Yet on they plodded until at last the nature of the country was such that it was difficult for the train to travel, while, to add to their discomfort and fears, a large band of Indians were hovering near them.

“Well, Velvet, where will you find a camping place to-night?” asked Captain Denham, riding forward and joining the guide.

“Oh!  I’ll find a good place, and only a short distance ahead; after that the country will be all right for traveling,” was the quiet answer.

“I don’t believe it, for it has not that look.”

“Then ask the assistant guide,” was the stern reply.

“I would, but he is not with the train, and has not been seen since last night.”

“Perhaps he got out of sight of the train and couldn’t find his way back,” sneered the guide.

“Oh no! that boy knows what he is about, and I’ll trust him for it.”

“Well, yonder is the camp,” and Roy Velvet pointed to a little meadow not far distant, through which ran a deep stream, and beyond and overshadowing it, was a range of bold hills.

“It’s a pleasant spot indeed, and I guess we’ll halt a day or two,” said the captain, and he gave orders for the train to encamp.

But suddenly up dashed Billy Cody, mounted upon a large horse no one had ever seen him ride before, and it was evident that he had been riding hard.

“Captain Denham, don’t camp there, sir, for you place yourself at the mercy of the renegades and Indians that are dogging your trail,” he said hastily.

“I am the guide, boy, and have selected the camp,” sternly answered Roy Velvet.

“And you are my prisoner, Roy Velvet,” and quicker than a flash the revolver of Buffalo Billy covered his heart.

Roy Velvet turned very pale, but said: 

“Are you mad, boy?”

“No.”

“Billy, what is the matter?” asked Captain Denham, while the teamsters and settlers gathered quickly around.

“Tie that man and I will tell you.”

“But, Billy—­”

“Tie him, captain, or I shall shoot him, for I know who and what he is,” cried Billy, and his manner, his charge against the chief guide, his mysterious absence from the train for eighteen hours, and his return upon a strange horse, proved to all that he did know something detrimental to Roy Velvet.

“Speak, Billy, and if you know aught against this man, tell us,” said the captain.

“Disarm him then for he is a tricky devil.”

“Captain Denham, will you permit that boy to cover me with his revolver and hurl insult upon me?” cried the guide.

“As you will not do as I ask I will do it myself,” and Billy rode up to the guide, still holding his cocked revolver upon him, and deliberately took from his belt his revolvers and knife.

“You are so sly, so soft in your cunning, Velvet, that I’ll be on the safe side,” said Billy with a smile, as he felt over the man for another weapon.