Overjoyed at their escape from the foes, which seemed little short of miraculous, the bandits broke into a swift, steady jog trot that carried them rapidly over the ground.
Nearer and nearer they approached the rocks that towered majestically ahead of them.
But just as safety seemed within their grasp, Frank gasped:
"I'm all in! The--wo--wound--in--my--leg."
Muttering an oath under his breath at this misfortune when all was going so well, Jesse hurried to the side of his brother and the others joined him.
"Take an arm, Texas," snapped the bandit-chieftain, as he put his own hand under Frank's left shoulder and lifted him to his feet.
Quickly the other obeyed and, supporting their exhausted comrade between them, they resumed their progress toward the cliffs.
"I reckon we might as well go back into the canyon," asserted the world-famous desperado.
"We'll climb up to the table land where we rescued Tony and rest for a few days. We can see all about us. No one can surprise us and the bucks and troopers would never think we'd go back.
"We'll be able to find something we can eat."
This suggestion met with the approval of the others and the little band bent their steps toward the black cleft that marked the entrance into the rocky defile.
Occasional glances behind them told them that none of the pursuers had returned from the chase.
Indeed, no moving object could they discover in any direction and, with hearts beating light at their successful escape from the blood-thirsty, revenge-craving savages and the cavalrymen whose ire had been roused by their strategic errors, they were just about to enter the canyon when a lithe figure darted toward them from behind a boulder.
"It's more of the red devils," snarled Wild Bill, whipping out his guns. "We _are_ smart--I don't think. While we've been patting ourselves on the back, they've been lying here, waiting for us."
Yet the alarm of the outlaws was short-lived.
Ere any of them could draw their weapons, a voice cooed, softly:
The relief the words brought to the bandits, who feared the fruits of their desperate escape and retreat were to be snatched from them, was inexpressible and it was turned to outright joy as the Indian maiden continued: