He dodged the gravel bank this time, and came down the side of the cañon at another point--some rods beyond that at which he had found the first of the reds established. There were fewer trees here, and, looking from above, the scout was able to observe considerable of the more open hillside. Dark as the night was, he saw several forms crouching behind stumps and boulders. He made a further détour, came down the hill again, and found the same conditions. On this side of the trail the Indians were extended along the hillside for five hundred yards and more. It was a big ambushing party. Cody reckoned it to be no less than two hundred braves at the least, and probably more. Captain Taylor’s command was not prepared to meet such a foe--especially when the foe would have every advantage of cover. Had it not been so dark, or had Cody known the ground better, a flank movement might have been made which would have overwhelmed the reds. But this would have taken much time, too, and, meanwhile, the garrison at Fort Advance was in sore need of reenforcements. Cody returned swiftly to the rendezvous he had appointed with Judd, to learn what that individual had discovered upon the other side of the cañon. Now, the warriors lay very silently indeed in their ambuscade, but three hundred men cannot be in a small place like that together without making some sounds. Judd, too, discovered the ambush, although he did not know just how many Indians were awaiting the coming of the bluecoats. “There’s a good bunch of them. Perhaps Oak Heart has drawn off half his gang,” said Cody. “We’ve got to fool ’em, Judd.” They hurried back to the group of scouts, and there Cody issued his instructions. Judd and three others were to watch the Indians as well as possible. Meanwhile Cody proposed to ride back and meet Captain Taylor’s command and take them, by another way, to the valley in which Fort Advance was situated. Cody rode back in haste and reported the danger ahead. “We are able to handle five hundred redskins, Cody,” said the officer, eager for a fight. “But not when they are established on both sides of the trail and it is dark and the forest is too thick for you to maneuver horses. No, no, captain! Be advised by me.” “I suppose you are right, Cody.” “And, besides, you will be able to deliver a heavier blow to Oak Heart’s gang if you fall upon them unexpectedly; and then, when these ambuscaders rush in, you’ll be ready to cut them to pieces, too.” “Right you are, scout. You are sure of the way?” “Confident. It’s a bit rough, but I could find it with my eyes bandaged.” “Lead on, then, scout.” “And no bugle-calls,” warned Cody. “Pass the word to the men. We don’t want these reds, waiting in the cañon, to suspect that we are stealing a march on them.”