The face of the scout flushed, his knife was lowered immediately, and he replied in deep, earnest tones:
“Lady, I am glad you recalled me to myself. But you do not know the accursed life of this man, or you would hardly plead for him; but it shall be as you request.”
Then, turning to his burly enemy, the scout continued sternly:
“Red Dick, this lady has prevented an encounter that should have ended in your death or mine. Now I bid you leave this camp.”
The giant hunter turned an earnest look into his foe’s face, and, reading there only deadly determination, said:
“I’ll go now, scout, ’cause you hold the winning card; but Red Dick will be on your trail hot in the future.”
So saying, he wheeled away, walked to one of the wagons, and, taking his rifle and accouterments, mounted his tall, raw-boned horse and departed, leaving Buffalo Bill master of the situation.
But hardly had the huge form of the exiled horse and rider disappeared over a roll in the prairie when suddenly he reappeared, and at his back rode over a hundred mounted Sioux warriors, who came rushing down upon the train with discordant yells and the war cries of their tribe.