“Do you know how many bucks guard the ponies?” the scout asked of Cayuse. “Me see t’ree; mebbe more, but me no see um.” When the pards reached the foot of the trail there was some sort of a commotion among the ponies. They were kicking and fighting among themselves, and soon two Indians appeared with torches and clubs to quell the riot. Buffalo Bill and Hickok stole around to that side of the opening to await the return of the Indians, and Cayuse went searching for another red man. When the twain came back talking together, their torches gone out, they walked into two pair of powerful arms, and found their windpipes closed before they could emit a sound. The struggle over, the Indians were bound and gagged and dragged to one side where they would be out of the way and not likely to be discovered. About this time, at only a few rods distant, the scout heard a grunt of surprise followed by a heavy blow and a rustling in the underbrush. He approached cautiously and saw a dark form at work over another which was lying on the ground. “S-s-t!” hissed the scout, and Cayuse answered in a low voice. “Did you get him?” asked the scout. “Wuh; him have Cayuse’s belt and knife. All same bump him head hard, no make um noise.” This one, like the others, was gagged and tied up like a sheep for market, and dragged away. Buffalo Bill was surprised that Cayuse’s absence at the village had not been discovered and an alarm sounded before this, but he determined to improve the opportunity. “Can you find Navi in the dark?” he asked of Cayuse. “Wuh; Navi smell Cayuse, come all same dog.” “Good! Get your pinto as soon as possible and we will turn the others down the cañon.” In another half hour the cavalcade of riderless ponies thundered out of the mouth of the cañon upon the plain, free for a time of all restraint, and bound to make the most of it until recaptured. The scout and Hickok found their horses where they had left them, and were soon riding hard for the fort to bring a force to capture the village. CHAPTER XLV. WILD BILL’S TASK. To Wild Bill fell the duty of leading a strong force of cavalry back to the cañon that night, while the scout and Little Cayuse galloped northward to relieve the anxiety of Nomad and Skibo on guard at the sacred mountain. The Averys had been escorted back to the fort and properly serenaded by the soldiers and dined by the officers, but Nomad and Skibo stayed at their post, according to Buffalo Bill’s orders, and Tootsie remained with Mona and Mrs. Sherley. The scout wished to confer with Mona again before he should leave that part of the country, and the excuse was thus presented. Before the cavalry force set out, Wild Bill assured the scout that Price and Bloody Ike would come back with him, dead or alive, whether the Indians were brought in or not. The sacred mountain was reached some time before daylight and Nomad and Skibo routed out to be told the news.