When they had climbed to the rim of the cañon, Buffalo Bill resigned the lead to Gentleman Jim and Tenny, who were both perfectly familiar with the country and competent to lay a straight course for Medicine Bluff.
These two rode in the lead: behind them came Dell and the scout, then Nomad, and lastly Wild Bill and De Bray, the two latter hobnobbing as they rode and getting better acquainted. Wild Bill found, as did every one else with whom the Denver man came in contact, that his stirrup companion improved upon acquaintance.
“I wish I could understand the whole of that picture Little Cayuse drew for us,” remarked Dell, as they galloped across the level country that stretched northwesterly from Sun Dance Cañon.
“What bothers you, pard?” queried the scout.
“That ‘marginal note,’ as you called it,” replied Dell. “What do those mule’s ears mean?”
“If it comes to that,” laughed the scout, “they may not be mule’s ears.”
“If they’re anything else, then the mystery is only deepened.”
“Let’s forget the mystery, for now. The main part of the diagram is clear enough, and Medicine Bluff lies ahead of us.”
“I suppose, Buffler,” sang out the old trapper from behind, “thet ther nub o’ this pizen bizness is gittin’ ther woman back.”
“That’s the main point, Nick,” answered the scout. “After that, we can think of the money lost by those on the stage. The woman must be safely rescued.”