“You’re going to fall in with the scoundrelly plan, then?” cried Dell disappointedly.
“I am merely going to seem to do so,” the scout answered. “About eleven o’clock to-night Nomad will take the agreement and the bullion and go to the deserted shaft. He will place both on the ore-dump; then he will draw away, hide himself, and see what happens. Whoever comes for what he leaves, he will follow. In this manner it may be possible to discover the rendezvous of Bascomb and Bernritter and their red allies.”
“My agreement will hold, Buffalo Bill, if I sign it,” said McGowan.
“Your agreement may hold, but I have made no agreement. Bascomb is a deserter. As such, your agreement will not be binding upon me. Then, too, unless your daughter is released, your agreement will not be binding upon you, McGowan.”
“I see, I see,” murmured the mine-owner.
“Meanwhile,” pursued the scout, with an anxious look at the hills, “I shall go and try to discover what Little Cayuse is doing. Miss Dauntless, while I’m at the corral making ready, will you go to the chuck-shanty and get a day’s rations for me?”
“I’ll get a day’s rations for each of us,” answered Dell, “for I’m going to ride with you. When you make your own horse ready, Buffalo Bill, get mine under saddle, too, will you?”
The scout studied the girl with fresh interest.
“It is only right to tell you, Miss Dauntless,” said he, “that the Apaches are probably in the hills with Bascomb and Bernritter; also three white scoundrels who have joined issue with them. The danger——”
“You don’t know me,” laughed the girl. “Will you let me go?”