And Cody knew the scoundrel. He had recognized the voice, and likewise by the fact that he held his left arm stiffly bound to his side, the scout knew that it was Boyd Bennett himself. Dick Danforth had indeed “stung” the robber. The bone of his left arm had been broken, and he could barely hold the reins with that hand. Buffalo Bill was greatly tempted. Here was a chance for him to take his old enemy, single-handed. And did naught but personal vengeance enter into the affair, he would have made the attempt. But there was a brave opportunity of rounding up more of the gang, despite their affiliation with the redskins, and Cody resisted the temptation. He made his way back to the cave, found most of the troopers already peacefully asleep, and Danforth anxiously awaiting his return. “Well?” demanded the young lieutenant. “We’re going to have visitors about midnight.” “How’s that?” “Mr. Bennett and his gang will make the attack; a set of thieving reds will stand off to pitch in if the whites can’t handle us.” “Gee, Cody! how d’you know all that?” Buffalo Bill told him. “Why didn’t you shoot the bloody thieves?” “And lose the chance of rounding up more of them?” “They’ll be too many for us, I fear,” said Danforth, although without displaying any particular fear of such an outcome. “They will certainly outnumber us--reds and all.” “Nice prospect.” “But forewarned is forearmed, eh?” “Right you are, Bill! We have the advantage of knowing that they are coming, whereas they will labor under the disadvantage of believing we are unsuspicious.” “Yes.” “But hived up in this place----” “We haven’t got to stay hived up,” interrupted the scout. “And we don’t want to.” “You’ve got a plan, Bill?” “I have.” “State it, old man. You know well enough you don’t have to stand on ceremony with me.” “This fire can be seen from below. Let it die down. Don’t let any fuel be flung on for some time. When it’s at the lowest we can lead our horses out without being seen.” “Give up our shelter, Bill? And with a horde of redskins coming?” “Sure. Let them attack an empty cave--but one that doesn’t look empty. The last man to leave can fling a pile of fuel on the fire and then slip away before it burns up brightly. So we’ll have ’em attacking an empty fortress while we are out here among the rocks ready to play heck with ’em!” “I’m not afraid of the outlaws,” said Danforth slowly. “But the redskins----” “Won’t come too near the cave; it’s bad medicine, as I told you.” “But when they see that we’re outside----” “Wait! We’ll lead the horses away along the trail we came over, and leave them in charge of one man. Then, when it gets too hot for us--if the reds pitch in--we’ll decamp. The reds won’t be too near, however. I know ’em. An Injun is as full of superstition as an egg is of meat.” “Your plan looks good, Bill.” “All right. Stop that fellow--quick! He’ll spoil it all.”