“That peak seems to interest you, Cody,” said Wild Bill.
“It does, Hickok, for there I feel that the wind-up will take place.”
“Then you don’t intend that Holmes shall sneak out of the basin.”
“You have said it.”
“I get the idea. The retreat by the peak must be cut off.”
“Yes. The basin can be circled. There’ll be some tough climbing to do, but——”
“But a man of my build can easily do the trick. Good! That suits me down to the ground. Wish I could start now. By gum”—looking along the irregular wall of the basin—“I can start in daylight. The rocks offer all kinds of opportunities for concealment. What do you say, Cody? Hadn’t I better get a move on right now?”
Buffalo Bill did not answer at once. His eyes were on the spot where Rixton Holmes and Myra Wilton were resting. He saw the villain arise, take the girl by the arm and point to the ponies.
“They are going to move,” he said, in some excitement. Then to Wild Bill: “Yes, you may go. You’ll have to travel fast if you expect to get to the peak before they come up.”
“Trust me,” was the quiet reply, and Wild Bill was off.