Meanwhile, the young squaw had been struggling in Cody’s grasp. She had one more weapon, and out it flashed from the bead-worked sheath at her side. It was a keen scalping-knife, and with a single downward thrust she might have ended Cody’s earthly career. However, the scout was watching for just this little play. As the bright blade descended toward his breast, he caught the point upon his pistol. The blade snapped, and with a single blow he knocked the handle and butt of the blade from the girl’s hand! “The White Antelope is in Long Hair’s power. Let her lie quietly,” commanded the scout in Sioux. He placed the girl before him, picked up Chief’s bridle, turned the horse about, and they started down the cañon again. The girl did not struggle now, or seek to escape. She was beaten. He could feel her body shake with emotion; but true to Indian custom and tradition, she did not weep. Cody feared that some of the Indians might have got by Dick Danforth and entered the cañon to follow him; so he went back very circumspectly. If he was caught between two fires he could merely sell his life as dearly as possible; but he would have kept the men in ambush from coming to the help of their tribesmen in time to do any good. Soon the noise of battle reached their ears. The girl gave no sign of interest, nor did Cody speak to her. In truth, the scout had a bitter problem to consider. What should he do with the girl? She was in his power. At least, he had separated her from her father and from her Indian friends. But was the time ripe for her to be introduced to white people--to those in Fort Advance, for instance? It was a time when men’s passions were deeply stirred. There would be murder and hatred in the hearts of the whites as well as in that of the redskins. Of what good to bring this half-breed girl into contact with whites who felt a desire to kill every creature with Indian blood in its veins? And why take the girl away from the red men at the moment when her own heart was bitter as gall toward the whites? What good would come of such an act? Buffalo Bill’s good sense answered for him: “None!” Nor did the whites desire her as a hostage. To hold her prisoner would be to strengthen her affiliation with the Sioux. No, no! She must go free--if Cody were free himself. This question could not be answered until he had ridden to the end of the cañon, and he went on very circumspectly. CHAPTER XIV. A STARTLING DISCOVERY. Meanwhile, the two troops of cavalry, under Lieutenant Dick Danforth and Captain Keyes respectively, plowed their way through the massed redskins. They met, and Captain Keyes heartily greeted the men from Fort Resistence. “God bless you, Danforth--and you, Mercer! You’ve come just in time to save us, for we are completely out of ammunition. Where’s Cody?” “Gone to head off Oak Heart’s messenger to the men he had hidden up the cañon to fall upon us--had we come that way,” said Danforth.