“We’ve got the gal, anyway,” said one of the rascals, with a grin; “and I’m believin’ she must have them em’rulds. If she ain’t, he has; and we’ll git ’em, er know why.”
The “he” referred to Bruce Clayton.
Still no sound reached them indicating the return of the two scouts.
CHAPTER XXXIX.
THE EMERALDS GONE.
When Black John and his masked bandits had waited so long for the return of Buffalo Bill and Pawnee Bill that their patience was worn out, they left the concealment of the bushes.
It was certain that the scouts had not fallen into the trap in the pass. If that had happened, rifle shots and the sounds of a conflict would have notified them.
Everywhere was a silence that was trying to Black John. Nomad had vanished as if into space; and, though they might have picked up and followed the trail of his horse, the outlaws did not think that would justify the loss of time necessary. They were more interested in the two scouts.
Leaving the bushes, and circling back by the route they had come in reaching them, taking their girl prisoner with them, they gained again the hillside, where the other outlaws were waiting for the scouts.
Toby Sam was much relieved when he saw his chief. He felt sure that for a time the danger of a fight had passed.
“Seen nothin’ o’ ’em,” was Black John’s question.