“Good-by, Bill, and may God guard you!” cried Major Baldwin. “And you, too, Texas Jack! I hope to see you both again.”
Cody turned and waved his hand to him; but Jack, in the character of the captured chief, looked straight ahead over his horse’s ears, and he made no gesture.
“We’ll bear toward the left, Jack, for our best plan is to strike for the cañon,” said Buffalo Bill.
“Right you are, pard. But don’t let’s make a dash till we hafter. We’ll gain everything by keeping them red devils guessing.”
“Sure’s you live, Jack! The moment the reds make a move for us, you sign for them to go back. Keep ’em at a distance if you can.”
“I will,” assured Texas Jack.
“Sit up stiff, old man, and play the part right,” admonished Buffalo Bill with a laugh.
These courageous men could laugh in the face of almost certain death!
“What d’ye suppose they think of it, Bill?” asked Jack. “They’re awake, all right. I wonder what they think at seeing you bringing their supposed chief back to them?”
“I’d give a good deal to know just what they are going to think,” said Cody, more gravely. “But we’ll soon know.”