What should he do with the girl? She was in his power. At least, he had separated her from her father and from her Indian friends. But was the time ripe for her to be introduced to white people—to those in Fort Advance, for instance?
It was a time when men’s passions were deeply stirred. There would be murder and hatred in the hearts of the whites as well as in that of the redskins. Of what good to bring this half-breed girl into contact with whites who felt a desire to kill every creature with Indian blood in its veins? And why take the girl away from the red men at the moment when her own heart was bitter as gall toward the whites? What good would come of such an act? Buffalo Bill’s good sense answered for him:
“None!”
Nor did the whites desire her as a hostage. To hold her prisoner would be to strengthen her affiliation with the Sioux. No, no! She must go free—if Cody were free himself.
This question could not be answered until he had ridden to the end of the cañon, and he went on very circumspectly.
CHAPTER XIV.
A STARTLING DISCOVERY.
Meanwhile, the two troops of cavalry, under Lieutenant Dick Danforth and Captain Keyes respectively, plowed their way through the massed redskins. They met, and Captain Keyes heartily greeted the men from Fort Resistence.
“God bless you, Danforth—and you, Mercer! You’ve come just in time to save us, for we are completely out of ammunition. Where’s Cody?”
“Gone to head off Oak Heart’s messenger to the men he had hidden up the cañon to fall upon us—had we come that way,” said Danforth.