Nomad was also trying to wriggle out of his bonds, and was finding it difficult.
“Buffler,” he whispered, “when I git a good chanct I got somethin’ ter tell ye, about how I happened ter be at thet house, ye know. I can’t do it now, ye see.” He cast a sidelong glance at Latimer. “Soon’s I git a chanct I’ll tell ye. Must ’a’ seemed ruther cur’us ter you ter find me thar playin’ servant.”
“More so to find you married,” said the scout.
“Te, he! Waal, thet war cur’us, too. I’ll tell ye about thet soon’s I kin. Jes’ now, Buffler, I’m tryin’ ter break the bands of ther Philistines. I war wantin’ ter tell ye, and intendin’ ter, you remember, when I went inter thet room thar at ther house, and fell through ther floor inter ther tunnel; and then I couldn’t.”
Buffalo Bill, after a time of strenuous exertion, felt the cords on his wrists loosen.
The white man disguised as an Indian was giving a sharp reprimand to the Indian who had wished to shoot Nebuchadnezzar. Having done this, he approached the old horse himself, and attempted to lay hands on him.
Nebuchadnezzar did not have enough discernment to discover that this was a white man, who had befriended him, seeing only the paint and the feathers. Indians were not to his liking. Hence, when the man sought to put forth a hand to touch him he wheeled with amazing quickness, launched out again with both heels, and, striking the man squarely in the breast, knocked him down. At the same instant, apparently discovering for the first time that he was not tied, he gave a shrill squeal, and dashed out of the camp.
The incident produced a tremendous uproar of excitement. A number of Indians ran after the horse, while others gathered round the fallen chief. They picked up the groaning white man, and one, who was apparently a medicine man, began to work over him, for the fallen white man was half unconscious from the effects of that terrible kick.
Nomad was cackling to himself, filled with delight over the achievement of his raw-boned steed, yet having discretion enough to keep his wicked glee from the notice of the redskins.
The attention drawn to the escaping horse and to the fallen leader furnished Buffalo Bill with a much-needed opportunity. He cast the cords from his wrists, and, reaching over, drew the small knife from his boot leg and cut the cords that held Nomad.