Tenny rode slowly on along the valley in the direction of Medicine Bluff, while the scout and Dell pushed their horses at the wall up which the scout had climbed a little while before.
The scout understood that his suddenly conceived plan for capturing Lawless was a desperate one; but, had he realized just how desperate it was, he would have waited, before carrying it out, to get some more of his pards to go with him.
CHAPTER XXVI.
CHAVORTA GORGE AND PIMA.
Buffalo Bill and Dell found it a long ten miles to Chavorta Gorge and Pima, mainly because the night mixed up their landmarks, and they went astray in the barren hills.
Early daylight found them on the crest of an eminence scanning the country to the west and south. Away to the west they discerned a distant uplift, which they took to be Medicine Bluff. To the south stretched a ridge, but there was no sign of a gap in the ridge leading to Chavorta Gorge.
“We’re too far to the east, Dell,” hazarded the scout, “and have been following down the ridge. If we turn west, and keep our eyes on the ridge as we ride, I believe we shall find the gorge.”
“By the time we find it, and get to Pima,” returned Dell, “we may discover that Lawless has secured his new men and gone back to Medicine Bluff. If it turns out that way, Nomad, Wild Bill and the rest may have more on their hands than they can take care of.”
“Tenny will warn them. It is true we have lost a lot of time, but I don’t want to turn back from Pima now, when there’s still a chance of accomplishing our work there.”
They pointed their horses westward, and rode as swiftly as the nature of the ground would permit.
“If Lawless has a permanent headquarters near Medicine Bluff,” suggested Dell, “it may be that Nomad, Wild Bill, Gentleman Jim, and De Bray have already found Mrs. Brisco.”