“Annie!” cried Dell, her voice vibrant with the deep surprise that surged within her. For a moment the girls clung in each other’s arms, Miss McGowan sobbing hysterically. “There, there, Annie!” murmured Dell, in a soothing tone. “How do you happen to be here?” “Buffalo Bill came to the island and brought me away,” answered Miss McGowan. “Came to the island!” gasped Dell, dumfounded. “Buffalo Bill, did you really go to the island and take Annie right out from under the noses of Bascomb and Bernritter and the other men they had with them?” “They had only one other man with them, Dell,” answered the scout, “and I took care of that fellow before I started for the island. There he lies, on the sand, within a yard of you.” “But how did you do it?” cried the amazed Dell. “Are you a wizard, that you could cross the quicksands and bring Annie away from the island?” “No,” laughed the scout, “I don’t happen to be a wizard. An opportunity presented itself, and I took advantage of it. That’s all.” “All!” murmured the girl. “Well, I should say it is enough. I can scarcely believe----” Again the scout’s revolvers barked, carrying a leaden warning to Bascomb and Bernritter who, in desperation, had once more attempted the causeway. The two men on the island gave up their attempt on the shaking bridge. Retreating to the protecting shadow of the boulders, they began boring holes in the night with their bullets, seeking to injure those behind the barricade of kegs and boxes. Their efforts in this direction were vain. Slugs plumped into the barricade, but failed to reach those behind it. “It’s a case of the trappers trapped,” exulted the scout. “That trail of boards is the only way for Bascomb and Bernritter to come from the island, and one man can lie here, back of this barricade, and keep them where they are. We’ll have them, and it’s only a matter of a short time, at that. These kegs contain water, and the boxes hold provisions; they are all the supplies Bascomb and Bernritter have--and they are in our hands! Did you ever hear of a situation to beat it, Dell?” “Never!” laughed the girl. “You have turned the tables on the scoundrels with a vengeance. But how did you ever do it, Buffalo Bill? Tell me!” The scout told her, talking to the girls but keeping his eyes on the causeway. Dell clapped her hands in applause of the scout’s daring and successful efforts. “No wonder they call you king of scouts, Buffalo Bill!” she exclaimed admiringly. “Not one man in a thousand could have done what you have.” “Bosh!” deprecated the scout. “Were these water-kegs and boxes of provisions brought here in the buckboard, Miss McGowan?” he inquired of the rescued girl. “Yes. The man who drove the buckboard took them aboard at Phœnix.” “Did he bring your trunk and hand-baggage?” “No, there was no room. My baggage was left at a hotel in Phœnix, and the man who drove the buckboard said that one of my father’s freighters would bring them out.”