Their horses were placed beyond the hill, and the prisoner was left there in charge of two men, one of whom was Toby Sam. For Black John knew what a coward Toby was, and feared to place him where he might think his precious hide was in danger.
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
A CAPTURE AND AN ESCAPE.
When Buffalo Bill came in sight of the hill where the outlaws lay waiting for him, and saw the narrow pass through which he must go, he stopped, for he was wary and alert to discover signs of danger.
“They were in a great hurry here,” he said, “and I suppose they went right on; but, just the same, that looks too favorable for a trap, and I think we’ll investigate it.”
He brought out his field glasses and surveyed the sides of the hill and the pass as well as he could, without discovering anything.
Pawnee Bill and Nomad also scanned the suspected points, and saw nothing out of the way.
“If any one is there, they see us, or have seen us,” said the scout.
He turned his horse about and rode behind a hill, and the others did the same.
Buffalo Bill wished heartily that Lena Forest was not with his party. He did not doubt her courage. But she was a young woman, and in the wild work he anticipated there was no place for a woman, however brave she was. Yet he knew that she would not go back. She had already refused to do that; and, of course, he could not leave her without protection. But now he made another suggestion, without believing she would accept it. This suggestion was for her to accompany Pawnee Bill to the town of Glendive, where she could remain, and Pawnee Bill could gather a force there and hurry back with it.
Pawnee Bill stood ready to go, but Lena Forest demurred.