“‘This hyar is Annie McGowan,’ says Dell. ‘Annie, Mr. Nomad, Buffler Bill’s pard.’
“‘Wharever did Annie come from?’ I asks.
“‘Buffler rescued her,’ says Dell.
“‘Sufferin’ catermounts!’ I says; ‘ain’t nobody been doin’ nothin’ but Buffler?’
“‘Hardly,’ says Dell, then tells me whar ter come, and she an’ the McGowan gal rides off with the bar o’ gold, tearin’ up McGowan’s agreement as they goes.
“So,” finished the trapper, “thet’s why I’m hyar, Buffler, an’ I’m plumb hungry ter find out what ye done an’ how ye done et. Blaze erway, won’t ye?”
The scout “blazed away,” and Nomad was soon in possession of all the facts.
He had an admiring word for the scout, and a word of regret because he had not himself been able to figure in the exciting affair of the afternoon and night.
Nick was placed on guard at the end of the causeway, however, and he was hoping against hope that Bascomb or Bernritter would make a dash, and offer him a little excitement. But nothing of the kind happened.
Morning came, and as the light increased the scout got a better view of the island. Bascomb and Bernritter were not to be seen, and were probably keeping closely under cover of their stone breastwork.