In answer to questions put by Wild Bill, the spokesman of the trio stated that two white men had gone away from the camp with Thunder Cloud. The trail had been followed for a mile. There it ended on the sandy shore of the creek.
“Took to the water,” said Wild Bill understandingly. “Never mind. We’ll find them, for I have trailers who can match any Hualapi that ever ate rattlesnakes.”
“Better send out your trailers at once,” suggested Buffalo Bill. “If Black-face Ned’s force is small, he is on the retreat. The Apaches have probably told him about their enemies, the Yelping Crew; and he won’t likely desire to try conclusions with you.”
“All right.”
The trailers were dispatched on their mission, and pending their return the two scouts had a talk with the captured outlaws.
Flag-pole Jack was almost stupefied with amazement when Wild Bill, with face exposed, entered the room, followed by the released king of scouts.
But Shorty Sands showed no surprise. Neither did he seem pleased.
“I shore tumbled to your game,” he said to Wild Bill, “when you failed to wipe out Cody when he was whar he couldn’t play a hand.”
“How many men has Black-face Ned at his command?” demanded Wild Bill, with his eyes on Flag-pole Jack.
“Ernuff ter wipe out your measly outfit, you kin bet yer boots on that,” was the surly answer.