CHAPTER XXXII. THE BORDER KING’S PLEDGE.

With him Captain Keyes had over a hundred cavalrymen, a company of mounted infantry, and two mountain howitzers, numbering, with the artillerymen and scouts, nearly two hundred men--a strong flying column, that could move rapidly and stand off a big force of Indians. They were then encamped not twenty miles from the main village of the Sioux, and not much more than half that distance from the coulée where Danforth’s squadron had been overcome.

The coming of Buffalo Bill, although it had been most timely for Captain Keyes, and had undoubtedly saved his life, cast a mantle of gloom over the encampment. Although the men had been warned to turn in early, because of the work before them on the morrow, they stood or sat around the camp-fires until late, discussing the terrible intelligence the scout had brought.

And at the officers’ quarters, Buffalo Bill had to relate the story all over again to an eager band of listeners. All had known Dick Danforth, and his death was greatly deplored.

As soon as he could get away, and had eaten a bit of supper, Cody sought out his faithful partner, Jack Omohondreau.

“Jack, old man, did you ever see the Wild Huntsman?”

“What! this fellow who come pretty near bowling over the captain--the Mad Hunter?”

“Yes.”

“Never. But I’ve seen his spoor--and I’ve seen his work.”

“Meaning his dead?”

“Yep. Two redskins. He didn’t do a thing but hash them up. Ugh!”

“I don’t think I killed him up there. Will you get a couple of torches, and bring two other fellows you can trust, and help me make a search for him?”

“Lord! Want to put the finishing touch on him--eh?”

“No. I must bring him down here and have the surgeon give him what care he can.”

“Whew! You’d best roll him over a precipice by mistake.”

“The man is mad.”

“Well, then, he isn’t missing much, if he cashes in.”

“But perhaps he can be cured.”

“Well, are you going to tackle the cure?”

“I want to see if he’s dead first,” said Cody non-committingly. “Go find your men--and don’t forget the torches, Jack.”

Texas Jack found both, and the four men searched the ridge thoroughly--or as thoroughly as they could by torchlight; but the gigantic madman was not there. He might have crawled into some hole to hide; anyway, they had to give it up for the night.

As they returned to camp they found an orderly searching industriously for Buffalo Bill.

“Captain Keyes’ compliments, sir, and will you come to his tent at once?”

The scout complied with his request. Keyes had his despatch-box open, and was undoubtedly just inditing his report of the day’s work, and of the intelligence the scout had brought him, to his commander at Fort Advance. He motioned the scout to a camp-stool.

“Sit down, Cody. I want to talk with you.”

Buffalo Bill obeyed.

“We have deeded to divide the command. I shall go myself with the first division on to the place where our poor brave fellows lie, and attend to the burial of their bodies. The rest of my party will form a reserve squad with the howitzers--in case of treachery.”

“There will be no treachery, Captain Keyes. I know Oak Heart.”

“But you say that deserter, Bennett, has influence in the tribe.”

“Not enough to make the old chief break his word.”

“Best to be sure, anyway. Now, there’s a point I wish to discuss with you. I know your confounded quixotism, Cody. You certainly don’t propose to keep your promise to that squaw and go alone to the Indian encampment?”

“I do mean just that, sir.”

At this the officer rose to his feet and spoke vigorously.

“Cody, you sha’n’t do it! By the nine gods of war! it’s foolish--it’s insane!”

“I have promised.”

“But I forbid you!”

“I can’t help that, sir; but if you will think a moment, you will see that it is quite out of your jurisdiction. I was the reds’ prisoner. They did not have to let me go at all. My life is hostage to them yet. They have trusted me--and, God knows, enough white men have lied to them.”

“Then I’ll attack their camp, small as my force is.”

“You will compass my death sure enough if you do,” said the scout, shaking his head.

“But, Cody, of all white men alive, _you_ are the one they most wish to see _dead_!”

“So be it.”

“Be reasonable.”

“They desire to make my closer acquaintance, and I intend to give them the chance,” said Buffalo Bill, smiling.

“Never, Cody!”

“But I----”

“I’ll hear no ‘buts,’ scouts. If you persist in such a foolish intention I’ll put you in the guard-house and keep you under arrest until you come to your senses.”

“I’m afraid I’ll grow gray in the guard-house, then,” laughed Buffalo Bill, who knew that his friend did not mean this.

“But you were forced to make the promise to save your life. Therefore, the promise was given under durance and cannot hold.”

“The redskins have few lawyers,” said Cody, with a smile. “That sophistry would not appeal to them.”

“It’s sure death!”

“I’m not so sure of that. However, I must go to Oak Heart’s camp. I may risk my life, but I hope to accomplish a purpose that I have in mind.”

The officer saw that the scout was determined, and that his will could not be shaken.

“It seems like being a party to your murder to let you go, scout,” said Captain Keyes gloomily. “And you saved my life, too!”

“Let us hope for the best, sir,” said the scout quietly, as he bowed himself out of the officer’s tent.

Before dawn Buffalo Bill and a squad of men sent by Captain Keyes went to the ridge to hunt the live--or dead--body of the Mad Hunter. In an hour, and just before the column was ready to start, the squad returned without Cody.

“Where is the scout, sergeant?” asked Captain Keyes.

“He left us upon the ridge, sir,” said the man, saluting.

“Left you?”

“Yes, sir.”

“And where did he go?”

“He struck a trail, sir, and said he would be off on it.”

“What sort of trail?”

“The Mad Hunter’s trail. We could not find the man, but Mr. Cody saw where he had walked away, and he started in pursuit.”

“He’s gone farther than that!” exclaimed Captain Keyes, shaking his head. “What say, Texas Jack?”

Omohondreau, who knew of Buffalo Bill’s promise to the White Antelope, nodded.

“He’s gone to the Injun camp,” said the brother scout, “and it’s a toss-up if it isn’t ‘good-by, Bill Cody!’ for good and all!”