The meal over with, Buffalo Bill decided to start at once for the scout’s camp, leaving Black Bill to guard the four prisoners, who were greatly cast down at their failure to bribe the negro to allow them to go free, and which they could only do by putting the chief out of the way. They had, indeed, offered him half the gold that they had, and said he could accompany them on their way. That the guide would prove false to him Buffalo Bill did not for a moment believe, and he called him aside and said: “Last night I would not leave you alone, with those fellows, black pard, for I was not just sure how that head of yours would pan out after that wound, and feared they might best you. But now you are all right, and I will go to our camp after the boys. “You keep your eyes upon these men, for they are as tricky as snakes, and bound as they are, they are four, you one, and they may find some way of getting the best of you should you be off your guard for a moment.” So saying, he shouldered his rifle, and started off for the scout’s camp. He had not gone very far before he saw two men approaching. At a glance he recognized Sergeant Buck and a soldier. They saw him about the same time, and gave a shout of joy. “We are after you, chief, for, as you did not put in an appearance last night we got anxious about you.” “Where’s the black giant?” called out Sergeant Buck. “Safe, but by a miracle only, for he got a wound that was a very close call.” “Fell on the rocks, sir, I suppose?” “No, he was shot.” Then Buffalo Bill told of the discovery so far made, and the capture of the gold boomers, and learning that the scouts were scattered in search of him, he said: “You return, sergeant, and bring the outfit here, for I will have some one down the valley to meet you. If the boys do not come in until night, come to-morrow, and Ben will go with me now, and see if we cannot make further discoveries.” Sergeant Buck at once set off on the return trail, and Buffalo Bill and Ben went back down the valley. As the break in the cliff was reached Buffalo Bill led the way up the steep hillside, and the two continued on through the narrow pass. Buffalo Bill had an idea that he would make some discovery by going through that pass that severed the range. As they drew near the farther end, they could see through the opening that a large valley lay far below them, a thousand or more feet. The pass had narrowed to less than a hundred feet, and arose in solid walls of rock far above them. When within a short distance of the end, Buffalo Bill halted suddenly and cried: “See there, Ben!” “This end of the pass has been blasted out with powder.” “That is just what it was, Ben, and--we have found it--see? The Lost Valley lies before us!”