CHAPTER XXVI.

AN OLD FRIEND AND NEW FACES.

At the first glimmer of dawn in the east Buffalo Bill was on his feet, and, calling to Lone Dick, the two soon set out upon their way to strike the trail of the emigrants of whom they had been told by the trapper. Going in a southerly direction, and riding rapidly, for both were well mounted, shortly after noon the scout discovered fresh traces that proved the train had lately passed along.

Following up, they were not long in finding out that the newly arrived party were dogged by Indians, who were determined to resist this invasion into their territory. As the sun went down beyond the western hills, there came to the ears of the two men the sound of firing, and dashing on at full speed, they soon came upon a spirited scene.

In the mouth of a small cañon were gathered several persons, huddled together, and with their rifles were endeavoring to keep back some twoscore Sioux braves, who were pressing them hard. Several Indians lay dead here and there, and, infuriated by the loss of their comrades, the band of warriors were preparing to rush in force upon the small party in the cañon and end the combat by a hand-to-hand conflict.

At this moment Buffalo Bill and Lone Dick came in sight. A glance showed them that the small party were whites, and with yells infernal they dashed upon the Indians, firing their repeating rifles as they rode.

With never-failing aim, the rifle of Buffalo Bill sent many a warrior and horse to the ground. Its rapid, rattling fire, added to that of Lone Dick, caused the redskins to believe a large reënforcement had arrived to aid the palefaces, and they broke for cover.

Then from the cañon dashed three men, firing as they came, and greatly adding to the fright of the Indians, who hastily retreated into a gorge in the hills, leaving their dead upon the field.

“Hip, hip, hoopla! Buffalo Bill, as I live! Old fellow, I owe you one,” and one of the besieged party dashed up to the scout, and warmly grasped his hand.

That the man who so warmly welcomed Buffalo Bill was a frontiersman was evident by his attire and general appearance, for he was clad in buckskin, moccasins, and all, and wore a slouch hat ornamented with a gold sun looping up the rim in front, which added to the bold and determined expression upon his fine face.

His form was graceful, wiry, and denoted great strength, while his movements were quick, nervous, and his dark eyes were restless. His features were French--in fact, he was a Frenchman, coming, it was said, from Michigan, where his father lived--a noble, exiled from his native land.

Thoroughly armed and equipped, and mounted upon a large, sinewy horse, Tom Sun--for such was his name--was a dangerous foe. In his frank, pleasant way, he greeted Buffalo Bill and Lone Dick, and then turning to his comrades, said:

“Here, Buffalo Bill, are friends I am guiding up into the hills to hunt a home. Captain Ramsey, this is Buffalo Bill, the scout.”

“I am glad to meet you, sir, and your name is not unknown to me. This is my son, sir, and this my daughter.”

The man addressed as Captain Ramsey turned to a young man, who rode by his side, and a fair young girl, who had reined her horse slightly back.

Buffalo Bill glanced first into the face of Captain Ramsey, and beheld a man of fifty years of age, with a noble face and stalwart form; but though he appeared like a borderman, his manner indicated that his earlier life had been passed amid far different scenes.

His son, Burton Ramsey, was about twenty years of age, and possessed a good-looking face and handsome form, and was clad like his father in a suit of gray homespun.

Ruth Ramsey, the daughter, seemed like a ray of sunshine in that group of stern men.

The scout looked at her a moment in earnest admiration before he turned to Tom Sun, and said:

“Tom, what brings you into this wild land?”

“My horse, of course; but, joking aside, Cody, the captain here was in the army some years ago, and, resigning his commission, settled down upon the border of the Southwest on a ranch; but he concluded he would do better up in these hills, and so his whole neighborhood up stakes, and here they are, I being the guide of the expedition.”

“There is no more beautiful country to settle in if the Indians will only let you alone,” remarked Buffalo Bill.

“Yes, and no richer country in minerals, I am convinced, Cody, and I believe we can get a hold here and soon get the government to support us.”

“I doubt the support of the government, captain, and it is a dangerous country into which to bring women and children.”

“That is true, Buffalo Bill,” was the answer; “but we will have to teach the Indians to let us alone, or pacify them with presents.”

“That Quaker idea of dealing with redskins is losing ground, captain,” said the scout, “and if the Indians know they can get all the presents by one grand fight, and a number of scalps to boot, why, it is their nature to do so.”

“You paint a bad picture, Cody; but, can I ask, how is it I find you here in these hills, and with only one comrade?”

“A single man can go, sir, where a dozen dare not attempt it. I am here with a band of brave fellows who came for the same purpose that doubtless brought you--to search for gold.”

“You are right, Cody! I have reason to know that there are large quantities of gold here,” replied Captain Ramsey, with enthusiasm.

“There is certainly gold here, sir, and silver, too, for that matter; but all gold seekers in the Black Hills come here at the risk of their lives until the government sends troops to protect the miners; and that it is not likely to do for a number of years to come.”

“You speak knowingly, Cody, and I feel that you are right; but here we are, and here we intend to remain, as long as it is in our power to do so.”

“Still, it was wrong to bring women and children with you,” Buffalo Bill protested. “A man has a right to play with his own life, but not those of his wife and children, and already you have had a sample of how the redskins intend to receive you.”

The scout spoke warmly.

“True; and had it not been for your brave dash to our relief, before now our end might have come; but let us on after the train. We can give you some good cheer, after we go into camp, and I beg of you not to paint a dark side to our expedition, for there may be a few faint hearts among us.”

“I have said all I intend to, captain,” was the scout’s reply. “Have you determined upon where you intend to camp?”

“No, for we are in the dark regarding locations.”

“Then I would advise that you bend more to the northeast. There you will find a fertile valley and good streams, and be also within a third of a day’s journey from our camp, and you know there is safety in numbers.”

“I have advised building a stronghold at once, and then, should the Indians prove troublesome, we have at least protection,” said Tom Sun.

“You are right, Tom! You can reach the spot I speak of early to-morrow, and circumstances warrant that you make no delay in building your fort. How many men have you with you?”

“We have about thirty, Buffalo Bill, and about as many noncombatants, and we are well armed and equipped, I assure you.”

“In our band there are a score of miners,” said the scout, “and no women or children. If it comes to the worst, why, our united bands should make a good fight. But come, we had better go on.”

Then the party rode rapidly after the train. It was several miles ahead, and Captain Ramsey had imprudently allowed it to proceed while he stopped to examine some traces of gold, accompanied only by his guide, son, and daughter.

Ramsey was most enthusiastic over the Black Hills, had a bad case of “gold fever,” and was willing to risk life and all in the search for the precious yellow gold.