“Waal, while ye’re fiddlin’ eround fer a start, I’m goin’ ter give ye a surprise.”
“What sort of a surprise?”
Nomad drew close to the scout, and whispered in his ear.
“Thet Injun gal, Wah-coo-tah, is out ter the barn, an’ wants ter see ye immejiate.”
That was a surprise, certainly. How was it that the girl, whom the pards had left in the hills, had reached Sun Dance so soon after their arrival? And what was her business with the scout?
Buffalo Bill started for the door, but Nomad caught his arm.
“Ef thar’s anythin’ crooked goin’ on in this camp, Buffler,” said the trapper, “like as not ye’re bein’ watched. What excuse ye got fer goin’ ter ther barn, arter ther hosses hev been attended to, an’ ther ridin’-gear brought in? Ye ort ter hev one, ye know. Hyar! I’ll fix ye out.”
Nomad dipped into his war-bag and brought out a bottle of horse-liniment.
“Take this, Buffler,” he whispered, “an’ purtend ye’re goin’ ter rub thet stuff on Bear Paw’s off hind leg. Thet gal, Wah-coo-tah, is chuck full o’ important news o’ some kind, but she wouldn’t say er word ter me, ’ceptin’ I was ter send Pa-e-has-ka ter see her.”
Buffalo Bill took the bottle of liniment and left the room. Out in front he halted for a word with Spangler.