“I’ll send a man to Bowie for the ambulance, and we’ll have him taken there as soon as possible. He did a brave thing, and Grayson shall know about it.”
A troop of mounted men galloped up to the door.
“All ready, captain,” called a voice from without.
“Come on, Cody,” said Markham, pulling on his gloves.
“Just a second, captain,” returned Buffalo Bill. “I have fresh news regarding Geronimo, just brought by my two pards. Miss Dauntless, Captain Markham—Buffalo Bill’s girl pard, Markham, and Buffalo Bill is sure proud of her. Also Little Cayuse, my Piute pard.”
Markham vouchsafed Dell a passive glance, which quickly gave place to one of admiration. He bowed. Then, turning, he caught Cayuse by the hand.
“Glad the Indian boy is accounted for, at all events,” said he. “Sorry I haven’t time to stay and talk, Miss Dauntless, for you’ve got a story to tell which I’d like to hear. We can’t waste much time, Cody,” he added to the scout. “That blind gully is fifteen miles off, and the reds are fliers when they get started. What’s your news?”
“Cayuse escaped from the ambush the Apaches laid for the Bascomb escort,” explained Buffalo Bill: “but, after his escape, Cayuse scouted and followed the Apaches to Tonio Pass. Bascomb is wounded, he says, and unable to travel. The Indians have him in the pass, and Geronimo is with them.”
Markham started.