But, though the Indians had broken upon every hand, and were flying madly through the timber, shot and cut ruthlessly down by the charging troopers, the band of the Branded Brotherhood still stood as firm as a rock, and met the attack with iron nerve.
Suddenly a tall trooper fell from his horse by the side of Buffalo Bill. Instantly his saber was seized by the scout, who, with a series of wild war cries, still pressed on toward Ricardo.
But before he reached the chief, Red Dick spurred forward to meet him, crying in his hoarse tones:
“Now, you cursed scout, your time has come.”
“You are mistaken, Red Dick!” the scout shouted, and with one mighty sweep of his saber he cut down the burly ruffian.
Quickly supporting the band of the scout came Percy la Clyde and his troopers, and the moment after up dashed General Canton and half a dozen men, he having dispatched the remainder of his squadron, under Lieutenant Ainslie and Captain Kassidy and his dragoons, in pursuit of the flying Indians.
The reënforcements thus received by Buffalo Bill caused the Branded Brotherhood to be outnumbered, and slowly they began to give ground.
Buffalo Bill bounded forward once more, and, his saber having been broken by coming in contact with the rifle of Long Dave, he drew his keen knife and rode on until he faced Ricardo.
“Now, Captain Carter, it is your life or mine!”