The night crept on, midnight rolled around, and yet the scout had not returned, and anxious fears filled the hearts of all for his safety.
CHAPTER LV.
A STARTLING REVELATION.
In that motte, there on the wild plain, few cared to seek sleep, with the dead and wounded everywhere around them. General Canton and his officers still sat around the camp fire, though midnight had come and gone.
Presently the sound of rapidly advancing hoofbeats was heard, the sentinel challenged, and the answer came in the stern, deep voice of the scout.
The next instant he dashed up to the fire, accompanied by the negro, Buttermilk, the servant of Ricardo.
Another man was with him, and this man was none other than Alfred Carter, who had followed on, hoping to be in the fight against the outlaws. Alfred Carter was wild in his rage against Ricardo and the outlaws.
“Thank God! you have come, Cody. We feared danger had befallen you,” cried the general.
“No, sir; I took the trail of this negro, and I caught him. Where is the body of Ricardo?”