The body had disappeared.
A large slit in the skin wall back of the couch disclosed the avenue of escape.
With a strange light in his eyes the king of scouts stepped quickly to the wall and examined the slit. It had been made by one strong stroke. No weak woman could have made it. Myra Wilton had not come to life, but her body had been stolen by some enemy of the Navahos.
Out of the hole in the wall went the wondering scout, and with his sharp eyes endeavored to pierce the darkness that surrounded him. There were no lights in any of the other tepees. The nearest was about twenty feet away, and standing in front of it was an Indian.
The false Crow-killer went over to the Navaho, and was pleased to find that it was one who had spoken to him concerning the medicine man and the incantation. The Indian did not respond when asked if any one had preceded the questioner out of the slit in the tepee of the dead white maiden.
The question was repeated. Now there was movement instead of oral answer. Clutching the disguised scout by the arms, the Navaho let out a yell that was sufficient to arouse the whole village.
A series of yells came in response, and as the king of scouts flung the Indian to the ground he found himself in the midst of an excited mob. He dodged a tomahawk, caught sight of the vengeful face of Raven Feather, fired point-blank at the chief’s head, and, as the chief fell, struck right and left with weapon and fist, and had succeeded in forcing his way out of the crowd, when his legs were seized by the released medicine man, who had crawled under the skin of the tepee.
As Buffalo Bill felt himself falling, a shout that was as fine wine to a thirsty throat saluted his ears. Then ensued a fusillade that sent all the Indians who could use their legs to a place of security.
The medicine man lay dead with a bullet in his brain as the grateful king of scouts shook hands with Wild Bill, Bart Angell, and Carl Henson.
They had been awaiting the signal from Buffalo Bill, and the delay in giving it had caused them to think that there had been a miscue. Consequently they had entered the village on their own motion.