The pungent odor of the sulfur got in the nose of one of the sleepers, and he sneezed. He sneezed a second time and sat up suddenly, blinking his eyes in surprise at the figure squatting inside the tent. This was an utter stranger to him--a man with long hair, a military hat, buckskin coat, and riding breeches and boots. And he was armed like a pirate--belt stuck full of guns and with a big bowie. He smiled cheerfully at the amazed and sleepy individual, however. “Hello!” he said. “Which one of you is the captain?” “Heh?” murmured the startled one. “Who’s the boss?” “I--I’m the cook.” “Then the other feller is the boss?” “I--I reckon so. Say, Billings!” and he suddenly punched the other man in the ribs. “Wake up! We’re surrounded!” “Shut up, you fool!” exclaimed the visitor, slapping his palm suddenly over the second man’s mouth, for it opened to emit a yell before his eyes were fairly ajar. “It’s all right. What did you want to startle him for?” “Who the devil are you?” demanded the cook. “And how’d you git here?” cried the other man. “I’m Cody, and I belong just now to the command at Fort Advance. You’re in about as dangerous a position as a score of men can be and get out of it alive, and I’ve sneaked into your camp to help you.” “Injuns!” groaned the cook, turning pale. “There ain’t a red within forty miles,” declared Buffalo Bill, for he it was. “Then what’s the matter?” sputtered the captain of the freight crew. “I’ve set guards over the camp. We’re all right.” “Your guards are a lot of use, ain’t they?” sneered the scout. “They’re out there walking up and down like two wooden men; but they didn’t see me get by.” “But, for Heaven’s sake what is the matter?” “You’ve got worse than Injuns after you.” “What can that be?” “Boyd Bennett’s gang of hold-up men.” “Git out! Bennett’s left the country.” “He’s j’ined an Injun tribe,” added the cook. “Become a squaw man.” “Well, he’s out yonder with about a dozen of the p’izenest ruffians that it’s ever been my fate to run up against,” declared Buffalo Bill. “And from what I could overhear lying out there on my belly in the grass, they’re pretty near ready to stampede you!” “Oh, Lord!” groaned the cook. But the captain of the crew was no coward. He was awake now, and he leaped up, ready to fight for his own life and help to defend the lives of his mates and the valuable property entrusted to him. “Mr. Cody, you take command,” he urged instantly. “You are a better man than any one in this entire party--that I’ll swear to. I have shown my incompetency already by placing my guards so carelessly that you could creep into my very sleeping tent without being apprehended.”