But the issue in the present case had been a complete failure, and Sut chafed greatly under the reflection, for everything connected with it was mortifying to him.
In the first place, he had been completely outwitted from beginning to end by his old enemy, Lone Wolf.

That chieftain, whom he detested with the very intensity of hatred, had snatched up the boy under his very nose, and made off with him.

The shot that had been fired to bring the war-chief to earth failed in its purpose, and while the hunter was forcing him into a corner he awoke to the fact that he was there himself, and it was only by a hair's breadth that he succeeded in saving his bacon.
"But Sut Simpson don't give up the job just yet," said he, the next morning, in discussing the situation with Barnwell and the leading pioneers.

"That younker has got himself in a scrape, through no fault of his own, and onless he gets a lift there's no show for his pullin' out of it." "Mickey O'Rooney is still absent, and he may be able to help you." But Sut shook his head.

He saw no prospect of any appreciable assistance from that quarter.
"He's a good fellow, and I like him; but he'll have all he can do to take care of himself.