But he had said no word about Pa-e-has-ka’s orders, and he was glad. He had faced death, and was then facing it, because he had been true to Pa-e-has-ka.
What if the rope did pull at his arms and torture him? Was Little Cayuse a squaw that he should whimper and cry with the torture?
No; Little Cayuse was a warrior. He had won his eagle-feather, and was entitled to take the place among the braves of the Piutes.
So he gritted his teeth and hung where the merciless white ruffian had left him.
This was the scene which had brought the fierce frown to Buffalo Bill’s brow, and the gasp to Dell’s lips and the white to her check.
Little Cayuse, suspended by the arms against the smooth cliff wall, swinging and twisting with the rope.
That was the question the scout asked himself as he ran forward toward the wall of the blind gully, and it was the question Dell Dauntless put to herself as she followed.
Cayuse was about ten feet above the ground, his eyes were closed and his head was drooping forward.
“Cayuse?” cried the scout, halting close and peering up at the slender form.
Instantly the boy opened his eyes and threw back his head.
“What fiends those Apaches are!” exclaimed Dell. “They drew him up there and left him to die!”
“What are you about to do, Buffalo Bill?” the girl asked.
“I could cut the rope with two or three bullets,” answered the scout hesitatingly, “or I could ride up on my horse----”
“You couldn’t reach him on your horse, or, at least, you wouldn’t be able to reach the rope. Put up your revolver, Buffalo Bill, and leave it to me.”
Dell took a position in front of Cayuse and drew the bowie-knife that swung at her belt.
“What can you do with that?” asked the scout.
The scout started and stared at the girl.
Such a feat, if successfully accomplished, would be one of the most remarkable he had ever seen.
To throw a knife and keep it perpendicular was comparatively easy; but, in order to sever the rope, Dell would have to throw the blade so that its edge would meet the rope horizontally.
“Are you sure you can do it?” went on the scout gravely.
“I know what would happen if I made a miss, but I shall not. Stand close enough to catch him when the rope parts, Buffalo Bill.”
Dell Dauntless was perfectly cool. The scout marveled at her self-control, and her stony calmness.