Mrs. Lester, the major, and Clarice then came forward, and all said farewell with deep regret, the colonel handing the girl to a seat upon the box by the side of Horseshoe Ned, who seemed proud to have his fair passenger again under his charge.
Then Ned gathered up his reins, called to his leaders, and away whirled the coach at a slapping pace, while the eyes of Ruth were seen to turn with a longing look toward the cabin where her brother was in irons, and must soon go forth from his prison to the gallows.
The coming of Ruth had created much comment. Had she been an ordinary person it would have been less thought of, but all who saw her recognized her as a lady at once. She was very beautiful, and her manner strangely fascinating.
Her coming carried out the old saying that no man is so vile but has one good woman to love him. She had bravely met her brother, had done all in her power to cheer him, and then had gone her way. It would have been only harmful to her and to him for her to have remained longer, as all agreed. She had shown her good sense in going.
As the coach rolled away Surgeon Frank Powell and Buffalo Bill were standing near the latter’s quarters.
“Bill, she is really going,” said the surgeon, as he saw Ruth upon the box with Horseshoe Ned.
“So it seems, doc. What you said to her must have frightened her off.”
“You mean about being aware that she came here to rescue the prisoner?”
“Yes.”
“It may be.”