"Dew Drop take um Jess Jame to safe cave. Heap food. Heap water in pool. Then Dew Drop leave. Injun move camp, Dew Drop got go."
"Then if they're going to take you along, they haven't got wise to your hiding us in Kaw-Kaw's cave, I judge," exclaimed the bandit-chieftain, glad to know the assistance which had been so opportune to his little band had brought no trouble to the girl.
"Squaws no know. Bucks forget 'fore get back. Um go on raid. Sojers no be in forts now," returned Dew Drop.
"Sorry I didn't pot more of 'em if that's what they're up to," grunted the world-famous desperado.
But his good fairy did not understand what he meant and prattled artlessly.
Skirting the base of the precipice, Dew Drop passed the mouth of the canyon and led them more than a mile beyond, stopping when she reached a fissure that ran from top to base.
Squeezing into it, the bandits were plunged in darkness.
Putting his hand on his guide's shoulder, Jesse bade his men hold onto the one in front of him and in single file they advanced till they could feel from the change in the air that they had reached the cave.
"Dew Drop no stay," declared the maid, slipping from the bandit-chieftain's hand. "Mus' join um squaw. Paleface fin' grub, water. So long."
And, ere any of the outlaws had the time to protest, the Indian maiden sped from them, leaving them in the unknown cave in pitch darkness.
But Jesse had plans other than to permit the soft-voiced Indian maiden to desert them thus suddenly.
Without a word, with the quickness of a panther he sprang after her leaving the others helpless and surprised at the unexpected action of their chief.
"Has Jess gone plumb bug house?" breathed Tony, scarcely daring to trust his voice.
"Everybody's got wheels in this devil's neighborhood," averred Texas.
"And if he ain't he will have in the hole we're in now," added Homely Harry.
"Hey, pard," interrupted Tony, suddenly bethinking himself of their wounded companion, "How you comin' along?"
"Give me a drink," returned the elder James brother in a voice scarcely above a whisper. "I feel as if I was dying."
"Bosh," retorted Tony. "I know them symptoms. You're been loosin' some red juice. Here, take a pull at the flask. It'll put you right in a jiffy."