The obstruction was a human body. No sound had followed the striking of the scout’s foot against the body, and, agitated by the fear that he had come upon the lifeless form of Alkali Pete, Buffalo Bill knelt quickly on the ground and placed his ear to the breast of the unknown. The heart was not beating. Next the scout passed a trembling hand over the unknown’s face. Cold, but not icy cold. Death must have taken place but a short time before the scout’s entrance into the cellar.
Buffalo Bill arose with a feeling of relief. The dead man was not Alkali Pete. The face was that of an Indian. The scout had felt the high cheek bones, the sharp nose, the retreating forehead, and the long, coarse hair of an Apache.
His relief at finding that his fear was unfounded quickly gave way to a feeling of wonderment. How came the dead Apache in the cellar? And who had killed him?
A slight noise in front of him made him put a tighter grip upon the knife he had drawn upon entering the tunnel. The noise was as of some one stepping softly.
Believing that Black-face Ned was approaching, the king of scouts crouched by the wall, and waited with tense nerves for the enemy to come within striking distance.
The steps drew nearer, and then stopped. Suddenly a match flared, and Buffalo Bill saw the face of the leader of the outlaws. He had come to the body of the Indian for the purpose of assuring himself that the savage was dead. Before the match went out the villain saw the king of scouts. But the sight of his enemy came too late for him to take either offensive or defensive action. Buffalo Bill sprang forward as the villain looked up, and struck him a powerful blow between the eyes.
Black-face Ned collided with the hard ground with such force that his breath left his body.
Not until the victorious scout had removed the villain’s weapons did he light a match.
The light exhibited a spectacle that brought a cry of joy from his lips. Ten feet away, with his back against the wall, sat Alkali Pete, rubbing his eyes.
“Pete? Alive?” the king of scouts exclaimed, and the answer came dryly: