“Yes, the horses were drinkin’ thar, and doc and me was talkin’, when suddenly came a blow that knocked me clear off the box, for I was down on the ground just out of the stream when I came round. The team was standing near me, just waitin’ like humans for me ter come round, and when I tried to git up I found I was uncommon dizzy. “But I did git up at last, and then I see thet ther mail-bags was gone and I scrambled up to my box as best I could and come on. I don’t know no more about it than you does, Bill, save that thar is one of them detectives dead inside the coach, and he ’pears to hev been robbed, too, for I recommember thet he hed a watch and chain.” Buffalo Bill sprang quickly to the coach door, threw it open, and there he beheld a dead man. It was Henry Raymond. There was a bullet wound in his heart. There was evidence that he had also been robbed, though in searching through the pockets of the man he found a bundle of papers of which he at once took possession. He mounted to the top of the coach and saw there red stains and indications of a struggle. The grip-sack of Surgeon Powell and the baggage of the prisoner and the detective were also missing. At last Buffalo Bill said, as though at a loss to know what to do: “Ned?” “Yes, Bill.” “You are able to drive on to the station?” “I am.” “Then continue on your way, and report your having been held up on the road, and all that you can remember that occurred.” “I will.” “I must return to the fort at all speed, and I am going to take one of your horses, to enable me to give mine a rest, for I shall stake him out in the Deep Dell Brook Valley, for the trail is to be taken up from there. You can rig one horse in the lead, can you not?” “Easy, to oblige you, Bill, for I sees that you is hot for scalps.” “I am, so give me your best horse.” “I’ll do it.” “If I kill him I’ll replace him, but I can make good time to the fort, make my report, have my scouts and a troop follow, and ride a fresh horse back to Deep Dell Brook. There I will find my horse well rested, and, leaving the other animal for the scouts to pick up, I can get along on the trail of the outlaws who did this deed a long way before night, marking my way for those coming after me to follow rapidly.” “You’ve got ter do some tall riding, Buffalo Bill.” “All right, I’ll do it, for remember, my best pard, Frank Powell, is either dead or a prisoner.” “That’s so. Take the roan mare, Bill. She’s an all-day animal, fast and willing.” Buffalo Bill hastily threw the harness off of the roan mare, put his saddle and bridle on her, and, bidding Horseshoe Ned good-by, led his own horse down to a secluded spot upon Deep Dell Brook. There he staked him out, and, leaping into the saddle, sent the roan mare off like an arrow.