“Quite sure.”
“Me tell my people. Let my brother sleep now. It is late.”
CHAPTER XXXVI.
BLACK PANTHER’S HAND.
The prisoner was awakened early, and had the bonds removed from his arms and ankles, so that his limbs might recover their natural vigor before the hour of the dreadful ordeal appointed for him.
His friends found him utterly despondent, and Buffalo Bill, who was first at his side, said nothing of his last interview with Running Water, or of the promised conference of the morning. He did not wish to arouse hopes which might be doomed to disappointment.
“I know it will be useless for me to run,” the captive said, “and I am resolved not to attempt it, save on one condition.”
“What is that?”
“Let me have that loaded revolver,” the man whispered. “Smuggle it to me somehow, so that none of these guards will see it.”