The girl, much as she desired to get out of the castle and run to that cottonwood tree, did not interpose any objection to Buffalo Bill’s proposal. She knew he was acting as one true friend would act toward another, and so, without a protest, saw him leave the room.
The king of scouts reached the mouth of the tunnel, and then looked about for evidence that would show whether or not Black-face Ned was inside or had again retreated to the open country.
There were many footprints about; some made by the scout, Thunder Cloud, and Bat Wason, whose dead body was where the scout had left it, and it required much perspicacity to arrive at the truth. At last the scout became convinced that Black-face Ned was either in the tunnel or the cellar. The most reasonable supposition was that the villain was in the cellar.
But Buffalo Bill realized that he was undertaking a dangerous piece of work when he entered the tunnel. Still, he did not hesitate.
Much to his relief, he made the journey through the tunnel without encountering the leader of the outlaws.
He had moved noiselessly, and when he reached the entrance into the cellar he stopped and listened intently.
A sound as of muffled breathing reached his ears. “That can’t be Black-face Ned,” thought the scout. “It must be Alkali Pete.”
The darkness was intense. Buffalo Bill knew the location of the trap, and, believing that the outlaw leader was under it, he began to glide cautiously along the side of the wall.
Every ten feet he would stop and listen.
Suddenly his foot struck an obstruction, and he came within an ace of falling over it.