“Only one enemy to attend to,” said Wild Bill, after he had heard the story of Sybil Hayden’s adventure. “Flag-pole Jack is in the castle, but we will get to him by the way of the tunnel.”
“Let him go,” urged Sybil. “You have done enough.”
Wild Bill would have made reply had not one of the Indians detailed to watch the tunnel come up as the girl ceased speaking. He had a report to make, and Wild Bill looked pleased when it was made.
It was short but important. Flag-pole Jack had attempted to escape through the tunnel, and had been shot and killed as he was crawling out of the long hole.
“All’s well that ends well,” said the colonel joyously.
The white contingent of the force that had routed the Apaches slept that night in the castle, and next morning left for the desert and the civilized places beyond.
Wild Bill resigned his position as acting leader of the Yelping Crew.
Colonel Hayden and his daughter went on to the military post in Wyoming. They parted with Buffalo Bill, Wild Bill, and Alkali Pete at Laramie.
What was said and done at the parting left the two scouts blushing like schoolboys.
“Kissed me, kissed me,” murmured the lanky plainsman, as he walked away with the king of scouts. “Didn’t she know’t I’m a married man?”