Buffalo Bill received this statement with great satisfaction. Of course, the escape was Colonel Hayden.
“Escaped from the castle,” he said. “Is that the name of the Apache stronghold in these parts?”
The Apache shook his head. “No, the white friend of Thunder Cloud holds the place. He calls it the castle.”
In this conversation no attempt is made to use the precise language of the Indian. The Apache language was used, and a fair translation into English is given.
“What is this castle? And where is it? You might as well come out with the whole truth, for you are at my mercy, and my motto is ‘death to liars, especially if they be Apaches.’”
The Indian was unmoved by this speech. His face was stolid as he replied: “Greathead will not lie, because the mighty white scout will find no one at the castle. Black-face Ned has deserted it. He has gone to another retreat.”
“Gone without attending to the Yelping Crew? Without trying to rescue Flag-pole Jack and Shorty Sands?” Buffalo Bill gazed incredulously at the Indian.
“He has gone with the white maiden, but he has left behind Thunder Cloud and the white man who is called Wason to manage the affair with the Comanches.”
“How about my affair? Does he not know that I am in these hills?”
“No. Who was to tell him?”