Hardly had the splash of the descending form reached Cody’s ears, when he was on foot and peering over the precipice. He saw that the water was swift-running and deep, and that the stream wound out of sight a few rods below by turning a rocky point. Instantly he decided upon his course, and cast aside his arms and outer clothing. At once he took the leap. It was thirty feet down to the water, but he struck feet foremost, and without injury. In the meantime, a perfect swimmer, Ginger Sam knew just what was before him, although his arms were bound behind his back. Keeping under water until he had rounded the point, which the current and his own efforts soon enabled him to do, he then rose to the surface and began to make for the shore. It was hard work, with only his feet to aid his efforts, and, retarded as he was by his clothing and the lariat, but he made it at last, and under the shelter of the overhanging hill had just sat down to rest, smiling grimly at his escape, when round the point shot Buffalo Bill, swimming with tremendous strokes. The hunted man uttered a cry of alarm, and, springing to his feet, darted away at great speed. But the scout had always been noted for his fleetness on foot, and he bounded along at a pace that overhauled the outlaw, who was hampered, too, by his bound arms and the dragging lariat. Seeing that Buffalo Bill was gaining upon him, he finally came to a halt, and sang out lustily: “Don’t shoot me!” “I have nothing to shoot you with, but I’ve a notion to drown you,” answered Bill Cody, as he laid no light hand upon the other’s shoulder. “Don’t do it, Bill, for ’twan’t no fault o’ mine. Yer see, my foot slipped when I turned round ter speak ter you, an’ when I found myself free, I concluded I’d try an’ stay so.” “As a scientific liar, Sam, you are ’way up; but, come, no funny business, but go!” There was nothing for the outlaw to do but to obey, and he did that promptly, taking a route that soon brought them to where the faithful horse was standing guard most patiently in the spot where his master had left him. “Now, I am due at the fort, for I have important work on hand and do not wish to be delayed, so I will tie you to a tree here until my return, or I’ll take you to your cabin, for I am sure you have a camp near. Which shall it be?” “I’d be eaten up by b’ar an’ sich ef yer tied me to a tree.” “So I fear, and that would keep you from being hanged, so where is your cabin?” “I got a den.” “Then lead to it, and quick.” The man saw that the scout was in earnest, so said: “We has got ter climb and leave yer boss here, so untie my han’s, fer we goes up thet cliff.” “I’ll do it, and if you attempt to run, look out for a shot.” “I’m inter it now, so I won’t kick.” Buffalo Bill then untied the man’s hands, told him to stand on the cliff until he hitched his horse, and, as he turned to do so, quick as a flash the man made the leap again. Buffalo Bill sprang to the cliff, but did not follow him.