“We’ll take the gags out of the fellows’ mouths now, as we have these two secure,” and, going over to the bunks, the two gags were removed, water was handed the men, and the four were at liberty to talk together, as soon as all four were secured in bunks for the night. Then Buffalo Bill and the negro went to care for the horses, and a good grass plot was found down the cañon, where the animals were staked out. The two packsaddles were well filled with supplies, and two of the other horses had bridles and saddles on them for the use of the men who were to ride them back to civilization when the gold boomers returned with their riches. From the conversation of the four, Buffalo Bill soon gleamed that the two had had a hard time of it going through on foot, but had reached Helena at last, and, after a long rest, had bought horses and supplies, and, watching their chance, had started back again for the Big Horn Basin for their pards, and cheered by the riches they would become possessors of and going to bring back with them to civilization. The firelight showed Buffalo Bill that the two men had hard faces, about on a par with his first two prisoners, and he knew that it would not do to leave them alone, bound as they were, with Black Bill, until the negro felt wholly himself again, and so he said: “Now, we will turn in, Black Bill, and get a good night’s rest, and to-morrow I’ll go after the boys and bring them over here, for this seems to be about the end of our trail.” CHAPTER XXVIII. A LIVING TOMB. When morning dawned, the scout and the giant black were on their feet. The latter said that he was all right, only his head was sore and felt twice as heavy as usual. The prisoners were taken out of the bunks in the cabin and tied to trees near the outside fire, where breakfast was put on by the negro, while the scout went to lead the horses to water and to change them to a fresh grazing ground. This was accomplished by the time the guide had breakfast done, and, as the chief came up, he found the prisoners talking earnestly with the black, who called out: “Massa Bill, what you think dese bad gemmens want me to do just now?” “Kill me, I suppose, and set them free.” “Lordy, Massa Bill, you read minds same as you does a book.” “It does not require much mind-reading to know that they offered you big money to turn against me.” “That’s just what they did do, sah; offer to give me half de gold dey have got ter set ’em free and let ’em kill you.” “They didn’t know you, Black Bill. But I don’t blame them, for killing is their trade, and they naturally wish to go free. Come, men, and we’ll have breakfast,” said the scout, with no show of resentment toward his prisoners.