"But suppose we run into the soldiers?" queried Bob. "Four of us, with Sam worse than useless won't be able to do anything against 'em and we'll get pinched and run to the nearest fort. And you know what that means," he added significantly. "For my part I'd rather stay with you-all and take my chances on my legs mortifying." But the bandit-chieftain was not to be moved. "I know it's a chance," he replied. "You've got to take it, though. Sam's got to be taken to a sawbones and somebody's got to go with him. "If you do meet the cavalrymen, you can tell 'em you-all had a run in with a bunch of men. "That'll make 'em think it's me you met and they'll swallow the bait. "You can describe us exactly and give 'em a steer as to where you met us, only be sure you send them in the wrong direction. "If you only work it right, you'll be able to put the soldiers on the wrong track and get yourselves clear. "Why, it's a cinch." "If it's so mighty easy, why don't you go with the boys and let me stay?" demanded Frank. "Because they have my description too close," returned his brother. "It's dollars to a piece of hard tack they'd recognize me the minute they got their eyes on me. "And then it would be all up with little Willie." Jesse's argument was too cogent to admit of further dispute and, much against their will, the quartette of wounded outlaws accepted the decree of separation. But it was not ordained that the plan should be put into effect. The last of the wounds inflicted upon the bandits by the bullets of the redskins was being dressed when Comanche Tony came up to Jesse. The old Indian fighter who, alone of all, had not been injured for the reason that he had been tied to the stake and was therefore prevented from taking any part in the furious encounter, had taken advantage of the pre-occupation of his pals to make a little reconnaisance on his own account. Familiar with the habits of the redmen, he believed from the fact that he had seen no ponies in the canyon that the bucks were not far from some of the villages of their tribe. Convinced of this, the bandit reasoned that the braves would return for re-enforcements with which to avenge the slaughter, and it was to learn if there were any campfires to be seen below, over the farther side of the top of the cliff, that he had left his companions. To the east, as he peered through the bushes that lined the edge of the cliff, he caught sight of a flickering light that came and went like the spasmodic radiance of a fire-fly. For a few minutes he had stood staring at the curious sight, in bewilderment. Of a sudden, its meaning came to him. When it did, he turned on his heel and made his way to his chief, eager to tell him of his discovery. "What is it, Tony?" asked the world-famous desperado, as he caught sight of the excited countenance of his chum. "You look like a woman who's just heard a choice bit of scandal! "What did you discover? I saw you sneaking into the brush."