“A brave horse, and worthy of carrying a brave man like Long Hair,” she declared. “Give him a night’s rest,” said Cody, “and he’ll carry us both back to your father’s village.” “The Long Hair was going there to redeem his pledge to me when I chanced to spy him?” queried White Antelope. “I certainly was snooping about, looking for a chance to get through Bennett’s line of guards.” “But you had been killing and scalping Oak Heart’s braves?” “Not a one. I was there waiting for a chance to keep my promise to you,” said Buffalo Bill emphatically. “This renegade white was the fellow who was quietly knocking your young men in the head and scalping them. He was as bloodthirsty a wretch as ever went unhung. He’s dead now, thanks be!” “Then Oak Heart will receive you with more friendliness,” said the girl. “I dunno how friendly he’ll feel,” muttered Cody. “But I’ll take you back safe in the morning.” They hastened to build a rousing camp-fire, and as soon as his undergarments were dry the scout put on his outer clothing and accouterments. Then with his rifle he stole away to a place where he had noted the marks of many creatures that had come down to drink, and there, just as the moon rose, found a doe with her fawn and shot the youngster. So they had a much needed late supper of roast kid. After which Cody insisted that the girl sleep. As for himself, he sat up the livelong night, or paced the river-bank to keep awake. Just before daybreak he awoke the girl, and while she cooked breakfast he obtained an hour’s repose. As they started from the river’s brink to ride ’cross country toward the range in which Oak Heart’s camp was situated, White Antelope said: “My father’s braves will be out searching for me, mayhap. If they see White Antelope in the charge of a white man, they may try to shoot him. They may believe you were he who stole me away.” “I’d been thinking of that,” said Cody reflectively. “I don’t want to get popped over for the wrong man, that’s sure. I reckon I’ll have to change my appearance a little.” “How will the white chief do that?” she demanded, over his shoulder. She was riding behind him on the saddle. “We’ll see when we come to that cave I’ve been staying in. I reckon I’ve got something there that may help me out. And I believe we shall be able to reach it without being molested.” Chief bore them tirelessly all that day and far into the night. When they halted and built their fire they were within a few hours’ ride of the cave in the mountain from which Cody had overlooked Oak Heart’s camp. Seventy-two hours before he had left it to chase Boyd Bennett and rescue the Indian maiden. Much had happened since then both to the scout and in the Indian encampment. CHAPTER XLVIII. THE PLEDGE KEPT.