The scout and his companions made their way at once toward the room which held the hidden trapdoor, intending to defend the room as long as they could, and then retreat by way of the tunnel to the river. But before they gained this room the mysterious young man appeared before them, beckoning.
“This way!” he called, in a shrill whisper. “Don’t hesitate! Your lives depend on it!”
Yet Buffalo Bill hesitated, though the cursing outlaws were in the hall behind him and coming on, held only in temporary check by a healthy fear of his revolvers.
“Shall we resk it, Buffler?” Nomad asked.
A rush of outlaws toward them along the hall caused Buffalo Bill’s hesitation to vanish. “Yes,” he said, answering Nomad.
Then they followed the young man, who made a dash toward the kitchen.
When they gained that, ahead of the pursuers, the young man stopped long enough to fasten the door, which was provided with a heavy bolt and chain.
“This way,” he said, again.
A cupboard apparently built solidly into the wall he now swung outward, revealing back of it a door.
“In here,” he said. “Quick!”