Buffalo Bill expected a detachment of cavalry would arrive the next forenoon, and gave himself over to keen enjoyment of this homelike retreat in the heart of an almost barren country. Here he could lie on the grass at evening and look up at the stars without the momentary expectancy of that charming visitor, the rattlesnake. Neither did he feel obliged to sleep with one eye open to guard against surprise by Indians. No sound of the howling coyote came to him here, and the odors of delicate flowers and pungent herbs tickled his nostrils. And not the least of the attractions was the charming hostess, whose innocent, confiding nature appealed to all the real manliness in such men of honor as the famous scout. Mrs. Sherley, too--a motherly soul--sent Buffalo Bill back to childhood’s days. It had been a long time since the scout had felt so care-free and wholly at ease and peace. Lieutenant Avery told to the scout the story of his fight and capture, and how Little Moonbeam had rescued them from the Indians. The lieutenant openly expressed his respect and admiration for the girl, and remarked to the scout his desire to aid in placing her in the advantages of an Eastern city, where she not only could go to school, but could study music, both vocal and instrumental. “What of your people in the East?” the scout asked. “They do not live in a city which furnishes the advantages this girl requires. But my wife’s people are ideally located. My wife and I have talked much of it in the last few days, but have not touched on the matter to the girl herself. So far as we knew she had no desire to leave this beautiful oasis.” Until their pipes had gone out the scout and lieutenant discussed the girl’s future, which always included Mrs. Sherley and the little Indian maiden. They came to a very definite understanding, and promised to consider ways and means at a future sitting. In the meantime, Buffalo Bill would once more confer with the girl. At noon the following day no party had come from the fort for Lieutenant Avery and his wife, neither had a messenger appeared. The lieutenant was more or less chagrined. He had felt that the commander and his brother officers would be so glad to hear that he was alive that they would hasten to escort him back to the fort and hold a general jollification in his honor. As night came on no one was in sight on the plain, so far as the scout’s field glass would reveal from the top of the butte. Old Nomad had become uneasy and declared that something had gone wrong with Cayuse. He, Nomad, was for putting off to discover its meaning. He would go through to the fort and, if Cayuse had not arrived, search for the Piute pard.