried on, and perhaps been shot down by those villains who have now got the girls in their power. I dreaded to keep on looking, for I feared that I would come across his body.”
A shout from Wild Bill, who came hurrying back, told them he had news of some sort for them.
“I’ve found where they took their horses,” he said. “It was a pretty strong party, for some of them remained behind while the rest went forward and attacked the four Indians.”
“Have you seen any sign of Mainwaring?” asked Buffalo Bill eagerly.
“Yes; he and Norfolk Ben have been taken and carried along. Their tracks are plain where the horses were kept.”
“It is strange that they were not killed on the spot. But we must take the trail at once—that is if Captain Meinhold will do it.”
“Of course,” answered the brave officer. “I came to help you out of a scrape, if you were in one, and I and my men will see this business through.”
“Thank you, captain. Some day I hope to repay you. The safety of Mainwaring means more to me than I can say.”