When darkness had settled over the earth the scout tried to enter the village, but was driven back by the keen-nosed dogs, that swarmed everywhere, watchful and hungry as wolves.
“If only we could get some word to her!” said Clayton. “If we could let her know that friends are near, it would encourage her.”
“My attempt kicked up a good deal of excitement. She may guess from that that friends are near. We’ll hope so.”
“But if only some direct word could be got to her!”
Clayton’s anxiety increased as the hours went by.
“If you can’t sleep, my boy,” said the scout after a while, “keep close watch while I take a try at it. I’ll be better to-morrow for a little rest to-night.”
“You don’t intend to attempt again to-night to reach her?” said Clayton.
“It’s impossible to do anything to-night, my dear fellow; the Blackfeet are too much excited and too wide-awake.”
When Buffalo Bill awoke, less than an hour later, Bruce Clayton was gone.
“The fool!” he said. “He’s certain to be captured, if he tries to get into the village.”