“Then I’ll save you in spite of yourself.”
He caught out from his pocket what seemed a very large handkerchief. Before she divined his intent he threw it over her head; and then clutching her by the throat, he stifled her cries.
The assault was so sudden and dastardly, and withal it so frightened her, that she slid to the floor in a faint.
“Thank Heaven for that!” he panted.
Then he caught her in his arms, drew open the door before him, and, carrying her thus, he stepped out into the darkness of the yard.
CHAPTER XXIV.
THE MAN IN THE SHADOWS.
When Buffalo Bill returned to the palisade gate, having seen nothing of Lieutenant Barlow, the man he had followed out on the prairie, he was careful to ask the sentry if Barlow had returned.
Being told that Barlow was still outside—a thing which the sentry believed to be true—the scout rode slowly away from the gate, intending to look farther.
Riding thus along he saw near the corner of the palisade wall the slinking form of Smallpox Dave.
He did not know who the man was, and could not see him clearly, but the renegade’s creeping manner spoke of treacherous conduct of some kind.