“One was killed by Pete, during the fight that took place at the time of the second hold-up,” explained the scout. Then, proceeding to decipher the picture, he went on: “Back of the marks is an Indian with an eagle-feather. That, of course, is Cayuse, trailing. Over there, in the upper left-hand corner, is a cross representing the four cardinal points of the compass. The hill appears to be northwest of us.”
While this conversation had been going on in the office, the horses had clattered up, and Tenny had been engaged in an excited conversation with Nomad and Wild Bill. Presently some one else joined them, and they all came into the hotel.
“Got any clues from thet pictur’, Buffler?”
The scout looked up and saw the old trapper, Wild Bill, Gentleman Jim, and Hank Tenny.
“It’s from Cayuse, all right,” answered the scout.
“Good enough!” exclaimed the gambler, pressing closer to the table. “It’s a clue, is it, Cody?”
“Yes. Little Cayuse is following the gang, which consists of seven, including Lawless. They have a white woman prisoner along.”
A tremor ran through Gentleman Jim’s lithe form at mention of the woman prisoner; but he quickly pulled himself together, and bent his eager eyes upon the crude drawing.
“There’s a hill there,” pursued the scout, laying one finger on the queer-shaped elevation. “Dell thought it might be a house, but I claim it’s a hill because that thing on top of it is a tree. It lies northwest of here, and the gang with their prisoner are apparently headed toward the hill.”
Gentleman Jim gave a start.