In an instant the victor regained his rifle and turned to glance at the flat. The Navahos were running toward the cabin.
They saw him, and three reports rang out. They were not simultaneous. Buffalo Bill, the quickest on the trigger, fired first, and then sprang to one side, only to fire again and again.
When the smoke cleared away there were two dead Indians on the flat.
With a hard smile the king of scouts turned to see Crow-killer making strenuous efforts to get to his feet.
A couple of well-directed blows had the result desired. The brother of the Navaho chief sought again a horizontal position, and lay quite still.
He was bound and gagged and dragged into the cabin. Taking a stool, the victor of the recent combat wiped his perspiring face. He had reason for exultation, but his brow was sad. The nonappearance of Bart Angell was disquieting. He must have fallen into a trap and been conveyed to the mysterious cave; and to find that cave, rescue Myra Wilton and possibly the missing scout, was now Buffalo Bill’s fixed intention.
It was near the hour of noon. The king of scouts prepared a meal, ate of it, and, removing the gags of his prisoners, gave each a supply of the food. The two Indians partook sparingly of what was offered them, but Rixton Holmes ate like a famished wolf. “I went off this morning without my breakfast,” he explained to Buffalo Bill, with a nervous smile. “I am in for it, maybe, but I’m not going to make a fool of myself. Food imparts strength, and I may need my strength before I leave this neck o’ woods.”
“Yes, I think you will,” responded the king of scouts dryly. “Until I find horses, there’s quite a long walk ahead of you.”
There was one horse outside. It belonged to Bart Angell. Affixed to the pommel of the saddle was a reata. It was a long one, and Buffalo Bill nodded approvingly as he removed it.
With the reata in his hand he reëntered the cabin, and thus addressed his prisoners: “I am going to find that cave. You three will go with me, for it would be the height of folly to leave you here. I shall give you the use of your feet, but your hands will remain tied, and this reata will serve as a bond to hold you together. The free end will be in my hand, and I shall drive you much as I might drive so many fractious ponies. Of course, it goes without saying that it won’t be healthy for any one of you to disobey any order that I may give.”