“It all depends,” qualified the scout, “on the lay of the land at the place where the attack on Jake was made. If there were bushes where Red Steve could lie concealed——”
“Thar warn’t,” spoke up Pierce. “It was flat kentry, whar the attack was made, an’ nothin’ but grass. Thar warn’t no place whar a feller could hide. How Red Steve ever done it is a myst’ry, but he sure done it someway.”
“It was Red Steve, of course,” averred Buffalo Bill. “Where are the rest of my pards, Perry?”
“They’re out looking for Red Steve,” answered Perry; “they left pretty soon after you struck out for town.”
“The baron and Little Cayuse went with them?”
“Yes.”
“Then we are short-handed and no mistake,” muttered the scout.
“Short-handed for what?” asked Dunbar.
“Tell him, Sim,” said Buffalo Bill, “just as you told me.”
Sim Pierce told about the five cowboys who had started back to Phelps’ ranch with the evident intention of increasing their numbers and coming to the Star-A after Nate. Dunbar’s face blanched. But it was not fear for himself that suddenly raced through him. He was thinking of Hattie.