“This end of the pass has been blasted out with powder.”
“That is just what it was, Ben, and--we have found it--see? The Lost Valley lies before us!”
The chief of scouts, since his meeting with the black giant, almost used up by starvation and wounds, had had his mind set on the penned-up settlers in the Lost Valley. He had given his pledge to the negro to answer the call upon him for aid, to go with him on what to other men would have seemed an aimless trail. He had pushed on against all dangers, all obstacles, and his intention was to triumph.
It was no wonder that a triumphant smile hovered about the mouth of Buffalo Bill and his dark eyes glowed with joy. He had come to the end of the long and perilous trail.
Where they stood, beneath their feet, and all around them, the rocks were blackened with powder. There had been a heavy blast there, as they could see. And that blast of powder had shattered the cliff, and hurled a small mountain of rock down into the valley far below.
It had broken off the edge of the cliff right at the end of the pass most abruptly.
Right beneath their feet the cliff broke off and went downward almost like an artificial wall for a thousand feet or more.
The two scouts advanced to the edge and their eyes became riveted in wonder at what they beheld.
Below them was a valley, or, rather, a basin, for it was surrounded on every side by towering cliffs. No break could be seen anywhere, no cañon pushing into the surrounding wall of rock.
It was not a valley surrounded by mountain ranges, but a valley completely encircled by cliffs rising one thousand feet.
But that was not all, for right in its center was a large lake, with wooded shores.
Around the lake, in the timber, were scattered a score of cabins. A herd of cattle, horses, and mules were there, too. A group of wagons were in one place. Men, women, and children were also visible.
The crowing of a rooster was heard down in the valley, and a flock of sheep was feeding right beneath the cliff on which the scouts were standing.
For a long time Buffalo Bill gazed through his field glass at the strange sight, and then without a word handed it to Scout Ben.
He, too, looked long and attentively, and when he removed the glasses from his eyes Buffalo Bill said: