Wild Bill was always on the alert, and his eye was as quick as that of any Indian. They had left the fort perhaps three miles in the rear, and Captain Smith had entered deeply into a subject which interested Hickok. It was concerning Price, the former Indian agent, and his affairs, particularly that which concerned Lieutenant Avery. They saw nothing of the hoped-for supply wagons, and the scout was so absorbed by the words of his companion that he at first gave no heed to a row of strange objects along the crest of a hill far to the left of them. Then the habit of years fixed his gaze. “Do you see anything there?” he asked of the captain. The captain did not, but Hickok leveled his field glass as he rode, and a moment later announced: “They are Indians, cap, and they are between us and the fort. How is your horse for a run?” The captain paled, but answered: “There is no pony living that can down him in twenty miles.” “Good! Let’s look to our saddle girths, for as soon as those fellows see that they have been discovered they will come out in full view. They are only waiting now to give others time to cut off our retreat by riding out behind that ridge we have just crossed.” “What is best for us to do?” asked the captain. “Keep out of their way, if possible, and when they get too near make it costly for them.” “I’ve revolver ammunition in plenty, but only half a dozen rounds for my rifle.” “Hold your ammunition for a while, then, and when they get too insistent I’ll entertain them. How far is it to the crest of that ridge, should you say?” “One thousand yards.” Wild Bill raised the sights of his rifle. “Watch me let them know they are discovered,” he said. Swinging in his saddle, his rifle cracked and dust flew beside one of those round objects that lay so motionless. Instantly more than a score of warriors leaped to their feet and darted back out of sight down the opposite side of the divide. “In two shakes of a sandpeep’s tail they’ll be back again, fully mounted and after us,” said Hickok. “Are you prepared for a run?” “I am, and ready to wager that I can leave those fellows out of sight in an hour.” “Don’t try it, old man. If you do you may sleep without a scalp to-night. My advice to you is not to push your horse too hard at first. The farther we get ahead of them the farther we’ll be away from the fort when darkness comes on. So long as there is nothing in the way, I move that we stick to the route as though we never intended to come back, and then they won’t be looking for us when we return after dark.” “They are coming, Hickok!” exclaimed the captain excitedly, sending his horse away at a swift canter. Wild Bill saw the fiercely charging cavalcade now plunging down the descent and yelling fiercely. It was a fearsome sight to those unused to it, and Wild Bill did not blame the captain for being nervous. He rode near enough to the latter to call to him: