“Never, Cody!”
“But I——”
“I’ll hear no ‘buts,’ scouts. If you persist in such a foolish intention I’ll put you in the guard-house and keep you under arrest until you come to your senses.”
“I’m afraid I’ll grow gray in the guard-house, then,” laughed Buffalo Bill, who knew that his friend did not mean this.
“But you were forced to make the promise to save your life. Therefore, the promise was given under durance and cannot hold.”
“The redskins have few lawyers,” said Cody, with a smile. “That sophistry would not appeal to them.”
“It’s sure death!”
“I’m not so sure of that. However, I must go to Oak Heart’s camp. I may risk my life, but I hope to accomplish a purpose that I have in mind.”
The officer saw that the scout was determined, and that his will could not be shaken.
“It seems like being a party to your murder to let you go, scout,” said Captain Keyes gloomily. “And you saved my life, too!”