A few hours, or at least a day or two, would give time for his friends to do something.

Mickey O'Rooney, upon returning to the settlement (as he would have to do sooner or later), would not consent to remain there as long as the fate of his young friend was in doubt.
And there was Sut Simpson, the hunter, who had taken so much pains to come and warn the settlers of the impending attack.

He had witnessed the capture of the lad and was certain to do all he could to rescue him.
His long experience in the west, and his numerous encounters with these Indians, had given him a knowledge which would be of great value in such an emergency.

Fred recalled too, that he had heard it stated more than once that the Indians frequently took prisoners for the purpose of ransom, and that he might be restored in this manner so soon as communication could be opened between the Apaches and his friends.
It so happened, therefore, as the minutes passed, that something like the renewal of hope came to the heart of the lad, who had reached the conclusion that the subject under discussion did not relate to himself.
This Apache convention did not prolong its session.

Lone Wolf seemed to permit his warriors to talk until he became weary, when he said a few words, and the talk ended.