As the bandits gazed up at the top of the wall of rock, Texas remarked: "It's a cinch, Jess, those bucks have some trail up the cliff. We didn't find any place to scale it, back where we come from, and by the looks of the wall ahead, there isn't any break, so they couldn't have got to the end of the canyon and back on top in such a short time. "That being so, it means there's some path near here." "Then we'll look for it. Get busy, boys. Comanche Tony's life may depend on our haste." With a will, the outlaws set about examining the side of the canyon. And while they searched, their pal was sparring for time with his infuriated captives. "See here, my buckos," he said, his voice as cool as when he had addressed them before, "I reckon you're making a mistake. I haven't done you any harm. "_But if you touch a hair on my head thar's not one of you who won't be shot to pay for it!_" The redskin warriors, to the number of a score, had been standing about the fire, now and then turning toward their captive as they jabbered excitedly, evidently arguing over some part of their contemplated torture. But as the calm words fell on their ears, they all faced about, while one of them, whose peculiar head-dress proclaimed him to be a chief, grunted: "Paleface talk heap big. Navajos fool paleface frien's. How um know Navajos kill paleface. Heap Injun in country." "That may be. But my friends are not ordinary men. _They're smarter than any palefaces you ever saw._" "You got caught. Heap smart, huh," and the chieftain grunted in disgust. "True enough. I did. _But my pals didn't._ They were smart enough not to get under the cliff where you shoved the rocks over." Guttural grunts came from several of the Indians and quickly the chief demanded: "Who you?" "I don't know that it's any of your business." "Me know. Great Bear know. Paleface army scout." Instantly the bandit realized that the braves had decided he was connected with the soldiers of the Great Father in Washington. And quickly was he to see his advantage. "You're wrong there, Great Bear," he declared. "I told you you were making a mistake. "I don't belong to the sojers any more'n you do. "_My chief's greater'n any sojers!_ He's got two battalions chasin' him now!" This announcement produced a profound sensation among the braves and excitedly they jabbered. But whatever his warriors were urging, their chief refused, again turning toward his prisoner: "Paleface talk heap big. No fool Great Bear. Great Bear burn paleface at stake. Paleface frien's cum, Injun fight um, scalp um. Ugh! Ugh!" And he sucked in his breath, making a gruesome sound. But Comanche Tony refused to be frightened.