“I see,” returned Buffalo Bill, with a nod. “So they hoisted the colonel and his daughter into the castle room where I was confined, and then lit out through the tunnel. This action must have been taken just after the appearance of Alkali Pete. Pete must have been shot at, and not knowing how many enemies were in the cellar, he ran around to the front, expecting, probably, that some one would come out of the front door.” “He expected the great white warrior to open the door,” said Thunder Cloud. “He told me so.” “I don’t see how he figured out that I would come that way when I was at the rear, for he had seen me. However, there will be an explanation when we meet.” This was said calmly, and the Apache chief could not withhold an admiring grunt. “Good, big, brave Buffalo Bill.” The king of scouts appeared not to have heard the compliment. He was staring hard at the ground. Suddenly he glanced suspiciously toward the mouth of the tunnel. “I am forgetting how I stand,” said he quickly. “Won’t your braves follow you here?” “If Thunder Cloud does not return inside of an hour they will come.” “The hour is nearly up. What’s to be done? You are on my side now, and I am willing to receive advice.” “My braves must not be hurt,” was the grave reply. “Thunder Cloud will keep his word and assist the great white warrior, with the understanding that no more blood is to be shed. Thunder Cloud will go back to the castle, tell his braves that Black-face Ned has forsaken them, that he wants peace with the Comanches, and that the prisoners must be taken through the tunnel and delivered to Thunder Cloud’s friend.” “That’s the ticket,” cried the king of scouts enthusiastically. “Chief, you have a great head. I am proud to be your friend.” The Indian’s swarthy face glowed with pleasure. He was rapidly recovering from the effects of the poison and the antidote, and as Buffalo Bill spoke he rose to his feet, and then leaned on the scout for support. “Think you will be able to get back through the tunnel?” anxiously inquired the scout. “Yes. The weakness will soon pass, and Thunder Cloud can crawl, if he cannot walk.” Five minutes later he was out of sight in the underground passage. Buffalo Bill sat down on the ground, and impatiently awaited the coming of Colonel Hayden, Sybil, and Alkali Pete. “When they come,” he said to himself, “I’ll consider the case of Black-face Ned. The scoundrel must be captured, and it ought to be an easy stunt to catch him, for he can’t travel fast on account of his wound.” The chief had not been gone ten minutes before a series of savage yells smote the air. They came from the direction of the castle, and the king of scouts sprang to his feet, anger and alarm in his eyes. A discharge of firearms followed the yells, and more yells came on the heels of the shots. A fight was in progress, and it was clear to the mind of Buffalo Bill that the Apaches were being attacked by the Comanches led by Black Wing and Wild Bill.