“Too late!” said Buffalo Bill.
“They have crossed,” said the sergeant, and his face was white.
“Yes, not two hours ago, from the looks of the trail.
“That man knows the secret pass through Skeleton Range, or he could never have reached here in this time, for that cuts off all of thirty miles in coming from the Overland Trail to the upper ford.”
“Yes, I have followed the regular trail, long ago, but knew of no secret pass.”
“There is one, however, as an old trapper once led me through it. The outlaw must have known it, to have reached here before us, riding as we have, for, remember, it is just twenty-four hours since we left the fort, and we have come a little over a hundred miles.”
“Very true; we have done our duty, but in vain, for my daughter is still in that man’s power, and has been carried on to the Indian camp in the mountains.”
“I fear so.”
“What can we do now?”
“I’ll tell you.