“Hang it, Bill Cody! You’re the coldest proposition I ever came across. I’ll eat this old war-bonnet--and it’s about as digestible as a wreath of prickly pear--if we don’t have trouble with that gal.”
Evidently White Antelope was much amazed by the fact that her father did not even look in her direction, for she called some welcome to him in Sioux. Neither of the scouts made reply, but both kept watch of her out of the corners of their eyes. The girl, puzzled by the mystery, half drew in her pony.
The mob of Indians waited. That they were puzzled was evident; but as long as they remained inactive the scouts’ chances were increased.
“Can we make it, Pard Cody?” muttered Texas Jack.
“I hope not,” and Buffalo Bill looked grave.
“If she comes nearer we’ll have to do something, Bill--as sure as thunder she’s coming!”
It was true. White Antelope had again spoken to her pony, and the animal leaped forward. She came from the left, and Texas Jack rode nearest her.
“Keep on, Jack!” exclaimed Bill under his breath.
He pulled back Buckskin and got around so as to ride between the supposed Indian chief and the girl. Instantly White Antelope seemed to suspect that all was not right. She raised her voice, crying in her native tongue:
“Why does the great chief not speak to his child? Oak Heart, my father, it is I, your daughter, White Antelope, who calls you!”
She was all the time riding nearer. There seemed no way to stop her, and she must soon be near enough to observe that the supposed Oak Heart was a false Indian.
Fortunately the tribesmen were some hundreds of yards away from the two scouts. But they heard something of what White Antelope said, and they began to move forward, murmuring among themselves. They did not for a moment suspect that this was not their great chief, but they believed that something was wrong with him, and that Pa-e-has-ka had Oak Heart in his power.
“They’re coming, Cody!” whispered Texas Jack. “They’ll make a rush in a moment.”
“Sign them again!” commanded Buffalo Bill. “It’s our only chance.”
“It _must_ work. We need a few moments more before we make a dash for the cañon.”
“I’ll ’tend to her,” exclaimed Buffalo Bill. “Signal the reds to keep back.”
Again Texas Jack raised his hands and made the well understood sign. But the Indians hesitated. They saw White Antelope still riding toward the supposed chief and the scout, crying to her father to answer her.