“A scratch from a bullet in my left shoulder. It’s bleeding a little, but I won’t stop to fool with it now. And I got four arrows through my clothes. Oh, we were lucky!” “Betcher life! We’ve been favored mightily.” “Thank God for it,” said Buffalo Bill devoutly. “I don’t expect often to come through two such circuses in one day--and have nothing worse to show for it.” “Right. Now, old man, what’s the program?” “Keep on. I don’t feel safe as long as we’re at the bottom of this hole in the hills.” “That’s all right. But we haven’t got but one horse----” “I was thinking of that.” “And your thoughts?” “We can’t both ride this horse, good as he is, all the way to Fort Resistence.” “Right again!” “One of us must push on for help about as fast as the horse can go.” “Sure.” “There isn’t much danger of the reds following us far, for their ponies aren’t to be compared with this fellow--and they all know what he can do.” “Well?” “Then you’d better let me go on, as soon as we come to the creek ahead and shape ourselves up a bit, and you can scout around until I return with help from Fort Resistence.” “Pard Bill!” “Yes?” “They need every rifle they can git in the fort, yuh know.” “They certainly do.” “Scouting around yere all night, I can’t do much good, and that’s a fact.” “Very true, Jack! Very true.” “And I’ve got nothing to eat, while the maje and the folks at Advance will be mighty anxious tuh know if yuh got through all right--ain’t that so?” “Reckon you’re right, Jack.” “Then I’m goin’ to take a sneak back and try to git through the lines after dark.” “No, you won’t, Jack Omohondreau. I veto that.” “Put the kibosh on it, do yuh?” asked Jack, leering back at his partner over his shoulder. “I certainly do!” “Why, pard?” “There’s no danger going on now for help, so I’ll return to the fort myself, while you strike out for Resistence and help. I got you into this. I’m not going to shoulder the heavy part of the job off onto you.” “That’s like you, Cody! Always lookin’ for trouble to git into yourself. But I’m going back.” “I say no,” replied Buffalo Bill firmly. “Now, see here!” exclaimed Jack, in some heat. “It’s my idea to go back, and I’m going.” “Well, you needn’t stop here,” laughed Cody, as Jack, in his excitement, brought the horse down to a walk. “You listen to reason!” exclaimed Texas Jack. “I speak the lingo all O. K.” “I admit that.” “And I’m already playing Injun.” “Pshaw! That may be, but I can soon change my colors.” “You’re as obstinate as a mule, Cody!” “See here, Jack, I admit that the folks need us back there at the fort, and one had better return, but I should be the one.” “Tell you what, pard!” exclaimed Jack, smitten with a sudden thought. “Well?” “We’ll draw lots to see who goes.” “I’ll beat you at that game, Jack!” cried Cody, with a laugh. “Don’t yuh crow too loud, old man,” said Texas Jack gaily. “When we git to the creek we’ll see who’s who!” “I’ll go you, for my luck is good.”