But the scout did not move from his place of concealment. He had a shrewd idea of the situation, and was not surprised when, after a short time, he heard a noise in the brush below him and close to the camp.
Presently a tall, muscular Indian stepped into the open and moved toward the rifles.
Buffalo Bill, who had expected to see Black-face Ned, was astonished and puzzled when the redskin, an Apache, stepped into view.
A bullet from the scout’s pistol would have laid the Indian low, but Buffalo Bill did not desire to fire the shot if the action could with safety be avoided.
“I’ll capture him, if I can, and make him tell me what brought him here, and why he killed the Hualapi.”
With this thought in his mind, Buffalo Bill watched the Apache until he saw the Indian stoop to gather up the rifles. Then he rushed down the bank with such speed that he was close to the Apache when that astonished aborigine raised his head.
The next moment the scout’s fist shot out with catapultic power, and the Indian measured his length on the ground.
Blows were rained on the victim’s head until he was reduced to a state of insensibility.
CHAPTER X.
THE SCOUT CAPTURED.
Buffalo Bill did not remain by the side of his victim and await the return of sense. He made practical use of his time. He ate his breakfast, risking a small fire for coffee.