“Not a redskin has seen me, I assure you. I have been four days coming from the river to this cabin, which I saw from the ridge above, as I did you also, and this young man, who I thought must be some renegade.
“I crept up behind the cabin, having seen you seated on the piazza, and, dashing around, covered him; but you say he is your friend.”
“You are safe here, Buffalo Bill, for I cannot but call you so, and you shall know the whole story. So sit down, for it is a long one, and there are secrets in it which you must not breathe to any one.”
“You have my pledge not to betray anything, Miss Lucille,” said Buffalo Bill, and then he heard the story of her father’s strange life, her uncle’s, and her own.
The scout listened with an interest that was intense, and when he had heard all, said in a low tone:
“And I have a story to tell, too, Miss Lucille, and it is that you need no longer dread your wicked uncle, the outlaw. I crossed the river at the spot where you did, and that night camped not far away. The next morning the outlaw rode full upon me: we saw each other at the same time, but I was a little the quickest, and my bullet pierced his brain. I had crossed the river upon a small raft the soldiers had made for me, and so I staked his horse out, when I was sure that he was alone, and, putting the body on the raft, poled back to the other shore. There I found that your father, who was to have crossed at the ford, and go with me to rescue you, had returned, having been fired on by the Indian sentinel and slightly wounded.”
“You mean it—slightly wounded?” cried Lucille.
“I tell the truth, for Surgeon Denmead was in camp and extracted the bullet. I had a talk with your father and he was doing well, but did not wish me to risk coming. How glad I now am that I did, for I have found you, though I have not rescued you.”
“And my outlaw uncle?”
“Lieutenant Worth had his soldiers bury him, for the lieutenant is waiting on the river for your return. Just as I was leaving another force came up which had taken your trail from Monument Hill and followed it to the river, so both are there.