“Anyhow,” put in Dunbar, “we’ll see that you and your men have supper.” Benner went back to his men, and the latter began caring for their horses. Guards were posted to command all approaches to the Star-A ranch, and rifles were kept within easy reach. Preparing supper for thirty or more was something of a task, but Dunbar helped his wife, and Little Cayuse carried out the food when it was ready. There was peace on that part of the Brazos, albeit an armed peace. Real peace could not come until Red Steve was captured, and had been forced to confess all he knew about Ace Hawkins and Jake Phelps. Following supper, the scout and his pards smoked with Benner in front of the cabin. At a late hour Benner went to his blankets under the trees. Cayuse bunked down at the corral by the horses, and the others hunted berths on the floor of the ranch living room. It was in the small hours of the morning that Little Cayuse crept into the living room and crawled to the scout. “Come, Pa-e-has-ka!” he whispered. The scout sat up. “What’s wanted?” he asked. “Wild Bill make um palaver by corral. You come, Pa-e-has-ka.” The scout wondered at all this mysteriousness on Wild Bill’s part, but he presumed that Hickok, not knowing the lay of the situation, had made up his mind to proceed carefully. The main fact seemed to be that the Laramie man had returned from his search with important news about Red Steve. Thrilled with hope, the scout left the house quietly and met Hickok by the corral. They talked for several minutes in low tones, and the scout’s voice betrayed traces of considerable excitement. At the end of their talk, Buffalo Bill saddled Bear Paw, gave instructions to Cayuse to say nothing, and slipped away into the darkest part of the night with Wild Bill. Morning came, and great was the excitement when it was discovered that Buffalo Bill had vanished. Nomad fretted, the rest wondered, and Cayuse held his peace. Breakfast was prepared, and while Benner and his men were eating out under the trees, and the others were taking their meal in the house, Buffalo Bill came slashing up to the corral, cared for Bear Paw, and hurried to the cabin. There was a queer look on his face, and a queer gleam in his eyes. Over all, however, was an expression of triumph not unmixed with amazement. “Whar ther nation you been, Buffler?” whooped the old trapper, when the king of scouts pushed into the kitchen and took his seat at the table. “Been having a little ride, pard,” laughed the scout indefinitely. “Took er leetle pasear around lookin’ fer Red Steve?” “Well, you might call it that. I’m hungry as a bear that has just come out of his hole in the spring. Load that plate full, Nate.” “Sim hyar reckoned he wouldn’t git ter see ye afore he started fer Hackamore.”