The first thing they discovered was the horse ridden by Buffalo Bill. The animal was standing dead-beat in the stream, his appearance indicating that Buffalo Bill had gotten there with ample time to be far on the trail of the outlaws by that time. Then they discovered the signs of the struggle where the coach had been halted, and down the stream led the trail. Not far below was a stick in the top of which was a slip of paper. Taking it, Texas Jack read in his chief’s well-known hand: “There were mounted outlaws awaiting the coach at Deep Dell Brook. Their horses were staked out at the bend below here, and they had camped there all night. “The tracks show nine horses were there, and I suppose that means as many men. With their prisoners, Surgeon Powell and the detectives, they can hardly travel very fast. “I shall press rapidly on until dark, marking trail as I go so that you can follow with considerable speed. “BILL.” A courier was sent back by Texas Jack to the ford with this note, to give to Captain Caruth, and then the scout pressed on once more at a quick trot. All along they saw where Buffalo Bill had marked the trail, and when at last night came on they were compelled to halt, but they were glad to know that Buffalo Bill had had all of two hours more of daylight than they had. A scout was sent back to bring the troopers up to the camp. “Well, Texas Jack, what do you think of the situation?” asked Captain Caruth, as he sat in his camp that night, having sent for the scout. “Buffalo Bill had three hours of daylight at least, sir, when he reached the brook, as his horse showed that he came through at full speed. Then, sir, he had his own fresh horse to mount there, and the trail of the robbers he doubtless followed at a run to get as far as possible before nightfall. “The robbers could not have gone half so fast, and were certainly not expecting pursuit to-day, which would cause them to go slow. They supposed they had killed Ned, and were not expecting Cody to be upon their trail.” “Then the chances are, you think, that Buffalo Bill is not very far behind the band?” asked Captain Caruth. “I do, sir, and we can start just when it is light enough to see, so that we can keep as close upon Cody’s heels as possible.” “Now, what is your opinion as to where these outlaws came from?” “I pass there, captain, for I supposed that all of the band of the outlaw chief, Silk Lasso Sam, were either dead or wiped out. But it seems I am wrong, sir.” “Yes, for these were certainly men who were willing to come to the rescue of their chief.” “Yes, sir, and I only hope that no other harm than being taken prisoner has befallen Surgeon Powell.” “So do I.” “Yet, Jack, I have such an abiding faith in Surgeon Powell’s capacity for taking care of himself that I do not believe that he was born to die with his boots on.”