Dell Dauntless took her place obediently in the chair by the colonel’s side, and launched into the story. The king of scouts, as Dell recited the thrilling incidents connected with the deserter’s capture, received ample eulogy and credit. Just as the recital was finished, an orderly hurried up the veranda steps, drew himself up in front of the colonel and saluted. The hand that went to his cap held a folded paper. “An important message, sir,” announced the orderly, “just wired from Bowie.” “Very well, Bryce,” said the colonel, taking the message; “just wait a minute.” Excusing himself to Dell, Mamie, and the others, the colonel retired into the house to read his message by the lamplight. While the young women were talking and laughing on the veranda, the colonel’s voice was heard from within: “Dell! See here a moment.” The girl hastened to answer the call. She found Colonel Grayson standing beside a swinging lamp, the message in his hand and an exceedingly grave look on his face. “What--what is wrong?” whispered Dell, her thoughts leaping to her mother and the Double D Ranch. “Don’t be alarmed,” said the colonel. “This news by military telegraph is to the effect that Geronimo, with a hundred and fifty bucks, has jumped the reservation at Fort Apache----” “I felt sure it would be only a matter of time until Geronimo broke out again,” said Dell. “But that isn’t all,” pursued the colonel, in a low voice. “The renegades attacked the guard escorting that deserter from Phœnix to Fort Apache, killed them all, and rescued the deserter!” Dell gasped, and fell back, her blue eyes wide and staring in the lamplight. For an instant she stood thus, speechless and without movement. “Do you understand, Dell?” went on the colonel. “Geronimo and his renegades have----” “I understand,” said the girl, drawing a quick breath and groping her way to a chair, “but there must be some mistake, there _must_ be.” “It is here, plain enough,” and the colonel shook the message. “Why,” murmured Dell, “Buffalo Bill, Nomad, and Little Cayuse were traveling with Bascomb’s escort--and that message says that _all were killed_.” The colonel started forward, and every muscle grew rigid. “Good heavens!” he exclaimed, passing one hand dazedly across his forehead, “can it be that Cody and his pards have reached the end of their trails? Is it possible that----” He did not finish. Without pausing to get his hat he rushed out of the room, clattered across the veranda and toward the telegraph-office. Dell, in the sitting-room, was gazing listlessly into space, thinking of the brave and chivalrous scout, the redoubtable old trapper, and the loyal little Piute, Cayuse. CHAPTER XXI. MESSENGERS TO BONITA.