It was clear that the girl would soon have been overtaken, if she had not found friends to aid her.
She looked at the dogs with a shudder, realizing what that pursuit had meant for her.
“Don’t be frightened, my dear young lady!” said Buffalo Bill.
“But those men will attack you!”
“Oh, yes, we expect that; but it’s a game we can play, also. They’ll find it warm when they try to get at us here.”
“Aye, they will!” assented Wild Bill, as he looked to his rifle and revolvers, and poked into them new cartridges. “I’m opining there will be some dead men decorating that trail in a very few minutes, if those fellows come on.”
The men came on, with the dogs leading.
Then the dogs discovered the men and the girl in the hollow of the rocks, and they charged, baying savagely.
“Here’s for dead dog meat!” said Wild Bill, with a reckless laugh, as his revolver spouted its flame and lead, and the foremost dog pitched over, rolling down the hill.
The horsemen farther down the trail drew rein.