“Heh?” murmured the startled one.
“Who’s the boss?”
“I—I’m the cook.”
“Then the other feller is the boss?”
“I—I reckon so. Say, Billings!” and he suddenly punched the other man in the ribs. “Wake up! We’re surrounded!”
“Shut up, you fool!” exclaimed the visitor, slapping his palm suddenly over the second man’s mouth, for it opened to emit a yell before his eyes were fairly ajar. “It’s all right. What did you want to startle him for?”
“Who the devil are you?” demanded the cook.
“And how’d you git here?” cried the other man.
“I’m Cody, and I belong just now to the command at Fort Advance. You’re in about as dangerous a position as a score of men can be and get out of it alive, and I’ve sneaked into your camp to help you.”
“Injuns!” groaned the cook, turning pale.