Buffalo Bill knew that the time for conciliatory talk had passed, so he uttered no protest, but said quietly: “I think as you do, Hickok. The Apaches somehow got on to Black Wing’s plan and killed him. Then they hurried to the castle, taking the cut-off over the ridge that I took when I went from here this forenoon. But they may not stay there. The finding of Thunder Cloud’s body, the discovery of the dead Indian in the cellar, and the escape of the white prisoners will, I think, send them out again. And if they come back here they will come by the regular trail. Great Heaven, Hickok, they will come by the cottonwood tree! Alkali Pete and the Haydens may see them coming, but the chances to escape observation are poor. Come on, we must meet the fiends before they reach our friends, if it is possible to do so.” The words were scarcely out of the scout’s mouth before the Apaches appeared. CHAPTER XV. THE FRUITS OF VICTORY. Buffalo Bill saw the redskins rush out of the bushes into the open, and at once dropped to his knees and fired. A volley from the Apaches drowned the report of his rifle. Black-face Ned, struck in the head by a bullet meant for Wild Bill, staggered and fell upon the kneeling king of scouts, sending him flat upon his face. Shots and bloodcurdling yells rent the air as he was trying to arise. When he got to his feet he saw a strange sight. The Apaches were running up the mountainside, pursued by enemies from two sides. Wild Bill and all but four of the Yelping Crew were chasing the Apaches, while from the brush out of which the foe had emerged Alkali Pete and Colonel Hayden were using their weapons with telling effect. The king of scouts joined in the rush of the Yelpers. But the Apaches, demoralized by the attack in the rear, won out in the running race. They were out of range when the pursuers reached the top of the ridge. Seven had been killed, and there were not more than ten, the two outlaws with them, who were able to get to the castle. On the ridge, the king of scouts said to Wild Bill: “Go on and invest the castle, and I’ll join you after a while. I must have a talk with Colonel Hayden.” “All right, but be quick, Cody, for it will be dark before long.” Alkali Pete was coming up the hill as Buffalo Bill began the downward walk. Below, on the flat, stood Colonel Hayden and Sybil. As the two scouts met, Sybil Hayden was hastening to the side of a wounded and dying Apache. In her hand was a canteen of water that her father had given her. The Indian, who was sitting up with his hands at his throat, took the canteen and drank until he almost choked. Buffalo Bill and Alkali Pete joined the girl, and the colonel came up while the Apache was speaking.