It was the fourth day when Nomad’s party reached Avery’s ranch and found all well, and no Indians had been seen for several days.
Two days later Buffalo Bill, Hickok, and Skibo arrived, to rest a bit before continuing their labors.
CHAPTER XXXI.
THE BOY BUGLER WINS.
“What’s ther verdict, Willie—aire yer comin’ erlong, er be ye goin’ ter stay ’th yer paw an’ maw?” asked old Nomad, who sat with the boy and Skibo.
“I don’t know, yet; Mr. Cody an’ Mr. Avery are talkin’ with dad and ma, now. I’m all ready—got my rifle cleaned an’ loaded, an’ my bugle in my saddlebag. Whee! I hope I go,” sighed the youngster.
“I hopes yer does, kid, ’cause yer kind o’ livens us ole fellers up when times git dull, an’ ther redskins fergit ter ’tend ter bus’ness.”
“Yah, yah! Dat’s what Ah reckons—dis yere kid go toot-toot on de boogie an’ de sabage he gits his moggins goin’ fer de tall timber on de lively. Ah specks Mars’ Billyum don’ hab no mo’ do but jes’ go ’long nachally an’ pick up de skins o’ dem dar red debils—coz why? Coz dey run plumb outen ’em tryin’ fer git ’way f’m dat tooter.”
“You’re makin’ fun of me now, Skibo.”