The words of the chief created an impression, for all knew that he was not in a joking humor.
“The truth is, pards,” Cody went on to say, “we are not wanted in this valley, and I will tell you why. I had no idea that there was such a settlement as this in this valley, and I wish to know if you had ever heard of it?”
“I have been through here, before, ten years ago, and it surprised me then, chief, but I have met no one else who knew that there was a settlement here. Then its people were Mexicans, Indians, negroes, and a few Americans.”
The one who spoke was Lone Star Sam, a handsome, dashing fellow, reserved, courteous, whom his comrades regarded as a man with a past that had left its impress upon him, for he never spoke of it.
“What did you find out about it, Sam?”
“Very little, sir.”
“What brought you here?”
“I was in search of one I was anxious to find, and, hearing of this settlement from a Mexican officer, I came here to see if my man was here.”
“Was he?”
“He was not.”