“No, I was afraid a white man who escaped from the castle this morning.” Buffalo Bill received this statement with great satisfaction. Of course, the escape was Colonel Hayden. “Escaped from the castle,” he said. “Is that the name of the Apache stronghold in these parts?” The Apache shook his head. “No, the white friend of Thunder Cloud holds the place. He calls it the castle.” In this conversation no attempt is made to use the precise language of the Indian. The Apache language was used, and a fair translation into English is given. “What is this castle? And where is it? You might as well come out with the whole truth, for you are at my mercy, and my motto is ‘death to liars, especially if they be Apaches.’” The Indian was unmoved by this speech. His face was stolid as he replied: “Greathead will not lie, because the mighty white scout will find no one at the castle. Black-face Ned has deserted it. He has gone to another retreat.” “Gone without attending to the Yelping Crew? Without trying to rescue Flag-pole Jack and Shorty Sands?” Buffalo Bill gazed incredulously at the Indian. “He has gone with the white maiden, but he has left behind Thunder Cloud and the white man who is called Wason to manage the affair with the Comanches.” “How about my affair? Does he not know that I am in these hills?” “No. Who was to tell him?” “That’s right,” said the king of scouts to himself. “Jack and Sands couldn’t, for they were captured just after they clapped eyes on me. Hold on, though. There is Thunder Cloud. He knows I am here.” Again addressing Greathead, he said: “Your talk won’t wash. Thunder Cloud must have told Ned that I am here.” “The chief did not see his white friend when he returned to the castle. Black-face Ned had gone. He left with the white maiden shortly after Thunder Cloud set out to scout the camp of the white maiden’s father.” “Ah, that explains it. So the colonel escaped. When did he get away? Before Black-face Ned took his departure for another stamping ground?” “The white maiden’s father has not escaped,” replied the Indian calmly. “Greathead did not say that he had done so.” Buffalo Bill exhibited the greatest astonishment. “Not the colonel?” he said. “Then who was the white prisoner who escaped?” “A blame’ long-nosed idjut whose handle used ter be Allen,” said a grunting voice behind the king of scouts. Buffalo Bill turned and saw a tall, ungainly figure, with a long face, a hawklike nose, and two keen, snappy eyes, and his voice rang out in a glad cry: “Alkali Pete! Of all men in the world.” The old plainsman, who had been in many campaigns with the king of scouts, was so delighted at the meeting that he opened his mouth in a grin that exposed a cavern of enormous size. This cavern was surrounded by yellow tusks, with such an irregular alignment as would have brought a sigh from any dentist in the land.