Failing in that and apparently thinking that the game was played out, it was believed that he had set off a storehouse of explosives and had died where his bones would never be disturbed.
The procession back to town was quite a remarkable one. Buffalo Bill had made sure that the principal prisoners were safely guarded, and among his most zealous supporters were Dan, the fighting man, and Red Dick, the wild and woolly knight of the bad men’s resorts.
Skibo was given charge of the sheriff, and Wild Bill had Price under his watchful eye. Old Nomad, the scout, and Cayuse herded the rest of the prisoners, while the former enemies, Dick, and Dan, and their followers, acted as outriders.
The crowd of curious trooped along in the rear.
But the incident was not to close without one more adventure for the scout and his pards.
The day had passed rapidly with the exciting incidents, and darkness overtook the small army before it had covered half the distance to town.
Buffalo Bill had foreseen this and also the possibilities of escape that might come to some of his prisoners. He had instructed Skibo and Hickok, whatever happened, to give their whole attention to the sheriff and Price. Those two must be safely landed to answer for their betrayal of public trust.
Suddenly from all quarters at once—in front, rear, and along both sides of them, came wild yells and a rain of bullets.
Instantly there was panic, and had the Indians followed up the first volley with a charge a slaughter must have followed.
But like a whirlwind Buffalo Bill dashed along the outside, giving orders in a stern, business-like way, until he had completely encircled his party.