“Well, well, what is it all about, Skibo?”
“In de fust place, Nomad he done git oneasy, an’ jes’ nachally couldn’t stan’ it. So he done mount Hide-rack an’ slide out, an’ we hain’t seen him no mo’. Den, jes’ ’fore midnight dat measly pris’ner wiggle outen his rope an’ skedaddle. Mars’ Hickok done discober ’im jes’ in time to wing ’im. But ’e got erway, swearin’ awful.”
“Cayuse hasn’t, returned?” asked the scout.
“No, sah; we hain’t seen ’im sence yo’ an’ he went away dat mawnin’, Mars’ Billyum.”
They were approaching the little shelter where the Laramie man had lain during his convalescence, and found the latter in no pleasant mood.
Hickok related the story of Bloody Ike’s escape, and told how old Nomad had gone away, promising to return in a short time.
Hickok’s condition was so much improved that he proposed to ride into town that morning, but the scout advised against it.
The scout himself was worn out from his wearying work of the last forty-eight hours and scanty opportunities for rest. He decided to sleep for a few hours, and then set out in search of Nomad and Cayuse.
Hickok remained on guard, and with the first streak of light was scanning the plains, hoping for a glimpse of the fleeing Bloody Ike; but if that worthy had left the hills he had reached town during the hours of darkness.
Before setting out in the morning Buffalo Bill got all the particulars of Nomad’s departure and where he was last seen to disappear behind the table-land near the town. The scout cautioned Hickok and Skibo to be constantly on guard against their late prisoner. He feared that Bloody Ike had not left the hills and would attempt some sort of vengeance. So Cody cautioned them to keep well behind the rocks where Ike could not pick them off from a distance with a rifle and to be ready for an attempted bomb throwing. The scout knew that the former boss of mine explosives would welcome the opportunity to blow them all into eternity.