“Leave the horses at the edge of the quicksands, Giles,” commanded the scout, “and then go back to the island.” “But ye said I was ter be free if I got the bronks!” demurred Giles wrathfully. “And I’ll keep my word,” returned the scout; “you’ll go free, along with Banks and Hendricks, but not until I’m ready to let you. And, until I _am_ ready, I’d rather have you on the island than here. Careful, man! I’ve got you covered. Even if Bascomb or Bernritter did give you a revolver, I’ll put a hole through you before you have a chance to draw it. Get back to the island, I tell you!” Giles, baffled and beaten, let go the bridle of the horse, stepped upon the causeway, and returned to his former companions. CHAPTER XIX. SENDING AWAY THE BUCKBOARD. “What are we to do now, Buffalo Bill?” inquired Dell. “We have the star-faced cayuses, all right. What’s to be done with them?” “You left Little Cayuse guarding Banks and Hendricks?” returned the scout. “Yes. When we heard firing in this direction, Cayuse and I thought that one of us ought to come and investigate. We decided that I should be the one.” “When you came here you passed the buckboard, didn’t you?” “Yes.” “Well, there are the horses, harnessed and ready to be put to the pole. I suppose you know how to hitch up?” “Well, I reckon!” laughed Dell. “Then hitch the cayuses to the buckboard and take Annie to the mine. You’ll not be troubled on the trip. The five Apaches are at Squaw Rock, and so cannot molest you. You’ll have to drive from here to the Black Cañon trail, I suppose?” “Yes. We can reach the Black Cañon trail easily from this place.” “Could you also go by way of that old mining-shaft? Nomad, you know, was to be there with the letter and the bar of bullion, and I told him to hide somewhere and then follow the man who came to get the letter and the gold. You can probably locate Nomad, all right. Do that, and send him here. Then you can tear up McGowan’s letter, and let Miss McGowan carry the bullion back to her father.” “What letter?” asked Annie McGowan. “And what bullion is this you’re talking about?” “Dell will tell you on the way to the mine, Miss McGowan,” replied the scout. “As soon as you reach the mine, Dell, have McGowan send a man to Phœnix after Rising, the sheriff. Tell the messenger to inform Rising that we have Bascomb and Bernritter trapped, and waiting for him.” “I’ll do it, Buffalo Bill,” said Dell. “You’ll be able to take care of those fellows on the island, all right?” “Easily. There’s nothing to do but to watch sharply and keep hold of my guns. Get the horses, you and Miss McGowan. Each of you had better lead one, and walk on this side of the animal. I don’t think Bascomb and Bernritter will do any more shooting, but it is just as well for you to be on the safe side.” The two girls got up and stepped toward the waiting horses. “Where and when will I see you again, Buffalo Bill?” Dell asked.