“Buffalo Bill had three hours of daylight at least, sir, when he reached the brook, as his horse showed that he came through at full speed. Then, sir, he had his own fresh horse to mount there, and the trail of the robbers he doubtless followed at a run to get as far as possible before nightfall.
“The robbers could not have gone half so fast, and were certainly not expecting pursuit to-day, which would cause them to go slow. They supposed they had killed Ned, and were not expecting Cody to be upon their trail.”
“Then the chances are, you think, that Buffalo Bill is not very far behind the band?” asked Captain Caruth.
“I do, sir, and we can start just when it is light enough to see, so that we can keep as close upon Cody’s heels as possible.”
“Now, what is your opinion as to where these outlaws came from?”
“I pass there, captain, for I supposed that all of the band of the outlaw chief, Silk Lasso Sam, were either dead or wiped out. But it seems I am wrong, sir.”
“Yes, for these were certainly men who were willing to come to the rescue of their chief.”
“Yes, sir, and I only hope that no other harm than being taken prisoner has befallen Surgeon Powell.”
“So do I.”
“Yet, Jack, I have such an abiding faith in Surgeon Powell’s capacity for taking care of himself that I do not believe that he was born to die with his boots on.”