they knew for sure that four of their number had been killed, and now they believed that Jumping Wolf had been killed as well.
“Perhaps he claimed coups, then left,” Face in the Wind suggested.
“Why would he do that? Would he not want to return and brag of his coups?” Standing Bear asked.
“Yes, and did he not challenge Running Elk to a fight?” Red Eagle asked.
“Perhaps he is afraid of Running Elk,” Face in the Wind said.
“No,” Running Elk said. “Jumping Wolf was a brave warrior. I do not think he feared me. But I think he is dead. I think the white men killed him.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
When Falcon, Cody, and Ingraham left Cinnabar, they went across the top of the park, then cut south, crossing the Montana border back in to Wyoming Territory. From the lofty heights of Dead Indian pass it was as if they were on top of the world. They could see far down into the valley where the Yellowstone River snaked its way through, and they had a wonderful view of the surrounding mountains, range after range.
“You know, I write my Western novels about this land, but I’ve never really seen it,” Ingraham said. “The scenery here is magnificent. I love the way the light and shadows play upon the mountains, and down in the valleys. We don’t have anything like this down in Mississippi, I can tell you that for sure.”
“Look at Falcon,” Cody said. “He is as at home here as a mountain goat.”
“Kind of hard to breathe up here though. I’m getting winded,” Ingraham said.
“That’s because you have those little Mississippi lungs,” Cody said. “You see how big Falcon’s chest is? That’s because it is all lung. He has no heart, no liver, nothing in there but one big lung.”
Ingraham laughed. “Cody, after that tall tale about the mountain of telescopic glass you told the other day, and this wild tale, you have definitely missed your calling. You should give up show business and become a full-time writer,” Ingraham said.
“The Life of Honorable William F. Cody, the famous hunter, scout, and guide known as Buffalo Bill, by William F. Cody,” Cody said. “How does that sound?”
“Everyone in America will want to read it, of that I am sure,” Ingraham said.
“Hmm, I just may give that a thought,” Cody replied.
They continued their banter for several more minutes, then Falcon held up his hand.
“Hold it,” he said.
“What do you see?”
“Look, down there. Alongside the river.”
“Is it an Indian?” Ingraham asked.
“No, it’s a white man.”
“What are those clothes he’s wearing?”
“Long johns,” Falcon said. “He’s wearing nothing but his underwear.”
Falcon slapped his legs against the side of his horse, urging it into a lope, and the other two followed.
“I think I know that man,” Cody said as they drew closer to the strange figure.
When they reached Oliver Bowman, they saw that Falcon was right. He was half-naked and barefoot. In addition, his eyes were bloodshot, and his swollen feet were leaving bloody footprints in the sand.
“Oliver? Is that you?” Cody asked.
“Hello, Buffalo Bill. Fancy meeting you here,” Bowman said, just before he passed out.
By the time Bowman regained consciousness, Falcon had already started a fire and brewed some coffee. He gave Bowman a cup, and Bowman drank it down greedily, not caring that it was so hot that it burned his lips.
“You wouldn’t have anything to eat, would you?” Bowman asked.
“Some elk jerky,” Falcon said, offering him a piece.
Between deep swallows of coffee, Bowman wolfed down the jerky. “I’m mighty obliged to you,” he said. “Sorry to be puttin’ you folks out like this.”
“Nonsense, you aren’t putting us out,” Ingraham said.
“It’s nice of you to say so.”
“Oliver, what are you doing out here like this?” Cody asked.
“You mean with purt’ nigh no clothes on? I thought if I had to swim it would be easier if I didn’t have my clothes.” He looked at his hand. “I thought I had my pistol with me. Did you see a pistol?”
“You were unarmed when we saw you,” Cody said.
“Oh, yeah, I reckon I was,” Bowman said. “I left my pistol with Doyle Clayton. Or, was it my rifle? I don’t remember now. All I remember are the Injuns.”
“Indians?” Falcon asked.
Suddenly Bowman seemed to come out of his stupor.
