“Very true. I thank you for saving me from him.” She looked at the dead outlaw with a shudder. “You are a brave girl and deserve a different fate from lingering here in these hills, and living the life of a hermitess.” “Oh, I would so love to go away,” she declared. “But, sir, you must not stay here, for any moment some warriors may pass, and your life would certainly be the forfeit. “I was going to warn you of danger, because I did not wish to see you and your paleface friends massacred, and now I have double cause for saving you.” Her expressive face showed that she was very much in earnest. “Oh, sir, fly from these hills, you and your friends, for even now the Sioux are assembling all their braves to attack you, and he that is called Kansas King will side with the Indians in the war against you.” “From my heart I thank you,” said the scout. “But I know all that you would tell me. Not ten minutes ago I was on that ledge and saw and heard all that passed between your father, the White Slayer, and Kansas King.” The girl was very much surprised, but answered: “I am glad you heard it; but you will leave these hills?” “No; we will show Kansas King and his Indian allies that we will not be driven from the Black Hills by fear of them,” and Buffalo Bill spoke with bitter determination. “Oh, what a terrible slaughter will follow!” she exclaimed. “How I wish I could aid you, sir.” “You can. You can aid me.” “And how? Tell me, and I will do all in my power,” said Pearl earnestly. “To-morrow is the meeting between Kansas King and your father. Yonder ledge is a secret spot where you can hide, and you can reach it from the hill above. I want to know the plans to be arranged between your father and the outlaw chief, and to-morrow night, just after sunset, I will meet you here.” “I understand, sir, and I will do as you wish me to; but, tell me, please, are you Buffalo Bill, the scout?” “I am so called, but why do you ask?” “Because I have so often heard the Sioux warriors speak of you, and how terrible you were in battle; numbers have gone forth upon your trail, boasting they would return with your scalp, and though many warriors have gone, you still wear your scalp lock, and many of those braves have not returned.” “Perhaps they are looking for me in the happy hunting grounds,” said Buffalo Bill. “Now I must be off; and remember--to-morrow night I will meet you; but, tell me, can I not cross this hill and strike the valley beyond?” “Yes, sir; but, oh! Do not go through that valley,” implored Pearl, with earnest manner. “And why, child? Are the redskins numerous there?” “Oh, no, sir; an Indian would not enter that valley for a girdle of scalp locks, and even my father dare not go there.” “Why? Is it such a terrible place?” The girl glanced cautiously around her, slightly shuddered, then in a whisper replied: “A spirit haunts the valley, sir.” “A spirit? Nonsense!”