CHAPTER IX.
BUFFALO BILL’S BOLD VENTURE.
The council of war which Lieutenant Walter Worth had said he would hold that night in the camp near the secret crossing of the river, where it was found that the outlaw had escaped across into the Indian country, continued until late at night, the young officer, Surgeon Denmead, the sergeant, and Buffalo Bill being the four present.
Talking the matter over, in the light of all the facts with which they were acquainted, they were certain that Lucille had been captured by the outlaw leader.
The letter which the outlaw had told the sergeant he would write to entrap her had been sent, and so there was no doubt but that he had been on hand to receive his prize.
The Indians had told the sergeant the last night he had crossed the river that the outlaw had gone to Pioneer City by a secret ford.
That trail had been found where it had left the river, and the trail where it had entered the river going back had also been discovered.
This proved that the outlaw had secured his captive and hastened with her to the Indian camp.
To rescue her, then, was the question, and Sergeant Fallon at once said: