A little later he came into view, riding slowly. He was swearing volubly. The trail of the fugitives had not been struck, and because of that and of the things which had preceded he was in an ugly temper. His words and oaths were cut short when the lasso of the scout shot out from the side of the trail, and, settling about his neck, jerked him heavily to the ground. In an instant the scout was on him, stifling his cries. “I’ve just been waiting for one of you fellows to come back,” he said, “for I wanted a horse. Now I have one. You will find the sentinel, tied up and gagged, in the side cañon. You’d better see that he is released. And, to make sure that you know just where he is, I will go with you.” Then, with his revolver keeping the man silent by its threatening, he walked with his prisoner up the gulch and into the little cañon. When Buffalo Bill again appeared he was dressed in his own clothing. “Any more of those fellows coming back?” he asked of Carter. “No; that is, we haven’t heard anything.” “Then we’ll be going. Some of them will no doubt be along soon. We can strike the prairie, and I know some gulches and some washes we can get into and which we can follow. It will baffle them to find us now.” “Now?” questioned Rose. “Yes. We have two horses now. Midnight, my horse, will carry double, and we now have an extra horse for your father. You can be shifted from one horse to the other, as the animals tire. But come, we must be going, for we must be far from here before daylight. The moonlight is increasing, but they can’t do much trailing before day comes.” Then he helped Rose Carter to a seat on Midnight, and swung up himself behind her, and, Rose’s father being seated in the saddle vacated so recently by one of the outlaws, the journey was begun. CHAPTER LIII. BUFFALO BILL’S DEFENSE. In his private quarters at the fort sat General Canton, the commandant of the chain of forts upon the far frontier. He was engaged in reading dispatches just arrived, and his brow was dark, his look troubled, as though the news therein contained was not pleasant. Around the general were signs of comfort, and even luxury, for his quarters were well furnished, and books and musical instruments were there with which to while away leisure moments. Touching a small bell, an orderly soon appeared at the door. “See if Major Belden is sufficiently recovered from his fatiguing trip to come to me.” “Yes, sir,” and the orderly vanished, to return in a few moments with the information that the major would come at once. Soon after the major put in an appearance at the general’s quarters, and was motioned to a seat. “Major, I am really pleased with your trip, and I feel certain that those Indians on the Southern Agency will behave at least for a few months; but I have sent for you to learn what was the information you had regarding Buffalo Bill.”