When Buffalo Bill rode into the camp where Surgeon Powell and the
gold-hunter sat, it was seen that he was leading two horses, one
carrying a pack-saddle, the other a heavy load.

The surgeon-scout at once arose and greeted him, and said:

"Ho, Bill, what game is that?"

"A dead outlaw, the lieutenant of the band, whom I killed. But you are
not alone, Frank?"

"No, it is your old rescuer, who was on his way to the fort to see you,
when he met me. He was going to tell you that the outlaws have their
retreat in the Grand Canyon."

"I have been to it; but how are you, Pard Seldon, and let me say that I
have good news for you, as your daughter has come West to meet you and
is now at Last Chance."

"Thank you, Mr. Cody, but I am aware of that fact, as Surgeon Powell
can tell you; but come, look me squarely in the face, and see if you
know who I am."

Buffalo Bill gave a fixed look, and then cried excitedly:

"By the gods of war, _you are Wallace Weston or his ghost_."

"I am a very healthy ghost, sir; but I am Wallace Weston, and I leave it
to Surgeon Powell to tell my story to you."

The scout seized the gold-hunter's hand and wrung it hard, while he
said:

"Thank God you are not dead, Weston, for only this night have I heard
the truth of your story from the lips of the dying outlaw, Alvin Wolf."

"Ha! once my friend, then my foe, for he sided with the Mayhews against
me."

"He did, and I have his diary, which tells the whole story; but now let
me tell mine, and then we can compare notes and decide what is best to
be done."

They first had supper, after staking out their horses, and afterward
buried the body of the outlaw, Alvin Wolf.

Then, until after midnight, they sat talking together, the surgeon, the
scout, and the gold-hunter, about all that had happened, after which
they retired to their blankets.

It was just dawn the next morning when Wallace Weston rode away from the
old camp to make all speed to Last Chance. His mission there was to take
a letter to Driver Harding, which was as follows:

"Trust the bearer with your life. Pick out eight of the
best men in the camp, whom you can trust, and have them
pretend to start for W---- on business, going in your
coach.

"See that no one else goes. Have two leaders that are
good saddle-horses, and smuggle into the coach seven
saddles.

"I will meet you at Dead Line with horses, and prepare
to lose your