They saw him about the same time, and gave a shout of joy.
“We are after you, chief, for, as you did not put in an appearance last night we got anxious about you.”
“Where’s the black giant?” called out Sergeant Buck.
“Safe, but by a miracle only, for he got a wound that was a very close call.”
“Fell on the rocks, sir, I suppose?”
“No, he was shot.”
Then Buffalo Bill told of the discovery so far made, and the capture of the gold boomers, and learning that the scouts were scattered in search of him, he said:
“You return, sergeant, and bring the outfit here, for I will have some one down the valley to meet you. If the boys do not come in until night, come to-morrow, and Ben will go with me now, and see if we cannot make further discoveries.”
Sergeant Buck at once set off on the return trail, and Buffalo Bill and Ben went back down the valley.
As the break in the cliff was reached Buffalo Bill led the way up the steep hillside, and the two continued on through the narrow pass.