Soon after this conversation Holmes and his captive halted, and the ponies were hobbled.
Buffalo Bill was waiting for the darkness. He might, with his force, descend immediately upon the villain, but he feared that once the rescuers were seen, Miss Wilton’s life would be in jeopardy.
CHAPTER VIII.
SAVED FROM DEATH.
In a position from which all parts of the rocky basin could be seen, Buffalo Bill assembled his men and unfolded his program.
“Holmes will not stay all night among the rocks down there,” he said. “He may start on before dark, though my opinion is that he won’t unless he should see us coming down the hill toward him. He is probably facing the hill now, on the watch for us. As he will not get a glimpse of us during daylight, he will conclude that we have not been able to make fast time in the pursuit.”
“I wish the darkness would hurry up and come,” said Carl Henson, in fierce impatience. “I am worried about Miss Wilton.”
“She is in no present danger,” replied the scout.
The sun was setting. Its rays illuminated and brought into bold relief a long peak that stood at the farther end of the basin. The peak was built of many-colored rocks laid in belts, and the effect was grandly beautiful.
On one side of the peak ran the trail that led out of the basin.
In an hour the peak and the hollow at its base would be wrapped in darkness.