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diff --git a/old/64446-0.txt b/old/64446-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index f804ba9..0000000 --- a/old/64446-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,11899 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Buffalo Bill, Peacemaker, by Colonel -Prentiss Ingraham - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: Buffalo Bill, Peacemaker - On a Troublesome Trail - -Author: Colonel Prentiss Ingraham - -Release Date: February 02, 2021 [eBook #64446] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -Produced by: David Edwards, Susan Carr and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BUFFALO BILL, PEACEMAKER *** - - - - - Buffalo Bill, Peacemaker - - OR, - - ON A TROUBLESOME TRAIL - - BY - - Colonel Prentiss Ingraham - - Author of the celebrated “Buffalo Bill” stories published in the - BORDER STORIES. For other titles see catalogue. - - [Illustration: (Colophon)] - - STREET & SMITH CORPORATION - - PUBLISHERS - - 79-89 Seventh Avenue, New York - - - - - - +----------------------------------+ - | | - | Copyright, 1910 | - | By STREET & SMITH | - | ----- | - | Buffalo Bill, Peacemaker | - | | - +----------------------------------+ - - - - - (Printed in the United States of America) - - All rights reserved, including that of translation into foreign - languages, including the Scandinavian. - - - - - CONTENTS - - PAGE - IN APPRECIATION OF WILLIAM F. CODY 1 - I. THE PRISONER IN THE DUGOUT. 5 - II. THE GAME OF “FREEZE OUT.” 12 - III. FLUSH DAYS IN TEXAS. 31 - IV. THE SKY PILOT TAKES A HAND. 44 - V. “COME-ALONGS.” 51 - VI. PARDS IN COUNCIL. 58 - VII. AT THE H-P RANCH. 64 - VIII. A DASH FOR FREEDOM. 71 - IX. DUTCH COURAGE. 84 - X. IN TROUBLED WATERS. 97 - XI. THE MAN WITH A WARNING. 109 - XII. AT LIGE BENNER’S RANCH. 121 - XIII. A FIENDISH PLOT. 134 - XIV. THE HUNCHBACK’S QUICK WIT. 141 - XV. A “FLASH IN THE PAN.” 148 - XVI. HELD BY THE ENEMY. 155 - XVII. THE PLOT AT HACKAMORE. 168 - XVIII. BUFFALO BILL’S SUMMONS. 175 - XIX. AT ODDS WITH THE SHERIFF. 182 - XX. IN A GOOD CAUSE. 196 - XXI. LONG ODDS. 202 - XXII. PEACE ON THE BRAZOS. 209 - XXIII. RED THUNDERBOLT. 214 - XXIV. THE QUARREL. 225 - XXV. SIM PIERCE BRINGS NEWS. 244 - XXVI. THE MOB FROM PHELPS’ RANCH. 257 - XXVII. BENNER’S CHANGE OF HEART. 270 - XXVIII. IN THE ENEMY’S CAMP. 282 - XXIX. RED STEVE. 295 - XXX. CONCLUSION. 307 - - - - - IN APPRECIATION OF WILLIAM F. CODY - - (BUFFALO BILL). - - -It is now some generations since Josh Billings, Ned Buntline, and -Colonel Prentiss Ingraham, intimate friends of Colonel William F. -Cody, used to forgather in the office of Francis S. Smith, then -proprietor of the _New York Weekly_. It was a dingy little office on -Rose Street, New York, but the breath of the great outdoors stirred -there when these old-timers got together. As a result of these -conversations, Colonel Ingraham and Ned Buntline began to write of -the adventures of Buffalo Bill for Street & Smith. - -Colonel Cody was born in Scott County, Iowa, February 26, 1846. -Before he had reached his teens, his father, Isaac Cody, with his -mother and two sisters, migrated to Kansas, which at that time was -little more than a wilderness. - -When the elder Cody was killed shortly afterward in the Kansas -“Border War,” young Bill assumed the difficult rôle of family -breadwinner. During 1860, and until the outbreak of the Civil War, -Cody lived the arduous life of a pony-express rider. Cody volunteered -his services as government scout and guide and served throughout -the Civil War with Generals McNeil and A. J. Smith. He was a -distinguished member of the Seventh Kansas Cavalry. - -During the Civil War, while riding through the streets of St. Louis, -Cody rescued a frightened schoolgirl from a band of annoyers. In true -romantic style, Cody and Louisa Federci, the girl, were married March -6, 1866. - -In 1867 Cody was employed to furnish a specified amount of buffalo -meat to the construction men at work on the Kansas Pacific Railroad. -It was in this period that he received the sobriquet “Buffalo Bill.” - -In 1868 and for four years thereafter Colonel Cody served as scout -and guide in campaigns against the Sioux and Cheyenne Indians. It was -General Sheridan who conferred on Cody the honor of chief of scouts -of the command. - -After completing a period of service in the Nebraska legislature, -Cody joined the Fifth Cavalry in 1876, and was again appointed chief -of scouts. - -Colonel Cody’s fame had reached the East long before, and a great -many New Yorkers went out to see him and join in his buffalo hunts, -including such men as August Belmont, James Gordon Bennett, Anson -Stager, and J. G. Heckscher. In entertaining these visitors at Fort -McPherson, Cody was accustomed to arrange wild-West exhibitions. In -return his friends invited him to visit New York. It was upon seeing -his first play in the metropolis that Cody conceived the idea of -going into the show business. - -Assisted by Ned Buntline, novelist, and Colonel Ingraham, he started -his “Wild West” show, which later developed and expanded into “A -Congress of the Rough Riders of the World,” first presented at Omaha, -Nebraska. In time it became a familiar yearly entertainment in the -great cities of this country and Europe. Many famous personages -attended the performances, and became his warm friends, including Mr. -Gladstone, the Marquis of Lorne, King Edward, Queen Victoria, and the -Prince of Wales, now King of England. - -At the outbreak of the Sioux, in 1890 and 1891, Colonel Cody served -at the head of the Nebraska National Guard. In 1895 Cody took up the -development of Wyoming Valley by introducing irrigation. Not long -afterward he became judge advocate general of the Wyoming National -Guard. - -Colonel Cody (Buffalo Bill) died in Denver, Colorado, on January -10, 1917. His legacy to a grateful world was a large share in -the development of the West, and a multitude of achievements in -horsemanship, marksmanship, and endurance that will live for ages. -His life will continue to be a leading example of the manliness, -courage, and devotion to duty that belonged to a picturesque phase -of American life now passed, like the great patriot whose career it -typified, into the Great Beyond. - - - - - BUFFALO BILL, PEACEMAKER. - - - - - CHAPTER I. - - THE PRISONER IN THE DUGOUT. - - -Fate was in a very capricious mood when Buffalo Bill and his pards -carried their activities into the Lone Star State. They galloped over -the plains and plunged full tilt into one of the most surprising -misplays ever made by that arrant gamester--Chance. - -There was a triangle of blunders, and it so happened that there was -a pard in each corner, ready to take advantage of what came his way -and turn misfortune into fortune for Cattleman Perry, his daughter -Hattie, and a worthy cowboy of the name of Dunbar. The powerful -clique of cattle barons were beaten at their own game of freeze -out--and for this they had the scout and his pards to thank. - -Buffalo Bill dropped into his corner of the complication on the wide -grazing grounds, en route to the town of Hackamore, where he was to -join Wild Bill, old Nomad, the trapper, who had shared many dangers -with the scout, Baron von Schuitzenhauser, his Dutch pard, and Little -Cayuse, his Indian trailer. And when it is said that he “dropped” -into the complication, the statement is to be taken literally. - -It was a night, a night made brilliant by moon and stars. The scout -was two days from Portales, New Mexico, having diverged from the -trail taken by his pards in order to halt for half a day in the town -of Texico. - -Buffalo Bill was off the trail, a plainsman having shown him a short -cut that was to save many miles of saddle work. As Bear Paw forged -ahead at a slow, steady gallop, the scout rocked gently in his -saddle, half dozing. - -He did not see the stovepipe that rose out of the ground in front -of him, nor did he see the little ridgelike lifting of the earth -adjacent to the stovepipe. - -Bear Paw saw the pipe, however, and to evade it attempted to cross -the small elevation. Intelligent horse though he was, how was he to -know that elevation was not solid earth? - -The black charger was in for a surprise. It was sprung with -demoralizing suddenness. - -Two strides carried Bear Paw over the high point of the ridge; a -third stride brought a crash under his rear hoofs, and the after part -of his body slumped downward. - -A startled yell, seemingly coming out of the very earth, smote on the -scout’s ears. - -Caught at a disadvantage by the accident, Buffalo Bill was thrown -backward out of his saddle and clear of the struggling horse. - -Bear Paw’s front hoofs were on solid ground and, with a prodigious -effort, he saved himself from sinking and clambered to safety beyond -the deceptive ridge. But the scout dropped through the breach, -grabbed at a log rafter, missed it, and fell in a huddle for a -distance of ten feet. - -He brought up on all fours, jarred through and through and blinking -in a cloud of dust and a flood of lamplight. A clutter of dirt and -broken poles lay around him. - -The transformation from an easy gallop over the cool, open plain to -this underground hole with its light and dust, had been so abrupt -that the scout was taken at a loss. - -But he was not the only one taken at a loss. In front of him, as the -flurry of dust was wafted aside, he saw a strapping figure in hickory -shirt, homespun trousers and cowhide boots--a figure topped with a -mop of red hair, under which was a lean, leathery face. - -The face of the figure was blank. Two washed-out blue eyes stared at -the scout; and the scout, on hands and knees, stared back. - -“Who in blazes are ye?” demanded the red-headed man, all at once -finding his voice. - -“A stranger and a traveler,” answered the scout, the ludicrous nature -of the situation gradually appealing to him. “A man who--er--a-tchoo!” - -“What d’ye mean by knockin’ a hole in the roof an’ slammin’ in on -me like this?” went on the other, coming out of his surprise with a -manner distinctly hostile. - -The scout picked himself up slowly, felt of his bruises, and gave -vent to a grewsome laugh. - -“If you think, amigo, that I meant to knock a hole in your roof,” -said he, “you’ve another guess coming. If I had planned to pay you a -visit I wouldn’t have gone about it like this, would I?” - -“How do I know who ye are, or what ye’d do?” fumed the other, far -and away more savage than the scout thought the mishap warranted. “I -don’t want no truck with ye, anyways. If ye didn’t allow ter pay me a -visit, an’ if ye ain’t here from ch’ice, then yore next move is ter -git out as quick as ye come in. Them’s the stairs”--he waved a hand -toward a ladder that led upward to a flat door in the roof--“an’ at -the same time we says hello, we also says good-by. Start yerself.” - -“I’m not inclined to stay here any longer than you want to have me,” -answered the scout, “but I landed with something of a jolt. If it’s -all the same to you, I’ll just catch my breath before I try the -stairs.” - -“It ain’t all the same ter me,” barked the man. “I want ye ter go, -an’ I want ye ter go ter oncet! With this ter back up the invite, I -reckon ye won’t stand none on the order ter hike.” - -The red-haired man made a swipe at his belt and lifted a hairy hand -with a six-shooter. Buffalo Bill looked him in the eye and then -coolly sat down on a two-legged stool that happened to be handy. - -“I’ve heard a good deal about Texas hospitality,” said he, “but -you’re giving it a hardware twist that I don’t like. And when I don’t -like a thing,” he added significantly, “I’m apt to make it pretty -plain.” - -“Ye kain’t run in any rannikaboo on me,” snorted the red-haired -person, jabbing the air with the point of his gun. “Ye say yer -drappin’ in was a accident. I’m lettin’ it go at that, an’ givin’ ye -a chance ter depart without any fireworks. An’ I ain’t sayin’ nothin’ -about the damage ye done ter the dugout, nuther. Pick up yore hat an’ -scatter. I’ll count three. When I say ‘one,’ ye’ll reach fer the hat; -when I say ‘two,’ ye’ll be on the stairs; an’ when I say ‘three,’ -ye’ll either be through that door in the roof or I’ll drop ye in yer -tracks.” - -The barbarous methods of this red-haired man were utterly uncalled -for. He was showing a spirit that needed taming. - -Buffalo Bill dropped his eyes to the litter on the floor. His hat -lay there, and from under the brim of the hat showed two inches of -revolver-muzzle. One of the scout’s six-shooters had been jarred from -his belt and had fallen under the sombrero. - -“One!” - -The word was a yelp, and the blued barrel of the Texan’s gun looked -the scout full in the face. - -“All right,” said Buffalo Bill cheerily. - -He reached for his hat with both hands. But only one hand picked up -the hat; the other caught the handle of the six-shooter. - -Then something happened which the Texan had not been looking for. As -the scout arose from the stool, the report of a firearm split the -air. A bullet passed through the crown of the sombrero, singed the -Texan’s ear and clipped a lock of his red hair. - -For an instant, barely an instant, the Texan’s revolver shook -uncertainly. That instant spelled opportunity for the scout. With -the speed of thought he grabbed the hostile gun, jerked it away, and -looked over the sights at its owner. - -“Why don’t you count ‘two?’” inquired the scout pleasantly. - -But the Texan had lost the count. Instead of trying to find it, and -go on with it, he began to swear. - -“Sit down,” ordered Buffalo Bill. “I’ve caught my breath, all right, -but I want to read you a lesson in common civility, and show you how -to treat a traveler who accidentally drops in on you through the roof -of your dugout.” - -Some one laughed. It was not the red-haired man, of course, for he -was in anything but a merry mood. The laughter came from behind the -scout, and was the first intimation that there was any one else in -the place. - -The scout could not very well turn from the red-haired man and -investigate. - -“Who’s doing that?” he demanded. - -“You git right out o’ here!” flamed the red-haired man. “This ain’t -none o’ yore put-in, or----” - -“I wasn’t talking to you,” cut in the scout sharply. “Who are you, -behind there?” - -“Nate Dunbar,” came the answer. - -“If you’re a friend of this red-headed rawhide, Dunbar,” proceeded -the scout, “why don’t you step up behind me and help him put me out?” - -“For two reasons,” answered the voice behind. “First off, neighbor, -I’m no friend of Red Steve’s. Then, again, I’m lashed and laid away -on the shelf. If I was able to move, I’d take Red Steve down and -choke the breath out of him.” - -“Dunbar’s a hoss thief that I’ve captured,” cried Red Steve, “an’ I -want ye ter go on erbout yore bizness an’ leave us alone.” - -“I’m no horse thief,” said Dunbar, “and Red Steve talks crooked. He’s -working for Benner, and Phelps, and the rest of those cattle barons -on the Brazos. It’s tin-horn work, too, and Red has to use the double -tongue.” - -“I thought there was something more than just common incivility back -of his treatment of me,” observed the scout, a glitter rising in -the eyes that looked across the revolver sights. “Don’t you try to -talk!” he said sternly to the man in front of him. “Walk around and -take the ropes off Dunbar. When I count ‘one,’ you’ll begin to move; -when I say ‘two,’ you’ll begin on the ropes; and when I finish with -‘three,’ if Dunbar isn’t clear of his bonds, I’ll do something more -than singe your ear and take a lock of your red hair. Chance, it -seems, has bobbled, and dropped me into the right place at just about -the right time. Now, then, one!” - -There was that in the scout’s eyes and manner which caused Red Steve -to start promptly toward the other side of the dugout. As he moved, -the scout turned on the stool and let the revolver follow him. - - - - - CHAPTER II. - - THE GAME OF “FREEZE OUT.” - - -On the plains of northwest Texas, in an early day, the dugout was -a popular institution. No wind could shake such a house, and no -earthquake could topple it over. In most structures, a man begins at -the bottom and builds to the top, but in a dwelling like that under -consideration a man begins at the top and works downward. - -The usual underground house measured about fifteen by twenty feet, -and was from seven to ten feet in height. Some three feet from the -floor the walls were abruptly widened out, thus giving a shelf in -the earthen wall. This shelf extended around the whole room, and was -three feet in width--or more or less according to the fancy of the -owner. - -The shelf took the place of chairs, of dining table and of bunks. A -few three-legged stools might be added, if the one who occupied the -underground house had the wood and the time necessary to make them. - -A fireplace was usually cut in the solid dirt wall and, with an -ordinary posthole augur, a chimney was bored down to it. A joint -of stovepipe, extending upward from the top of the hole, gave the -fireplace a chance to breathe. - -The construction of the roof was as simple as that of the rest of the -house. - -A log was laid lengthwise across the top of the dugout, in the -direction of its greatest length. This was the ridgepole. Smaller -logs were then placed with one end on this and the other on the -ground. Poles covered the rafters, hay covered the poles, and a layer -of earth covered the hay. A door was contrived in the slant of roof -from the ridgepole. Stairs communicating with the door were sometimes -cut in the solid earth, and sometimes--as in the case of Red Steve’s -dugout--the only stairway was a stepladder. - -In a cattle country, where cowboys go galloping recklessly over the -range, or where longhorns occasionally stampede, it stands the dugout -dweller in hand to make his roof exceptionally strong. Either Red -Steve had failed to make his roof of the proper strength, or else age -had weakened it. - -This was not the scout’s first visit to such a house, but it was the -first time he had ever dropped bodily into a dugout and into the -curious tangle he had found in this one. - -A tin lamp stood on the earthen shelf. Red Steve, covered by the -scout’s revolver, moved sullenly to the shelf at the end of the -dugout. There, somewhat in the shadow, lay the form of a cowboy. The -scout could not see much of him, but he knew very well that he would -see more of him later. - -“Two!” called Buffalo Bill. “That’s your cue to begin the untying, -Red Steve.” - -“This ain’t goin’ ter be the end of this,” snarled the red-haired -Texan. “Ye ain’t got no bizness buttin’ in on me an’ makin’ me let -this feller go. Some big men over on the Brazos’ll call ye ter time -fer it.” - -“I’ll foot any bill the big men over on the Brazos present,” returned -the scout. “Meanwhile, you heard what I said a minute ago, Red Steve. -Carry out your orders and there’ll be no trouble.” - -“But ye don’t understand! This here galoot is a villain from the -spurs up, so----” - -“I can’t see much of him, but if he’s more of a villain than you’ve -shown yourself to be, I’ll be more surprised than I was when I -dropped through your roof. I said ‘two’ all of a minute ago,” the -scout finished significantly. - -Swearing under his breath, Red Steve went roughly to work at the -ropes on the prisoner’s hands. - -“He’s trying to tear my arms off, I reckon,” growled Nate Dunbar. - -Bang! - -Steve’s weapon spoke hoarsely from the scout’s hand. A bullet -“plunked” into the earth wall over the shelf, fanning close to -Steve’s face. - -“I haven’t counted ‘three,’ yet,” said the scout, “so that’s only a -warning. Be a little more careful, Steve.” - -The red-haired man, by that time, was firmly convinced that his -unwelcome visitor had not been talking for effect. In a few moments -he had removed the ropes. Dunbar got off the shelf and stamped -his feet and thrashed his arms to get his blood back into normal -circulation. - -As he came out farther into the lamplight, Buffalo Bill saw that he -was an athletic young fellow, of about twenty-one or two. He wore the -high-heeled boots of a cowboy, “chaps” were buckled about his waist, -and a blue flannel shirt covered his broad shoulders. His face was -frank and pleasing, not to say handsome. - -“You don’t know much about me, pardner,” he remarked to Buffalo Bill, -“but I can show a clean record.” - -“I’ll gamble on that, amigo,” said the scout. “Just from the looks of -you, Dunbar, I’m positive I haven’t made any mistake. How did you -happen to fall into Red Steve’s clutches?” - -“It was a put-up job,” was the answer. “Steve’s working for the -cattlemen over on the Brazos, and they were paying him to keep me -here until they figured out what to do with me.” - -“Are you a rancher?” - -“I’m a cattleman, and I’ve an interest in Dick Perry’s bunch of -steers.” - -“Who’s Dick Perry?” - -“He’s the man the other cattlemen are trying to freeze out.” - -A scowl came over Dunbar’s face and his eye flashed ominously. - -“Why are the cattle barons trying to freeze him out?” asked the -scout, conscious of a deep interest in the young cowboy and his -fortunes. - -“It’s all on account of Hattie.” - -“Hattie?” - -“Yes, Hattie Perry, Dick’s girl.” - -“Ah! We’re running into romance, I reckon.” - -The scowl faded from Dunbar’s face and a flush ran through his -bronzed cheeks. - -“You’ve been a friend of mine, stranger,” said he, “and I don’t mind -throwing the proposition wide open for you. Lige Benner has wanted to -marry Hattie for some time, and he asked her and got turned down. But -that didn’t phase him, and he went to Dick with his proposition and -got turned down again. Benner has acted like more kind of a wolf in -this business than I know how to tell. When Perry turned on him, and -told him where he was to get off, he swore that he’d make Perry so -much trouble that Perry would give up Hattie just to be able to live -in peace. - -“Right then and there, Benner started in to make trouble. Perry’s -steers were run off in bunches, some of the ranch buildings were -burned, and cowboys from up and down the Brazos came pestering -around, doing all sorts of sneaking and underhand things. Every -now and then, Benner has some skulking puncher nail a note to the -ranch-house door telling Perry that he knows what to do when he’s got -enough.” - -The scout muttered an angry exclamation. - -“That’s a fine state of affairs,” said he. “I shouldn’t think the -other cattlemen would stand for such rascally work.” - -“Nor I, either; but they do. The rest of the barons are friends of -Benner’s, and they’re backing him to a man. Perry’s a late comer on -the range, and the cattlemen would like to run him out. I reckon -that’s the reason they’re standing by Benner like they are.” - -“But what has Benner got against you, Dunbar, that he should have you -roped and given into the custody of Red Steve?” - -“Well, stranger,” answered Nate Dunbar, with some embarrassment, -“Hattie has promised to marry me, and that’s reason enough for Benner -taking the sort of stand against me that he does.” - -“Oh!” exclaimed the scout, “so that’s how the wind blows, is it? This -free country of ours has dropped into a fine state of lawlessness if -a young lady can’t choose her own husband without turning loose the -dogs of war. What does Dick Perry think about you, Nate?” - -“He’s on my side. Didn’t I tell you I had an interest in his ranch? -We’re friends, Dick and I are. Benner’s rich, but that doesn’t make -any difference with Hattie. She’s true blue, and all for me no matter -what happens. But I sure hate to have all this trouble come upon her -and her father.” - -The scout, still keeping the business end of the revolver -unswervingly upon Red Steve, debated the situation in his mind. - -“How did Benner manage to get hold of you, Nate?” he inquired. - -“I was out looking for strayed or stolen cattle,” said Dunbar, “when -half a dozen of Benner’s men jumped me. It was in a dry wash, and -the whelps rolled down on me so quick I couldn’t do a thing. It was -yesterday this happened, and I was lugged to this dugout and left in -the hands of Red Steve.” - -“As scoundrelly a game as was ever played,” declared the scout, “and -it doesn’t speak very well for the cattlemen in these parts.” - -“These are flush days on this part of the range,” went on Dunbar; -“anything with horns, hoofs and hide comes pretty near being worth -its weight in gold. All the barons on the Brazos are rich, and Perry -would be worth quite a pile if the rest of the ranchers would only -let him and his stock alone. It ought to be stopped. By thunder, it’s -a disgrace the way Perry is being treated.” - -“You’re right,” said the scout, “this hectoring ought to be stopped. -I’ve a notion to bear a hand and help you and Perry put an end to the -lawless situation.” - -A scornful laugh broke from Red Steve’s lips. - -“You fellers ’u’d play hob puttin’ a kink in this game o’ the cattle -barons,” he taunted. “The’s half a dozen of ’em an’ two or three -hunnerd cowboys. Oh, yes, ye’ll play hob stoppin’ ’em!” - -A look of fierce helplessness crossed Nate Dunbar’s face. - -“If we can’t stop the lawless work,” he cried desperately, “there are -still bushes at the trailside where a man can lurk and pick off some -of the demons who’re causing this trouble.” - -“That’s not the talk for a brave young chap like you to put up, -Dunbar,” said the scout sternly. “We’ll see what we can do to end -this rough situation by more honorable methods.” - -“Who are you?” demanded Dunbar, facing the scout squarely. - -“Buffalo Bill is what I’m usually called,” was the reply. - -The words caused a sensation. Dunbar jumped, and stared; Red Steve -also jumped, but in the direction of the ladder. - -“Catch that man!” called the scout. “I’ve got a horse outside, and I -don’t want him to get away with it.” - -Dunbar caught Red Steve and jerked him roughly from the ladder. The -spirit seemed to have been all taken out of Steve. His greatest -desire now, it seemed, was to keep as great a distance between him -and the scout as he could. Pushing against the earthen shelf on the -farther side of the room, he watched the scout with weasel-like eyes. - -“Where were you going in such a hurry, Red Steve?” demanded the scout. - -“I don’t want no truck with you, that’s all,” answered the red-haired -Texan. “I don’t want nothin’ ter do with ye, an’ that’s flat.” - -“Then you were merely trying to cut loose from my society?” - -“I wanted ter git out, an’ I want ter git out now. Why the blazes -didn’t ye say ye was Buffler Bill afore? If ye had, I’d ’a’ got out a -heap quicker. D’you hold any spite fer me drorin’ the gun on ye?” - -“Not a particle, Red Steve,” laughed the scout. “You were trying to -run away from here and strike a bee line for the Brazos. You were -planning to tell the cattle barons that Buffalo Bill had shown up in -this section and was going to help Nate Dunbar and Dick Perry regain -their rancher’s rights.” - -“How--how’d you know that?” - -“I’m a good hand at guessing. I’ve no objection to your carrying -that message, Red Steve, but I’ve a horse somewhere outside, and I -didn’t want you to run off with him. As soon as Dunbar and I leave -the dugout, you’ll be free to hike for the Brazos. Tell Benner and -the rest of the cattle barons that Buffalo Bill, as usual, is taking -the part of the under dog, that he’s going to extend a helping hand -to Nate Dunbar and the Perrys, and that he and his pards will stay -in this section long enough to make peace on the Brazos and to shake -a foot at the wedding of Nate Dunbar and Miss Perry. All this you’re -to tell Benner, Steve, and make it plain to him that it comes from me -straight. I didn’t come loping in here to stir up trouble, but now -that I’ve found it stirred up, I’m going to put a shoulder to the -wheel and settle it.” - -The scout turned to Dunbar. - -“Have you any property in this hangout, Nate?” he asked. - -“That gun you took away from Red Steve belongs to me, Buffalo -Bill,” was the reply. “That’s about all I brought with me except my -clothes.” - -“What became of your horse?” - -“That was left with Red Steve’s in a swale to the south of the -hangout.” - -“Then, amigo, here’s your gun, and we’ll be going.” - -The scout motioned Dunbar toward the ladder. The cowboy started up. - -“Don’t forget what I told you to tell Benner, Steve,” cautioned the -scout as he followed Dunbar. “If this outfit of cattle barons gets in -my way, we’re liable to juggle the hatchet somewhat before we bury -it.” - -As the scout stepped through the slanting door in the roof, a husky -laugh floated upward from Red Steve. - -“What do you suppose that means?” asked Buffalo Bill of Dunbar. - -“Why,” was the answer, “you had Steve going, down there, an’ I reckon -he feels good to see the last of you.” - -“You’re wide of the mark, Nate. That scoundrel knows something that -he thinks will give our work the double cross. But,” the scout added -grimly, “that’s a bridge we’ll cross when we get to it.” - -Pointing to a jagged break in the roof of the dugout, he went on: - -“That’s where Bear Paw broke through with his hind hoofs, rolled me -out of the saddle and dropped me below. I hope the horse wasn’t hurt.” - -He whistled sharply. The shrill signal was answered by a loud neigh -and a thump of approaching hoofs. Another moment and the gallant -black was rubbing his nose against the scout’s shoulder. - -“I suppose, old sport,” laughed the scout, slapping Bear Paw’s neck, -“that you hadn’t a notion what had become of me. That’s the queerest -adventure we’ve had in some sort of a while, eh? How did you come -through it, boy?” - -As well as he could the scout examined the horse. An exclamation of -relief escaped his lips. - -“His shins are skinned a little,” he announced to Dunbar, “but he -came through that affair a heap better than I had dared to hope. Get -your horse, Nate,” he added, vaulting into the saddle, “and we’ll be -touching the high places.” - -Dunbar started south and vanished into a shallow swale. The scout -rode after him. - -“The horses are here, all right,” called Nate, “but I can’t locate -the riding gear.” - -“Wasn’t it taken to the dugout?” returned the scout. - -“I didn’t see it in there, but--Ah,” he broke off abruptly, “here it -is. I just stumbled over it.” - -He saddled and bridled in record time, swung a leg over his bronk and -rode to the scout’s side. - -“Where now, Buffalo Bill?” he asked. - -“Take me to Perry’s ranch, Nate,” said Buffalo Bill. - -Impulsively Nate Dunbar reached out his hand and gave the scout’s a -grateful grip. - -“Let me rise to remark,” observed Nate, with a touch of sincere -feeling, “that you’re a whole man. I’m playing in big luck to-night. -There was about one chance in a thousand that you’d break a hole in -that roof--but it’s the one chance that came my way. Dick Perry and -Hattie are about discouraged with all their troubles, but they’ll -take a fresh lease of hope when they learn that you’re on our side.” - -With that, Dunbar pointed the way and set the pace. - -“I don’t mind saying, Dunbar,” said the scout, “that I’ve taken a -fancy to you. It’s been quite a while since I got tangled up in a -romance, and I’d find a good deal of fault with myself if I didn’t -see this one through to a happy finish.” - -“You’re white,” muttered the cowboy, “plumb white. I thought you had -a lot of pards in your outfit?” - -“They’re at Hackamore, waiting for me.” - -“How many?” - -“Four of them--but they’re four of the sort that can’t be picked up -any day in the week. There’s Wild Bill Hickok, of Laramie, a man who -doesn’t know what fear means, and who can lick his weight in wild -cats. Then there’s my old trapper pard, Nick Nomad, who’s a diamond -in the rough, and has gone through more tight corners with me than -I can count. Next there’s the baron, who talks and fights with a -Teutonic accent, but steps as high, wide and handsome as any of the -rest. - -“Last, but not least, I’ll mention Little Cayuse, the Piute boy, -who’s a host in himself. These, Dunbar, comprise the force I can -bring against the cattle barons. The barons will outnumber us, but -our work will be to win by tact rather than by force; to compass our -ends by diplomacy, and by the strong support of the law, which is at -our back.” - -“What do you consider the first move in this--er--campaign of tact -and diplomacy?” queried Dunbar. - -He was none too sanguine, and showed it. - -“Inasmuch as Hattie Perry is the indirect cause of Perry’s troubles, -we must eliminate her from the proposition.” - -Dunbar turned in his saddle. - -“Eliminate her?” he gasped. - -The scout laughed. - -“Exactly,” he declared. “Within a few days--or hours, if we can -arrange it so--there will be no Hattie Perry.” - -“I’m over my head,” muttered Dunbar. “How are you going about it?” - -“A sky pilot will be the key to the situation. Just as soon as -possible, my lad, he will make you and Miss Perry one. The girl will -cease to be Miss Perry, and will become Mrs. Dunbar. Lige Benner will -be foiled. Simple, don’t you think?” - -“Well, blazes!” murmured Dunbar, but with a flutter of happiness in -his voice. “That’s sure the correct way to go at it, and yet I’m -blamed if I ever thought of such a move.” - -“I should think it would have occurred to you the first thing. -Where’s the nearest sky pilot?” - -“His headquarters are in Henrietta, but he rides circuit over a good -part of this Brazos range. He was due in Hackamore yesterday.” - -“How long does he stay there?” - -“Why, long enough to round up the boys and tell ’em what to do to -travel the straight and narrow trail. He’s a man, that sky pilot is, -and a good friend of Perry’s and mine. His name’s Jordan.” - -“Well, as soon as we get to the ranch we’ll lay the proposition -before Perry and Hattie; then we’ll all ride over to Hackamore, and -you and the girl will take the momentous step. I’ve a notion that -that will settle everything and bring peace and happiness on the -Brazos.” - -For an hour the scout and the cowboy rode briskly through the -moonlight. At the end of that time they reached the bank of the -Brazos, and drew up at the door of a comfortable log cabin. - -Silence reigned around the ranch house. No glimmer of light showed -through its small windows, and there was no sign of life in the -vicinity. - -“I don’t savvy this layout,” muttered Dunbar forebodingly. - -“Why,” returned the scout, “it’s late. Perry and the rest have gone -to bed.” - -Dunbar tumbled out of the saddle and threw open the door. The scout, -still sitting on his horse, heard the cowboy moving around in the -cabin and stumbling over chairs and other pieces of furniture. -Presently a glow of light came through the open door. Looking into -the big room, the scout saw chairs overturned and the whole interior -in disorder. - -The cowboy ran to the door. - -“Something’s happened here, Buffalo Bill!” he cried excitedly. -“There’s been a fight of some kind in the house, and Perry and Hattie -have disappeared. Fiend take the scoundrels! Benner and the barons -are back of this!” - -Buffalo Bill dismounted hurriedly and ran into the cabin. He saw at a -glance that the place had been the scene of recent violence and that -some rascally work had been carried out. - -“Put up the horses, my lad,” said he calmly to Dunbar, “and then come -in and we’ll do some figuring. Keep your nerve, Nate. If you go to -pieces, you won’t be able to give me the help I need.” - -While the cowboy was taking care of the horses, Buffalo Bill surveyed -the interior of the cabin. The fine softening touch of a woman’s hand -was everywhere visible. Over a table hung a book rack with a little -treasury of well-worn volumes. - -A lamp stood on the table, and on the side of the table nearest the -lamp a rocking-chair was overturned. An open book lay on the floor. - -The scout picked up the book, and found that it was a copy of “Paul -and Virginia.” He laid the book on the floor where he had found it. - -There were yarn mottoes on the walls, framed in pine cones: “God -Bless Our Home,” “Haste Makes Waste,” and “The Lord Loveth a Cheerful -Giver.” - -Something in those trite and homely sentiments touched the scout’s -heart. The books and mottoes bespoke character--character that seemed -out of place in that rough country--character that should not have -been entangled in such a web of treachery and violence as had been -thrown about the Perrys. - -The scout opened one of two doors that were in the rear of the -room, and carried the lamp into the kitchen. Here everything was in -apple-pie order. Dishes were neatly arranged in a crude box cupboard, -and the floor was as clean as a hickory-splint broom could make it. -He tried the kitchen door, and found it locked. - -Returning to the living room, he found Nate Dunbar standing in the -middle of it and looking around dejectedly. - -“They’ve been run off,” he declared hopelessly; “that’s what’s -happened! If any harm comes to Hattie,” and here his voice fell husky -and murderous, “I’ll camp on Lige Benner’s trail--_and I’ll get him_.” - -“Don’t try to take the law into your own hands, Nate,” said the -scout. “We’ll dig up all the information we can here, and then we’ll -lay our plans. Who does most of the reading in this cabin?” - -“Hattie. Those books are all hers.” Dunbar waved a trembling hand -toward the shelf over the table. - -The scout picked up an overturned chair, and seated himself. - -“Miss Perry was here, sitting in the rocking-chair by the lamp and -reading,” said he. “Some one came here and took her and her father -away by force. It hardly seems to me as though these cattle barons, -lawless though they are, would have dared to go to such extremes. -They may be back of what has happened, but some of their hirelings -did the work.” - -Dunbar reeled against the wall, and caught his head in his hands. - -“Tact and diplomacy!” he bitterly exclaimed. “How can you use weapons -like those against such a pack of scoundrels? Cold steel is what they -need! By Heaven, it’s only a two hours’ gallop to Benner’s! I’ll go -there and make him answer for this!” - -The cowboy jumped from the wall, and started for the door. - -“Dunbar!” - -There was a compelling note in the scout’s voice. The cowboy halted, -and turned his haggard face. - -“Sit down!” ordered the scout. “If I and my pards are to help you, I -want you to keep a cool head, and not go off on any fool tangent. You -can be of assistance to me--but only by showing a different spirit.” - -“Buffalo Bill,” cried Dunbar, “if you had seen the Perrys tramped on -and mistreated as I have, you’d be murder mad just as I am over this -last outrage.” - -“Two wrongs never made a right, Nate.” - -“Right! Who talks of right on the Brazos? These barons are jumping on -right and justice rough shod, and what they need is a taste of their -own medicine.” - -“They’ll get it, Nate, but they’ll get it in my way. There’ll be -no parlor tactics, and when we hit it will be straight from the -shoulder. But this talk of cold steel begs the whole question. Sit -down and be sensible.” - -Dunbar, with an effort, got the whip hand of himself. - -“Isn’t there any one living in the cabin but Perry and his daughter?” -went on the scout. - -“No. I’ve been putting up here along with Dick and Hattie.” - -“Where are the cowboys?” - -“All gone--but me. They were scared off by the barons--scared off or -bought off, I don’t know which. When I failed to get back yesterday, -maybe Dick and Hattie thought I’d been bought off, too.” - -“No, they didn’t. I’ve only known you for a few hours, Dunbar, but -even that short acquaintance has convinced me that you’ve no yellow -streak in your make-up. Perry and his daughter have known you a -good deal longer than I have, and they’d never think you had turned -traitor to their interests. How many cattle have you and Perry?” - -“Perry came in here with a thousand head, but there’s no telling how -many of our brand we could round up now. The herd has been rustled -right and left.” - -The scout was thoughtful for a few moments. - -“What sort of a man is Perry?” he asked finally. - -“The clear quill and as straight as a die.” - -“Fighter?” - -“As game a fighter as you can find. If he hadn’t been he’d have left -the Brazos a month ago. But he’s too honest, too finely strung to -handle a gang like the cattle barons, even if he had a large enough -force behind him. Perry is an educated man, Buffalo Bill.” - -“So I imagined. He hasn’t made the other cattlemen think that he’s -better than they are, has he?” - -“Not on your life! That ain’t Perry’s style. He’d be neighborly, if -they’d let him.” - -“I don’t believe,” said the scout, “that Perry was here when his -daughter was taken away. There’d have been shooting, wouldn’t there?” - -“Right off the reel,” answered Dunbar promptly. “Perry would have -gone any length to defend himself.” - -“There are no signs to indicate that revolvers were used. I suppose -Perry kept his guns handy?” - -“Always--since the barons turned loose on him.” - -“Then here’s the way I figure it: You failed to come back to the -cabin yesterday. Perry and Hattie believed that you had been trapped -by Benner’s men. Perry went off to look for you. While he was gone, -the trouble happened here. Perry may get back any minute, Dunbar, -and then he can help us do our planning. Are there any horses in the -corral?” - -“No.” - -The cowboy was moody. He could see the logic of the scout’s -suggestions, but he was not in a temper to be sanguine over results. - -“How far is Benner’s ranch from here?” asked the scout. - -“Twenty miles.” Dunbar showed some interest. “Are you thinking of -going over there?” - -“Not yet. We’ll give Perry a chance to get back here first. How long -have you been hooked up with Perry, Nate?” - -“Nearly a year. I came here from the Panhandle country, and Perry -had just bought out the Star-A steers. He wanted a foreman, and I -took hold. Later on, when I saw how the other cattlemen were layin’ -for him, I dropped a thousand-dollar stake into the pot. It was all -I had. I reckoned, though, that I’d show Benner he had two to buck -against. He had tried to hire me away from Perry, and the thousand I -put up here was an answer to that.” - -Buffalo Bill was liking the young fellow more and more. Nevertheless, -he was not overlooking the powerful influence Hattie Perry must have -had with Nate Dunbar. - -“You’re all right, Nate,” said the scout. “The situation on the -Brazos has reached a climax, and everything depends on the way you -stack up from this on.” - -“But we can’t do what you thought of while we were riding from Red -Steve’s.” - -“You mean that about the sky pilot, and eliminating Miss Perry as a -factor in the trouble? That is still the work we must do, Nate, so it -follows that our next step must be to find Miss Perry.” - -“Why should those infernal scoundrels carry her off?” cried the -cowboy. - -“That was done, I believe, simply to frighten you and Perry, and -force Perry to agree to Benner’s proposals.” - -“Perry never’d agree!” - -“At any rate, I’m sure the young lady has suffered no harm, and that -she will be considerately treated. We must rescue her. With my pards -to help, I’m sure we can accomplish that part of it.” - -“But suppose Perry delays getting back? We ought to be doing -something for Hattie right now.” - -The scout pointed to the “Haste and Waste” motto on the wall. - -“Keep that prominently before your eyes, Dunbar,” admonished the -scout. “If we get in too much of a hurry we may spoil everything. If -Perry doesn’t come within an hour or two, I’ll send you to Hackamore -after my pards. They ought to be here by sunup.” - -“Then what’s to be done?” - -“Why, then we’ll ride to Benner’s ranch.” - -“Hattie won’t be there. He wouldn’t take Hattie there.” - -“Of course he wouldn’t, but if he has had anything to do with -spiriting the girl away from this cabin, we’ll find out about it and -get him to tell us where she is.” - -Dunbar shook his head doubtfully. - -“If you and your pards go to Benner’s ranch, Buffalo Bill,” said he, -“you’ll be right in the midst of the whole gang. There’s enough of -the outfit to smother you and your pards ten deep.” - -The scout smiled. - -“I reckon you don’t know much about my pards,” said he. - -At that moment the beat of horse’s hoofs were heard, swiftly -approaching. Both the scout and the cowboy jumped to their feet. - -“Perry!” exclaimed the scout, starting for the door. - -As he stood in front of the cabin, the lamplight pouring through the -open door at his back, a horseman drew to a halt. - -“Well, by gorry!” the rider exclaimed, in a flutter of astonishment. -“Have I got the blind staggers? Pard Cody, is that you?” - -The surprise was mutual. - -“There’s no mistake, Wild Bill,” answered the scout, as pleased as he -was surprised. “Get down and tell me what brings you here.” - - - - - CHAPTER III. - - FLUSH DAYS IN TEXAS. - - -The Texas steer, with the long horns and the brand bigger than a -gridiron, has passed away. With this half-wild “beef critter” has -likewise passed the old-time grizzle-faced herder with his cowhide -boots and appalling profanity. Grade shorthorns, Herefords, and other -swells in the kingdom of range cattle have taken the longhorn’s -place, and the present-day cattleman is a keen, shrewd business man -who has reduced cattle raising and feeding to a science. - -Perhaps the elimination of the longhorn and the picturesque soldier -of circumstance who looked after him is not a subject for regret; yet -in the early days--the days of this chronicle--the rangy steer of -the wide horns was bringing a flood of wealth into Texas. Those were -really flush days for the cattle barons. - -In those boom times, ranchers whose principal asset was cattle, had -more money than they had ever possessed before--and more, it is -said, than they have ever had since. Just what caused the boom was a -mystery; nevertheless, the boom was a very real event, and some of -the barons took in more money than they knew how to spend. When such -a thing happens to a free and easy-going people, foolish extravagance -is the result. - -This sort of extravagance, therefore, took the cattle country by -the throat, and shook a golden stream out of its pockets. Now and -then a cigar was lighted with a ten-dollar bill--whenever a baron -wished to be particularly spectacular. It may not have proved that -the ranchers had money to burn, yet it proved that they did burn it -nevertheless. - -Many of the ranchers burned their money in “sparks,” otherwise -diamonds, paying three or four times what the stones were worth per -karat. There was much rivalry in the possession of these gems. If a -baron’s neighbor flashed a gem as big as a Mexican bean on his little -finger, then the other baron made haste to get one as big as a lima -bean and display it ostentatiously. - -A class of peddlers was brought into being, by this desire of the -barons for jewels, whose like had never been known before and -probably will never be known again. Hebrews with satchels traveled -the cow country, each satchel containing a king’s ransom in diamonds. -These stones were peddled from ranch to ranch. The idea of a man -toting from one hundred thousand to two hundred thousand dollars’ -worth of diamonds through the range lands, alone and unattended and -yet without molestation, formed rather a strange commentary on those -wild and troublous times. Yet this was one angle of the situation in -the flush days. - -When the craze for diamonds had died out, the barons developed -another hobby. This time their barbaric fancy ran to watches, watch -charms, and chains. - -Wild Bill, old Nomad and Little Cayuse reached Hackamore in time to -witness an object lesson in the reckless extravagance of the time -and place. They were in the town many hours before Buffalo Bill had -dropped through the roof of the dugout; in fact, they had reached -Hackamore in ample time to put out their horses and sit in at dinner -in the shack hotel. - -The baron was not with them. He had heard of a German rancher, -living five miles out of Hackamore, and had separated from his -pards to make the rancher’s acquaintance and gossip for a while in -the language of the fatherland. Whenever the baron met a fellow -countryman, there always followed a talkfest--and the baron would go -many miles out of his way for a talkfest. - -Dinner over, Wild Bill, Nomad, and Cayuse strolled out into -Hackamore’s main street. Their legs were cramped from much saddle -work and needed stretching. Also, anything in the nature of a -town appealed to them after miles of lonely plains and unoccupied -wilderness. - -Hackamore was a mighty poor apology for a town, yet it had a huddle -of buildings which formed a nucleus for people--and it was buildings -and people the pards were eager to see. - -There was a crowd in the street in front of the hotel. - -“What’s the trouble?” asked Wild Bill of a lanky individual who was -leaning against a post and picking his teeth with a sliver. - -“Aw, shucks!” answered the lank person; “Lige Benner an’ Hank Phelps -aire cuttin’ capers with their jewelry. All dumb foolishness, but I -allow it kain’t be helped.” - -The long Texan nibbled at a bar of tobacco, and settled back against -the post with a resigned air. - -Wild Bill elbowed his way through the crowd and came upon the two -cattlemen. - -Hank Phelps wore a high Mexican hat with tinkling silver ornaments -festooned around the brim. His jacket was short, his trousers flared -at the bottoms, and his waist was begirt with a gaudy sash. Phelps -was American, through and through, but Mexican clothes were more -spectacular, and for this reason alone he wore them. - -Lige Benner affected black. His black sombrero was set off with a -twisted silver cord; there was a flowing white tie under the collar -of his black silk shirt, and the bottoms of his black trousers were -thrust into the tops of knee boots of patent leather. There were -ornate silver spurs at the heels of the boots. - -When close enough, the Laramie man saw that the buttons on Phelps’ -short jacket were set with diamonds. - -“Ugh!” muttered Wild Bill. “I wonder where they left the rest of -their show? They’re got up like heroes in a blue-fire melodrama.” - -“Did you speak?” demanded Benner, whirling on Wild Bill. - -“I did,” answered Wild Bill. “You’re in mourning for somebody. Tell -me who, and we’ll both weep.” - -A gleam crept into Benner’s eyes. But he whirled away without giving -further notice to the Laramie man. - -“Look at this turnip, Hank,” said Benner, taking a watch from his -pocket and passing it to the other baron for inspection. - -Phelps took the timepiece and turned it over and over in his hands. - -It was big and of an eighteen-karat yellow. There was a steer’s head -engraved on the front, and a prairie scene on the back. The steer’s -eyes were diamonds. The chain was as large as a steel hawser, and the -dangling charm was massive and encrusted with “sparks.” - -“Um!” mused Phelps. “How much did you pay for this timepiece, Lige?” - -“Five hundred,” was the careless answer. - -Phelps handed back the watch and pulled another from somewhere under -his short jacket. - -“I got one that’s just as good, an’ it only cost me four hundred.” - -Benner pondered for a moment. - -“Say, Hank,” said he, as a bright idea gathered in his brain. “I’ll -bet a hundred I can throw my watch farther down the street than you -can throw yours.” - -“Well, great horn-toads!” muttered the Laramie man. “I wonder how far -it is to the nearest asylum for the feeble-minded.” - -“Did you speak?” asked Hank Phelps, whirling on Wild Bill. - -“I did. I was wondering if they throw in a watch with every suit of -greaser clothes they sell in this town?” - -“Buy a suit and find out!” - -“Whoosh! With all those diamond buttons? Mañana!” - -Phelps, with a disgusted flirt of the shoulders, turned to Benner. - -“Go you,” he said brusquely. - -The money was flashed in a minute, another baron offering himself as -stakeholder. The street was cleared down the middle, a long line of -men grouped on either side. - -A dollar was flipped into the air to see which should throw first. -Benner won the toss. - -Meanwhile, Wild Bill had been working out a mental problem. He -measured Benner’s height and guessed at the possible strength of his -arm; then he guessed at the weight of the watch. With these items to -work on, he found a place down the street where he believed Benner’s -watch would land. - -The Laramie man was prompted by curiosity alone. He wanted to see how -much would be left of the expensive timekeeper when it hit the ground. - -Benner drew back his arm. For a second, Wild Bill doubted whether -he would keep his nerve and go on with his folly. But there was no -backing down on the part of the cattle baron. - -The hand came forward and the five-hundred dollar missile shot -through the air, reflecting the sun like a live coal. It smashed to -earth within a yard of where Wild Bill stood. - -“Hooray for the man in black!” roared Wild Bill. “I had a notion he -wouldn’t be fool enough to throw--but he was.” - -“Hesh, neighbor!” said a Texan, who stood close to Wild Bill. “Don’t -ye go fer ter git Lige Benner down on ye. He’s a power in these -parts, an’ he won’t stand fer any funnin’.” - -“No?” returned the Laramie man. “Well, I didn’t know they raised such -trash in this part of the Lone Star State.” - -At the head of the double line of spectators stood Hank Phelps, ready -to sacrifice his own timepiece. There was no backing down for him, of -course. He stood to win a hundred--by smashing a four-hundred-dollar -watch. Profitable business! Anyhow, the crowd expected Hank Phelps to -make good his side of the bet, and Hank Phelps wasn’t the man to let -another outdo him. - -The second watch shimmered along through the air and dropped into the -dust a foot beyond Benner’s. - -“Phelps has won!” roared the crowd. “The money belongs ter Phelps!” - -The condition of those superb tickers was enough to make a blacksmith -weep. The works had fallen out of Benner’s watch and rolled on into -the dust. Phelps’ timepiece was crushed. - -Wild Bill, however, had lost interest in the condition of the -watches. A small square of paper had fallen from Benner’s watch with -the works. The Laramie man had picked up the paper with the intention -of returning it. There was writing on the small square. One glance -at the writing was enough to make Wild Bill change his mind about -handing the scrap to the owner of the watch. Instead of doing that, -he pushed through the clamoring crowd in a hurried hunt for old Nomad. - -Some people have a habit of carrying important memoranda inside their -watch cases. Properly inscribed on thin paper, notes may be easily -carried under the lid of a timepiece, the watch thus answering, in a -way, for a secret pocket. - -Wild Bill figured that Benner had been using his five-hundred-dollar -watch for this purpose, and that, in the excitement of his wager with -Phelps, he had forgotten the paper. - -The breaking of the watch had released the scrap. The Laramie man, as -we have seen, had picked it up, glanced at it, changed his mind about -handing it over to Benner, and begun a search for the trapper. - -Wild Bill found old Nomad standing in front of the hotel airing his -opinion, in no uncertain language, about using watches for missiles -when stones were so handy. - -“Waugh!” rumbled Nomad, holding forth to a little group that had -formed about him, “they ort ter lock up fellers what does things -like thet. Only a couple o’ ijuts would make sich er locoed play, -anyways. Sufferin’ hyeners! Ain’t ther any fool killers eround these -hyar parts?” - -“Ye’d better stow yer guff,” cautioned a man in the crowd. “Them -fellers aire cattle barons. If some o’ their punchers was ter hear -ye, they might turn loose with their guns. Punchers is touchy, -that-a-way.” - -“I’m some techy myself, pilgrim, when et comes ter playin’ baseball -with five-hunnerd-dollar tickers.” - -At that moment Wild Bill stepped up and caught the old trapper by the -arm. - -“Trail along with me,” said the Laramie man. “I’ve got something -important to talk over with you.” - -There was a crowd in the hotel office, so the pards did not go in. -Instead of entering the hotel, they went around behind. - -“What’s ter pay, Wild Bill?” queried Nomad. “I jedge thar’s er screw -loose, from ther looks o’ yer face.” - -“You saw those ombrays throw the watches?” returned Hickok. - -“Waugh! I was jest airin’ my opinions erbout thet fool pufformance -when ye blowed up an’ made me break off. I reckon I could hev worked -up er fight with some o’ them fellers ef ye’d ’a’ let me alone fer a -minute longer.” - -“Benner smashed his watch good and plenty, Nick. The works rolled out -of the case, and a scrap of paper rolled out with the works.” - -“Whatever was a scrap o’ paper doin’ in er watch?” - -“This scrap had writing on it. More than likely Benner tucked it away -under the watch lid for safe-keeping. I picked it up and was going -to give it to him; then I glanced at the paper and changed my mind.” - -“Ye had a reason fer changin’ yore mind, I’ll bet a stack o’ blues!” -exclaimed the old trapper, with growing interest. “What was et?” - -Wild Bill lifted his right hand, palm upward, and opened his fingers. -The little square scrap lay in the palm. - -“It’s a corner torn off a playing card, Nick,” said the Laramie man. -“Here’s what’s written on it.” - -The writing was in a fine hand and Hickok lifted it closer to his -eyes as he read: - - “Dick Perry captured and held at my place. It’s a risky game, and I - want you to come over in the morning and take him away.” - -Finishing the reading, Hickok minced the scrap fine and flung the -pieces away. - -“H’m,” mused the trapper. “Thet sounds like underhand doin’s, all -right, an’ yit, I dunno what bizness we got mixin’ in.” - -“You got to have a good excuse for every blamed thing?” asked the -Laramie man, with gentle irony. “I don’t believe Pard Cody will get -here from Texico before some time to-morrow. Do you want to sit -around and cool your heels till he comes, or would you like a little -excitement by way of passing the time?” - -“Snarlin’ catermounts, Hickok!” growled Nomad, “ye know I’m allers -ripe an’ ready fer anythin’ with ginger in et, but we ain’t got much -of er holt on the bizness thet consarns thet scrap o’ paper. Whose -watch was et in?” - -“Benner’s--the ombray in the black clothes.” - -“Who sent et ter him? Thet’s the p’int.” - -“I don’t know who sent it to him, and that isn’t the point. This Dick -Perry is the bank that gets our gilt. Why was he captured? Why was -the capture risky business? Why is Benner to take Dick Perry away in -the morning?” - -Nomad removed his hat and ran his fingers through his long hair. - -“Pass ther ante, Wild Bill,” he replied. “Thar’s a hull lot erbout -thet scrap o’ paper I don’t know, an’ I reckon thar’s a hull lot you -don’t.” - -“We can find out a little. Wait here a minute.” - -The Laramie man disappeared around the front of the hotel. When he -came back, which was only two or three minutes later, he was towing -the lanky Texan whom he had seen leaning against the post just before -the cattle barons performed with their watches. - -“Whatever d’ye want with me, neighbor?” queried the Texan. - -“You’re acquainted pretty well in this section?” asked Wild Bill. - -“Tollable.” - -“What’s your label?” - -“Sim Pierce. Come from San Antone, ’riginally. Mebby ye’ve heerd tell -o’ the Pierces o’ San Antone?” - -“No. My name’s Hickok, and this is my pard, old Nomad. We belong with -Buffalo Bill’s outfit of trouble-chasers.” - -“Shucks!” muttered Sim Pierce. “I’ve heerd of all o’ ye. Tickled -plumb through ter make yer acquaintance.” - -They shook hands elaborately. - -“What we want,” said Wild Bill, “is to get a little information.” - -“Waal, let ’er go. If I got the brand ye want, et’s on tap.” - -“Do you know a man called Dick Perry?” - -Sim Pierce gave a jump that almost unjointed his shambling frame. - -“Sure I know him,” said he. “But why?” - -He squinted his eyes apprehensively at Wild Bill. From his manner, -the Laramie man knew that he had opened up a pay streak that it would -pay to develop. - -“I’m just asking for information, that’s all,” said Wild Bill. - -Sim Pierce seemed very much disturbed. After squinting around him -apprehensively, he went on in a lowered voice. - -“Come out flatfooted, neighbor, an’ tell me whether ye’re inquirin’ -as a friend o’ Perry’s er a friend o’ the cattle baron?” - -“Cattle barons? Which cattle barons?” - -“Principally Benner an’ Phelps, them fellers that throwed the -watches.” - -“Pard,” rumbled Nomad, with an expression of profound disgust, “don’t -fer a minit reckon we’re friends o’ them locoed rawhides, kase we -ain’t. Us fellers hes got some self-respect. Ye hurt my dignity a -hull lot by askin’ whether we’re friends o’ them fool mavericks.” - -“Then, I take it,” pursued Sim Pierce, still with his air of mystery, -“thet ye’re friendly ter Perry? The feller needs friends, an’ I -reckon I’m the only one he’s got in this town, less’n it is the -sky pilot, Jordan, who breezes in here oncet a month on his gospel -circuit. But I ain’t talkin’ erbout my friendship fer Perry so’st -every one kin hear. Not me. I got too much regyard fer my health.” - -“What’s the matter with Perry?” - -“Nothin’, only the barons aire down on him.” - -“Why are they down on him?” - -“Kain’t savvy, but they’re makin’ life hard fer Perry, an’ no -mistake. They’re tryin’ ter freeze him out o’ the grazin’ lands on -the Brazos.” - -“This Perry is straight goods?” - -“Straight as a string.” - -“And the cattle barons have got it in for him, and are trying to kick -him out of these parts?” - -“That’s the way the land lays.” - -“Then I’m his friend right from the drop of the hat!” - -“Me, too!” chimed in old Nomad. “Them watch-slingers hev showed their -calibre a-plenty, so fur’s I’m consarned. I’m fer Perry.” - -“Then stand right hyer an’ hold yer bronks a spell,” whispered Sim -Pierce. - -He vanished toward the front of the hotel. In less than five minutes -he came back, bringing with him a slightly built, boyish-looking chap -in a long, black coat. - -“Gents,” said Sim Pierce, flourishing one of his long arms, “this -here’s the Reverend Ben Jordan. He’s a gospel sharp, but it ain’t -struck in enough so’t it hurts. He’s one o’ the boys, Ben Jordan is. -He’s done more ter chase the devil off this range than ary other man -in Texas.” - -The Reverend Ben Jordan laughed. It was a whole-souled, hearty laugh -that made Nomad and Wild Bill his friends right from the jump. - -“There’s a good deal of the devil still left on the range, Sim,” said -the sky pilot, “in spite of my efforts. These gentlemen are Wild -Bill and old Nomad, I believe you said, pards of Buffalo Bill’s?” - -“Kerect,” answered Pierce. - -Jordan grabbed Wild Bill’s hand, and then Nomad’s. - -“I’m mighty glad to meet up with you,” said the sky pilot. “I’m -an admirer of Buffalo Bill’s--an unknown admirer--and to meet his -compadres is a pleasure I shall long remember. Sim says you gentlemen -are also friends of Dick Perry’s. I’m glad of that, too. Perry, just -now, needs all his friends. If----” - -At that moment, Lige Benner and Hank Phelps came hurrying around the -end of the hotel. - -“There he is!” cried Benner, pointing to Wild Bill. - -“Make him give up!” called Phelps. - -Old Nomad edged around to Wild Bill’s side, and the pards presented -a solid front. Benner and Phelps slackened pace. They were not in so -much of a hurry as they had been, but they still had something on -their minds--something that wasn’t pleasant. - - - - - CHAPTER IV. - - THE SKY PILOT TAKES A HAND. - - -“Did you say something?” asked Wild Bill, looking the cattle barons -over with a grin which he made as irritating as possible. - -“You were seen to pick up somethin’ in the road,” said Benner -angrily, “somethin’ that came out of my watch. I want it.” - -“Oh, you do. You’ll have to go into details a little more if you -expect me to identify what you’ve lost. Was there anything but the -works that came out of that watch?” - -“You know mighty well there was!” scowled Benner. - -“I know mighty well that you’ve got to tell me what you lost before I -can tell you whether or not I know anything about it.” - -“That is very reasonable, Mr. Benner,” put in the sky pilot. “It is -necessary for----” - -“Dry up!” interrupted Phelps roughly. “You ain’t got a thing to do -with this, Jordan, so you keep out.” - -“What have you got to do with it, Mr. Phelps?” queried the sky pilot -pleasantly. “I thought it was Mr. Benner who had lost something.” - -“Oh, I’ve got plenty to do with it!” snorted Phelps, giving his head -a flirt that set all the dangling brim ornaments to clattering. “I -sent him what he lost.” - -Wild Bill was exceedingly glad to hear this, although he made no -sign, to that effect. - -“We’ve used our bazoos a-plenty,” growled Benner. “Are you going to -give me that?” he demanded. - -“I’ll give you a piece of my mind, in a minute, if you don’t tell me -what you want, and what you think I’ve got,” said Wild Bill, between -his teeth. - -“Waugh!” chimed in the old trapper, who had been keeping silent -only by a great effort. “Ef ye git too rantankerous, I’ll hand ye a -fistful of five, with my compliments. We ain’t thieves, we ain’t. -We’re pards o’ Buffler Bill’s, an’ no measly, locoed watch manglers -aire goin’ ter insult us.” - -Old Nomad looked so hostile that Benner cast a look around him as -though searching for some of his cowboys. - -“What I’m after,” he went on, less truculently, “is a piece of paper -with some very important notes on it. I carried the paper under the -lid of my watch, and I forgot to remove it when I threw the watch.” - -“Tell me what was on the paper,” insisted Wild Bill. “I picked up -something that wasn’t addressed or signed, and that might have been -dropped by any man, woman or child in Hackamore. You tell me what was -on the paper, Benner--this paper that Phelps sent to you--and if it -matches what I read, I’ll tell you where the paper is.” - -Wild Bill had the cattle barons in a corner. Neither would dare -to repeat the contents of that piece of paper. It was the sort of -writing that could not be turned into public talk without exciting -comment. - -“I was told you picked up the paper,” said Benner, with a fierce look -at the Laramie man, “an’ you know well enough that it dropped out o’ -my watch. There’s no need of talking about what was written in the -note--it was private, anyway.” - -Phelps, meanwhile, had seen the little scraps lying on the ground. -From these he must have inferred what had happened to Benner’s -memoranda. Catching his companion’s arm, Phelps drew him to one side -and whispered to him. Benner swept a look over the ground at the -minced fragments of the bit of thin pasteboard, then lifted his eyes -to Wild Bill. - -“You’ll find, my man,” he cried, “that Lige Benner has some power up -and down the Brazos. This ain’t the end of this flare-up.” - -With that, he whirled around and he and Phelps vanished in the -direction of the street. - -“Waugh!” breathed the old trapper regretfully, “another chance fer -a fight gone a-glimmerin’. Ain’t et possible fer us ter git inter a -scrap noways?” - -The sky pilot dropped a hand on his arm. - -“You’re too gallant a man, Nomad,” said he, “to get into a fight for -the mere love of it. It’s a sign of barbarism for men to be too free -with their fists and their hardware.” - -“I jest dote on barbarism,” carolled Nomad. “I’m plumb savage, elder, -an’ I got ter hev a set-to oncet er day er git bilious.” - -The sky pilot laughed genially and thumped the old war horse on the -back. - -“You’re a man after my own heart,” he declared, “and I can see that; -what’s more, you’re about as barbarous as a chipmunk until your fur -is ruffled the wrong way. I wouldn’t give two cents for a man who -hadn’t the sand to stick up for his rights. Brother, you and I are -going to get along. Now, tell me what you’ve found out about the -Perrys.” - -Wild Bill and Nomad were taking a big liking to Jordan. He was vastly -different from most circuit-riding ministers they had met. - -“Where’s Sim Pierce?” queried Wild Bill, looking around for that -worthy. - -Sim Pierce had mysteriously vanished. - -“Oh,” smiled Jordan, “Sim lit out. He’s careful of his health, you -know, and he didn’t want Benner and Phelps to catch him fraternizing -with you. These cattle barons seem to be a law unto themselves on the -Brazos, and most of the people in these parts try to keep on the good -side of them. But never mind Sim. Tell me about the Perrys.” - -Feeling that here was a man to be trusted to the limit, Wild Bill -told him about the paper that had dropped from Benner’s watch. A -thoughtful frown crept over the sky pilot’s face as the Laramie man -repeated the contents of the paper. - -“The barons have been getting more and more reckless in their -dealings with Perry,” said Jordan; “they have gone from one lawless -act to another until now they have captured him and taken him away. -Phelps admitted that he had sent that note to Benner; and that means, -my friends, that Perry is being held a prisoner at Phelps’ ranch.” - -“Whoop-ya!” murmured the trapper. “S’posin’ we ride out ter Phelps’ -place an’ lift Perry’s blockade? What d’ye say? Et’s er noble deed, -an’ mebbyso et’ll lead ter a ruction.” - -“Will you be guided by me, my friends?” asked the sky pilot -earnestly. “I am familiar with the situation along this part of -the Brazos, and I know pretty nearly everybody in this part of the -country. Perhaps, equipped as I am, I can judge better than you what -is best to be done.” - -“Throw et up ter us, elder. Any palaver ye kin hand out will receive -full attention.” - -“Thank you. Don’t try to go to Phelps’ ranch this side of dewfall. -Wait till night comes. From now on, Benner and Phelps will have both -of you men watched. The barons know you got that note, and they can -guess that you read it and then tore it up. If you try to go to -Phelps’ before night, there’ll be trouble, and you’ll get the worst -of it.” - -“We’re not dodging trouble so you can notice it, amigo,” returned -Wild Bill. - -“I hope, for Dick Perry’s sake, that you will dodge trouble, and keep -your hands clear so that you can help him. Will you give me a part in -the work before you?” - -This was embarrassing to the pards--to have a minister along with -them when the prospects were bright for rough work. - -“I’ll not be a hindrance to you,” continued Jordan, noting the pards’ -hesitation, “but, on the other hand, my familiarity with the country -may prove a help. I have a marriage ceremony for four o’clock; after -that, I’ll join you at supper at the hotel. Following supper, we’ll -saddle up and ride toward Phelps’ ranch. On the way, we’ll stop at -Perry’s. Perry’s daughter, Hattie, must be about wild over what’s -happened to her father.” - -“Is there any one at Perry’s besides the girl?” asked Wild Bill. - -“No one, now, but Nate Dunbar, a cowboy who works for Perry and has -an interest in the cattle. Dunbar may know something about Perry -which will be a help to us. We’ll ride to Perry’s first, see Nate -Dunbar and Hattie, then go on to Phelps’ ranch.” - -“Parson,” spoke up Nomad, grabbing Jordan’s hand, “ye’ve shore made -er hit with me. This hyar’s ther fust time on reecord I ever trotted -a heat with a sky pilot, but I’m cottonin’ ter you real strong, an’ I -fer one will be tickled ter hev ye go with us.” - -“Nomad’s sentiments are mine, parson,” seconded Wild Bill. “You go -ahead and splice that couple at four o’clock, then blow in at the -hotel and we’ll sit in together at the chuck table.” - -“Thank you for your confidence in me,” said Jordan quietly. “You’ll -find that I’m not a figurehead in the enterprise, I think. You are -brave men, and pards of one of the bravest and most chivalrous -Westerners the border has ever known. It is a pleasure to be engaged -in such a venture with you. Adios, for the present.” - -The slender, boyish figure turned and swiftly vanished. Old Nomad -stood staring after him. - -“Hickok,” said he, slowly turning to the Laramie man, “I’m er Piegan -of thet sky pilot ain’t cuttin’ a wider swath in my regyard than I -ever thort one could. He seems ther clear quill.” - -“And so he is, if I know the brand. But I hope our ride to the Brazos -won’t turn out a Sunday-school picnic.” - -“Et won’t be ther parson’s fault ef et does,” chuckled the trapper. -“Did ye mark his eye, Pard Hickok? Et’s what they calls a fightin’ -eye. Ef necessary, I’ll bet a blue stack thet Jordan kin convart the -heathen by an upper cut an’ a right hook ter ther jaw. Oh, I’m plumb -gone on him.” - -“He’ll do,” returned Hickok briefly, but with conviction. “We’ve been -in town about three hours, Nick, and we’ve got the cattle barons down -on us.” - -“What do we care? Thet means excitement--somethin’ ter fill in ther -time till Buffler gits hyar. Ye was pinin’ fer thet, a spell ago.” - -“I’m pining for it now, too. Come on, pard, and let’s mosey back into -the main street.” - -“Kerect. Ef any o’ Benner’s ’r Phelps’ punchers makes er dead set at -us prior ter supper, us two’ll turn Hackamore inside out.” - - - - - CHAPTER V. - - “COME-ALONGS.” - - -The clerk at the Delmonico Hotel, as the shanty hostelry was called, -made a mistake while Wild Bill, Nomad and Cayuse were at supper with -the sky pilot. A man came in with a small package wrapped in a piece -of newspaper. - -“Charlie,” said the man to the clerk, “tuck this here package away in -Lige Benner’s saddlebags.” - -Charlie was shaking dice over the board counter with a cowboy. The -clerk was trying to find out whether he’d give the cowboy a cigar for -nothing or make him pay double for it. - -“All right, neighbor,” said the preoccupied Charlie, turning from the -counter with the package in one hand and the dice box in the other. - -There were half a dozen pairs of saddlebags hanging from nails on the -wall. Charlie was the custodian of those bags, and was supposed to -know to whom each pair belonged. - -He dropped the package under a flap of one of the bags and then -turned and went on with his gambling. - -Benner, Phelps and one or two more cattlemen came out of the dining -room a few minutes later, closely followed by Wild Bill, Nomad, -Cayuse and the sky pilot. - -“Oh, Lige,” called the clerk, “there was a feller in here, a spell -ago, with a package done up in a piece o’ newspaper. He said it was -ter go in yore saddlebags, so I slipped it in.” - -“Much obliged, Charlie,” answered Benner. - -It was casual talk, and was overheard casually by the pards and the -parson. - -An hour later, when Nomad, Wild Bill, Cayuse and Jordan were riding -at a leisurely clip for the Brazos, keeping a sharp lookout for -hostile cowboys, the Laramie man reached into his warbag for a pouch -of tobacco. His groping hand encountered something which he could not -remember having placed in the bag. - -“Thunder!” he exclaimed, drawing his horse to a halt. - -“What’s up, pard?” asked Nomad, as he and the others likewise halted. - -“I don’t know what’s up,” answered Wild Bill. “Lean over, Nick, and -get a firestick to going. Have I got my own warbags, or somebody -else’s?” - -The trapper struck a light and held it over the battered leather -receptacles which always traveled with Hickok whenever he rode. - -“They’re yoren, Hickok,” declared Nomad. “Ye could pick out them bags -from a thousand.” - -“The bags may be mine, Nick, but I’ll take oath this don’t belong to -me.” - -In the glow of the match Wild Bill presented the package for the -others’ inspection. - -“Ye didn’t put that in yer warbags, eh?” - -“No. I never saw it before. Strike another match and let’s see what’s -inside.” - -Examination showed Wild Bill and his companions two pairs of steel -bracelets. Everybody was staring and wondering. - -“Now, how the blazes did those ‘come-alongs’ get into my gear?” -demanded Wild Bill, completely at sea. “I never owned a pair of -manacles in my life, and the only time I ever used any was when I -was town marshal, up at Abilene. Even then I shied at the things. How -did these get into my warbags? Parson, are you a mind reader?” - -The sky pilot laughed. - -“I don’t have to be a mind reader to settle that point, Mr. Hickok,” -he answered. “Do you recall a brief conversation that passed between -the clerk at the Delmonico Hotel and Lige Benner when we came out of -the dining room, right after supper? The clerk called out to Benner -that a man had brought a package wrapped in newspaper, and that the -package had been put in Benner’s saddlebags. I shouldn’t wonder if -the clerk had made a mistake in the bags. Instead of putting the -package into Benner’s, Wild Bill, he put it into yours.” - -“Pard Jordan,” chirped Nomad, “yore head is some level, an’ no -mistake. Ye’ve called the turn. Pard Hickok has got sheriff’s -property as was intended fer Benner.” - -“Right-o!” declared Wild Bill, with a chuckle. “I’ve got some of -Benner’s hardware, all right. The sheriff must be a friend of his, -eh, Jordan?” - -“That’s the pity of it, in this section,” the sky pilot answered. -“The law winks at the lawlessness of the cattle barons, and that’s -what makes the situation so hard for Perry. There is no doubt but -that the sheriff sent those manacles to the hotel for Benner.” - -“But whyever was it?” inquired Nomad. “Why ther blazes should Benner -want come-alongs? Is he goin’ ter put ’em on Perry?” - -“It’s likely that he needs them in his lawless work,” returned -Jordan. “Those ugly things are only used on prisoners, and the only -prisoners Benner may have to take care of are those at the Perry -ranch. I argue evil things from the fact that there are two sets of -gyves.” - -“What’s the argument?” came from Wild Bill, as he put the handcuffs -in his pocket, filled his pipe, lighted it and made ready to continue -the ride. - -“Why,” said Jordan, “one pair would be enough for Perry. The other -pair may be for Nate Dunbar, Perry’s partner. I’m afraid we’re going -to find affairs in something of a tangle at Perry’s ranch. Let’s -hurry on.” - -For more than two hours they hurried, the sky pilot sitting his -horse with all the skill and ease of a professional range rider, and -bearing the discomforts of the rapid journey in admirable style. - -At the end of two hours the party was in the scant timber that -fringed the Brazos, and had pointed upstream. Abruptly, the sky pilot -drew rein. - -“Friends,” said he, “half a mile ahead of us is Perry’s ranch. We -don’t know the situation there, and I am sorely troubled as to what -we shall find. Some of Benner’s cowboys may be in possession of the -place, or lurking in the vicinity. I would suggest that one of us -ride ahead and reconnoitre; and the one to do this, it seems to me, -is Wild Bill.” - -“Just as you say, parson,” answered Wild Bill. - -“Nomad, Little Cayuse and I will wait here,” went on Jordan. “If -everything is all right at the ranch, and you want us to come on, -fire your revolver three times into the air. The sound will carry -this far, and we’ll hear it and come. If there is anything wrong, -return to us and we’ll try to decide what is best to be done. I am -exceedingly apprehensive over this matter.” - -Wild Bill thought that Jordan was letting his apprehensions carry -him too far, and that there was no need for so much caution in -approaching the ranch. However, all the pards were more than willing -to please the sky pilot in such a small matter. - -“I’m off, amigos,” announced Wild Bill. - -His horse, Beeswax, answered to the touch of the spurs and bounded -away through the timber. - -Wild Bill halted when he came close to the ranch house, and swept -his eyes carefully around the vicinity. He saw nothing to excite his -suspicions. He could hear horses in the corral, and he could see a -glow of lamplight coming from the windows of the cabin. - -“The girl and Dunbar are in the house,” muttered the Laramie man, -“and if they’re worried about Perry, the fact is not evident -from this distance. I’ll slash along, just as though there -weren’t any hostile barons on the Brazos. If any cowboys present -themselves--well, they’ll make as good targets for me as Beeswax and -I will make for them.” - -He laughed softly and spurred onward. The door was open when he drew -up before it, and a flood of lamplight poured through. A figure stood -in the light--a figure that brought Wild Bill up rigidly in his -saddle. His astonishment was intense. - -“Well, by gorry!” he exclaimed. “Have I got the blind staggers? Pard -Cody, is that you?” - -“There’s no mistake, Wild Bill,” came back in the familiar tones of -the king of scouts. “Get down and tell me what brings you here?” - -Wild Bill got down and leaned against his saddle. He was dazed, and -was trying to guess how fate had shuffled and dealt the cards in this -amazing fashion. - -“I can’t seem to pull myself together, Pard Cody,” said Wild Bill. -“Did you drop in here to spend the night on your way from Texico?” - -“I dropped into another place before I came here,” answered the -scout; “and, if I hadn’t, I shouldn’t be here now.” - -A cowboy pushed into the light and out through the door behind the -scout. - -“Who’s this, Buffalo Bill?” the cowboy asked. - -“It’s my pard from Laramie, Wild Bill Hickok,” said the scout. - -“From Hackamore?” - -“That’s the last place he hailed from, I reckon.” - -“How does he happen to be here?” - -“That’s what I’m trying to get him to tell me. First, though, you -fellows strike hands. Hickok, this amigo is Nate Dunbar. He has an -interest in Perry’s cattle, and he’s all right.” - -They shook hands. - -“Now,” went on the scout, “give me the right of this, Pard Hickok. -Why are you here?” - -“I’m here to see how things stack up at this ranch,” said Hickok. -“Something came my way in Hackamore that offered a chance for -excitement while we were waiting for you to ride in from Texico.” - -“You came alone?” - -“Hardly.” Pulling his revolver, the Laramie man fired three quick -shots into the air. “The rest will hear that,” he explained, “and -come a-running. Meanwhile, as explanations will consume a little -time, where’ll I put the caballo?” - -“In the corral,” answered Dunbar. “I’ll take the bronk.” - -Turning the horse over to the cowboy, Wild Bill walked into the cabin -with the scout. - -“This has been a night of surprises,” said Buffalo Bill, “and not -the least of the surprises is this meeting with you. I’m glad you’re -here, though. There’s a tangle at this ranch, and we’re to unravel -it.” - -“Buenos!” murmured Wild Bill, taking a chair; “maybe I can help in -the unraveling more than you think.” - -A clatter of approaching hoofs sounded. The scout started forward in -his chair. - -“Don’t be in a taking, pard,” counseled Wild Bill. “Nomad, Little -Cayuse and the sky pilot are riding up. I left them back in the -timber.” - - - - - CHAPTER VI. - - PARDS IN COUNCIL. - - -The coming of Jordan was another surprise to the scout. When he, and -Dunbar, and the scout, and Nomad, and Wild Bill were gathered in the -living room of the ranch house, with Little Cayuse on guard over the -live stock at the corral, a council was held. - -Hickok told of the watch-throwing contest in Hackamore, of the scrap -of paper, its message, and how he, Nomad and Cayuse had happened to -ride to Perry’s on their way to Phelps’ ranch. The “come-alongs” also -came up for discussion. - -“These may come handy, pards,” remarked the king of scouts -significantly, looking the handcuffs over and then dropping them into -his own pocket. - -“Take this, too,” said Wild Bill, “unless you want to call in a -blacksmith to get them off of whoever you put them on.” - -He passed over a key, which went into the scout’s pocket along with -the manacles. - -Then Buffalo Bill told how he had dropped in on Red Steve and Nate -Dunbar at the dugout, and of the ride to the ranch house. - -“There’s no use waiting here any longer for Perry,” the scout -finished. “From the information you bring, Wild Bill, it seems -certain that Perry is in the hands of the cattle barons, and is being -held at Phelps’ place.” - -“Ther onnery cattle dealers tried ter make a clean sweep,” put in -Nomad. “They captered Dunbar, Perry an’ the gal. Through a piece o’ -luck thet was some wonderful, ye managed ter help Dunbar. He’s at -large, but the gal an’ her father aire still in the hands o’ ther -enemy.” - -“I’m terribly worried about Hattie and Dick,” said Jordan. “They’re -fine people, and I’ve feared for a long while that something like -this would happen. Benner is a man who believes that might makes -right. He’s all-powerful on the Brazos, backed up as he is by Phelps -and the other cattle barons. He can be as lawless as he pleases, -and what law there is in this country will never touch him. The -situation, gentlemen, is a sad commentary on our free institutions.” - -“I reckon, pards,” observed Wild Bill, “that the girl is also at -Phelps’.” - -The scout nodded. - -“That it seems to me,” he answered, “is where she would be taken. -Both prisoners, I think, would be kept in the same place.” - -“But,” went on Wild Bill, “these barons realize that they’re playing -a risky game. Phelps understands that, anyhow, for he said so in that -scrap of writing which Benner had in his watch.” - -The scout knotted his forehead over a detail of the situation which -he could not fathom. - -“Why,” he queried, “should Phelps write that note and hand it to -Benner? They were together in Hackamore. Why did Phelps put such -stuff on paper when he could have told it to Benner?” - -“It was private business, Buffalo Bill,” suggested the sky pilot -dryly, “so private that the barons did not dare speak about it in -Hackamore.” - -“Granted. The explanation is a little far-fetched, friend Jordan, -but we’ll let it go. But why was Benner keeping the paper in his -watch? One reading would have been enough for him, it seems to me. -After getting the gist of the paper talk, it would have been safer -for Benner to do with it what Wild Bill did afterwards--tear it up.” - -“There’s no accounting for what those cattle barons do,” said the sky -pilot, shaking his head. “They have suddenly become so prosperous -that their heads are turned. ‘The love of gold is the root of all -evil,’ my friends. Much wealth has a deplorable effect on the -majority of us.” - -“There’s a little evil, I reckon, parson,” returned the Laramie -man, “that gold hasn’t much to do with. For instance, there’s no -glittering wealth back of the barons’ persecution of the Perrys.” - -“It’s the riches of which Benner has suddenly become possessed,” -insisted the sky pilot, “that leads him into all these excesses. Too -much money has turned his brain. What man, of Benner’s professed -standing in this community, would allow himself to make war on the -Perrys as he has done?” - -Nate Dunbar muttered savagely under his breath. - -“There’s just one thing to do,” he averred, with a snap of his jaws -and a savage glimmer in his eyes. - -“What’s thet?” asked the trapper. - -“Lay for Benner!” said Dunbar, through his teeth. “Hang out in the -brush and put a bullet where it will do the country the most good!” - -Jordan leaned over and dropped a gentle hand on the cowboy’s shoulder. - -“My friend,” he murmured, “those words are not from your heart. I -know you too well. You’re not the sort of fellow to skulk in the -brush like a rattlesnake and strike at the man who comes along. Why, -Nate, even a rattlesnake gives warning. No, no. Face this manfully, -and in the open. Such injustice cannot thrive. Take my word for it, -it will not succeed.” - -“Amigo,” answered Dunbar. “I think a heap of you; we all do, at this -ranch. But hasn’t injustice thrived here for months? What’s happened -to Perry’s cattle? Might has made right for a long time. I’m getting -tired waiting for a change.” - -“It is a long lane that has no turning, Nate,” said the sky pilot -with an encouraging smile, “and I have a feeling that this lane is -close to that point. Providence has been kind to you and to the -Perrys. Can’t you see the hand of Providence in what happened at Red -Steve’s? Buffalo Bill was brought to your rescue, even as Wild Bill -and old Nomad discovered things in Hackamore that brought them to the -aid of Perry and Hattie. These,” the sky pilot indicated the scout -and his pards with a gesture, “are stanch friends--men renowned for -their deeds--against whom the cattle barons cannot prevail. Trust the -future, man! Give Buffalo Bill and his friends your full confidence, -and then abide by the result.” - -Dunbar was heartened not a little by the sky pilot’s words. - -“I’m willin’ to do anything a man can do,” said he. “I’m only human, -parson, and it grinds me something terrible to see the Perrys treated -as they have been. There are only four in Buffalo Bill’s party--six -with you and me--and you know how many punchers Benner and Phelps can -muster. That’s what makes the thing look hopeless.” - -“The race is not always to the swift, Nate, nor the battle to the -strong.” - -“Well, parson, I always pin my faith on a horse that can go, and put -my confidence in the outfit that has the biggest number.” - -“Which is wrong, Nate. Intellect counts most in this world. It’s the -thinkers who take victory from mere numbers and brute force.” - -“And that’s over my head, parson. Not but that I believe in Buffalo -Bill--only I want to be shown that things will come our way, and I -want to be shown quick.” - -“We’ll begin showing you to-morrow,” said the scout. - -“How?” asked Dunbar. - -“In the early morning I will ride to Phelps’ ranch and talk with----” - -“Talking won’t do any good.” - -“This talking will,” was the calm response. - -“’Specially,” grinned the old trapper, “when Buffler backs up his -palaverin’ in his customary way.” - -The sky pilot turned on the scout. - -“Do you really intend, Buffalo Bill,” he asked, “to visit Phelps’ -ranch alone?” - -“Yes.” - -“Will it be safe for you to do so?” - -A flicker of smiles ran around the faces of the pards. - -“I think it will be safe, Brother Jordan,” answered the scout -gravely. “It is not my habit to tangle up with a situation I don’t -think I can handle.” - -“But, by now, Red Steve will have carried word to the cattle barons -that you set Dunbar at liberty. Phelps and Benner will be down on you -just as they are on Wild Bill and Nomad.” - -“Even at that,” laughed the scout, “I’ll warrant that they will not -be unduly discourteous.” - -“Supposing,” interjected Dunbar, “that you don’t get to Phelps’ ranch -until after Benner comes and takes Perry away?” - -“I think I shall get there before them; but, if not, then I will go -to Benner’s.” - -“Take the rest of us with you!” begged the sky pilot. - -“I’ll take you with me,” said the scout, “but you must remain at -a distance. A show of force, at this stage of the game, is out of -the question. A little tact is what we need now more than anything -else. If we all rode to Phelps’ place in a crowd there would be war -immediately; but the barons won’t think they have much to fear if I -go there alone.” - -“Which is ther same as sayin’,” guffawed Nomad, “thet Buffler’s -plannin’ ter take ther cattle barons off’n their guard. He kin do it, -too.” - -The scout got up. - -“Now that we have settled what we are to do,” said he, “we’d better -all turn in and get a little sleep. Nick, you go to the corral and -bunk down with Cayuse. The rest of us will find quarters in the -house.” - -It was with delightful anticipations for the following day that old -Nomad shuffled off to the corral. To Little Cayuse he recounted the -various phases of the problem that confronted the pards, and expanded -glowingly upon the warm work that lay ahead. - -“Things aire goin’ ter be red-hot on ther Brazos, kid,” declared -Nomad. “How you like um, huh?” - -“Like um buenos,” replied the little Piute. “Pa-e-has-ka heap -big chief. Where he go, me trail along. Cattle barons muy malo; -Pa-e-has-ka get um on the run. Ugh!” - - - - - CHAPTER VII. - - AT THE H-P RANCH. - - -Early the following morning, Nate Dunbar closed and locked the door -of the Star-A ranch house. The saddle horses were in front of the -cabin, all in fine fettle after rest and forage. - -The scout’s Bear Paw, the Laramie man’s humorously named Beeswax, -the old trapper’s Hide-rack, the Little Piute’s pinto Navi, Dunbar’s -Buckskin, and the circuit-rider’s roan called George--these were all -in readiness and champing the bit to get away. - -An hour’s ride down the Brazos would bring the party within sight of -the extensive ranch buildings belonging to the H-P outfit. - -At the place where Phelps had located his ranch headquarters, the -Brazos described a wide bend. Bunk house, chuck shanty, corrals for -the horse herds and owner’s house were all located on the tongue of -land half circled by the river. - -From rising ground at a distance of a quarter of a mile the scout and -his party looked down on the H-P headquarters. - -Cowboys were going and coming, and at a hitching-pole in front of the -owner’s cabin a number of tethered bronchos could be seen. - -“Looks ter me,” remarked old Nomad, shading his eyes with his hand -and staring steadily, “as though Phelps had visitors.” - -“He’ll have another visitor, Nick,” laughed the scout, “before he’s -many minutes older.” - -“We’re goin’ ter hang out right hyar in ther scrub an’ watch fer -trouble signs,” averred the trapper. “Ef we savvy thet ther baron is -tryin’ ter put ther kybosh on ye, we’re goin’ ter turn loose an’ ride -over ther hull H-P outfit.” - -“Well,” cautioned the scout, “don’t you make any move until you’re -mighty sure I want you.” - -“Don’t worry about that, pard,” said Wild Bill reassuringly. - -“Perhaps,” spoke up the sky pilot, “I could be of help if I went with -you. I am well known at the H-P ranch, and a good many of the cowboys -are personal friends of mine.” - -“Are they so friendly toward you, friend Jordan,” asked the scout, -“that they would take your part against Phelps?” - -“Why, no. That would be rather too much to expect of them.” - -“Then I don’t believe you could be of much help. Anyhow, I would -rather not give Phelps a chance to think that I’m trying to hide -behind a man of your cloth. Stay here with the rest, friend Jordan, -and I’ll go down and see what I can find out.” - -“Good luck go with you,” murmured the sky pilot. - -The scout’s spurs rattled and Bear Paw galloped clear of the scrub -and down the slope leading to the ranch houses. - -A little distance from Phelps’ private quarters the scout passed a -group of cowboys, lounging in the shade of a tree. There were four in -the group, and they were reclining lazily and smoking and gossiping. -Evidently they were visitors. - -There were five saddle horses secured to the hitching-pole, and -this left one visitor to be accounted for. Probably, ran the scout’s -thought, the missing visitor was in the cabin with Phelps. - -The loafing cattlemen gave the scout keen attention as he loped past. -Even though his name was unknown, yet he was a figure to command -attention anywhere. The magnificent black war horse, without a peer -for looks, mettle and speed, backed by the lithe, athletic form -that swayed in perfect unison with the black’s movements, offered a -picture not easily forgotten. - -The cowboys sat up and stared. The scout waved a hand at them in -friendly wise, slowed pace at the hitching-pole and dismounted. -Quickly he buckled his reins about the pole, moved to the open door -of the cabin and, unannounced, stepped inside. - -A volley of savage oaths greeted his appearance. Calmly he leaned -against the wall and took the measure of the situation. - -He was in a room, a big room, whose floor was littered with catamount -and wolf skins. The furniture, although of the pioneer variety, was -comfortable and somewhat pretentious. - -There were three men in the room. The one that commanded most of the -scout’s attention was, to use a colloquial term, “buck-and-gagged;” -that is, he was trussed up in a manner as uncomfortable as it was -effective. - -He was sitting on the floor, knees hunched up to his chin and his -hands lashed around his knees. Under his knees and over his arms ran -a piece of stick. - -This man, it was clear, was a prisoner. The scout guessed that it was -Dick Perry. - -Perry, if that was really the man’s name, was middle-aged, and well -dressed--considering the clothes worn in that part of the country. - -He wore a blue shirt and his trousers were tucked into the tops of -knee boots. On the floor beside him lay a broad-brimmed hat. Hope -flickered in his eyes as they rested on the scout--hope, and a wild -appeal. - -The other two men in the room were the spectacular persons already -encountered by Wild Bill in the street of Hackamore--the baron in -black and the baron in haciendado regalia. - -The barons, the scout saw at a glance, had been indulging rather too -freely in liquor. They had exploded their oaths and leaped from their -chairs, but they were none too steady on their feet. - -“What’re you doing here?” demanded the man in the greaser costume. - -“I have just happened in for a little call,” answered the scout. - -“Then happen out again. This ain’t my day for callers.” - -“You seem to have a few, nevertheless.” - -The scout went over towards the barons and calmly took a chair. - -“Great tornadoes!” cried the man in black. “Who’s boss here, anyway, -Phelps? Have you got the say about things on your own place?” - -Phelps felt around himself uncertainly. He might have been groping -for a revolver, but, if he was, he failed to get hold of one. - -“Go ’way!” ordered Phelps, glaring. “If you haven’t got any business -here, go ’way. Can’t you see it’s my busy day?” - -“It’s my busy day, too,” returned the scout. “This is far from being -a social call. Your name is Phelps?” - -“That’s my name.” - -“And yours”--the scout leveled a glance at the man in black--“is -Benner?” - -“Yes,” answered Benner, “if it means anything to you. But I don’t -want to talk, and I don’t want any stranger butting in here. Phelps -owns this place, and he’s ordered you out. Make yourself scarce.” - -“If you don’t make yourself scarce,” declared Benner, “I’ll yell for -some of my cowboys. They’ll handle you rough, but if you don’t go on -my order you’ll bring it on yourself.” - -The hands of both barons were now searching unsteadily for firearms. -Fearing that one of them might lay hands on a six-shooter and -accidentally work some havoc with it, the scout took time by the -forelock and developed one of his own weapons. - -“I reckon we’d better understand each other right from the start,” -said he. “I came here to talk business, and I’m not going to leave -until the business is settled. The cowboys outside are not going to -interfere with us, and if one of you men lifts his voice to call for -help, there’ll be fireworks--and the celebration will be mine, not -yours. Hold out your hands.” - -Both barons sputtered wrathfully. - -“No man,” fumed Phelps, “can come into my house and draw a gun on me. -By thunder, I won’t have it!” - -“I’m here,” said the scout, “and the gun is drawn. I reckon you’ll -have to have it--or something worse. Hold out your hands! I’m not in -the habit of giving an order like that twice.” - -There was that in the scout’s eyes and voice that struck fear to the -hearts of the cattle barons. - -They held out their hands--held them out at their sides, on a level -with their shoulders. An idea of a grimly humorous turn flashed -through the scout’s mind. - -“Back to back, gentlemen,” said he, fanning the revolver back and -forth so as to command the two impartially. - -“Who are you?” demanded Phelps, with an oath. - -“I’m a man who’s accustomed to being obeyed. Buffalo Bill is the -name, gentlemen.” - -The barons were not so far gone with liquor as not to feel a thrill -at the sound of that name. And there were a few qualms mixed with the -thrills. - -“Red Steve was telling me about you!” broke from Benner. “He got to -the ranch before I started for here and----” - -“He delivered my message, did he?” asked the scout. “If he did, -you’ll understand that this call of mine this morning is on behalf of -the under dog. You heard what I said?” The scout got up and advanced -toward the barons. “Back to back!” - -The two men, their angry eyes on the revolver, placed themselves in -the position required by the scout. - -“I’ll go this buck-and-gag game one better,” proceeded the scout. - -Shifting his revolver to his left hand, with his right he took a pair -of handcuffs from his pocket. One of the cuffs he snapped around -Phelps’ left wrist, the other around Benner’s right. - -“I won’t stand for this!” cried Phelps; “I’ll be hanged if I----” - -The muzzle of the scout’s revolver looked Phelps between the eyes, -and his furious protest died on his lips. - -“You’ll be hanged quick enough, I reckon,” remarked the scout, “if -the law ever comes into its own on the Brazos. Just now you’ll stand -for whatever I choose to throw your way.” - -“And I’ve got four men right outside there,” muttered Benner. - -“Phelps has more men outside than you have, Benner,” said the scout, -“and they’re not helping him any more than yours are helping you.” - -While he was talking he was snapping the other pair of handcuffs into -place on Phelps’ right wrist and Benner’s left. - -When the work was done, the cattle barons were cunningly fastened -back to back, torturingly helpless. A coiled riata swung from a peg -in the wall. The scout put up his revolver, took down the rope and -made ready for a short cast of the loop over the heads and shoulders -of the barons. - -He opened the noose wide, for he wanted it to clear the outstretched -arms of the captives. The two men were muttering and writhing, -straining at the handcuffs to each other’s visible discomfort. - -The noose left the scout’s hand, hovered over the heads of the two -men and then dropped downward. When the circle of hemp had reached -their knees, the scout jerked it suddenly taut. A low laugh came from -Perry. He, at least, was enjoying this bit of work. - -“Take it easy, gentlemen,” laughed Buffalo Bill; “we’re going to talk -business in a minute.” - - - - - CHAPTER VIII. - - A DASH FOR FREEDOM. - - -Considering the circumstances, Buffalo Bill’s manœuvre was audacious -in the extreme. Overawing the barons and treating them in such -a high-handed manner, right on their own ground, was a reckless -proceeding. It needed a man of resource and determination like the -scout to carry it through to a success. - -Buffalo Bill, however, although he had acted on the spur of the -moment, was not blind to the dangers that surrounded him. He was -lightning quick in probing chances and forecasting probabilities. - -There were two things he wanted to do. One was to snatch Perry out of -that camp of enemies; and the other was to discover what had become -of Perry’s daughter. - -Moving quickly to the door, Buffalo Bill looked over the surroundings -of the cabin. The four cowboys were still smoking and talking under -the trees. In the other direction, cowboys were catching up horses -out of the corral, saddling and riding away to their places on the -range. - -No one outside the cabin seemed to know or care what was happening to -the cattle barons. - -Mightily relieved, the scout whirled away from the open door. As he -did so, there was a crash that shook the cabin floor. The two barons, -in their struggles to free their feet of the encircling noose, had -toppled over and fallen. - -Secured to each other as they were, they were in a sorry plight. -Buffalo Bill hurried to them and adjusted their arms so that they -would be more comfortable. - -“Stop your struggling,” said he, “and you’ll be a whole lot better -off.” - -“What do you mean by making an attack on me, right on my own ground?” -asked Phelps. - -“That’s where we begin to talk business, Phelps,” said the scout. -“The prisoner you have in this room is Dick Perry?” - -“Yes, that’s my name,” spoke up the prisoner. - -In some manner Perry had freed himself of his gag and was able to -talk. - -Keeping a wary eye on the barons, Buffalo Bill backed over to Perry -and pulled the stick from under his knees. Perry at once arose to his -feet and slipped his hands out of the coils at his wrists. - -“I owe you a debt of gratitude for this,” said he; “a debt that I----” - -“Never mind that now, Perry,” interrupted the scout. “We’re not out -of the woods yet by a long shot. Is your daughter here, at Phelps’ -ranch?” - -A wild look crossed Perry’s face. - -“My daughter?” he returned. “Good heavens! You don’t mean to say that -she--that these scoundrels have----” - -“You’re in the dark, I see, Perry,” cut in the scout, “so the chances -are that your daughter isn’t here. She was taken away from the ranch -some time last night.” - -Perry grabbed up a chair and started toward the two men on the floor. -The scout caught him by the shoulders. - -“Careful!” he warned. “A move like that won’t help us any. Don’t lose -heart--we’ll find the girl.” - -The scout went back to the cattle barons. - -“Watch the lay of the land outside, Perry,” said the scout. “If you -see any one coming this way, let me know at once.” - -Perry put down the chair and cautiously took up a position by the -open door. - -“You’ve got the bulge on us, Buffalo Bill,” said Benner. “Take these -confounded manacles off our hands.” - -“They belong to you,” returned the scout, “and I reckon I’ll let -you keep them. Those are the handcuffs that the clerk of the hotel -said he had put in your saddlebags. The clerk put them in the wrong -saddlebags, that’s all. Why did you want two pairs?” - -“That’s our business,” snapped Phelps. “You’re playing a mighty -reckless game, Buffalo Bill, and you’ve about one chance in a -thousand to win out. You may be able to get away from this ranch, but -the Brazos country isn’t big enough to hide you from the men Benner -and I will put on your trail.” - -“I’ll take care of that part of it. You fellows would have more -success in your deviltry if you’d quit passing notes back and forth -and hiding them in your watch cases.” - -Both barons swore. - -“Confound it, Phelps,” gurgled Benner, “that was your fault.” - -“Oh, yes,” snorted Phelps, “whenever you make a misplay it’s my -fault! When I gave you that information I couldn’t talk it, so I had -to write.” - -“And I wasn’t able to read it then, and so I had to put it in my -watch and read it later. But you could have waited. We’d have had -plenty of chance to talk privately before we left Hackamore. That’s -where you was lame. You didn’t wait.” - -“And where was you lame?” taunted Phelps. “Making that bet to throw -watches. Why didn’t you think of what was in that watch of yours, -hey? You----” - -“That’s enough,” interrupted the scout. “Save your bickering until -Perry and I get away. Benner, what have you done with Hattie Perry?” - -“I don’t know anything about Hattie Perry,” answered Benner sulkily. - -“Yes, you do. You’re talking crooked, when you say that; I can see it -in your face. Where is the girl? If you know when you’re well off, -you’ll tell me, and not make any bones about it.” - -“Who’re you, anyhow?” flashed Benner. “You may amount to something in -your own neck of the woods, but you don’t cut much of a caper here on -the Brazos. This is our ground, this is! When Perry sees his daughter -next, she’ll be Mrs. Benner.” - -Fortunately, Perry didn’t hear Benner’s remark. - -“You’ll have another guess coming about that,” said the scout. -“You’re about as contemptible a cur, Lige Benner, as a man could find -in a month’s travel. You two men have a chance, here and now, to -do the right thing and square yourselves. Tell me where Miss Perry -is, and agree to return all the Star-A cattle you’ve rustled and -leave Perry and Dunbar alone in future, and we’ll call this account -settled. It will be mighty small payment for you scoundrels to make. -Hang out against my proposition, and I’ll camp down on the Brazos -until I’ve run you men to cover.” - -“That’s big talk,” taunted Phelps. - -“The way I’ve handled you this morning is a sample of the way I and -my pards do things. If you want any more samples, you’ll find us -ready to produce. What have you to say?” - -“Be hanged to you,” snarled Benner. “You’re a long ways from being -out of this yet. You----” - -“Buffalo Bill!” called Perry from the door. - -As the scout looked, Perry motioned frantically; and the scout ran to -the door, the two cattle barons began to yell for help. - -“That settles it,” muttered the scout; “it’s neck or nothing with us, -Perry. That’s my horse--the black at the end of the hitching-pole. -You annex the one hitched alongside. Sharp’s the word!” - -Together they sprang through the door. Cowboys seemed to be coming -from every direction, on foot and on horseback. The four who had been -smoking under the tree were the ones who had caused Perry’s alarm. -They had started toward the house in a body. Whether they were merely -curious, or whether they had heard something which had aroused their -suspicions, the scout never knew. Be that as it might, when the scout -and Perry leaped through the door, the four men were almost upon them. - -“Stop those fellows!” yelled Benner from inside the house. - -There was small need of any urging on the part of the cattle barons. -Benner’s cowboys, seeing Perry free and hurrying away with the man -who had recently arrived on the black horse, suspected at once that a -rescue had been effected. - -The four cowboys hurled themselves at the scout and Perry. Benner’s -men met with a surprise that literally carried two of them off their -feet--a right-hander from the scout did the trick for one, and a -straight-out blow by Perry dropped the other. - -The remaining two made an attempt to snatch their guns from their -belts. The fugitives, however, took advantage of the attempt to use -their fists again. The last pair were bowled over, and the scout and -Perry jumped for their horses. - -To tear the animals free of the hitching-pole required only a moment, -but every moment was precious. The gathering minions of the barons -were almost in front of the log house as the escaping men jumped to -their saddles. - -“Follow me, Perry!” shouted the scout, laying a course up the slope -in the direction of the place where he had left his friends. - -Wild Bill, Nomad, and Dunbar could be seen descending the slope, -their horses at top speed, to cover their pard’s retreat with Perry. - -Revolvers began to crack spitefully and leaden bees hissed through -the air. The excitement of the moment, and the receding targets, -caused every bullet to go wild. - -The fusillade was returned from up the slope, and the mounted cowboys -who had taken up the pursuit, drew wary rein to make out the number -and disposition of the enemies up the “rise.” And while they were -hesitating and making their calculations, Buffalo Bill and Perry were -pounding along and making good in their dash for freedom. - -“Whoop-ya!” roared old Nomad, while the scout and Perry drew closer -up the slope, “le’s tear through ther tin-horn camp, pards, an’ raise -Cain with a big ‘K!’ Le’s cut loose an’ show ’em our own partic’ler -brand o’ destruction! Le’s give ’em er taste o’----” - -“Head the other way, quick!” shouted the scout, as he and Perry came -thundering up. “Heels are trumps, pards, and see how quick you can -play ’em.” - -Nomad yielded. When the scout ordered a move contrary to Nomad’s -desires, he always yielded. - -In a galloping crowd, Dunbar, Wild Bill, Nomad, the scout and Perry -swept over the top of the “rise” and into the scrub. Here they were -joined by Jordan and Little Cayuse, and they skimmed the earth like a -flock of low-flying birds. - -There was no time for talk, no time for anything but an occasional -look behind and a frantic urging of the horses. - -Eight, nine, ten--a dozen mounted men flickered over the crest of the -slope and settled themselves for what they evidently thought was to -be a long chase. - -“Twelve up!” shouted the Laramie man. - -“Not so many, oh, not so many!” roared the old trapper. “We’re six! -What’s two ter one? Waugh! Give ther word, Buffler, an’ we’ll turn on -’em.” - -But the scout did not give the word. There might be no more than -twelve in sight, but under the “rise” were enough cowboys to -literally overwhelm the scout’s small party. - -On went the race. Perry and Dunbar led the fugitives down into the -timber, and there, where the scrub was thickest, there followed an -exciting game of hare and hounds. - -Knowing the country well, Perry and Dunbar were able to take -advantage of every friendly swale and shallow seam in the river -bottom. In brushy coverts the fugitives waited for the dozen cowboys -to rush past, then they doubled back, crossed the river, followed up -the opposite bank, recrossed and paused for breath in a coulee. - -“Sufferin’ reptyles!” mourned old Nomad, slapping Hide-rack’s sweaty -neck, “thet’s new bizness fer We, Us an’ Comp’ny, dodgin’ trouble -thet-a-way. I hope I’ll forgive myself some time fer doin’ et.” - -“You’d have had to forgive yourself for not doing it, Nick,” returned -the scout, dismounting to loosen his saddle cinches, “if we’d taken -any other course. How many cowboys has Phelps got in his outfit, -Perry?” - -“He can muster thirty men, I guess, without much trouble,” answered -Perry. - -“All of that,” seconded Dunbar. - -“It is well we took to our heels, friends,” spoke up the sky pilot. -“If any blood had been shed, it would have been a blot on our -consciences.” - -“Ef we took on er few blots,” said Nomad, “I reckon we’d crimp them -barons an’ save future trouble fer Perry.” - -Cayuse, thoughtful as ever, had left Navi in the bottom of the coulee -and crept up the bank to watch for enemies. Lying on the slope, only -his head and the upright eagle plume in his scalplock showed over the -crest. - -All had dismounted and loosened cinches in order to give their -panting horses more freedom in using their lungs. - -“Dick,” said the sky pilot, reaching out his hand to the harassed -rancher, “I’m sorry you are having this trouble, but I always feared -it would come to something like this.” - -“There was nothing I could do to help it, parson,” answered Perry, -“short of leaving the country. I couldn’t do that, with all I’ve got -in the world tied up at the Star-A.” - -“It is my hope, my prayer, that you will be tided over your -difficulties. If that can be accomplished, these good friends will -see to it, I’m sure.” - -“I’m obliged to Buffalo Bill and his pards. How they came to be mixed -up in my troubles is more than I know. I want to know all about it, -but first, tell me about Hattie. How do you know she has been taken -away by Lige Benner? When did it happen?” - -“Last night, Dick,” answered Dunbar heavily. - -“Where were you yesterday, Nate?” - -“Captured by some of Benner’s men while I was out looking for strays, -turned over to Red Steve, then found and released by Buffalo Bill. -That was in the first half of the night. The scout and I rode to the -ranch and found everything in the living room in disorder--and Hattie -gone.” - -A groan was wrenched from Perry’s lips. - -“Has it come to this,” he cried, “that these scoundrels must make war -on women?” - -His tortured soul found vent in language that shocked the minister’s -ears. - -“Peace, friend,” said Jordan. “You have much to be thankful for. You -are not yourself. Try to be composed.” - -“How did you fall into the hands of Phelps?” asked the scout, more to -get the rancher’s mind to running in another channel than anything -else. - -“I went looking for Nate,” was the answer, “and some of Phelps’ men -roped me in the timber. The noose dropped before I could avoid it, -and I was jerked from the back of my horse. They took me to the H-P -ranch yesterday noon, and Phelps went to Hackamore to see Benner, -report, and get him to send after me. Benner rode over this morning -with an escort of cowboys. The plan was to take me to Benner’s ranch, -but Phelps and Benner got to drinking and, before we started, Buffalo -Bill came.” - -Perry turned on the scout, his eyes wide with wonder. - -“Buffalo Bill,” said he, “if any one had told me that it was possible -for a man to do what you did at Phelps’ this morning I would not have -believed it. In all my life I never saw such a nervy piece of work.” - -Old Nomad began to chuckle. - -“It won’t be long, amigos,” he remarked, “afore these hyar cattle -barons o’ ther Brazos’ll begin ter git acquainted with Buffler Bill. -None o’ Buffler’s pards stack up ter his level, but, ef I do say et, -I reckon we reach purty middlin’ high.” - -“What did you do, pard?” asked Wild Bill. - -“I corrected the mistake which the clerk at the hotel made last -evening,” laughed the scout. - -“Meaning which?” - -“Why, I gave Benner the handcuffs.” - -“With his revolver,” put in Perry, “he forced the two cattle barons -to stand back to back, and then he handcuffed their wrists together. -He finished the work by putting the noose of a riata around their -feet. And that’s the way we left them!” - -“I came away,” added Buffalo Bill, “and forgot to leave the key to -the bracelets, so----” - -Old Nomad was a minute or two grasping the situation the scout had -caused in Phelps’ cabin. Just at this point it broke over him, and -he leaned against Hide-rack and bellowed with mirth. - -“Say,” he sputtered, “this hyar reminds me some o’ ther way Buffler -went inter the Sioux kentry an’ took ole Lightnin’-thet-strikes right -out from ther middle o’ his band. Waugh! Er-waugh! An’ our pard left -them fellers back ter back, handcuffed ter each other, an’ with their -men thicker eround ’em than what fleas is in ole Siskiyou county! I’d -like ter lay off fer a hull day an’ enjoy thinkin’ erbout thet. I -would so!” - -“That was just my kind of a play,” commented Wild Bill regretfully. -“Wish I could have been in on it myself.” - -“Let me know, Buffalo Bill,” requested Perry, “how you knew I was at -the H-P ranch? Phelps was trying to keep that quiet.” - -The scout explained in a few words. - -“Certainly,” murmured Perry, “I ought to be thankful that I have -friends like you and your pards to lend me a helping hand at this -critical time. Every man on the Brazos seems to have been against -Dunbar and me!” - -“Not every man, Dick,” protested Jordan. “Only Benner and Phelps -are really against you. The rest of the cattlemen are so completely -dominated by Benner and Phelps that they don’t dare take sides with -you openly.” - -“We know the stake Benner is playing for,” said Wild Bill, “but what -does Phelps hope to make out of this rascally work?” - -“For one thing,” replied Perry, “Phelps wants the Star-A range. He -tried to buy out the man who sold to me. Maybe it would have been -better if I had gone elsewhere for a location and let Phelps have the -Star-A range. We can never tell about these things until it’s too -late.” - -“Then, too,” spoke up Jordan, “Phelps is a bosom friend of Benner’s. -That’s the principal reason, I suppose, why he’s taking a part in -this rascally work. But prosperity is back of it all--too much -prosperity for men who do not understand how to make the best use of -their wealth.” - -“Isn’t there something we can do for Hattie?” asked Perry -tremulously. “Must we stay cooped up in this coulee, guarding against -an attack from the H-P outfit, while my girl is in the hands of that -scoundrel, Benner?” - -“We’re going to do something for Miss Perry, amigo,” returned the -scout, “and we’ll start the ball to rolling just as soon as we can -decide what’s to be done. If your daughter had been at the H-P ranch, -you’d have discovered it, I think. And I don’t believe Benner would -have her taken to his place. Is there any one else besides Red Steve -on whom Benner could depend for help in dealing with Miss Perry?” - -“There’s Fritz Dinkelmann,” suggested Dunbar. “That Dutchman and his -wife owe Benner money, and while I think Fritz is as honest as the -usual run of men, still, being in debt head over ears to Benner he -might be forced to----” - -“Dinkelmann, Dinkelmann!” muttered Wild Bill. “Say, Nick, wasn’t that -the Dutchman our Dutch pard went to see? Wasn’t it Dinkelmann who----” - -A call came from Cayuse. As he shouted, he beckoned those below -to come up the slope and see with their own eyes something he had -discovered. - -What the pards saw, peering over the crest of the coulee bank, sent -the hot blood pounding through their veins. - -“It’s the baron--our Dutch pard!” shouted Wild Bill; “the fellow we -were just talking about, Perry!” - -“There’s a woman with him,” faltered Perry; “can it be--on my soul, I -think it is----” - -“Yes,” breathed Dunbar hoarsely, “it’s Hattie, Dick! I can see her -plain. An’ behind the two are a score or two of cowboys from Benner’s -ranch, and from the H-P outfit. They outnumber us, but we’ve got to -do something! We can’t stand here like this.” - -Dunbar whirled around and rushed stumbling down the slope toward the -horses. - -“How Benner and Phelps ever got out of those come-alongs so quick is -more than I know,” muttered the scout, “but they’re leading those -cowboys in the pursuit of the baron and the girl. Spurs and quirts, -pards! We’re company front with one of the hardest jobs we ever -tackled, but, as Dunbar says, we’ve got to make a move.” - -No second urging was needed. Every one followed Dunbar down the -slope, cinches were swiftly tightened, and the whole party mounted -and rode away to the help of the baron and the girl. - - - - - CHAPTER IX. - - DUTCH COURAGE. - - -It has been said early in this chronicle, that Chance made a triple -blunder. In one corner of the triangle was Buffalo Bill, dropping -through the roof of Red Steve’s dugout and effecting the release -of Nate Dunbar; in another corner was Wild Bill, watching a queer -contest of watch throwing and finding a scrap of paper which -ultimately led to the relief of Dick Perry; and in the third corner -was Villum von Schnitzenhauser, lured from the rest of his pards by -the prospect of a talkfest with Fritz Dinkelmann. - -The baron had heard of Fritz Dinkelmann at the house of a small -rancher where he, and Wild Bill, and old Nomad, and Little Cayuse had -halted for an hour on their journey toward Hackamore. The rancher had -mentioned Dinkelmann in an off-hand way, and the baron had pressed -inquiries. - -Dinkelmann had been on the Brazos for ten years. Everybody in that -section knew him, and knew how he had borrowed and borrowed from Lige -Benner, until Benner had secured every head of the Dutchman’s stock -and a mortgage on his land and the cabin roof that sheltered himself -and his wife. Dinkelmann had been in the German army, and carried -honorable wounds--mementos of the Franco-Prussian War. - -This mention of Dinkelmann’s army experience was what stirred the -baron most deeply; for the baron himself had served his time in the -kaiser’s ranks, and had won the Order of the Black Eagle for bravery -on the field. - -Yes, certainly, the baron would have to see Dinkelmann and engage -in a talkfest. It would be some time before Buffalo Bill could -reach Hackamore from Texico, and the baron could pass the night at -Dinkelmann’s and get to Hackamore before the scout reached the town. - -It was nine o’clock in the evening when the baron, having lost and -found himself at least a dozen times, first sighted the glow of light -in Dinkelmann’s cabin, rode up to the door and leaned down from his -saddle to knock. - -A buxom lady answered his summons, starting back in trepidation when -she found the baron’s mule bulked across the entrance. - -“Iss Misder Dinkelmann in der house, yes?” inquired the baron. - -“Yah,” replied the buxom lady, but not with much enthusiasm. - -“Meppy you peen Frau Dinkelmann, yes, no?” - -“Yah.” - -“Vell, I peen Deutsch meinseluf, und I rite seferal miles oudt oof my -vay schust for a leedle talk mit friendts from Chermany.” - -“For vy you nod shpeak der Deutsche sprache?” inquired Frau -Dinkelmann skeptically. - -“Pecause I dry hardt to make some berfections in der English.” - -The baron, however, in order to prove that he was not an impostor, -rattled away in his native tongue. Herr Dinkelmann was in the cabin, -but he was not feeling well. He was a good-for-nothing, the herr, and -he was not brave enough to call his soul his own except when he was -at his schnapps. Would the baron put up his mule in the corral behind -the house, and come in? - -The baron would--and did. - -He found the interior of the house a bare enough place. There were -two chairs and a lounge in the front room, and a table on which stood -the lamp. - -Herr Dinkelmann was stretched out on the lounge. He was a short, fat -man and seemed in great distress over something. - -“Ged oop, you lazy lout, und see vat iss come already!” cried Frau -Dinkelmann. “A visidor has come py us, und you peen so drunk like -nodding. Fritz! Ged oop yourseluf und sit der lounge on, den look vat -you see. A visidor yet.” - -Frau Dinkelmann talked English, perhaps out of deference to the -baron, perhaps only because she wanted to show him that she also was -proficient in foreign tongues. - -As she talked to Fritz, she grabbed him and heaved him bodily into a -sitting position. - -“Vat a fool I don’d know!” puffed Frau Dinkelmann. “Macht schnell, -Fritz! Lieber Gott, vill you your eyes oben und see vat iss here?” - -A groan escaped Fritz Dinkelmann’s lips. His eyes opened and he saw -the baron’s hand. Grabbing at the hand, he clung to it with a fervor -that almost threw him off the lounge. - -“Safe me!” he blubbered; “safe me or I vill die! Vere vas it put you -der schnapps, Katrina? Liebe Frau, gif me der pottle some more yet.” - -Katrina stood in front of him and stuck up an admonitory finger. - -“Hear me vat I say now und reflect,” she cried. “I gif you nod der -pottle some more yet to-nighdt. Dot’s all aboudt it. You make oof -yourseluf some pigs, some mules, ven you der schnapps trink so great. -It iss nod dot he loves der trink so,” she explained to the baron, -“aber dot he vants it der Dutch courage vat you call. He iss troubles -in, ve art bot’ troubles in, lieber Gott, und he takes der schnapps -to forget him der troubles. Vat a nonsense.” - -“I haf hat drouples meinseluf, yah, so helup me,” said the baron, -“aber I look dem in der eyes und face dem oudt. Vat’s der use to -trink und make some forgeddings? Der drouples vas dere alretty, ven -ter trink iss gone. Fritz, mein lieber freund, douple der fist oop -und knock der drouples oudt oof der vay.” - -Fritz moaned and tried to slump back on the lounge. - -“I don’d got it some nerve to knock me my drouples oudt mit der fist. -Liebe Frau----” - -But Katrina had grabbed him and pushed him back to a sitting posture. - -“Iss it to dreat a visidor righdt you act like dot?” she cried. “I -vill handt you vone auf der kopf oof you don’d make some vakings oop -und act mit resbect.” - -“Vat iss der name?” asked Fritz, displaying a feeble interest in the -baron. - -“Villum, Baron von Schnitzenhauser,” answered the baron. “Vat iss der -madder? Some oof der shildren sick?” - -“Kindern ve haf none,” answered Fritz. - -“Haf you some cattles on der range?” - -“Cattles ve haf nod, neider kinder. Ach, du lieber, vat a hardt time -I don’d know. I dry to do der righdt t’ing mit eferypody, und pecause -I owe Penner, he makes me do der wrong t’ing, oder he takes from -Katrina und me avay der leedle house vere ve lif.” - -“Shut oop such talks!” cried Katrina. “Der Dutch courage don’d make -some helps mit you. I go by der kitchen now to ged us der paron some -subber. Shpeak mit him, Fritz, vile I peen avay.” - -“Liebe Frau,” begged Fritz, stretching out his hands, “gif us first -der schnapps.” - -She struck his hands aside. - -“Macht ruhig aboudt der schnapps, oder I vill der pottle preak on der -shtones,” she cried angrily. - -With that, she lost herself in the rear room. - -The baron tried to talk with Fritz, but it was impossible to get much -out of him. Even a mention of the German army failed to arouse any -interest in the distressed Dutchman. Finally Fritz slumped back on -the lounge and began to snore. - -The baron would have been disgusted but for the fact that some great -sorrow was preying upon the unfortunate Dinkelmann. He craved his -schnapps to give him strength to bear his trials. Frau Dinkelmann, it -was clear, didn’t believe in Dutch courage. - -What was all the bother about? the baron asked himself. If it was the -loss of cattle or a mortgage on the home that grieved and fretted his -countryman, the baron would not have had much sympathy for him. The -baron liked to see a man act in a manly way, face his misfortunes, -and walk over them to peace, plenty, and happiness. - -But there was something besides the loss of cattle and the mortgage -on Dinkelmann’s mind. - -While Dinkelmann snored, and his wife moved around in the kitchen, -the baron smoked, and tried to guess out the problem. - -He was almost sorry he had not gone on to Hackamore with Nomad, Wild -Bill, and Little Cayuse. Had he known the trail better, he would have -excused himself and started out without waiting for supper. But he -had lost his way so many times coming to Dinkelmann’s that he was -afraid to attempt the unknown country by night. - -While he sat and mused, he became conscious of a slight tapping, as -of knuckles lightly drumming against a door. He started forward in -his chair, and stared around. There were only three doors to that -room--one at the front entrance, one leading into the kitchen, and -another opening off to the right. The tapping came from the other -side of the door on the right. - -What did it mean? The baron sat and studied over the remarkable -phenomenon until a shuffling sound struck on his ears. When that -commenced, the knocking ceased. - -Under the baron’s astounded eyes a bit of white cloth was showing -itself beneath the door which had so mysteriously claimed his -attention. Some one, it seemed, was trying to push the piece of cloth -through into the living room. - -Softly the baron arose, crossed to the door, bent down, and pulled -the cloth away. - -It was a small handkerchief. Turning it over in his hand, he saw that -there was writing in pencil on one side of it. - -The plot was thickening! The baron, overjoyed to find a little -excitement where he had expected nothing more than a talkfest, sat -down again, spread the handkerchief out on his knee, and puzzled his -brain over the following: - - “STRANGER: Will you be a friend to a woman in distress? I am being - detained in this room against my will. I must escape and go back - to my home. The horse that brought me should be in the corral. The - window of the room is boarded up on the outside, but the boards can - be easily removed.” - -Had the writing been in German, the baron would not have been -long in deciphering it, but it was in English and, in places, -almost illegible. However, he managed to get at the gist of the -communication. A flutter of joy ran through him. - -Here was an adventure! - -And the baron could not live and be happy unless adventures were -constantly piling in upon him. - -From the moment the baron had deciphered the writing on the -handkerchief, and had made up his mind to act upon the request of the -imprisoned lady, he found nothing monotonous in his surroundings. - -When Frau Dinkelmann asked him to come out into the kitchen and have -some supper, he stuffed the handkerchief into his pocket, and moved -with alacrity into the rear room. - -Frau Dinkelmann, sitting on the opposite side of the table while the -baron ate, talked unceasingly in the German language. The baron, even -if he had been so inclined, could hardly have got a word in edgeways. -But he wasn’t anxious to talk. He listened mechanically, and ate -mechanically. His mind was busy with the imprisoned lady who had sent -him a penciled appeal on her handkerchief. - -“I vonder iss she young?” thought the baron; “und is she -goot-looking? Und vill she be gradeful oof I safe her from der -Dinkelmann house?” - -So far as the mere adventure went, the baron was not particular -whether the lady was young or good-looking. But, if she happened to -be both, the glamor of romance might be added to the undertaking. - -“You vill shday der house in till morning?” inquired Frau Dinkelmann, -dropping back into her English as the baron arose from the table. - -“Could I talk mit Fritz in der morning?” he asked. “Vill he feel -pedder mit himseluf den?” - -“Yah, so. You shday und you can talk mit Fritz all vat you blease. I -make you a bed der floor on.” - -“I don’d like to shleep in der house,” demurred the baron. “I like -pedder der oudttoors as a shleeping blace. I drafel mit fellers vat -shleep oudtoors all der time, und I have got used to it.” - -The baron was cunning. He knew that if he was supposed to be sleeping -outdoors he would have a chance to examine the boarded-up window -without arousing Frau Dinkelmann. He could also find the lady’s -horse, and get both the horse and Toofer, the mule, ready for the -road. - -“Dere iss hay py der corral,” said Frau Dinkelmann. - -“Den,” said the baron, going into the front room for his hat, “I vill -shmoke, und shleep on der hay. Vat iss der preakfast time?” - -“Sigs o’glock, oder venefer you retty vas for vat ve haf. Gott sei -dank, ve got somet’ing to eat.” - -Bidding Frau Dinkelmann good night, the baron left the house by -the kitchen door, rounded the corner of the building, and crept -stealthily to the boarded-up window. - -Lightly he tapped on the boards. A tapping on the other side of the -barrier answered him. - -The baron breathed quick and hard. What would Nomad and Wild Bill not -have given to be mixed up in such an adventure? - -Ach, du lieber, but he was a lucky Dutchman! - -After making sure that the lady had heard, and that she understood he -would come to her rescue, the baron fell to examining the boards that -closed up the opening. - -They had been stoutly spiked to the side of the house. In prying -them away, it would be necessary to use an axe, and there would be -considerable noise. - -The baron would have to wait until Frau Dinkelmann was fast asleep. -Even then there was a chance that she would be aroused by his attack -on the boards, but, if she was, he would rescue the lady anyway, -and in spite of both the Dinkelmanns. The baron preferred, however, -to rescue the lady quietly, and to get away from the house with her -without making a scene with the muscular frau. - -Leaving the cabin, he went to the woodpile and found an axe. This he -carried to the window, and laid on the ground beneath it, where it -would be conveniently at hand when the time came to remove the boards. - -His next move was to go to the corral and look for the horse and the -lady’s riding gear. He found both, and was not long in getting the -horse and Toofer accoutred for the flight. - -Leading the animals out of the corral, he hitched them to a post -where they would be ready for use at a moment’s notice; then he -stealthily approached the cabin, and peered through the window of the -living room. - -He was disappointed. - -Frau Dinkelmann was wide awake. She had drawn a chair in front of the -door leading into the prison chamber, and was sitting in it. She was -knitting. Across her ample lap, the ball of yarn dancing around it -as it unrolled, lay an old-fashioned pistol with a bright brass cap -under the hammer. - -The baron wondered if Frau Dinkelmann suspected that he was planning -to assist the imprisoned lady. She was there on guard, that was -evident. - -Impatiently the baron went back to the corral. Sitting on a forkful -of hay and leaning against the corral fence, he smoked three pipes -very slowly, and again went to the house and stole a look through the -window. - -There was the frau, vigilant as ever, her needles flying and the ball -dancing up and down the barrel and stock of the old pistol. - -“Py shinks,” thought the baron, “vat oof she shdays dere all nighdt?” - -The baron wasn’t afraid of the pistol--not for himself, but the lady -would be endangered if he tried to take her away in spite of the -watchful frau. - -No, it would be better to wait until Frau Dinkelmann was sound asleep. - -The baron returned to his place by the corral fence. Sitting down -as before, he leaned back, and tried to beguile the tedious wait -by wondering who the lady was, why she had been imprisoned in the -house, and whether or not it was she who weighed so heavily on Fritz -Dinkelmann’s mind. - -Then, being tired, and growing confused over his knotty reflections, -quite naturally he fell asleep. When he opened his eyes again, -a dingy gray light tinged the sky in the east. For a moment he -blinked; then, with a muttered exclamation, he jumped to his feet. - -“Himmelblitzen!” he gasped. “I haf shlept all der nighdt, und now -it iss gedding tay! Dit I tream dot aboudt der laty vat vants to be -resgued?” - -His troubled eyes wandered toward the cabin, and then back to a post -by the corral. - -No, he had not dreamed about the lady. There, plainly before his -eyes, was the boarded-up window, and here, hitched to the corral -post, stood the weary horse and the mule. - -Softly the baron made his way to the living-room window, and peered -through. - -The lamp, burning dimly, cast a sickly light over the room. In the -chair in front of the door still sat the frau, but her knitting lay -in her lap, and her head was bowed forward in slumber. - -Hastily the baron passed to the rear of the house, picked up the axe, -and pried at the boards covering the window. The first one came away -with such a crash that he felt sure Frau Dinkelmann must have heard -the noise. But, no. There was no sound in the living room to bolster -up his fears. - -He went to work at the second board, and got it off much more quietly -than he had the first. It was not necessary to remove any more. A -woman’s face appeared in the opening he had made, and a slender form -forced itself through the breach and dropped to the ground at his -side. - -“Oh, thank you, thank you!” said the woman, catching one of the -baron’s hands in both her own. - -The baron’s heart fluttered. She was young and beautiful--and he had -saved her from the Dinkelmanns! - -“Dot’s all righdt, lady,” said the baron, throwing out his chest, -“making resgues like dose vas my long suit. I peen a bard oof Puffalo -Pill’s, und I learned how to do dot mit him. You know Puffalo Pill, -yes?” - -“I have heard of him,” the girl answered. - -For the first time the baron noticed that the girl’s face, though -very pretty, was haggard and worn. - -“Ach,” he murmured sympathetically, “you haf hat some hardt times, I -bed you! Vat iss your name?” - -“Hattie Perry.” - -“Vat a pooty name! Haddie Berry! I like dot name. Vere you vant to -go, Miss Berry? Schust shpeak der vort, und it iss my law.” - -“I want to go back to my father’s ranch,” said the girl, her voice -trembling. - -“Dot’s vere ve vill go, you bed you. Iss it far avay?” - -“About three hours’ ride, if we hurry.” - -“Den ve vill hurry fasder as dot und make it in an hour and a haluf,” -laughed the baron. “Meppyso ve hat pedder ged avay mit ourselufs. Der -olt laty insite der house has a bistol, und I don’d vant her to vake -oop mit herseluf und see us pefore ve ged a gouple oof miles from -here. Aber vait.” - -The baron reached into his pocket and pulled out three twenty-dollar -gold pieces. Reaching his hand inside the window, he laid the gold -pieces on the sill back of the boards. - -“Why did you do that?” asked the girl curiously. - -“Dot’s somet’ing for der Dinkelmanns,” replied the baron. “I bed you -dey don’t got mooch, und I don’d pelieve dey are as pad as vat some -beobles mighdt t’ink. Now, den, Miss Berry, off ve go for der ranch -vere you lif ven you are ad home.” - -They hurried to the place where the animals had been hitched. The -baron untied both mounts, he and the girl got into their saddles, and -in a few minutes they were moving briskly along the timbered bank of -the Brazos. - -The baron felt like bursting into song. But he wanted to make a good -impression on the girl--and he knew he couldn’t sing. - - - - - CHAPTER X. - - IN TROUBLED WATERS. - - -The dawn gave way to morning, and the sun rose while the baron and -the girl were pushing on toward the Star-A ranch. The girl piloted -their course, and lost a good deal of time giving a ranch, whose -buildings stood on a tongue of land half encircled by the river, a -wide berth. - -“For vy you do dot?” asked the baron. - -He had not, up to that moment, asked the girl any questions about -herself. Fully two hours had passed since they had left the -Dinkelmann cabin, and not half a dozen words had been exchanged -between him and the girl. - -“A man lives there who is an enemy of my father’s,” the girl -answered. “He is a cattle baron, and his name is Phelps.” - -“I peen some parons meinseluf,” said the Dutchman, “aber I don’d got -some cattle. Iss he a pad feller, dis cattle paron?” - -“Yes; fully as unscrupulous as that other cattle baron whose name is -Benner.” - -“Vat a lod oof cattle parons, und all pad eggs. Vell, vell, nefer -mindt. Vere vas you ven der Dinkelmanns gaptured you, Miss Berry?” - -“It wasn’t the Dinkelmanns who captured me, but some of Benner’s -cowboys.” - -“Ach, aber I vish I hat peen aroundt dot time! Vere dit it habben?” - -“At the ranch. Nate had gone away early to look for some stray -cattle. He didn’t come back when he said he would, and father went to -hunt him up. Father didn’t come back either, and I was in the house -reading when--when--when Benner’s cowboys came. I fought to get away -from them, but there were two of them, and what could I do? They took -me to Fritz Dinkelmann’s, and I was told that Benner was coming to -see me this morning. Oh, but I am glad you came to my aid, Mr. von -Schnitzenhauser!” - -“So am I glad,” said the baron, “more glad as I can tell. Vy ditn’t -you dry und knock der poards off from der insite, huh?” - -“I did try--but I had only my hands.” - -She lifted her hands to show him how they had been bruised and -scratched. - -“Ach, sure,” said the baron, “you couldn’t haf got oudt oof dot blace -mitoudt an axe, same as vat I hat.” - -“When I heard you come to the house last night,” the girl went on, -“I made up my mind to see if you would befriend me. I was lucky -in happening to have that bit of lead pencil in my pocket, and -the handkerchief served very well for something to write on. I -waited until I knew Mrs. Dinkelmann was in the kitchen, and then I -tapped on the door to attract your attention, and began pushing the -handkerchief through. I can’t begin to tell you how glad I was when I -heard you rap on the boards at the window, but you were a long time -getting me out.” - -“Id vasn’t safe to dry it sooner,” explained the baron, keeping quiet -about the way he went to sleep; “der olt laty vas on guard mit der -bistol. Ach, vat a big bistol id vas! Und I bed you id shoots like -anyding.” - -“Well,” sighed the girl, “I am safely away from the house, and I -shall soon be at home now.” - -“You bed someding for nodding aboudt dot. Aber tell me vonce: Iss dot -Dinkelmann a pad feller?” - -“No, I don’t think he is, baron. He owes Benner money, though, and -Benner forces Dinkelmann to do things that are not right. Dinkelmann -is more to be pitied than condemned. He----” - -The girl broke off suddenly, and a startled look crossed her face. -Halting her horse, she bent her head in a listening attitude. - -“Vat id iss?” queried the baron. - -“Can’t you hear it?” whispered the girl, a catch in her voice. -“Shooting!” - -Yes, the baron heard the reports. They came from the direction of the -Brazos, and he and the girl were traveling toward the stream. - -“Let’s not go any farther this way,” cried the girl. - -“Who you t’ink iss making dot noise?” asked the baron. - -“I don’t know,” she answered tremblingly, “but it must be some of -Phelps’ men or some of Benner’s.” - -“It dakes two tifferent kinds oof men for dot pitzness, Miss Berry. -Vone kindt does der shooding, und der odder kindt iss shod ad. Vich -is vich?” - -“Oh, I don’t know,” returned Hattie, “but I mustn’t fall into the -hands of those cowboys again! I would rather die than have that -happen.” - -“Id von’t habben,” said the baron valiantly. “Schust make your -trusting py me. I vill safe you, Miss Berry, yah, so helup me!” - -For nearly an hour longer they continued to ride across the open -plain. Hattie would not consent to turn in the direction of the -river, so they took a course that paralleled the stream. - -They had a rough awakening from their fancied security. Shouts were -suddenly heard behind. They looked around to see a large party of -horsemen bearing down on them at full gallop. - -The girl suddenly showed a spirit that aroused the baron’s -admiration. Now, when her fortunes were at the lowest ebb, all her -fears seemed to drop from her. Her face became set and resolute, her -eyes flashed, and she goaded her horse to the best speed. - -The baron’s mule, although a scrawny-looking brute, had both speed -and bottom. Horse and mule, responding to the urging of their riders, -flung onward neck and neck. - -“How many are there in that party, baron?” asked the girl. - -“More as I like to see,” said the baron. “I should say dere iss -t’irty or fordy. Dere iss a greaser und a feller in plack clothes at -der head oof der gang. Who vas dose din horns?” - -“The man in the Mexican clothes is Phelps,” replied the girl, “and -the other man is--Benner!” The last word came with bitter emphasis. -“If they capture us, baron, I wish you would shoot that man in black.” - -“Anyt’ing to oblige a laty,” returned the baron promptly, “aber I -pedder do dot pefore ve ged gaptured, nicht wahr? Meppyso I don’d ged -no chance afder dot, or----” - -The baron, at that moment, received the start of his life. He gulped -on his words, and nearly dropped from his saddle. - -“Look vonce!” he gasped. “See who iss dot, Miss Berry!” - -The baron pointed across the level to a spot where one horseman after -another was swinging over the crest of a coulee--appearing as if by -magic out of the earth, and pointing straight for the baron and the -girl. - -“Vone iss--meppy I vas treaming--vone iss Puffalo Pill,” mumbled the -baron; “und anodder iss Vild Pill, und dere iss olt Nomat, und Leedle -Cayuse, und some odder fellers vat I don’d know.” - -“The other two,” cried the girl joyfully, “are my father and Nate.” - -“From vere dit dose fellers come?” - -“I don’t know, baron, but--but it is a blessing for us. And there’s -the sky pilot,” went on the girl, still feasting her eyes on the -approaching horsemen. - -“Dot gifs us enough men to make a pooty fighdt, aber dose odder -fellers haf seferal times as many as vat ve got.” - -The scout, and those from the coulee, were not long in coming to the -side of the baron and the girl. There were many things the baron and -the girl wanted to know from the scout and those with him, and many -things Buffalo Bill and his companions were eager to hear from the -Dutchman and Hattie, but the course of events offered no opportunity -for talk. - -“They’re gaining on us, pard!” shouted Wild Bill. - -“I reckon nothin’ kin stave off a fight now,” yelled old Nomad. - -“No bloodshed, I beg of you!” implored the sky pilot. “Let me try my -hand as peacemaker, friends! My profession earns me that right.” - -Suddenly an idea flashed through the scout’s mind. Forcing his horse -alongside the sky pilot’s roan, he leaned from the saddle to shout: - -“You can act as peacemaker, parson, but it must be in my way!” - -“Any way, Buffalo Bill,” cried the sky pilot, “just so it really -brings peace without the spilling of blood.” - -“Dunbar,” roared the scout, “ride alongside Miss Perry.” - -The other horsemen shifted their positions so that this manœuvre -could be accomplished. - -“You, Jordan,” went on the scout, “ride up behind Miss Perry and -Dunbar. Get as close to them as you can.” - -Every one in that party was a trained horseman. The reins were -handled in masterly fashion, and the racing steeds weaved slowly into -positions as ordered by the king of scouts. - -“The rest of you,” thundered Buffalo Bill, “spread out so that Lige -Benner and Hank Phelps can see what Miss Perry, Dunbar and the parson -are doing.” - -No one, as yet, had any idea what Buffalo Bill had at the back of his -head. - -“What’s ther game, Buffler?” demanded Nomad, swerving Hiderack toward -the side. - -“The ombrays behind are getting ready to use their guns!” warned Wild -Bill. - -“Never mind their guns--yet,” answered the scout. - -“What am I to do?” called the sky pilot. - -The scout, pointing to Dunbar and Hattie with his quirt as Bear Paw -slashed along, yelled at the top of his voice: - -“_Marry them!_” - -For an instant a dead silence fell over the group of racing -fugitives; then, as the wonderful timeliness of the scout’s plan grew -clear in the minds of the rest of the party, a cheer broke from the -pards. - -“Well thought of!” cried the sky pilot. - -The book he had used, on the afternoon of the preceding day in -Hackamore, came from his pocket; then, with the horses at break-neck -pace, and Benner and Phelps close enough to see and understand what -was going on, the sky pilot united Nate Dunbar and Hattie Perry in -the holy bonds of wedlock. - -There have been weddings in balloons, in the Mammoth Cave, on -mountain heights and in the depths of mines, but where and when had a -young couple ever joined hands for a journey through life as Nate and -Hattie joined hands now? - -With the final words, “I pronounce you man and wife,” Buffalo Bill -ordered a halt. - -“A hollow square, pards,” he cried, “with Mrs. Dunbar in the centre! -We will face these cattle barons now and see if Lige Benner will -listen to reason.” - -Swiftly the horses were reined to a panting halt, and as swiftly the -scout and his pards, Dunbar, Perry and Jordan took their places in a -circle--all facing outward, the girl in the centre and each man with -his weapons in hand--each man with the exception of the sky pilot. - -Thus they waited for Benner and Phelps and their cowboys to reach -them. - -The approaching horsemen came furiously. There were fully twoscore. -With skilled hands they manœuvred their horses into a “surround,” and -the little circle formed by the scout and his friends formed a living -and determined barrier between Hattie Dunbar and the barons. - -Benner brought his horse nose to nose with Bear Paw. - -“You,” yelped Benner in wild fury, shaking his fist at the scout, -“are the cause of all this! You and your infernal pards!” - -“Look out, you whelp!” cried Wild Bill, “or that black you’re wearing -will be for yourself.” - -“Quiet, Hickok!” cried the scout; “I’ll do my own talking. Lige -Benner,” he went on, to the cattleman, “you have kept this range -stirred up quite long enough. You have done about as you pleased, -regardless of the law. There is nothing further, now, to keep you at -loggerheads with the Perrys. Miss Perry has just become Mrs. Dunbar!” - -“Be hanged to you!” yelped Benner. “The sky pilot has made her Mrs. -Dunbar, but any man with a gun can make her a widow.” - -At that, both Dunbar and Perry nearly precipitated hostilities by -making a start at Benner. The cowboys half drew their guns. A sharp -word from the scout, however, backed by a shrill command from Hattie, -caused Perry and Dunbar to resume their places in the cordon. - -“Let me speak,” said the sky pilot, lifting his hand. “Men, men,” he -begged, “think of what you have been doing! There are many of you -cowboys to whom I have preached; you who have heard me before, listen -to me now. Boys, who is Lige Benner that you should cast away your -manhood and sink yourselves to his level in carrying out his wicked -and lawless schemes? You know what is right! You know what is fair -play! Has Dick Perry received just treatment? Has he been dealt with -on the square? Answer me that! I have friends among you; to those -friends I would say, is your job with Benner worth the price he -compels you to pay for it? Is----” - -“Another word out of you,” howled Benner, revolver in his hand, “and, -parson though you are, I’ll shoot you out of your saddle. I’ll not -sit here and let you try to turn my men against me!” - -“And neither will you shoot me, Lige Benner,” answered the sky pilot, -folding his arms, “for saying what you know to be the truth. You are -a coward! Any man who would act as you have acted, is a coward.” - -Benner made movements with his revolver hand which the scout did not -like. - -“Put up that gun, Benner!” said the scout. - -“I’m my own boss,” roared Benner, “and I’ll not put it up till I get -ready. I’d as soon send a bullet through you as through the meddling -sky pilot.” - -The scout spurred forward, straight toward Benner. For an instant -it seemed as though the cattle baron would shoot, but he caught the -scout’s eye and his hand grew paralyzed. - -The scout, drawing rein at Benner’s saddle stirrup, twisted the -revolver out of his hand and flung it to one of Benner’s cowboys. - -“Keep that for him,” said he. “Benner may be a big man on the Brazos, -but he’s not big enough to buck the United States Government. Now -listen, every one of you men. I’ve something to say that’s of vital -importance to all of you. - -“The lawless doings on the Brazos have been heard of far beyond the -confines of Texas. It was to investigate them that I came here. -Chance, luck, what you will, threw me right into the thick of plot -and counterplot before I had reached the town of Hackamore. - -“Do you, Benner, or you, Phelps, want a company of regulars marching -down the Brazos? Do you want your ranch buildings burned, your cattle -scattered? Do you want to be run to cover and made to answer for your -criminal deeds? If you do, make just one more move in this campaign -of lawlessness. You seem to have all the legal machinery of this -county under your thumbs, but I reckon you understand that fighting -the United States Government is a different proposition. - -“What do you fellows want, peace or war? I am here to give you -either. All you have to do is to make a choice. - -“If you’re for peace, there are conditions. Perry must be left alone. -Any further persecution of him will be a signal for that company of -regulars. The Star-A cattle that have been rustled and driven off -must be returned. Those are the terms for peace. - -“If you don’t want peace, then I give you my word that you, Benner, -and you, Phelps, will see the inside of a federal prison, and that -all your wealth won’t keep you out. That’s about all I’ve got to say. -Think it over. I and my pards are going to the Star-A ranch with -Perry, and Mr. and Mrs. Dunbar and the sky pilot. Try to interfere -with us at your own peril.” - -The scout, with a final look straight into Benner’s eyes, rode away. - -“Break away, there on the north!” Buffalo Bill cried to the cowboys -who fenced in that part of the circle. - -The cowboys cleared the way in a hurry. - -“Move on, friends!” cried the scout. “Take your time, there’s nothing -to fear.” - -Perry and the sky pilot, side by side, led the way out of the circle -of cattlemen. Behind them rode Mr. and Mrs. Dunbar. Then came -the baron and Cayuse, Wild Bill and Nomad, and, at the end of the -procession, Buffalo Bill. - -“Gentlemen,” laughed the scout, “I bid you good day. Go home and do a -little reflecting, all of you. You have plenty to think about, I take -it.” - -Benner snarled and showed his teeth like an angry catamount. But the -fight had all gone out of Phelps. He was very much depressed. - -Slowly the scout’s party rode off across the plain in the direction -of the Brazos. For a long time the cattle barons and their cowboys -kept their horses at a standstill, gazing after the scout. The only -man in the vanishing party who loomed ominous in their eyes was -Buffalo Bill. That day, if never before, the prince of plainsmen had -made his power felt. - -He, an agent of the government! Sent there to investigate the -lawlessness on the Brazos! And neither Benner nor Phelps had ever -dreamed of such a thing. They had showed their hands, hiding nothing, -daring the scout and defying him. And now they knew that he had been -sent there to take the measure of their culpability. - -“I reckon I’ve had enough of this Perry business,” said Phelps. “You -got me into it, Benner, confound you! And what have you gained? Why, -you’ve even lost the girl.” - -“I’m not done yet,” scowled Benner. - -“You take my advice and throw up your hands.” - -“Not till I’m even with Perry and Buffalo Bill,” was the snarling -response. - -“Count me out of your schemes, then, from now on. I tell you I’ve had -enough.” - -“Be hanged to you for a coward!” cried Benner. “Come on, you boys -that go with me.” - -The Benner forces separated from the Phelps outfit, each detachment -of cowboys going their different ways. - -“That fool’s going to get himself into more trouble, Mac,” remarked -Phelps to McDermott, one of his foremen. - -“That’s nothing to you, Hank,” replied the foreman. - -“Nothing to me, no. I’ve come out of this business a heap better than -I deserve. And I reckon I know how to let well enough alone.” - - - - - CHAPTER XI. - - THE MAN WITH A WARNING. - - -Nothing could have been more peaceful, that bright, sunny morning, -than the surroundings of the Star-A ranch. - -Buffalo Bill and Wild Bill sat out under the trees, a dozen yards -from the ranch-house door. They were smoking their pipes and -contemplating, with much satisfaction, the happy and peaceful scene -before them. - -“By gorry, pard,” said the Laramie man, “just hear the girl in that -old log shack tune up that pretty bazoo of hers. Every once in a -while she breaks into song. Joyful? Well, I reckon!” - -“Contrast this scene with another of two days ago,” returned Buffalo -Bill. “The cattle barons, headed by Lige Benner and Hank Phelps, were -doing their best to run Perry out of the Brazos country. Dunbar had -been treacherously waylaid and was being held a captive; Perry had -been made a prisoner and was in ropes at the H-P ranch; and the girl -had been spirited away by Lige Benner, who hoped to break her will -and make her agree to become his wife. Then we came, Hickok--you, and -I, and the rest of our pards--and shook up the whole bag of tricks. -Dunbar and Perry were released, and the marriage knot was tied by the -sky pilot, while the lot of us were racing away from Benner, Phelps -and forty of their cowboys. What we did was certainly worth while.” - -“I’ve never helped to do anything, pard,” returned Wild Bill, “that -I look back on with so much satisfaction.” - -“Nor I. We have cause to congratulate ourselves.” - -At that moment Nate Dunbar rode up to the cabin door on his favorite -riding horse. He was prepared for a journey of some length, it seemed. - -Dropping down from the saddle, he turned to throw his arms about his -wife, who had hurried through the door to bid him good-by. - -The pards turned their heads. When they looked up again, Nate -Dunbar’s horse was in front of them, and the fine-looking young -cowboy, his face wreathed in smiles, was on the ground and reaching -out his hand. - -“I’m off for town, amigos,” said he, “and I may be gone for two days. -There are supplies to be bought, cowboys to be hired, and plenty of -other business to be looked after. Dick thinks I’m the one to go. It -was hard for Hattie to agree, but she always comes to time when she -understands a thing is for the best.” - -As the scout got up and wrung his hand, Dunbar bent forward to -whisper: - -“And there’s the wedding present for Hattie, you know. I didn’t have -time to attend to that yesterday, when we were spliced on horseback, -at twenty miles an hour! But now,” and he withdrew his hand to slap -a jingling pocket, “I’ve both the time and the money, and Hattie’s -going to have a ring with a hundred-dollar ‘spark’ in it. Oh, I’m -sure one happy man, pards, and we all know we have Buffalo Bill and -his friends to thank for it!” - -“It has been pleasure enough for me and my pards to get you out of -your tangle here, Nate,” said the scout. - -“Which is no dream at all, Dunbar,” laughed Wild Bill. “When Pard -Cody puts up a talk like that, he reflects the feelings of all his -pards. May your shadow never grow less, amigo mio, and may you never -say a word that clouds the bright face of the girl in yonder cabin. -She’s the biggest prize that will ever come to you in this life.” - -“Truer words were never spoken!” declared Dunbar, flashing an -affectionate glance at the cabin. “I’m hoping, Buffalo Bill, that -you and your pards will stay here till I get back. I feel positive -all our troubles are behind us, but my mind will be easier about the -Star-A ranch if I know that you are here until I get back with an -outfit of cowboys.” - -“Don’t worry, Nate,” said the scout reassuringly. “We’ll have -to stay. The baron, old Nomad and Little Cayuse have gone to -Dinkelmann’s ranch for a day or two, so Hickok and I will have to -stay here till they come back.” - -“Gracias!” Deep feeling throbbed in Nate Dunbar’s voice as he added: -“No man ever had better friends than Buffalo Bill and pards, and -neither Hattie, nor Dick, nor I will ever forget what we owe you. I’d -crawl the length of the Lone Star State to do any of you a good turn. -Adios!” - -Nate Dunbar jumped for his saddle, his spurs rattled, and he vanished -along the trail through the timber, laying a course for Hackamore. - -“That lad’s the clear quill, Pard Cody,” declared Hickok, gazing -after Dunbar and wagging his head. “He’ll go far and do well, mark -what I say. But he seems to think that he’s not through with the -hostile cattle barons.” - -“I don’t think he has any cause to be worried,” said the scout. -“Hank Phelps, if what I hear is true, has thrown up his hands and -will have nothing more to do with the lawless element on the Brazos. -Lige Benner is the only source of possible trouble; but, with public -opinion setting in strong for the Perrys, I don’t believe Benner will -dare let his animosity show itself. He----” - -The scout halted abruptly. Through the timber behind him and the -Laramie man came a rider at speed, his horse lathered and blowing. -The man in the saddle was long and lean; his thin, hatchet-like face -was full of excitement. As he threw himself from his horse, the -animal staggered drunkenly with feet wide apart. - -“Suffering horn toads!” exclaimed the Laramie man, passing his gaze -from the nearly spent horse to the excited newcomer. “From the looks -of your horse, neighbor, I reckon you only hit an occasional high -place for a good distance back.” - -“We flew,” grinned the man, “but we had ter. Ain’t forgot me, have -ye?” - -He looked at Wild Bill ingratiatingly. - -“Dot and carry one!” cried Wild Bill, recognizing the newcomer -suddenly. “Can this be Sim Pierce, the gent I came company front with -in Hackamore? Sim Pierce, scion of the Pierces of San Antone?” - -“Aw’ shucks!” said Sim Pierce deprecatingly, drawing a bar of chewing -from his hip pocket, and loading himself with one corner of it. - -Returning the tobacco to his pocket, he dropped down on the bench on -which the pards were sitting, chewed wide and reflectively for a few -moments, and hooked up one knee between his hands. - -“Sim,” remarked Wild Bill, after the silence had begun to grow -embarrassing, “did you ride your caballo into a quiver just to come -here and show Buffalo Bill and me how you handle a plug of Cowboy’s -Pride?” - -“Waal, not so you kin notice,” answered Sim. “I was glad I seen -ye out hyer by yerselves. It gives me a chanst ter onbosom myself -without lettin’ the Perrys savvy.” - -“Perrys! Only one Perry and two Dunbars live in that house now.” - -“Which I stand kerrected. Buffler Bill an’ pards have shore done a -heap fer the Perrys an’ Nate Dunbar. Gosh-all-whittaker! Say, I’d -have given my boots ter see a weddin’ in the saddle, hosses slashin’ -erlong like all-possessed, sky pilot pufformin’ like he never done -afore! Say, I’ll bet that was some fine as a spectacle.” - -“Some, and that’s a fact, Sim,” said Wild Bill. “But you’re not -telling why you raced up here like a scared coyote looking for home -and mother. Does it pain you any to get down to cases?” - -“Hyer’s where I git at it,” answered Sim. “That sky pilot, Jordan, -the feller as done the knot tyin’ while the hosses was at a run, sent -me hyer. He had a message fer Buffler Bill an’ pards.” - -“Ah,” spoke up the scout. “What was the message?” - -“‘Tell Buffler Bill,’ says the sky pilot, ‘not ter leave the Star-A -ranch fer a spell yit. Tell him,’ he says further, ‘that ther trouble -ain’t over fer ther Perrys.’ Things is hatchin’ right this minit, he -allows, over ter Lige Benner’s. Lige ain’t feelin’ none too good over -the way he got done up, an’ he’s plannin’ ter cut loose with some -other kind of er rough house.” - -“How did Jordan discover that?” queried Buffalo Bill. - -“One o’ Benner’s men, who’s a friend o’ Jordan’s, sprung a leak. -The sky pilot got all worked up. He’s a nervy ombray, that same -Jordan, but he’s been takin’ more physical exercise lately than what -he kin stand. He’s laid up fer repairs in the Delmonico _Ho_-tel in -Hackamore.” - -“Not sick?” - -“Not him--jest tired like. Preachin’ the Gospel is some differn’t -from makin’ er splice in the saddle with the hosses jest er-smokin’. -Right strenyus work fer a sky pilot, I call _that_.” - -“What sort of deviltry is Lige Benner hatching, Sim?” went on the -scout. - -“Benner’s man didn’t say--mebby he didn’t know--but he allowed it was -ter be pulled off some suddent. Jordan thought you fellers might git -a line on purceedin’s an’ use yore original, Cody brand o’ kybosh.” - -“That’s all?” - -“That’s all. I’ll now go over ter the c’ral, put out my hoss an’ hang -eround till arter dinner; then I’ll p’int fer Hackamore. Whar’s Nate?” - -“Gone to town. You’d have passed him if you’d come the regular trail.” - -“Shucks! Say, I was in sich a big hurry that I kim ’cross lots. Waal, -hyer’s fer ther c’ral.” - -Sim Pierce stepped toward his horse and laid hold of the bridle reins. - -“Mind, Sim,” warned the scout as the man moved off, “not a word about -this to Mrs. Dunbar or Perry. There may be nothing to it, and there’s -no need of arousing the fears of those in the house.” - -“Shore not,” flung back Pierce over his shoulder as he moved away -with his horse. “I’ll keep mum, all right.” - -“What do you think about this, Hickok?” queried the scout -thoughtfully, when he and the Laramie man were again alone. - -“I don’t think that sky pilot would have sent Sim with a warning -unless there was good ground for worry.” - -“My notion, exactly. Jordan isn’t a man to shy at trifles. But how -are we to know what’s taking place at Benner’s ranch?” - -“I’ve got a way for discovering that, pard. Listen.” - -With that, the Laramie man settled back and freed his mind of a -daring expedient which had abruptly occurred to him. - -“It might be safe enough for Buffalo Bill or one of his pards to call -at Lige Benner’s ranch, but if one of us dropped in there, compadre, -how much would he find out?” - -“Not much, and that’s a fact,” said Buffalo Bill. “Benner is the -kind of a snake-in-the-grass that strikes from cover, and he hunts -his cover well. If you or I went to his place, Hickok, we might or -might not come away with our scalps; but--and mark this--if anything -happened to us, Lige Benner would fix things so he could prove an -alibi.” - -“Right-o. I wasn’t thinking along that line, however. If Benner is -laying his wires, Buffalo Bill or his pards wouldn’t be able to -discover anything; but if some one went there who wasn’t known to be -one of Cody’s pards, there’d be a fine opportunity for getting a line -on Benner.” - -“Well, yes. I’m not catching your drift, though, Hickok.” - -“Here’s the drift: Suppose I fix up in different clothes and ride to -Benner’s? Maybe I’m a cowpuncher hunting a job, and maybe I’m a Jew -peddler, or any other thing that seems most likely to fill the bill. -Benner wouldn’t know me from Adam, and I’m willing to gamble my spurs -that I’d uncover a pay streak of information.” - -The scout shook his head dubiously. - -“Benner and all his men know you, pard,” said he. “It’s a question -whether you could hide your identity so they wouldn’t know you. If -you blew in there in a disguise, and they discovered who you were, -there’d be fireworks and fatalities. Is it worth the risk?” - -“Not is it worth the risk, pard, but is there a chance that the -risk would work out? Personally, I wouldn’t be averse to a little -excitement, but----” - -“That’s the way you always stack up, Hickok, and that’s the point -that would work most against you.” - -“But,” went on Hickok, “I understand my responsibilities, and that, -if I don’t get away without arousing suspicion, what information I -pick up won’t do Perry or the Dunbars any good. Which and wherefore -is the reason I’ll play my cards with care and caution. Besides, you -know how well I can make up. If I wasn’t a pard of Cody’s, and mired -in the West, I reckon I’d be on the stage. Am I, or am I not, an -actor?” - -“You are,” laughed the scout; “one of the best actors I’ve seen in -many a day. I remember how you played the part of a vaquero, over in -Arizona, and fooled the rest of your pards.” - -“Ah! Well, if I could fool my pards, why can’t I fool Benner and his -outfit? I can, and I will. Just give me leave to try, that’s all.” - -The scout reflected. When Wild Bill left only the scout would be with -Perry and Mrs. Dunbar. If Benner and his men tried to make a raid -on the Star-A, there would be merry doings to follow and perhaps -some losses of Star-A property. But a raid was too open a warfare -for Benner, the scout knew. The unscrupulous cattleman liked best -a covert and more reprehensible hostility--something like a bullet -from ambush, or a knife in the back. But, after the lesson Benner had -received at the hands of the scout and his pards, it was doubtful -whether he would even dare to launch lead from cover. If he was -planning reprisal against Perry and Dunbar, Benner would proceed by -more devious ways to effect his purposes. It was necessary that his -plans should be known so that they might be guarded against. - -“While we’re hemming and hawing and sidestepping, pard,” spoke up -Wild Bill, “the plot is thickening over at Benner’s. And Benner’s, -you know, is a good two hours’ ride down the Brazos. Come to centre -quick, so I can mosey along--if I’m going.” - -“We’re not at all sure there’s any plotting going on at Benner’s,” -said the scout. - -“So far as that goes, we’re not sure of much of anything in this -world but death and taxes. Anyhow, Pard Cody, about two minutes ago -you rose to remark that Jordan wasn’t a man to send a messenger with -a warning unless there was really something on the carpet.” - -“Nor do I think he is,” answered the scout. “Jordan, for a sky pilot, -is about as clear-headed, practical a man as I ever met. But suppose -it was part of Benner’s game to steer this man of his against the sky -pilot with a fake report of trouble brewing? What if that’s a part of -Benner’s plan?” - -“How would Benner gain anything by that?” asked Wild Bill, wrinkling -his brows over this new phase of the matter. - -“He might gain just the point you’re suggesting--that one of us ride -to his ranch for investigation. Perhaps that’s what he’s working for.” - -“So he can get hold of one of us?” - -“Possibly.” - -“Well, Benner’s long-headed, Pard Cody, but he’s not so long-headed -as all that comes to. I’ll gamble that Benner’s man who tipped off -the sky pilot was acting in good faith. We know Jordan has friends -at Benner’s; and maybe Perry has a few there, too, and that they’re -trying to show friendship in the only way they dare, and hold their -jobs. Which is it, yes or no?” - -“Go ahead,” said the scout; “but, if you’re not back by some time -to-night, you’ll know I’m hitting the trail on the hunt for you.” - -“I’ll get back, and don’t you forget that. Stay right here for half -an hour and I’ll show you something.” - -Wild Bill, as he spoke, got up from the bench. A moment later he had -disappeared in the bunk house behind the ranch headquarters. - -The scout, filling and lighting his pipe, leaned back on the bench -and gave way to reflections that were not wholly agreeable. - -Here, where he and his friends had wrought peace and happiness on -the Star-A section of the Brazos, had suddenly appeared the ugly, -serpent-like head of under-handed war. - -Perry, just when he was securing the respect and confidence of the -cattlemen up and down the river--excepting Benner, of course--might -be called on to face more troubles. And of these he had had enough, -and more than enough. - -Mr. and Mrs. Dunbar, too, might be rudely disturbed in their -new-found dream of happiness. This possibility the scout regretted -deeply, for he had taking a great liking to Dunbar and his wife, and -would have gone far to insure their tranquil future. - -The scout wished that he had not allowed the baron, the trapper and -the little Piute to leave Perry’s for the Dinkelmann ranch. If clouds -were really beginning to show in the peaceful skies, all the pards -should be corraled in one place, ready to hurl their united strength -against any quarter of the compass from which a sudden call might -come. - -“Podner, who lives hyer?” - -The raucous voice broke in suddenly on the scout’s reflections. -Lifting his eyes he stared at about as ornery a specimen of the genus -hobo as he had ever set eyes on. - -The man’s face was dirty; his slouch hat was full of bullet holes -and the crown was loose and flapping. Through the crown protruded a -few stray locks of unkempt hair. Over the man’s left eye was a red -handkerchief bandage. His face was dirty. His ragged blue flannel -shirt and his torn, greasy trousers were belted in at the waist with -a section of frayed rope. On one foot he wore a boot, and on the -other a moccasin. But he was riding a good horse, well accoutred--a -horse the scout recognized as Wild Bill’s. - -“Get off that horse, you!” cried the scout, rising sternly. “If----” - -The scout’s voice trailed into silence, and the silence was broken by -a hearty laugh from the man in the saddle. - -“By gorry,” came the familiar tones of the Laramie man, “if I didn’t -fool the king of scouts himself, I’m a yap! Whoosh! You must have -mislaid the eagle eye, pard! What chance has Benner got to get next -to me if you went so wide of the mark?” - -The scout joined in his pard’s laugh. - -“You’ll do, Wild Bill,” said he, “all but the horse. Your get-up -don’t jibe with the riding gear and the animal you’re riding. The -horse and trappings will be a dead give-away.” - -“Nary, Pard Cody. The horse and trappings are going to be a big help.” - -“How?” - -“Why, look. I come breezing up to Benner’s hangout with a yarn to the -effect that I lifted the horse at the Star-A. That ought to get me in -with Benner, if he’s at all crooked. A man who’ll steal a horse will -probably be the sort of a chap he’d like to use in his present game -of cold deck and loaded ivories. I’ve the medicine tongue for a job -like that, don’t you think?” - -“You’re one of the most resourceful men in a pinch I ever saw, -Hickok,” declared the scout. “Lay your own plans and carry them out -in your own way, but be sure and get back here to-night.” - -“That’s me. When I come, I’ll come loaded.” - -“With information, I hope, and with none of Benner’s lead. So long, -and good luck to you.” - -“Adios!” - -Wild Bill kicked his heels into Beeswax’s ribs and started through -the timber, en route down the river and headed for Benner’s. - -“He’ll make good,” thought the scout, “and if there’s anything -brewing at trouble headquarters, Wild Bill will hustle back with the -news.” - -Getting up from the bench, he knocked the ashes out of his pipe and -went to join Perry and Sim Pierce in front of the cabin. - - - - - CHAPTER XII. - - AT LIGE BENNER’S RANCH. - - -Lige Benner had his private quarters in a big adobe house. The -house capped a “rise” of ground, and from its windows Benner could -look below and see the big bunk house, the huge “chuck shanty,” the -blacksmith shop, the tool sheds, the wagon shelters and one of his -horse corrals. In point of size the various buildings formed a small -village, inhabited by at least fifty men. - -The lord of the village lived on the low hill, kept ceaseless -vigilance over his men and ruled them with an iron hand. - -It was currently reported that a love affair, in early life, had -ended disastrously for Benner and had soured his disposition. - -Where he came from, when he settled on the Brazos, no one knew. He -had been so long in his present location, however, that his original -hailing place had long since ceased to be a matter of any interest. - -Steers bearing his brand--the Circle-B--were numbered by thousands, -and ranged over many square miles of country. - -At this particular time the cattle business was enjoying -unprecedented prosperity, and wealth flowed in on Benner far and -away beyond his powers of spending. This very fact seemed to render -him irritable. He pictured to himself the delights which money could -buy in Galveston, San Antonio, New Orleans and New York, and fretted -because he dared not leave his ranch to go to places where his money -could bring him a larger return of enjoyment. He hadn’t a foreman -whom he could trust. A younger brother, a hunchback, lived with him, -but even this brother had little of his confidence. Jerry, as the -hunchback was called, was all well enough as an aide, but if Benner -had absented himself for any great length of time from the ranch, -Jerry would surely have manipulated affairs to his own profit. - -Jerry was a schemer. Shrewd as a fox, he was as sly as a serpent, -brutal and utterly unscrupulous. His nature seemed to have been -warped into ugly channels when his body was broken. - -Benner had given Jerry a home, and Jerry repaid his brother by -giving him advice. The advice, although not always honest, never -failed to redound to Lige Benner’s benefit. So, while he had come to -trust to Jerry’s shrewdness in counsel, he came also to distrust his -principles--principles which Benner occasionally appropriated to his -own use. - -During the forenoon of the day that had witnessed the call of Sim -Pierce at the Star-A ranch, Lige Benner and his hunchback brother -were in the big living room of the adobe house. - -Jerry’s crippled body was almost lost in the depths of an easy-chair. -He was smoking a home-made cigarette and watching Lige with two -brilliant, ferret-like eyes. Lige Benner, deeply wrought up over -something, was pacing up and down the room. - -“What’s the use of fretting?” asked Jerry in his thin, high-pitched, -querulous voice. “Do as I tell you, Lige, and you’ll get even with -that outfit up the river.” - -“I can’t get the girl, can I?” fumed Lige, halting and whirling on -the crooked form in the chair. - -“You can get something better, Lige,” answered the hunchback, his -eyes glimmering, “and that’s revenge for having lost the girl.” - -“Revenge on who?” - -“On Dunbar, on Perry--perhaps on Buffalo Bill and his pards.” - -“Without making trouble for myself?” - -It was not so much the coward that spoke, as the man of secret ways -and dark. - -“Yes, Lige, and without making trouble for yourself,” said Jerry. -“I’ve thought it all out. That’s why I sent one of the men to watch -the Star-A ranch, and it’s why I sent Red Steve to Hackamore after -Abraham Isaacs.” - -“What in the fiend’s name are you intending to do with Abraham -Isaacs? How’ll he help me get revenge on Perry, and Dunbar, and -Buffalo Bill?” - -“Wait till Red Steve gets here with Isaacs.” - -A cackling laugh came from Jerry. He had a way of laughing which was -by sound alone, for not a muscle of his cadaverous face moved. It was -more the laugh of a hyena than of a human being. - -“What you’ve got up your sleeve is too many for me, Jerry,” growled -Lige, “but if you can pull off the game as you say, I’ll give you -five thousand in gold. D’you hear? Five thousand in yellow boys if -you make trouble for Perry and Dunbar without making any for me.” - -A greedy sparkle appeared and disappeared in the hunchback’s eyes. - -“I’ll get that money, Lige,” said he, “and you can bank on it.” - -Lige whirled and stared at him. - -“You’re an artful little devil,” he grunted, “and I shouldn’t wonder -if you made good.” - -“I run to headwork, Lige,” piped Jerry, highly pleased with the -left-handed compliment. “I’m a cripple, and can’t ever do anything -worth while with my body--but it’s the mind that rules! It’s the -brain that accomplishes things! If I can’t work myself I can make -others work for me. If----” - -A man, covered with the dust of the trail, appeared in the open -outside door. - -“Come in, Hamp!” cried Jerry, breaking off his words the moment his -eyes had fallen on the man. “You’re just from the Star-A ranch?” - -Hamp pushed into the room and stood staring grimly from Lige to -Jerry, snapping at his leg with his quirt. - -“That’s whar I’m from,” he answered. - -“You watched the place, Hamp?” queried the hunchback eagerly. - -“Shore I did, all last night an’ half the forenoon. When somethin’ -happened I thort ye wanted ter know. I come right hyer with it.” - -“No one saw you watching the place, Hamp?” - -“Nary a soul.” - -“Who’s there?” - -“Buffler Bill an’ pards, Mr. an’ Mrs. Dunbar, an’ Perry.” - -Lige Benner scowled at mention of Mrs. Dunbar. - -“They’re there now, Hamp?” went on Jerry. - -“Naw, not now. When I left only Buffler Bill, Wild Bill, the gal an’ -Perry was thar. The Dutchman, the ole juniper of a trapper an’ the -little Injun had left fer a call on Dinkelmann. When Dunbar pulled -out, I pulled out, too.” - -The fact that Dunbar had “pulled out” aroused considerable interest -in Lige and Jerry. - -“Why did Dunbar leave, and where did he go, Hamp?” demanded Jerry. - -“Dunbar pulled out fer Hackamore ter be gone two or three days. He’s -gone arter cowboys ter help run the ranch, arter supplies, an’”--here -a snarling laugh came from Hamp’s bearded lips--“ter git a diming -ring fer his wife.” - -The hunchback slapped his clawlike hands. - -“I’d reckoned on taking the first fall out of Perry,” said he, “but -events are shaping up so Dunbar is to get it. That’s all, Hamp.” - -“Hit the bunk house,” said Lige; “no range work for you, Hamp, till -to-morrow. Keep mum about what you’ve done, too. There’s twenty pesos -in gold for you, if I learn you haven’t said a word about the work -you’ve done.” - -Hamp mumbled something under his breath, turned and shuffled out. - -“We’re getting along in fine shape, Lige,” crowed the hunchback. “It -won’t be long till you get part of your revenge now. We’ll take care -of Dunbar first.” - -“I want to get Perry, too,” snapped Lige; “don’t forget that while -your brain’s at work.” - -“It’ll be easy to get Perry--but Dunbar first, Dunbar first.” - -“And what about Buffalo Bill?” - -“He’ll come harder, and it’ll take more scheming, Lige. We’ll save -Buffalo Bill for the last. Oh, this is fine--finer than I expected. -So Dunbar has gone to Hackamore to buy a diamond ring for Mrs. -Dunbar, hey?” - -Jerry went off into one of his mirthless cackles again. - -“It couldn’t have happened better, Lige,” he declared, “honest it -couldn’t.” - -“Stop your confounded sputtering and tell me what you’re going to -make happen? What are you keeping me in the dark for?” - -“I’m keeping you in the dark, Lige, until I can make sure of Isaacs.” - -“Isaacs is going to help?” - -“Yes, Lige, if I can get him to. Have you got any influence with -Abraham Isaacs?” - -“I’ve bought stuff from him.” - -“Then buy some more stuff from him, Lige! Buy as much as you can, but -don’t take the stuff or pay him the money until he’ll promise to help -us.” - -“Ole Abe Isaacs would sell his soul if he saw a chance for profit. I -can make a deal with him, but what in blazes can that old Jew do for -us?” - -“I’ll tell you later, Lige, when----” - -“Oh, be hanged to you.” - -Lige Benner whirled away and stepped into the open door. As he did -so, a cowboy hurried up from the foot of the hill. - -“Feller down there wants a job, Benner,” grinned the cowboy. - -“I’ve got all the men I want.” - -“He’s a hoss thief, I reckon,” went on the cowboy, “an’----” - -“If you’re sure of that,” cut in Benner sharply, “send the fellow to -Hackamore with a couple of the men.” - -“But if he is a hoss thief, then he’s been liftin’ some o’ the cattle -belongin’ ter Buffler Bill’s pards an’----” - -“Been stealing horses belonging to Buffalo Bill’s pards?” demanded -Benner. “Send the man up here and tell him to bring the horse.” - -“That’s right, Lige,” said Jerry. “It’ll pay to look into this.” - -Lige and Jerry Benner stood in the door of the adobe house as the -stranger came up the hill. - -“He looks like a bad egg,” muttered Lige. - -“That’s right, Lige,” said Jerry, “he does. I reckon either of us is -competent to tell a bad egg from a good one.” - -Lige didn’t like the tone of his brother’s voice, and turned on him -sharply. Jerry didn’t take his eyes from the figure advancing up the -slope, but the weird laugh came through his motionless lips. - -Before the brothers had a chance to talk any further, the stranger -came to a halt at the door. His horse was a “rangy” animal and -undoubtedly possessed both speed and bottom; and the trappings, -although showing signs of hard usage, were of the best. - -The ragged and tattered man in the saddle did not harmonize with his -equipment. Any one could see, with half an eye, that something was -wrong. - -“Who are you?” demanded Lige Benner roughly. - -The man on the horse pulled down the brim of his ragged old hat, drew -the back of a dirty hand across his lips and answered: - -“Gringo Pete Billings is the handle I tote, amigo. Don’t go fer ter -think I’m as tough as what I look, kase I ain’t.” - -“You couldn’t be, gringo,” spoke up Jerry, with a cackle. - -Gringo Pete pulled himself together and stared at the big-headed, -short-bodied, long-armed form at Lige Benner’s side. - -“Say, I’m convarsin’ with Lige Benner. Aire you him? Which of ye is -him, huh?” - -“I’m Lige Benner,” said the rancher. - -“Then kindly request Leetle Sawed-off ter hold his yaup. I want him -ter cork, I do. I don’t jest savvy what he says, but someways his -tork grinds on me er heap.” - -“Never mind what you like, or don’t like,” returned Lige Benner -sharply. “Tell us what you want here?” - -“I want er job, that’s what.” - -“Where are you from?” - -“Ever’whar. Thar ain’t no settled place whar I hail from.” - -“What sort of a job do you want?” - -“Ain’t pertic’ler. Anythin’ I kin git.” - -“What can you do?” - -“Whatever anybody wants me ter do. I ain’t pertic’ler about that, -nuther.” - -“What ails your eye?” - -“Had er argyment with er greaser. The eye’ll be all right in er -month, but the greaser’ll be laid up fer a y’ar, anyways. Oh, I’m -some persimmons on the wrassle! Ain’t no three greasers kin git the -best o’ me when I’m feelin’ right.” - -“What have you been doing lately?” - -Gringo Pete ran his one uncovered eye thoughtfully over Lige Benner, -then lifted it thoughtfully to the blue sky. - -“Say,” he answered finally, “you got ter have my pussonal hist’ry? -Kase if ye hev, I reckon I’ll look fer a job some’rs else.” - -He picked up the reins as though he would ride on. - -“Wait, Gringo!” chirped Jerry. “Lige, stop him. He’ll be useful to -us.” - -“I was going to stop him, anyway,” returned Lige Benner, getting -around in front of Gringo’s horse. “Don’t be in a rush,” he added. -“You’ve got a horse here that don’t belong to you.” - -“Waal,” returned Gringo, “does it belong ter you?” - -“No.” - -“Then what reason ye got ter find fault, huh?” - -“No reason at all. I’d like to know, though, where you stole the -animal, and how.” - -“I didn’t steal it--jest borried it.” - -“Well, where did you ‘borrow’ the horse?” - -“Back at the Star-A ranch. Walked inter the c’ral big as life, put on -the gear an’ rode off. That’s all thar was to it. When I git through -with the critter, I’m goin’ ter take it back.” - -“You must be a pretty slick thief if you could steal a horse -belonging to one of Buffalo Bill’s pards, and make a safe getaway.” - -A fierce look crossed the dirty face of Gringo Pete. - -“I don’t mind tellin’ ye,” he scowled, “that the reason I took the -animile is bekase it belonged ter one o’ that ole rawhide’s pards. -Some day, ye kin bet yer bottom dollar, I’m goin’ ter git Buffler -Bill’s skelp!” - -These remarks caused both Lige and Jerry to take renewed interest in -their unsavory visitor. - -“What have you got against Buffalo Bill?” asked Lige, with a -significant look at Jerry. - -“What hev I got ag’in him?” shouted Gringo, “me?” He stood up in the -stirrups and shook his fist up the river. “Wasn’t it him as trimmed -me fer all I was wuth? Wasn’t it that thar long-haired, meddlin’ -coyote that busted up my bizness an’ took ev’ry dollar I got in the -world? An’ ain’t I follered him all the way from Arizony ter Texas -jest ter play even?” - -“How did he trim you?” demanded Lige Benner, more and more interested. - -Gringo Pete suddenly collapsed into his saddle. - -“I’m torkin’ more’n what I ort,” he mumbled. “I belonged ter a gang -this hyar long-haired trouble-chaser put out o’ bizness. That’s all -I’m tellin’. I want a job hyar bekase Buffler Bill is on the Brazos, -an’ I want ter be nigh him. When he leaves--if he ever does--I’ll -leave, too. I’ll foller him ter Ballyhack but what I’ll land on him -afore I’m done. Now, do yer torkin’. Am I ter stay hyer, er am I ter -ride on?” - -“Stay here, Gringo,” piped Jerry. - -“Get down,” added Lige. “I’ll have one of my men take care of your -horse. I reckon we can give you a job.” - -Gringo Pete got down and Lige Benner yelled for one of his men to -come up from below. - -“Don’t ye go ter puttin’ that hoss in yer wrangler’s herd,” protested -Peter, “an’ don’t go gittin’ my gear mixed up with yer punchers’ -equipment. S’posin’ some’un from ther Star-A blowed in hyer huntin’ -that ’ar hoss?” - -“I’ll have the animal picketed down there among those trees,” said -Lige, pointing to a little grove at the foot of the slope and on the -river bank. “Your ridin’ traps will be left with the animal. If any -one comes here from the Star-A looking for the horse, it’s a safe -gamble the brute won’t be found. Make your mind easy about that, -Gringo. Go into the house.” - -Gringo Pete turned and followed Jerry into the living room. Lige -lingered in front to give orders to the man who had come for the -horse. When Lige got into the house, Gringo was comfortably seated in -a rocking-chair, smoking a black cigar which Jerry had given him. - -“Lige,” said Jerry, fixing his glittering eyes on his brother, “I’ve -got a place for Gringo in my department.” - -That was the first time Lige Benner had learned that Jerry had a -“department” at the ranch. - -“All right,” said Lige, “make your own deal with him.” - -“I’m going to have him work with Red Steve, Lige.” - -Red Steve was always called on for the murderous, underhand work -that could not be safely entrusted to any one else. To yoke Gringo -with Red Steve meant that the stranger was to be given labor of the -“strong-arm” variety without delay. - -“Have it your way, Jerry,” answered Lige. - -“I’d like ter fix it so’st I kin have a leetle time o’ my own, now -and then,” put in Gringo. “’Casionally I’d like ter take a pasear up -the Brazos, keepin’ track o’ Buffler Bill.” - -“You’ll have plenty of time for that, Gringo,” said Jerry, with -another of his weird laughs. “I’ll----” - -A man appeared in the door--a red-haired, evil-looking Texan. - -“I’m back,” the newcomer bawled, “an’ I’ve got Abraham Isaacs along.” - -“Dry up, Steve!” called Lige angrily. “Can’t you see we’re not alone -here?” - -Lige turned to Jerry. The hunchback was already on his feet and -opening a door leading into a rear room. - -“In here with you, Gringo,” said Jerry. “When I’m ready to talk with -you again I’ll let you know.” - -“What am I ter do in thar?” queried Gringo Pete, moving toward the -open door. - -“You’re to stay in that room till you’re called, Gringo,” replied the -hunchback. - -Gringo Pete passed through the door. It was closed behind him, and he -heard a bolt shoot into place. - -“By gorry!” thought Gringo Pete, otherwise Wild Bill, “suppose -they’ve cottoned to the fact that I’m a fake. And suppose they have -shoved the bolt on me, not because they want to have a private talk -with this Isaacs, but because they are making me a prisoner on -general principles? Well, we’ll see,” he finished grimly. “That talk -I put up seemed to sink pretty deep.” - -He looked around him. His slouching manner had dropped from him as if -by magic, and he had instantly become the alert, energetic Laramie -man, ready for any turn of the wheel of fate. - -He was in a small room--a room with a single window opening in the -direction of the river. Crossing to the window he looked out. - -The cowboy called by Lige Benner was moving down the hill and toward -the small grove with Beeswax. What concerned Wild Bill most, however, -was the figure of the red-haired Texan, leaning against the wall of -the house, close to the window, and evidently on guard. - -“They sent Red Steve there to make sure I didn’t try to get away,” -muttered Wild Bill. “Oh, I’m going to like this job, I know I am. It -has all the exciting trimmings that capture my nimble fancy.” - -There was a table and a bed in the room. In one corner, also, there -was a stone fireplace, built in the Mexican style. The stone chimney -ran up along the end of the partition that separated the chamber from -the living room. Recalling the “lay” of the living room, Wild Bill -remembered that there was a fireplace in that department, and in the -corner. The two angles formed by the partition and the adobe wall of -the house, gave opportunity for two Mexican fireplaces from the one -chimney--a fireplace in each room. - -With a stealthy, reassuring glance through the window at the lounging -form of Red Steve, Wild Bill crossed to the narrow fireplace, crawled -into it and stood upright. - -Voices reached his ears from the living room, and every spoken word -was clear and distinct. - - - - - CHAPTER XIII. - - A FIENDISH PLOT. - - -The flues from the two fireplaces joined at a point a little way -above Wild Bill’s head. The sound of voices, coming through the -fireplace in the living room, ascended the flue and echoed down to -the listener’s ear. The sound was amplified, in its passage, as -though it had come through a whispering gallery. - -“I want to buy some stuff, Isaacs,” came the voice of Lige Benner. -“What have you got in that old grip?” - -“I haf got vatches, der finest dot efer vas brought into Texas, mein -friendt,” were the words of Isaacs. “Und I haf brecious shtones like -you nefer see pefore--rings, und sooch like. Vat it iss you vant, -mein friendt? Nodding is too goot for you rich cattle barons--und so -I pring nodding but der best to der cattle country. Vat iss it you -vant?” - -“I spoiled that five-hundred-dollar watch I bought of you a month -ago, and I’d like another.” - -“I schust sold Hank Phelps a fine vatch--ach, so fine!--for six -hundret tollar. He had chewels all ofer him, yes. Dot vatch vas der -piggest bargain yet. I lose money on him--so much as fifty tollar. -Hank Phelps told me dot he spoil a vatch, too.” - -“I want a better watch than Phelps bought,” said Benner. - -“Ach, so! Vone baron geds someding, den der odder baron vants -someding better. Here iss der king of all vatches, der best vatch in -Texas. I gif you der vatch for one t’ousant tollar, und I lose one -hundret tollar on him by wholesale. But you vas my friendt, Benner, -und I vould do a lot for you, yes.” - -Wild Bill, uncomfortably situated in the fireplace, was disappointed. -He thought he was going to overhear something bearing on Perry and -the plot Benner was said to be hatching against the Star-A rancher. -But it seemed that Benner had merely summoned Abraham Isaacs to the -ranch to buy some jewelry. - -Those flush days in Texas had started the cattlemen to spending their -money right and left. Wealth was lavished on watches and diamonds, -and a class of peddlers had sprung into existence, the like of which -had never been known before--and has never been known since. - -Hebrews traveled the length and breadth of the cattle country, -carrying satchels filled with diamonds and watches. It is said that -the value of the contents of these old satchels sometimes amounted -to as much as two hundred thousand dollars! And, what is still more -remarkable, the peddlers were never molested while riding across the -lonely plains. - -Lige Benner beat the Hebrew down to eight hundred dollars for the -watch. He also selected a watch charm, diamond studded, for four -hundred dollars, and a chain for a hundred more. This made a purchase -of thirteen hundred dollars, all told, on which the crafty Isaacs -would realize, at the least, full five hundred dollars in profit. A -good day’s work for Isaacs, but---- - -“I can give you the gold right now for all that plunder, Isaacs,” -said Lige Benner, “but I won’t until you agree to do something for -Jerry here.” - -“Hey?” queried the Jew, with a gasp. “Vat iss it you vant me to do? -A sale iss a sale, mein friendt, mitout anyding extra.” - -“Well, you’ll do this for Jerry, or there won’t be any sale.” - -“What iss it?” - -Here the voice of the hunchback entered the conversation. The talk -was getting interesting, and Wild Bill listened with all his ears. - -“Here it is, Abe. A young fellow by the name of Dunbar has gone to -Hackamore to buy a diamond ring. I want you to sell it to him, Abe.” - -“Iss dot all? I vill be gladt.” - -“No, Abe, that’s not all. Are there any other diamond merchants in -Hackamore?” - -“I’m der only vone.” - -“Then Dunbar will have to buy of you?” - -“He vill haf to buy of me if he buys of anypody, yes.” - -“Good! Now, when he starts to leave town, or just after he leaves, -I want you to accuse him of stealing some of your plunder. Do you -understand, Abe?” - -“But vat if he don’t shteal him?” - -“Accuse him, anyway.” - -“Den maybe I get meinself into troubles. I say he shteal, und he -don’t shteal. Vat vill happen mit me?” - -“I’ll take care of that, Abe. Have you got any bogus diamonds along -with you, Abe?” - -“Sure I haf. I carry der paste chems for peoples dot don’t vas aple -to puy der real shtones. Aber I don’t pring any of dem here to -Benner, no, pecause I knows he vants only der best, yes.” - -“Well, I want some of that bogus jewelry, Abe. You’ll accuse Dunbar -of stealing from you; the sheriff will have to chase after him, -and look through his saddlebags. The stones will be found in the -saddlebags, Abe, so you won’t get yourself into trouble.” - -“How vill der shtones get into der sattlepags if Dunbar don’t take -dem?” - -“Leave that to me, Abe. Will you do as I say?” - -There followed a brief silence. - -“I don’t like dot,” said the Jew finally. “It looks pad for me to mix -in sooch business. Hein, hein! No, I cannod assist mit it.” - -“Then,” came the voice of Benner, “I don’t want this truck I’ve -picked out. Keep the stuff, and I’ll wait till the next peddler blows -in.” - -“You von’t take vat you puy?” cried Isaacs, with a groan of dismay. - -“Not unless you help Jerry.” - -“Subbose I say dot I help him, und subbose I don’t? I got your money, -und you got der vatch und der odder t’ings. How about dot?” - -“Not so fast, Abe,” chimed in Jerry. “Lige is going to give you five -hundred dollars in gold to bind the bargain, and you’re to keep the -stuff he has bought until after this flare-up with Dunbar. When -that’s over, Abe, you come here and give Lige his jewelry, and take -the rest of your money.” - -“Chentlemen,” wailed the Jew, “I don’t like dis business! But vat can -I do? I haf to lif. Yes, yes, I vill do vat you say, but it iss a -hardt bargain.” - -“Hard bargain!” cried Lige Benner derisively. “Why, you old skinner, -you’re soaking everybody in the cattle country, and you don’t let it -worry you very much. You haven’t got a hair-trigger conscience, Abe, -not by a long shot.” - -“I don’d soak nopody, mein friendt, nefer. I sell so close to der -cost dot I vill be ruined if I don’t raise der prices vone of dose -days.” - -Lige Benner laughed at this. - -“Remember this, Abe,” went on Jerry: “You will be as deep in the -plot as anybody, and if you say a word about the scheme you will get -yourself into trouble, but----” - -“Ach, Himmel!” - -“But if you keep still, Abe, nobody will be the wiser, and nothing -will happen to you or to us. Understand, Abe?” - -“Yah, you bet you I geep so still as a clam. I don’t speak nodding at -all to anybody.” - -“You’ll have to go right back to Hackamore, Abe, so as to be sure -Dunbar doesn’t get away from town before he buys the diamond ring of -you.” - -“Vat tifference does it make, Cherry, vedder he puys from me?” - -“Why, Abe, if you have dealings with him it will make it look more -reasonable when you accuse him of stealing from you. Can’t you see -that?” - -“Vat a fine headt for sooch dings you haf, mein friendt! Yah, I see -dot. I vill make it look so reasonaple as I can. Gif me der fife -hundret tollars und I vill go pack by der town.” - -Wild Bill could hear some one moving about the room. After that there -was a jingling of gold. - -“How I like der fine yellow goldt!” came the greedy, gloating voice -of Isaacs. “See how dot shines! Vat a rich mans you was, Misder -Benner!” - -“Never mind that,” said Benner dryly. “Count the stuff and then hike -for Hackamore. See that this game is played right, Isaacs, or you’ll -never sell any more stuff on the Brazos.” - -“I do der best vat I can, chentlemen; und I am to get der resdt of -der gold ven I get droo?” - -“You are,” said Benner. “In the meantime, you have the plunder and -part of the purchase price. That gives you the long end of the deal.” - -There was a little more talk, and then Abraham Isaacs, having -identified himself with as villainous a scheme as was ever hatched, -took his leave. - -Wild Bill, frowning blackly, got out of the fireplace and into the -room. Stepping to the window he looked cautiously out. - -Red Steve was still leaning against the wall of the building, and -apparently had not moved since Wild Bill had looked at him last. The -Laramie man went over and seated himself in a chair. - -“The fiends!” he muttered, anger mounting high in his breast. “So -that’s to be Lige Benner’s vengeance on Nate Dunbar, is it? He’ll -take away the lad’s good name, get him sent to prison, and cover Mrs. -Dunbar and Dick Perry with disgrace! They’d never stay in the cattle -country after such a game as that! Lucky I came here! By gorry, this -might have been pushed through to a success if I hadn’t got next to -it. I reckon I’ve learned enough. My next move is to get away and let -Pard Cody know how I’ve developed this pay streak. A quick move will -save Perry and Dunbar. A----” - -The bolt on the other side of the door was shoved back and the door -pushed open. - -“Come out here, Gringo,” said Jerry Benner, showing his thin, -wizened face; “come out here and we’ll tell you what you are to do.” - -Wild Bill had been forgetting that he was to be hired by Lige Benner. - -But this would give him an opportunity to get away from the Circle-B -outfit and strike a bee line for the Star-A ranch. He got up and -passed out into the living room. - - - - - CHAPTER XIV. - - THE HUNCHBACK’S QUICK WIT. - - -Red Steve had been summoned from his post and into the living room. -He was there to meet Wild Bill when he entered. Lige Benner was also -there, an exultant look on his face which proved he was well pleased -with the treacherous work planned by his brother. Isaacs, of course, -was already on his way back to Hackamore. - -“Red Steve,” said Jerry, waving a hand toward Wild Bill, “this is -Gringo Pete Billings, who comes from nowhere on a horse belonging to -one of Buffalo Bill’s pards. By the same token, Steve, Gringo hates -Buffalo Bill, and I think he’s a good enough hater to be a valuable -man for the White Caps.” - -Red Steve passed his keen little eyes over Wild Bill, measuring him -with a stare that would have made almost any one else but the Laramie -man uncomfortable and apprehensive. - -“How am I sizin’ up, friend?” grinned Wild Bill. “My clothes ain’t -none too good, but they’re the best I got since Cody an’ pards got -through with me, over in Arizony.” - -Wild Bill scowled and leaned against the wall. - -“Ye don’t look none too promisin’ as a good citizen,” growled Red -Steve, “but what I want fer the White Caps ain’t good citizens, but -fellers that’ll do what I tell ’em. Ye say ye’ve got it in fer this -king o’ scouts?” - -“Want me ter sing it?” yelped Wild Bill. “Ain’t I follered Buffler -Bill from Arizony jest ter git even with him? Ain’t I hyer on the -Brazos jest a-campin’ on his trail?” - -“What’re ye wantin’ ter do ter that feller as is called the king o’ -scouts?” - -“The wust I kin.” - -“Supposin’ he was staked out on the perary, an’ a thousand head o’ -stampedin’ steers run over him?” - -Wild Bill’s blood began to boil. For a moment--just a moment--it -seemed as though he would throw off his rôle of avenger for -fictitious wrongs and tell Red Steve, Lige and Jerry just what he -thought of their murderous, cold-blooded schemes. But he got a grip -on himself at the right instant, and went on with the part he was -playing. - -“Kin ye do it, Red Steve?” he demanded. “Tork’s cheap, but it takes -somethin’ besides tork ter git Buffler Bill in a fix like that.” - -“Nigh ter Crowder’s ole c’ral, clost ter the Brazos, thar’s a -thousand head o’ Circle-B cattle rounded up. The White Caps’ll hev -charge o’ them cattle, an’ the longhorns aire goin’ ter git away. -The stampede’ll head over ther place whar Buffler Bill an’ Dick -Perry aire staked out. Arter it’s over, an’ them stakes aire pulled, -the hull play’ll look like er happenchance. The scout an’ Perry -got in the way o’ ther herd; they was on foot, an’ they couldn’t -save theirselves, not noways.” A savage grin crossed Red Steve’s -villainous face. “What d’ye think, Gringo Pete?” he asked. - -“I think ye’re some hard ter beat if ye kin pull off a game like -that. How’re ye figgerin’ ter do it?” - -Wild Bill’s “pay streak” was developing undreamed-of possibilities. -Used though he was to the merciless tactics of the frontier, his -blood was running cold at these desperate schemes, so calmly broached. - -To Lige Benner and his inner circle of helpers, a man’s good name -or even his life weighed little against an overmastering desire for -vengeance. - -“Come with me, Gringo Pete,” said Red Steve. “I’ll take ye down where -ye can tork with the rest o’ the White Caps. The’s six o’ us now, all -told, countin’ you an’ me. This way!” - -Steve exchanged a reassuring look with Lige Benner, then led Wild -Bill out of the house and down toward the grove where the Laramie -man’s horse had been taken. - -“Jerry, you scheming imp,” cried Lige Benner, whirling on his -brother, “what’s all this you’ve been up to?” - -The hunchback was devoid of feeling. His crippled body matched his -crippled nature, making him abnormal, fiendish in his schemes and -fiendish in having them carried out. His murderous disposition had -turned a fresh page--a page which even his brother Lige had never -suspected before. - -“I’m planning for you, Lige,” cackled Jerry, “what you’ve never had -the nerve to plan for yourself--much less to attempt to execute.” - -“Be hanged to you! You’re going too far with your staking and your -stampeding! Look out, or you’ll bring the whole cattle country down -on me--say nothing of Buffalo Bill’s pards.” - -“How’ll they come down on you, Lige?” purred the hunchback. “I’ve -done all this White Cap planning, haven’t I? This is the first you’ve -heard of it, Lige, ain’t it?” - -“I’m mixed up in it, just the same, you foxy, cold-blooded whelp. -Tell me what you’ve done.” - -“I had Steve organize a gang of White Caps, Lige,” explained Jerry. -“There are six in the gang now, and that’s a-plenty, I reckon. They -wear white caps to disguise themselves. When this trouble happens to -Dunbar, word will be sent to the ranch. Perry will go to Hackamore to -help Dunbar, and Buffalo Bill, of course, will go with him. Both will -be caught by the White Caps and staked out. Then the steers will be -stampeded----” - -Lige Benner was walking the floor again. He had not the nerve to let -his brother’s diabolical plot be carried out. - -“I’ll not stand for it, Jerry!” he cried. “Working that trick with -Dunbar is clever, and all right; but this other thing I won’t stand -for. It would never succeed.” - -Jerry ruffled up his humped back and spit at Lige like an angry cat. - -“I’ve started out to do the job, Lige,” he screeched, “and I’ll do -it!” - -“You’ll not stake Cody out and run a herd of stampeded steers over -him,” declared Lige Benner, tossing his hands, “and that’s flat. I’ll -get my revenge on Cody some other way.” - -Jerry’s anger died down suddenly, but a treacherous sparkle smoldered -in his eyes. - -“All right, Lige, all right,” said he. “I’ve got to ride to Hackamore -to carry out my part of the scheme against Dunbar.” - -“Your part? What’s your part?” - -The jibbering laugh came from the wizened, expressionless face of the -hunchback. - -“How are those paste diamonds to be found in Dunbar’s saddlebags, -Lige,” he asked, “if I don’t put ’em there? That’s my work. I didn’t -want to ride into Hackamore with Abraham Isaacs because people might -think of it later, and suspect something. But I can go into town now, -and----” - -The words died on the hunchback’s lips. He was looking at the -seemingly blank wall--staring hard. - -“What ails you, Jerry?” queried Lige. - -Without speaking, Jerry shambled to the wall and swept one clawlike -hand over it; then he looked at the hand and turned on Lige with eyes -that gleamed like coals. - -“Look, Lige!” he whispered hoarsely. - -He held up his hand. Lige Benner saw that it had been blackened with -something from the wall. - -“What is it?” went on Lige curiously. - -“Soot! Soot and ashes, Lige. Here’s where Gringo Pete Billings was -leaning while Red Steve was talking to him. Gringo Pete couldn’t have -picked up soot and ashes on his clothes between the Star-A ranch and -here.” - -Lige Benner had not the wit necessary to follow these deductions back -to their cause, but he knew that some discovery of importance had -been made by Jerry. - -The hunchback whirled around, without waiting for further talk, and -rushed into the rear room. He saw the chair where Wild Bill had been -sitting when summoned into the living room to talk with Red Steve. -The chair also had traces of soot and ashes on its seat and back. - -Like a hound on the scent, Jerry glided to the fireplace, staring -into it and upward with sharp, glimmering eyes. The next moment the -hunchback got into the fireplace. - -“Go into the next room and talk, Lige,” he called out; “talk out -loud, Lige, just like you were talking with Isaacs.” - -Gradually Lige Benner’s mind was leading him to the truth. As -his brother proceeded with his investigations, the trend of the -hunchback’s suspicions was made so manifest that Lige could not -escape understanding them. - -In the living room Lige spoke two or three sentences in the easy, -conversational tone used with Isaacs. Jerry rushed in on him -suddenly, his eyes blazing. - -“Gringo Pete is a spy!” he snarled, dancing around his brother in -grotesque wrath and excitement; “he’s a spy, I tell you, Lige! He -came here to find out something, and he crawled into the fireplace -and overheard all that passed between us and Isaacs!” - -Lige Benner’s wrath was rising in a way that matched Jerry’s. - -“What’s Gringo Pete’s object?” he asked, trying to keep his head -clear and get at all the angles of the situation. - -“His object, Lige, was to find out what we’re going to do,” declared -Jerry. - -“Of course; but why?” - -“Why? Oh, use your brains, Lige, if you’ve got any!” - -“He hates Buffalo Bill as much as I do. Even if he did find out -anything----” - -“Idiot! Don’t be a fool! Lige, can’t you see that Gringo Pete’s yarn -may have been faked up? Why, Lige, that tramp of the plains may have -been sent here by the scout himself--sent here to keep track of what -we’re doing! And look what he’s found out, Lige! He’s learned all -about the game we’re planning to play on Dunbar, and Red Steve’s -giving him the facts about that other scheme the White Caps are -mixed up in! If Gringo Pete gets away from us, we lose out. Can’t you -see that, Lige?” - -The wrath and apprehension of the hunchback was something terrible -to witness. He hopped around the room like a huge toad, talking to -himself and throwing his long arms all around him. - -Suddenly Lige grabbed his brother and shook him. - -“Pass up that foolishness, Jerry!” he ordered. “If Gringo Pete is a -spy, we’ll capture him and keep him right here. The game at Hackamore -will go on. I’m willing to bet against long odds that the game wins -out. Get ready to go to Hackamore. I’ll see that Gringo Pete is taken -care of.” - -“Go on, Lige, go on!” breathed the hunchback, waving a skinny hand -toward the door. “Hurry, Lige, hurry--or you’ll be too late.” - -Lige Benner ran out of the house and down the slope toward the small -grove at the edge of the river. From the open door the hunchback -watched him. - - - - - CHAPTER XV. - - A “FLASH IN THE PAN.” - - -Wild Bill Hickok was due for a “flash in the pan”--something very -unusual with him. - -As he followed Red Steve down the hill, the Laramie man was -congratulating himself on the fact that he was to meet the other -White Caps in the same grove where his horse had been secured and the -riding gear left. He was casting about in his mind for some excuse -that would enable him to get the trappings on Beeswax and fare away, -all without exciting the suspicions of Red Steve and the other four -men in his detachment. - -Wild Bill was also thinking that he would like to learn more of the -plot against Buffalo Bill and Perry, but he did not want to delay his -departure too long and so run the risk of not being able to get away -at all. - -“That thar Jerry feller is as savage as a Feejee,” said Wild Bill to -Red Steve, when they were close to the grove. - -“He’s ther brains o’ this hyer ranch when thar’s any schemin’ goin’ -on,” returned Red Steve. “It was him as hatched up this hyer plot -about the stakes an’ the stampede. That’s purty vi’lent, but when -ye’re dealin’ with fellers like Buffler Bill an’ Perry, no halfway -measures ain’t a-goin’ ter pass muster.” - -“I reckon that’s so! Whar is this hyer Crowder’s corral?” - -“Between this ranch an’ the Star-A. Thar’s them boys o’ mine,” Red -Steve added, pointing. “They’re sizin’ up that ’ar hoss o’ yourn.” - -The two men entered the grove and came front to front with four -men whose faces were as villainous as that of Red Steve. They were -looking Beeswax over with critical eyes. - -The horse was picketed, and the saddle, bridle and blanket were -hanging from the limb of a nearby tree. - -“Purty good hoss, that,” remarked Wild Bill. - -Four pairs of eyes turned on him suspiciously. - -“Who the blazes aire you?” asked one of the quartette. - -“He’s got a clean bill, pards,” spoke up Red Steve. “I know his looks -is ag’in him, but he’s all right in spite o’ his looks. He suits -Jerry an’ Lige, so he’s got ter suit us. He’s ter be one o’ the White -Caps. Gringo Pete, that feller’s Shorty Dobbs; the one behind him is -Ace Hawkins; the one back o’ Ace is Splinters Gibson; an’ t’other -’un is Weasel Skinner. We all got ter be friends, fellers. Don’t act -measly to’rds yer new pard.” - -The four ruffians tried hard to show their friendship. - -“Ye got er blame’ good hoss,” remarked Shorty Dobbs, with an -up-and-down look over Wild Bill and a more or less admiring glance in -the direction of Beeswax. - -“He’s second ter but one hoss on the Brazos,” declared Wild Bill -proudly, “an’ that one hoss is Buffler Bill’s Bear Paw.” - -“I know this hoss,” said Weasel Skinner. “The last time I seed this -hoss, Wild Bill Hickok was a-ridin’ him.” - -The Laramie man chuckled. - -“The hoss belonged ter Wild Bill afore I took him,” said he. “That -ole Laramie fossil won’t never see Beeswax no more. The animile is -mine, now.” - -“Hickok’ll git his hoss back if he has ter take yer h’ar ter do it,” -asserted Splinters Gibson. - -“No feller o’ Hickok’s size’ll ever git my skelp,” bragged Wild -Bill, taking a tremendous pleasure in this turn of the talk. “I kin -show Hickok the way I wear my back h’ar any day ye kin find in the -almanac.” - -“Ye got gas enough fer a b’loon ascension,” grunted Ace Hawkins, “an’ -mebby that’s all thar is to ye.” - -“Mebby,” agreed Wild Bill, “an’ mebby ye ain’t got as much sense as -what the law allows.” - -“I got sand if I ain’t got sense,” flared Ace Hawkins, “an’ if ye say -the word, I’ll knock yer spine up through the top o’ yer head till it -sticks out like a flagpole. I----” - -“Hush!” cried Red Steve. “Consarn it, kain’t ye ack like gents an’ -pards? Don’t ye try h’istin’ any flagpoles like that, Ace, er ye’ll -hear from me right quick. This here’s our new pard, an’ here ye -go treatin’ him like a hired man. Us fellers has got ter all hang -tergether.” - -“Er we’ll hang another way if we don’t,” spoke up Shorty Dobbs with a -shake of his bullet-like head. - -Out of the tails of his eyes, Wild Bill had caught a look at the top -of the hill through the trees. He saw Lige Benner running through the -door of the adobe house, and Jerry Benner standing in the doorway and -watching him. - -Something was wrong. Wild Bill didn’t know what it was but thought -he’d take time by the forelock and get clear. - -“That Beeswax hoss is shore the slickest animile fer tricks ye ever -seen,” said Wild Bill. - -He was in a hurry, but it would never have done to let Red Steve and -his men see it. - -“What tricks kin he do?” asked Splinters Gibson. - -“Waal, he kin lay down an’ roll over with me on his back,” averred -the Laramie man gravely, “an’ without never hurtin’ me none.” - -“I got money as says he kain’t,” growled Ace Hawkins. - -“I don’t want yer money,” said Wild Bill, “but I’ll show ye.” - -He pulled up the picket pin--there was no time to get saddle and -bridle on Beeswax--and made a hackamore of the picket rope. - -“Stop that man!” came a voice from near the foot of the hill. - -Wild Bill understood the words, and they certified to Lige Benner’s -hostile intentions toward him. But the shouted order was not so -clearly understood by Red Steve and his men. - -“Who was that a-yellin’?” demanded Red Steve. - -“Sounded like Lige’s voice,” answered Shorty Dobbs. - -“Now, ye watch!” bellowed Wild Bill, at the top of his voice, hoping -to drown out any more noise Lige Benner might make. - -As he spoke, he jumped to the back of the horse. If he could get away -with the hackamore, and minus his riding gear, Wild Bill was going -to be entirely satisfied. Kicking his heels into Beeswax’s ribs, -he started through the timber in the direction of the trail to the -Star-A. - -“Hyer!” roared the voice of Shorty Dobbs; “make ’im lay down an’ roll -over!” - -“Got ter git ter clear ground afore I kin do that,” shouted Wild -Bill, turning in his saddle. “Trail erlong, amigos!” - -Red Steve and his four White Caps might have started after Wild Bill, -still in the hope that he would make Beeswax “lie down and roll over” -had not Lige Benner, at that moment, come tearing in among them. - -“He’s a spy!” bawled Benner; “Gringo Pete is a spy! He’s trying to -get away!” - -The last word died in a fusillade of revolvers. Red Steve, his four -men and Lige Benner had each drawn a six-shooter and sent their -leaden respects after Wild Bill. - -The Laramie man felt that he was safe. What horse was there at the -Circle-B that could overhaul old Beeswax? - -In that supreme moment, gloating over what he had accomplished, the -Laramie man must needs turn, shake his fist and taunt those behind on -their poor marksmanship. - -“Yah! You men couldn’t hit the side of a barn! By-by!” - -While Wild Bill was looking behind, something mighty important was -happening in front. As he turned around to keep Beeswax in the right -course, the Laramie man was made unpleasantly aware of the change in -the situation. - -Four of the Circle-B cowboys were riding in from the range. These -four were directly in front of Wild Bill, and not more than twenty -feet distant. They had heard Wild Bill’s shout, and their attention -had already been attracted by the discharge of revolvers. When the -whoops and yells of Lige Benner, Red Steve and the rest reached -their ears, they spread out and prepared to blockade the racing -fugitive. - -“Keep clear!” shouted Wild Bill. - -He made a fierce attempt to get at his revolvers. They were under his -ragged disguise, and he had been under the impression that they were -placed where they could be conveniently drawn. - -But in this he was mistaken. Some part of his costume got between his -itching fingers and the hand grips of his guns. - -In a flash he realized that his weapons were not to serve him. He had -the coil of rope and the picket pin in front of him, and he grabbed -up the pin and hurled it with all his force. - -One of the blockading cowboys was ready to fire his revolver. Before -the trigger could be pulled, the sharp point of the pin had struck -his arm. He gave a yell of rage and pain, and his weapon dropped from -his nerveless fingers. - -“Stop!” cried another of the cowpunchers; “stop or I’ll bore ye!” - -Wild Bill leaned far from his horse’s back and struck out with his -fist. - -The cowboy who had voiced the threat, slewed backward in his saddle, -so wrapped up in his own pressing complaints that he had no time to -give further attention to the Laramie man. - -Once more Wild Bill was beginning to congratulate himself. Two of the -four cowboys were out of the running; if he could dodge the other -two, the trail to the Star-A would be clear before him. - -But right here the picket rope and pin, which had served Wild Bill so -well, now proved his undoing. - -The rope, weighted by the pin, was cutting all sorts of capers around -Beeswax’s flying heels. As hard luck would have it, chance threw the -rope into a loop, and the loop caught the horse’s front feet. - -Down went Beeswax--and he really did roll over. But Wild Bill was not -on the horse’s back. The Laramie man had been hurled a dozen feet -onward. - -When he dropped, he came down all of a heap; and before he could -collect his scattered wits, two cowboys were on him, and Lige Benner, -Red Steve, and many more were rushing at top speed for the scene to -lend their assistance. - -Wild Bill was caught! - - - - - CHAPTER XVI. - - HELD BY THE ENEMY. - - -Wild Bill was a terribly surprised man. He didn’t mind the jolt of -his fall, nor the roughness with which the cattlemen treated him, but -the blow to his confidence was a hard thing for him to get over. - -He fought as long as he could, and only ceased his struggles when -ropes made it impossible for him to move. - -The set-to had disarranged his entire make-up, and had even caused -him to lose a portion of it. Under the ragged garments he wore his -usual costume, and the amazement of Lige Benner was great when he -discovered that his prisoner was no less a person than Wild Bill -himself. - -“You came here in disguise to spy on me, did you, Wild Bill?” scowled -Lige Benner, looking down on his captive and wondering what he should -do with him. - -“I came here to find out what I could about your criminal doings,” -answered Wild Bill, “and it’s dollars to chalk marks that I’ve seen -and heard enough to put a rope around your neck. A nice sort of -respectable cattle baron you are!” - -“He’s too blame’ mouthy!” growled Red Steve. “The thing ter do with -him is ter put him whar he kain’t bother us.” - -“I’ll do that,” returned Benner. - -“How’s my horse?” asked the Laramie man. - -“Nothin’ wrong with the caballo,” said one of the cowboys. - -“Take good care of him. I told you, Hawkins,” Wild Bill went on to -the White Cap, “that Beeswax could lay down and roll over with me.” - -“He done it, all right,” returned Hawkins, with a sputter of -profanity. “But I reckon it was a put-up job, an’ that ye didn’t -calculate ter have it that-a-way.” He turned to Lige Benner and Red -Steve. “Say, you fellers goin’ ter let Wild Bill keep his hair arter -the way he’s fooled us? Why, he knows enough ter make us all a mighty -sick lot, I can tell ye.” - -“I’ll take care of Wild Bill,” said Benner shortly. “Carry him up to -the cabin.” - -Wild Bill was lifted by four men and toted up the hill to the adobe -house. He saw Jerry on a horse in front of the cabin as he was -carried toward the door. - -“You kept him from getting away, eh, Lige?” chirruped the hunchback. -“That’s good, mighty good! Keep a tight hold on him, Lige. When I get -back, some time to-night, I want to see that fellow here.” - -“You’ll see him here, Jerry, and don’t you forget that,” answered -Benner. - -Jerry, with a look of malicious triumph at Wild Bill, whirled his -horse and started toward the trail for Hackamore. The prisoner was -carried on through the living room of the house and dropped on the -bed in the rear chamber. Benner drove everybody out but Red Steve, -then drew up a chair to the head of the bed and sat down. - -“Why did you do this, Hickok?” he asked, with a black scowl. - -“You know why I did it,” was the reply. “What’s the use of threshing -that all over again?” - -“You’ve put me in a hard position.” - -“Not half so hard as you’ll be in later, Benner. You can wipe me off -the slate, if you want to, but that’s not going to help your case -any. Buffalo Bill knows I came here, and if I don’t get back to the -Star-A ranch he’ll know what’s happened to me. You’re going to get -scratched, Benner, no matter which way the cat jumps.” - -Benner’s face was a study. - -“How much did you find out?” he demanded. - -“A heap more than I expected to,” was Wild Bill’s answer. - -“He’s buffaloed us oncet, Lige,” said Red Steve, “an’ don’t let him -do it ag’in. His light kin be snuffed so’st nobody’ll ever know who -done it. I’ll take the job.” - -“Not yet awhile,” returned Benner. “See that he’s bound so he can’t -slip the ropes, Steve, and then put your men on guard around the -house.” - -“I’ll stay right in this hyer room with him, if ye want,” offered Red -Steve. - -“That’s not what I want. You can stay at the door of the living room, -and you can put one or two men at the outside window, but Wild Bill -stays in here alone.” - -It was evident that Lige Benner hesitated to trust Red Steve alone -with the prisoner. The fiery-haired Texan would perhaps have taken -matters into his own hands, in spite of Benner’s orders. - -“Ye needn’t be afeared I’d sponge him out, Lige,” leered Red Steve, -catching the drift of arrangements. - -“If you tried that,” said Benner, “you’d get sponged out yourself. -I’m going to have the country watched, all around the ranch. If -Buffalo Bill, or any of his pards, come here looking for Hickok, -we’ll have them before we know what they’re doing.” - -“Purvidin’ they’re reckernized,” qualified Red Steve. “I hadn’t a -notion Gringo Pete was Wild Bill--an’ I looked Gringo Pete over -mighty close, too. Say, he’s some on playin’ a part, Wild Bill is.” - -“You’re a very accomplished man, Wild Bill,” said Benner, with some -sarcasm, “but this time your accomplishments have loaded you up with -more trouble than you can handle.” - -“It looks that way, for a fact,” returned the Laramie man cheerfully. -“Would you mind telling me, Benner, how you happened to learn I -wasn’t what I seemed?” - -“Jerry got next to that. Jerry can get next to anything in the -lame-duck line.” - -“Which indicates that Jerry also has his accomplishments,” grinned -Wild Bill. “But how did he turn the trick against me?” - -Benner explained that point in a few words. Wild Bill cast a rueful -look in the direction of the fireplace. - -“If I hadn’t been a little shy on reasoning myself,” he muttered, -“this wouldn’t have happened, and I’d now be on the way to the -Star-A. Nobody but myself to blame. Go ahead and do your worst, -Benner. After that, you take my advice and get out from under.” - -Benner whirled on his heel, beckoned Red Steve to follow, and the two -men passed out of the room. The door was closed and the bolt shoved -into place. - -“Same thing I heard a while ago,” reflected Wild Bill, “only the case -is different. I’ve been more kinds of a chucklehead this trip than I -know how to mention. Oh, I’m proud of myself! And Pard Cody will be -just as proud when he finds out about it. Here I am, loaded to the -guards with information that means liberty and good name for Dunbar, -and perhaps life itself for Perry, and not able to do a thing to tell -what I know. Pleasant situation! Mighty pleasant--if you don’t care -what you say.” - -The Laramie man was greatly cast down, but he never allowed chagrin -or dejection to cut very deep into his optimistic nature. He was -caught hard and fast in the clutch of circumstances; yet it was -better to face the gloomy situation with some show of grace, than to -deaden his resources by giving way to despair. - -But Wild Bill was sorry for Dunbar and Perry--sorrier for them than -he was for himself. - -The afternoon passed. Wild Bill, his limbs cramped and numb from the -ropes, twisted around on the bed and fretted for some one to talk to. - -He beguiled some of the time by working at his bonds. They were -knotted firmly, but he tried sawing the hempen strands in two by -working the rope up and down on the side board of the bed. - -These tactics might have won out if he had had two or three days to -keep at them, but a few hours grinding would accomplish little. - -When the shadows of evening began to settle down, the bolt was pushed -back, the door opened, and Benner and Red Steve came in again, the -latter bringing the prisoner’s supper. - -Wild Bill’s hands were not unbound. Red Steve propped him up on the -bed and fed him. - -“Have you made up your mind what you’re going to do with me?” -inquired the prisoner, when the meal was finished. - -Lige Benner stood gloomily by with folded arms. - -“You’ll be kept here to-night,” said he. “In the morning we’ll know -how your account is to be settled.” - -Red Steve looked at the ropes, reported that the prisoner had been -tampering with them, and tied them in such a way that the sawing on -the side board of the bed could not be continued. - -“You’ll not be able to get away from here, Hickok,” said Benner. -“Even if you got rid of your ropes, you couldn’t get out; and if you -got out, you’d be dropped in your tracks by a bullet before you’d -gone a dozen yards. You’ll have to make the most of it. You’ve forced -my hand and will have to take the consequences.” - -“All right,” answered Wild Bill amiably. “But wait till this trail’s -run out before you do any talking. I’ve got pards that won’t care -a whoop for you and your Circle-B outfit when they learn what’s -happened to me.” - -Red Steve picked up the empty dishes, and he and Benner again left -the room. - -From then on, while the night steadily deepened, Wild Bill allowed -certain possible events to pass in review. Already, no doubt, -Jerry Benner had worked his plot against Dunbar. Word of Dunbar’s -predicament had gone to the Star-A ranch, and the scout had started -at once for Hackamore with Perry. On the way to the town, the White -Caps would lay for Buffalo Bill and Perry. - -Wild Bill chuckled as his mind took up that phase of the question. - -“I’d like to be around and see what Pard Cody does to those White -Caps,” he muttered. - -The hours passed while he reflected. Stygian darkness settled down on -the bedroom, only a lightish blur marking the window opening. Wild -Bill could hear Red Steve moving around in the living room, and -he could hear some one outside the window; but he heard something -else--something that caused him to give over his reflections and -centre his attentions on the peculiar noise. The sound was like a -muffled scraping, and it was coming steadily nearer. Wild Bill tried -to locate it, but the darkness confused him and he could not. - -At last he heard deep breathing, stifled to the merest rasping -whisper, accompanying muffled footfalls. A form, barely -distinguishable, reached the bed. Wild Bill was about to speak, when -a hand dropped over his lips. - -“Cork!” whispered a husky voice. “I’m Ace Hawkins, an’ if ye breathe -a word out loud, things’ll go hard fer the two o’ us. We’ll palaver a -spell.” - -For a moment the Laramie man was dazed. Ace Hawkins, one of Red -Steve’s White Caps, there in the room with him! And he had come in -stealthily! Why? - -Quick as lightning, Wild Bill’s brain solved the problem in what he -conceived the most logical way. - -The White Caps were taking the fate of the prisoner in their own -hands. Benner was not desperate enough to suit them. They would put -the prisoner out of the way without letting Benner know anything -about the proceeding until it was too late for him to interfere. - -Wild Bill tried to sink his teeth into the hand that smothered his -lips. - -“Quit that, you!” hissed Hawkins. “What fer kind of way is that ter -act? Ain’t I come here ter help ye, runnin’ all kinds o’ risks? -Red Steve is at the door of the other room, an’ Shorty Dobbs an’ -Splinters Gibson is outside the winder. I was around the side o’ the -house, an’ took my life in my hands, by climbin’ to the roof an’ -comin’ down the chimbly. I’d be skelped good an’ proper if Red Steve -knowed whar I was.” - -Was Wild Bill dreaming all this? Ace Hawkins, who had seemed to be -the most savage of the White Caps, was sneaking around and running -the risk of life itself in order to do him a good turn. Naturally, -the Laramie man couldn’t believe it. - -“That’s a good yarn, Hawkins,” murmured Wild Bill. - -“It’s straight,” protested Hawkins. - -“I don’t believe such a crooked coyote as you are could talk straight -if he tried.” - -“Then ye got an eye-opener comin’ ter you. Ye come hyer, didn’t ye, -bekase the sky pilot sent a warnin’ from Hackamore?” - -“That’s a bull’s-eye hit, anyhow.” - -“Did ye hyer how the sky pilot got tipped off ter the trouble -a-brewin’ at the Circle-B?” - -“I heard that a friend of his, from the Circle-B outfit, gave him the -news.” - -“Which is kerrect. I’m thet thar friend.” - -“You? One of Red Steve’s White Caps! Say, Hawkins, you’re piling it -on pretty thick.” - -“I ain’t so tough as what ye reckon, Wild Bill. Jordan, the sky -pilot, has showed me the error o’ my ways, he has, an’ I’m tryin’ ter -be white. I useter be bad enough, but I’m differ’nt now.” - -“How are you different? Haven’t you tangled up with Red Steve’s White -Caps? Is that the way you’re trying to be ‘white?’ Don’t take any -more falls out of the truth, Hawkins. If you’re here to do me up, go -ahead.” - -A muffled exclamation broke from Hawkins’ lips. - -“I j’ined the White Caps so’st I could keep track of ’em an’ of Red -Steve,” he averred. “I wanted ter git a chanst ter back-cap ’em, same -as what I’m doin’ now. I’m ready ter prove it, Wild Bill. Wait!” - -Again Hawkins bent over Wild Bill. The prisoner felt the cowboy’s -groping hands at his wrists, and then cold, sharp steel bit at the -hempen strands. - -Wild Bill, his wonder growing, pulled his arms in front of him. While -he was rubbing his hands to restore circulation, Hawkins was using -the knife at his ankles. - -“Now,” whispered Hawkins, “ye’re free. Does that prove anythin’? Am I -straight goods, er ain’t I?” - -“You seem to be all right,” returned Wild Bill, sitting up on the -edge of the bed, “but this may all be a play to help Red Steve get -the best of me.” - -“Hyer!” - -Hawkins pressed something into Wild Bill’s hands. They were a couple -of six-shooters. - -“Them’s yourn,” went on Hawkins. “Red Steve give ’em ter me ter take -keer of, when ye was landed on at the foot o’ the hill. Yer hoss is -in the grove whar he was left that other time. I’ve got the saddle -an’ bridle on him. All ye got ter do, Wild Bill, is ter crawl up the -chimbly, git ter the ground same as I come up, go down the hill an’ -git inter the saddle. I’ll go with ye, an’ we’ll talk further. Yore -move is ter git back ter the Star-A an’ tell Buffler Bill what ye -know. Ye ort ter hev made that move afore, but thar wasn’t no way I -could help pull it off till now.” - -Wild Bill had been pleasantly disappointed. He had thought Hawkins -was a foe, and here he was turning out to be a friend. The Laramie -man reached out gropingly in the dark. - -“Where’s your fist, Hawkins?” he murmured. - -“Hyer.” - -Wild Bill shook the hand. - -“You’re a whole man, Hawkins,” went on Wild Bill. “I’d never have -believed this of you if I hadn’t gone through it personally.” - -“Ye needn’t thank me,” said Hawkins deprecatingly. “Thank the sky -pilot. If it hadn’t been fer him, I’d be here clamorin’ fer yer -skelp. The sky pilot advised me ter hang on with Steve an’ Benner, -playin’ a double part an’ watchin’ my chance ter do a good turn fer -right an’ jestice. But we kain’t stand hyer palaverin’. It ain’t -safe. Any minit Red Steve may come in, an’ the fat ’u’d be in the -fire. Ye’ve been in that chimbly oncet, an’ hyer’s whar ye foller me -up ag’in. Come on, an’ come quiet.” - -Hawkins guided Wild Bill across the room to the fireplace; then, -getting inside, the two men mounted up and up, planting their feet on -the projecting stones and wedging themselves in the flue with their -arms and elbows. - -Great care had to be exercised in order not to alarm Red Steve. -The Laramie man had not forgotten that the two flues constituted a -whispering gallery, and that unusual noises in the chimney would -reach the ears of any one in the living room. - -But Red Steve may have been half dozing. At any rate, he heard -nothing and was not aroused. - -Hawkins was first to climb over the top of the big chimney. As Wild -Bill followed him, they could hear Shorty Dobbs and Splinters Gibson -talking below, near the window at the end of the adobe house. - -“So fur, so good,” whispered Hawkins, “but we ain’t out o’ the woods -yit. We’ll have ter hang ter the aidge o’ the roof an’ drap. I’ll -drap fust, then you foller.” - -Like a shadow, Hawkins lowered himself from the roof’s edge and let -go. A slight thump came back to Wild Bill. - -It was not a long drop--the house was only a one-story affair--but -there was a chance to sprain an ankle, for all that. - -Wild Bill slipped carefully from the edge of the roof, hung a moment, -and then loosened his fingers. His foot struck on a stone, and he -fell with quite a scramble. There was a stir around the corner, and a -dark form showed itself. - -Hawkins pressed Wild Bill down on the ground with a quick hand. - -“What ther nation is goin’ on, Ace?” called a voice. - -“Nawthin’,” answered Hawkins. “I jest fell asleep standin’ up, an’ -tumbled over.” - -“Waal, keep yer eyes open. Splinters says we’re goin’ ter ride ter -the Star-A purty soon.” - -The form disappeared, and Ace Hawkins drew a long breath of relief. - -“Now fer down hill,” he murmured, “an’ the quicker we skin out, the -better.” - -With Hawkins leading, the two moved noiselessly down the slope, in -the direction of the river and the little grove of trees. - -“Hyer we aire, all serene,” said Hawkins, “an’ yore hoss is right -ferninst ye, Wild Bill.” - -“I can see him,” answered the Laramie man. “I’ll not be bagged again, -Hawkins.” - -“Lige Benner has got watchers out, all around the camp. Ye’ll hev ter -git clear without causin’ any ruction, if possible, an’ I’d suggest -that ye ride in the water, a little off the bank. The Brazos ain’t -bein’ watched so much as the trails. Mebby ye’ll git away without -trouble. I’m hopin’ so, anyways.” - -“What’re you goin’ to do, Hawkins?” - -“I’m stayin’ with the White Caps. That’s what the sky pilot said fer -me ter do.” - -“But when they find out that I’ve got away, more than likely you’ll -be suspected.” - -“I don’t reckon so.” - -“Your safest move is to come with me.” - -“I’m goin’ ter stay on, with the White Caps an’ try ter pervent them -kerryin’ out any deviltry. Thar’s a lot o’ it on the programme, as I -reckon ye know.” - -Wild Bill passed to his horse, unhitched the animal and got into the -saddle. - -“Don’t let the brute lay down an’ roll over with ye,” said Ace -Hawkins humorously. - -“Nary, pard,” chuckled Wild Bill; “nor I won’t walk lame or play dead -for Benner and his gang any more. But I’d sure like to do something -to get even with you for this night’s work.” - -“What I’m doin’ I’m doin’ on account o’ the sky pilot. He’s a friend -o’ Perry’s.” - -“All right, Hawkins, let it go at that. Has that hunchback returned -from Hackamore yet?” - -“I reckon not.” - -“You think the White Caps are going to make a move against Perry and -Buffalo Bill?” - -“They’ll move ag’in Perry. Prob’ly some un has come in with news, an’ -that’s why the White Caps aire gittin’ ready ter move. What the news -is I don’t know. But you hustle ter tell Buffler Bill what ye know. -Thar’s been sich a delay gittin’ you loose that the scout’ll have to -make his play ag’in long odds; but, like as not, a quick move fer -Perry an’ Dunbar’ll put ’em right. If I kin----” - -At that moment a call for Hawkins came from up the hill. - -“The White Caps is waitin’ fer me,” added Hawkins hastily. “Ride the -river fer a mile, then take ter the trail. Adios!” - -With an answer to the call from above on his lips, Ace Hawkins -hurried out of the grove. - -Wild Bill waited for nothing further but spurred to the river’s edge -and into the water; then, turning Beeswax in the direction of the -Star-A he proceeded cautiously to pass the guards posted by Benner. - - - - - CHAPTER XVII. - - THE PLOT AT HACKAMORE. - - -Nate Dunbar’s first inquiry, after he had put up his horse in the -Hackamore corral and dropped in at the Delmonico Hotel, was for a -jewelry peddler. - -“There was one here,” said the hotel clerk, “but one o’ Benner’s men -come in arter him an’ he’s gone ter the Circle-B. He’ll be back, I -reckon, as soon’s he unloads some o’ his stuff on Lige Benner.” - -It was after twelve o’clock, and Dunbar scoured the dust from his -face and hands and went into the dining room for his dinner. - -The first thing he wanted to buy was a ring with a genuine “spark” -for Hattie. But he’d have to postpone that and go hunting for cowboys -and ranch supplies. - -At the general store where he got the goods for the ranch he heard of -two or three experienced men who were out of a job. He found them in -a saloon, and hired two of the men on the spot. The third of the trio -was a fellow whose looks wouldn’t pass muster. - -The troubles of Perry and Dunbar were well known all up and down the -Brazos. A few days before, public opinion had been solidly against -them; but now, thanks to the energy of Buffalo Bill and his pards, -public opinion had undergone a change. - -Everywhere he went Dunbar was greeted cordially. - -“Always knew you an’ Dick Perry would come out on top,” ran the -general theme of talk. - -Nate Dunbar smiled grimly. He knew that nearly every one in -Hackamore was under the thumb of the cattle barons, and that the -spectacular work of the scout and his pards, alone, had faced every -cattle baron but Lige Benner the other way around. It wasn’t for -himself that the people of Hackamore showed so much sympathetic -interest in him and Perry and their fortunes, but because of the -potent influence of the king of scouts and his compadres. - -If was three o’clock in the afternoon when Dunbar saw Abraham Isaacs -riding into Hackamore. Instantly the young rancher bethought himself -of the diamond ring which he had set his heart on buying for his wife. - -He was at the hotel as soon as the Jew got there. - -“Got any nice stones set in a ring, Uncle?” asked Nate. “If you have, -I reckon you and I can do business.” - -Isaacs peered at him from under his bushy brows. - -“Who you was, young chentleman?” he asked. - -“Dunbar, of the Star-A ranch,” was the answer. - -A flicker ran through the Jew’s eyes, and he trembled a little as he -shifted his battered satchel from one hand to the other. - -“Ach, mein friendt,” said he, “I haf got some of der finest shtones -in rings vat efer you see, yah, so. You got der money to buy, I got -der rings to sell. Vat you like?” - -“Come off some place where we can be by ourselves,” answered Nate. “I -don’t like to buy finery with so many folks lookin’ on.” - -The clerk offered them the use of a room, and they were soon in -chairs, looking over the peddler’s stock. - -“What I want,” said Dunbar, “is the real, gen-u-ine thing in stones. -This ring’s to be for Mrs. Dunbar, and she hasn’t her equal among -womenkind in all Texas. I want something that’s up to the mark, or it -don’t go; and, what’s more, I haven’t a mint of money to squander, -either.” - -“Vat you like to pay?” - -The Jew was studying the handsome face of the young man, studying it -compassionately. If it wasn’t for the gain to be had from Benner, -Isaacs would never have taken part in the contemptible plot hatched -by Jerry. But money was the Jew’s life blood. His compassion was -strong, but his love for money was stronger. - -“A hundred pesos is the extent of my pile,” said Dunbar. - -“Act, Himmel! Vat you expect to get for a hundert tollars? It -vill be shmall, mein friendt. Tiamonts iss vort’ mooch money. A -hundert-toller bigness in a tiamont iss shmall.” - -“Well, anyways, a hundred-dollar bigness is all I can stand for,” -returned Dunbar regretfully. “Next time you come around, Isaacs, -maybe I’ll be in better case so that we can dicker for a watch. How -much is this?” - -He picked up a ring and held it where the slanting rays of the sun -entered a window and struck a rainbow of color from the single stone. - -“A hundert und feefty toller, Misder Dunbar,” replied the Jew, “but -I geave him to you for one hundert toller. You look like a fine poy, -und I haf got tender feelings for fine poys. Ven you puy der vatch, -den I make it oop vat I lose on der ring. Hein?” - -“I’ve bought something, uncle. Put the ring in a box and I’ll stow it -away.” - -The ring was put in a case, and the money changed hands. Dunbar, -whistling blithely, left the room. Isaacs looked after him, shook -his head forebodingly, and began replacing his jewelry in the satchel. - -While he was about it, a tapping came on the window of the room. He -looked up and saw Jerry Benner peering in at him through the glass. A -shiver ran through the humped form of Isaacs. Here was where the plot -was to begin! - -Jerry motioned with his hand that Isaacs was to lift the window sash. -The Jew obeyed, and the crooked form of the hunchback floundered into -the room. - -“He’s bought his ring, has he, Abe?” asked Jerry. - -“Yah, so,” murmured the Jew, “he has bought der ring.” - -“Well, you get those paste stones in a hurry and bring them to me. -Hurry, Abe. He left his saddle and saddlebags at the corral. It’s a -good chance, Abe, for me to do what I’m planning.” - -“Ach, Cherry,” said Isaacs, clutching his hands, “he looks like a -goot poy.” - -“Never you mind about that, Abe,” snapped Jerry. “If you want to -collect the rest of what’s coming from Lige, get you those bogus -stones. Hustle! Sim Pierce is talking with Dunbar, and Dunbar may -leave for home before he intended. Hurry up, Abe.” - -With a stifled groan, the harassed Jew turned and left the room, -taking his precious satchel with him. He returned in a few moments -with the false stones, and the designing Jerry got through the window -with them and moved in the direction of the corral. - -Sim Pierce was the first man Dunbar saw when he stepped through the -door of the hotel, the present for Hattie in his pocket. - -“Hello, Nate!” called Sim. “I was out ter the Star-A an’ had dinner. -Buffler Bill told me you was in town. Have ye seen the sky pilot yit?” - -“Is Jordan in town, Sim?” queried Nate, surprised. - -“He was some tired an’ out o’ sorts, an’ he allowed he’d go ter bed -fer a day. He’s at the Delmonico, but I reckon he’s snoozin’, an’ -makin’ up fer the sleep he lost when he tied that knot on hossback.” - -Sim Pierce chuckled and nudged Dunbar in the ribs. The cowboy grinned -responsively. - -“Whyever did you make such a quick trip to the ranch, Sim?” Nate -asked. - -Sim drew Nate off toward the hitching pole in front of the hotel, -looked carefully around, and told the young rancher what he had -already told Buffalo Bill and Wild Bill. Dunbar at once began to -worry. - -“I’m going to let the rest of my work here in town wait,” said he, -“and I’m going back to the ranch. If any trouble happens, I want to -be there.” - -“I reckoned you’d feel that-er-way, Nate,” returned Sim, “but afore -ye go, I’d advise ye ter palaver with Jordan. If he knowed ye was in -town he’d be anxious ter see ye.” - -Dunbar ran back into the hotel and inquired his way to the sky -pilot’s room. He was with Jordan no more than fifteen minutes, and -when he left him he hurriedly settled his bill, saddled and bridled -his horse and started at speed for the Star-A. - -All this was circumstantial evidence against Nate. He had told the -clerk that he expected to remain in Hackamore two days, but here he -was leaving in haste before he had been in town much more than four -hours. - -Nate had hardly hit the trail before Abraham Isaacs began to stir up -the whole hotel with the howling announcement that he had been robbed. - -As ill luck would have it, Bloom, the sheriff, happened to be in the -hotel office at the time. He took Isaacs in hand, questioned him, and -the clerk cut into the talk to tell about Dunbar’s hurried flight for -the Brazos. - -“He’s the man!” declared Bloom, with a snap of his lean jaws. “You, -an’ you, an’ you,” he turned to indicate three cowboys who were in -the office, “will come with me. You can’t refuse the law when you’re -called upon. We’re a ‘possey come-and-git-us,’ and we’ve got to -overhaul Dunbar and see if he’s got the stolen goods.” - -Sim Pierce, strolling toward the hotel from down the street, saw the -sheriff and the four cowboys hustling off along the trail. He knew, -from the way they rode, that there was something up. - -In the office the clerk told him about the robbery of Isaacs, and -about Dunbar being suspected. - -“It ain’t so!” bellowed Sim Pierce. “That ’er boy is as squar’ a -piece o’ furniture as ever come out o’ the fact’ry. I tell ye I won’t -b’leeve it.” - -“You’re not the only one who won’t believe it, Sim,” came a quiet -voice behind Pierce, and he turned to meet the indignant, boyish -face of Jordan, the sky pilot. “We’ll wait till Bloom and his posse -get back, though, before we express ourselves too strongly. I’ve a -notion”--he dropped his voice to a whisper--“that this may be a part -of Lige Benner’s plot. We’ll see, Sim, we’ll see.” - -It was two hours later that the “possey come-and-git-us” loped back -to town. They brought Nate Dunbar with them, and Nate’s hands were in -manacles. - -They had found the missing diamonds in his saddlebags. Nate didn’t -know how they had got there, but he did know that the first he saw -of them was when the sheriff pulled them out of the bags. - -Although burning with indignation, Jordan, the sky pilot, kept in the -background. - -“Sim,” said he to Pierce, “get a fresh horse and ride for the Star-A -ranch as fast as you can go. Don’t tell Hattie anything about this, -but tell Buffalo Bill and his pards. I’ll do nothing here until I can -have a talk with the scout. He’s the one to handle this, and the only -one!” - -So, while Sim Pierce raced through the night, and Jerry Benner rode -slowly and exultantly in the direction of the Circle-B ranch, Nate -Dunbar sat helpless in the shanty which served for the Hackamore -jail. The young rancher was so dazed by recent events that he could -not think. - - - - - CHAPTER XVIII. - - BUFFALO BILL’S SUMMONS. - - -Sim Pierce had left the Star-A ranch, on the occasion of his first -visit, immediately after dinner. While Mrs. Dunbar, happy as a lark, -was clearing away the dishes and singing about her work, the scout -and Dick Perry sat in front of the cabin. - -Perry was an educated man--altogether of too fine a grain, the scout -thought, to be “pioneering it” in the cattle country. - -“Thanks to you and your pards, Buffalo Bill,” said Perry, “the worst -of the Star-A troubles are over. Hear that girl singing away in -the kitchen!” An affectionate smile crept over Perry’s face as he -listened. “Just to be near happiness like hers, fills me with the joy -of life and living.” - -The scout nodded. - -“You have a whole lot to be glad about, Perry,” said he. - -“If anybody continues to stir up trouble on the Brazos, amigo, it -will be the Benners.” - -“Is there more than one Benner, then?” - -“Haven’t you heard about Lige’s hunchback brother, Jerry?” - -“Come to think of it, I believe I did hear something about a -hunchback.” - -“Jerry,” went on the rancher, “is a regular demon. He hasn’t any more -heart in him than a stone, and his wits are as keen as a razor. Jerry -is twice as sharp as Lige and twice as savage.” - -The scout laughed. - -“I thought Lige was savage enough,” he remarked, “but if Jerry is any -worse, I’d like to see him, just out of curiosity.” - -“Jerry’s a schemer,” pursued Perry, “and I’ve heard it said that Lige -is half afraid of him.” - -“Lige is a good deal of a coward. Any man who favors -snake-in-the-grass methods in preference to a stand in the open, is a -coward--and a knave, as well.” The scout got up from his chair. “I’m -going over to the hammock, Perry,” said he, “and take a siesta.” - -“When will Wild Bill be back?” asked Perry, as the scout moved off. - -“Some time to-night.” - -“And the baron, Nomad and Cayuse?” - -“I’m not expecting them until they get here.” - -The scout reached the canvas hammock, swung under a tree near the -place where he and Wild Bill had had their talk earlier in the day, -and stretched himself out comfortably. - -The Laramie man was a great deal in his mind. How was he making it at -the Circle-B ranch? Somehow, what Perry had had to say about Jerry -Benner had increased the scout’s worry on Wild Bill’s account. - -If Jerry was so much sharper than his brother, it might be that Wild -Bill would stand in a good deal of danger from him. - -The scout’s worries did not bother him long. Lulled by the peaceful -quiet of his surroundings, he fell asleep. Several hours later he was -awakened by some one moving round the hammock. He opened his eyes to -find old Nomad, the baron and Little Cayuse clustered about him. - -“Buenos, pards!” laughed the scout, sitting up in the hammock. “I -thought you were going to stay all night at Dinkelmann’s?” - -“Dere don’d vas anypody ad home,” answered the baron, “neider Fritz -nor Katrina. Ve hang aroundt a vile, und den ve come pack.” - -“Nothin’ doin’,” rumbled the old trapper. “Waugh! I never see sich er -quiet time. I ain’t reached a p’int yit whar I like ter fool erway my -time hossback ridin’. Thet’s all thet happened on this ride ter the -Dutchman’s. I was er hopin’ some o’ them measley cowpunchers would -try ter ride circles around us, jest ter give us a chanst ter cop out -a leetle excitement. But nary nothin’ happened. Whar’s Wild Bill?” - -Gathering his pards closely around him, the scout told of the warning -of impending trouble that had been sent to the ranch by the sky pilot. - -Old Nomad began to mutter wrathfully. - -“Shore, oh, shore,” he snorted, “somethin’ ’u’d sartingly git started -ther minit I pulled out. An’ Wild Bill’s gone ter put ther leetle -Hickok kybosh on ther rantankerous doin’s, hey? Whyever did you stay -behind, pard?” - -The scout explained that Wild Bill had gone to the Circle-B ranch in -disguise, and that he hoped to find out what the trouble was to be, -in case the sky pilot had not been wrongly informed. - -“Sufferin’ catermounts!” mourned the old trapper. “An’ all this hyer -happens while I’m chasin’ up Dutchmen with ther baron. Cayuse, ain’t -ye plumb mad at yerself fer bein’ sidetracked when thar was somethin’ -excitin’ goin’ on?” - -Little Cayuse had never very much to say on any subject. He merely -grunted in answer to the trapper’s query. - -The baron looked very much distressed. - -“I peen so sorry as plazes,” said he, “dot I vasn’t here meinseluf -when Vild Pill vent avay. Meppy he vould haf took me mit him. I peen -some fine fellers in a disguise!” - -“Hyer thet!” whooped the trapper. “Et don’t make no diff’rence how -the baron’s got up, the lingo he uses is a dead give-away on him. -Wild Bill, I reckon, kin kerry ther game through. I’m hopin’ he runs -inter somethin’ lively--an’ thet he passes et eround. Ranchin’ et is -purty tame bizness, seems ter me.” - -The scout and his pards talked until supper time, and after supper -they smoked out under the trees and watched and waited for Wild Bill. -As the hours passed without bringing him, the scout’s uneasiness -increased. - -Perry and his daughter were in the house. The girl was reading aloud, -and her father sat in a near-by chair, listening. - -It must have been nearly nine o’clock when a beat of hoofs in the -trail brought the pards off the bench. - -“Thar he comes!” declared old Nomad, with intense satisfaction. “Now -we’ll know what kind of er b’ar he’s ketched by ther tail.” - -A call from the scout brought the horseman to a halt some distance -away from the house. - -“That you, Hickok?” asked Buffalo Bill. - -“Nary, it ain’t, Buffler Bill,” answered a voice. “This hyer’s Sim -Pierce ag’in. I’m droppin’ in purty frequent, hey?” - -“What’s to pay now, Sim?” returned the scout. - -“Who’s with ye? I got ter know that afore I open up.” - -Sim Pierce slid down from his horse and moved closer to the group -under the shadowy branches of the tree. - -“Old Nomad, the baron and Little Cayuse are with me, Sim,” replied -the scout. - -“Perry an’ Mrs. Dunbar in the house?” - -“Yes.” - -“Waal, ther’s the deuce ter pay, an’ no mistake. Dunbar’s been -arrested.” - -Startled exclamations went up from the pards. - -“What was he arrested for?” demanded the scout. - -“For stealing dimings off of a Jew peddler named Abe Isaacs.” - -“A frame-up!” breathed the trapper; “a frame-up o’ Benner’s!” - -“What proof is there that Dunbar stole the diamonds?” went on the -scout. - -“He was ketched by the sher’ff with the stones in his saddlebags.” - -“I feel so madt aboudt dot I vish I couldt fight,” flared the baron. -“Tunpar vouldn’t do sooch t’ings, und dot’s all aboudt it. Oof he vas -ketched mit der tiamonts, den somepody pud dem in his sattlepags. You -hear vat I say!” - -“Tell us all you know about it, Sim,” said the scout. - -Sim unbosomed himself, finally getting down to the point that it was -the sky pilot who had sent him to the ranch this second time, just as -he had done the first. - -“He wants ye ter hotfoot it ter Hackamore, Buffler Bill,” finished -Pierce, “kase if anythin’s done fer Nate ye’re the one thet’s got -ter do it. The Hackamore sher’ff’ll pay some attention ter you, which -he won’t ter the rest o’ us.” - -“I’ll git the hosses, Buffler,” tuned up the trapper joyfully, “an’ -we’ll hit the breeze to’rds Hackamore.” - -“Not so fast, Nick!” demurred the scout. “I’m the only one that’s -going to Hackamore. The rest of you are to stay here with Mrs. Dunbar -and Perry. What’s on for to-night is more than any of us know. It’s -a cinch, I think, that this pretended robbery in Hackamore is only a -part of Lige Benner’s plot. He may try to pull off another part of it -here at the ranch, so you fellows have got to stay and keep your eyes -skinned. When Wild Bill gets here, tell him where I am.” - -The scout’s order was received in gloomy silence. All the lively -doings seemed to be monopolized by Benner’s ranch and the town of -Hackamore, and the peaceful quiet at the Star-A was not at all -alluring. - -Buffalo Bill was not long in getting riding leather on Bear Paw. When -he drew up in front of his pards, he leaned from the saddle for a few -words of caution. - -“Don’t tell Hattie and her father anything about this, pards,” said -he. “Jordan and I will get Dunbar out of the scrape, and there’s no -use pestering Perry and the girl with the details. Dunbar can tell -them all about it when we bring him back. And don’t fail to stay here -on guard. Lige Benner isn’t above sending some of his cowboys here to -raise a ruction. If they come, you take care of them.” - -The scout straightened in his saddle and gathered up his reins. - -“All right, Sim,” said he. - -The spurs clinked and the two horses leaped forward into the shadows -that overhung the trail. - -“Orders is orders,” growled old Nomad, “but I shore wisht I was goin’ -erlong with Buffler, er else over ter pay a visit at the Circle-B.” - - - - - CHAPTER XIX. - - AT ODDS WITH THE SHERIFF. - - -It was midnight when Buffalo Bill turned his horse over to Sim -Pierce to be taken to the corral, and stepped into the office of the -Delmonico Hotel. - -There were but three men in the office--Jordan, Isaacs and the clerk. - -The moment the scout entered the room a load of anxiety seemed to -drop from the sky pilot’s shoulders. He started toward the scout with -outstretched hand. - -“I’m more than glad to see you, Buffalo Bill!” he exclaimed. “Our -friend Nate is the victim of some dastardly plot, and circumstantial -evidence is all against him.” - -“Let’s go to the jail and see him, Jordan,” said the scout. - -“The sheriff won’t allow any one to see him.” - -“I reckon he’ll let me.” - -“He says he won’t let a soul into the jail to-night. But here’s some -one else you can talk with--Abraham Isaacs, the man from whom the -diamonds were taken.” - -The scout whirled on Isaacs. Under his searching eyes, the Jew -lowered his face. The two hands that held his battered satchel on his -knees trembled perceptibly. In three strides the scout was at the -Jew’s side. - -“Your name is Abraham Isaacs, is it?” he demanded sharply. - -“Yah, so,” the Jew answered, keeping his eyes averted. - -“You say young Dunbar stole some diamonds from you?” - -“I say dot I lose some tiamonts. Dey was foundt on Dunbar. Vat you -t’ink?” - -“I think there’s been a hocus-pocus, and that Dunbar is getting the -worst of it. Where are the diamonds you lost, Isaacs?” - -The Jew opened the satchel and took out a handful of rings, watch -charms and buttons--all set with stones. The diamond-mounted buttons -were affected by some of the wealthy cattle barons. - -Buffalo Bill picked up one of the rings and looked at it closely. -Isaacs scarcely breathed during the examination, fearing that Buffalo -Bill might discover that the stone was an imitation. - -“Nate wasn’t intending to return to the ranch for a day or two,” said -the scout, dropping the ring into the Jew’s hand. “Why did he start -back in the afternoon of the same day he reached Hackamore?” - -“Pecause,” croaked Isaacs, “he wanted to get avay mit der tiamonts.” - -“That wasn’t the reason,” spoke up Jordan calmly. “He didn’t know -I had sent Sim Pierce to the Star-A ranch. When he saw Pierce, and -Pierce told him, Nate came to my room and I gave him the information -I had sent to you. He was worried, and decided to ride back to the -ranch at once. There is no doubt but it was that move that aroused -suspicion against him. The sheriff was here in the office when Isaacs -reported the robbery, and he at once started after Nate with a posse. -When Nate was overhauled and searched, the diamonds were found in his -saddlebags.” - -“How was it possible for Nate to take the stones--assuming that he -did take them?” - -“I vas mit him in vone of der hotel rooms,” answered the Jew, “und I -sold him a tiamont ring vort’ vone hundert an’ feefty toller for vone -hundert tollar. It must haf been vile he vas buying der ring dot he -took der odder t’ings. Dot’s der only shance he vouldt haf.” - -“You’re too sharp, Isaacs,” declared the scout, “to let any one fool -you that way. Nate couldn’t have taken the stones right under your -eyes.” - -“Vell, how it vas der shtones vas foundt in his sattlepags?” - -“There’s an explanation,” said the scout curtly, “and Nate isn’t -involved in it. Were Benner, or any of his men, in town during the -afternoon?” - -“Jerry Benner was in town, Buffler Bill,” called the clerk from -behind the counter. - -“Was he at this hotel at the time of the robbery?” - -“Nix, he wasn’t at this hotel at all. I only heerd he was in town -from fellers that seen him.” - -“Did you see Jerry Benner, Isaacs?” asked the scout, fixing a keen -glance on the Jew. - -“How shouldt I see him?” quavered Isaacs. - -“I don’t know how you did, but did you?” - -“No, I dit nod see Cherry.” - -Once more the scout turned to the clerk. - -“Keep your eyes on the Jew, will you,” he asked, “while Jordan and I -go to the jail for a talk with Nate Dunbar? If he tries to get away, -pull a gun on him. This robbery business is going to be sifted to -the bottom, and those who have got Dunbar into this fix are going to -suffer for it.” - -“I’ll watch him, ye kin bet on that,” said the clerk. “He won’t -leave here, Buffler Bill, an’ when ye want him ye’ll know whar ter -find him.” - -“Buenos!” The scout whirled away towards the door. “Come on, parson,” -said he; “we’ll now move toward the jail.” - -The jail was an isolated shanty at the end of the street. Gloomy -shadows hung around it. As the scout and the sky pilot came up in -front of the small structure, a man started up out of the shadows and -planted himself in front of them. - -“That’s far enough!” the man snapped. - -“It’s not far enough to suit me,” returned the scout. - -“Well, I’m the one that’s boss here.” - -“Who are you?” - -“Bloom, the sheriff.” - -“And I’m Buffalo Bill, and a friend of Nate Dunbar. I’ve come to talk -with him, and Mr. Jordan is with me.” - -“You can’t talk with him to-night. That shot goes as it lays.” - -Bloom, the sheriff, had a rifle in his hands. As he spoke he brought -it to “port arms” and glared at the scout over the barrel. - -“I’d rather not have any trouble with you, Bloom,” said the scout, -the words clicking like the snap of a breechblock, “but you’re -putting on the screws at a time when it’s unnecessary and useless. -Why can’t we go in and talk with Nate?” - -“Because I tell you you can’t,” ground out the sheriff. - -The next moment the scout had made a move. It was a lightning-like -move, and when the sheriff had caught his breath the scout was -standing in front of him with the rifle. Nor was the rifle at “port -arms;” its point was leveled at Bloom’s breast. - -“That’s the way you stack up, is it?” asked the sheriff, in a tense -voice. - -“It is,” was the cool reply. “Maybe you’d like to lock me up with -Dunbar? Think twice before you try. This is not a time to say ‘no’ to -me, Bloom. Lead the way into the jail.” - -The sheriff hesitated. - -“On an occasion like this I’m not in the habit of repeating an -order,” went on the scout significantly. - -The sheriff snapped his jaws together, whirled on his heel and -unlocked the door of the jail. When he had stepped inside, the scout -and the sky pilot crossed the threshold after him. - -“Strike a light, Bloom,” ordered the scout. - -A match was scratched and a lamp lighted. In the middle of the -shanty’s one room stood a bench; and on the bench, wrists and ankles -manacled, sat Dunbar. - -His face was haggard, but a light of hope shone in his eyes as they -rested on the scout. - -“Buffalo Bill!” he exclaimed joyfully. “I thought you’d come as soon -as you found out what had happened to me. Does Hattie know? Or Dick?” - -“Neither of them has been told, Nate,” answered the scout, stepping -to the young rancher’s side and dropping a kindly hand on his -shoulder. “Nor will they know,” he added, “until we get you out of -this and you tell them yourself.” - -The handcuffs rattled as Dunbar gripped the scout’s hand. - -“You’re a friend worth having, amigo,” he murmured, “same as Jordan, -there.” - -“This foul injustice, Nate,” said the sky pilot, “will not be allowed -to continue long. Truth will prevail, and those who have caused this -trouble will be made to suffer for it.” - -“What do you know about those diamonds they say you stole, Nate?” -inquired the scout. “Anything?” - -“Not a thing, Buffalo Bill,” protested Dunbar. “I was hiking for the -ranch when Bloom, and three cowboys, came slashing up alongside my -horse, with their guns out. They ordered me to lift my hands. I did -as they told me. Bloom hunted through my saddlebags and pulled out -the diamonds. That was the first time I ever saw them.” - -“Likely yarn,” grunted Bloom. “Caught with the goods on, an’ you -haven’t the nerve to own up.” - -“I didn’t take the diamonds!” cried Dunbar angrily. - -“You’ll have a chance to prove it in court. And I reckon you won’t -prove it. You’ll go to the nearest ‘pen,’ and that’ll stop these -troubles in the cow country.” - -The scout turned slowly and swept his eyes over Bloom. - -“You’re doing a heap of talking, seems to me,” said he, “for a man -who’s merely an officer of the law. What is it to you whether Dunbar -goes free, or goes over the road? Anything personal in it for you?” - -The sheriff scowled but did not reply. - -“He’s a friend of Lige Benner’s,” declared Dunbar, “and no friend of -Perry’s or mine. While we were having our hard time on the Brazos, he -was throwing the gaff into us every chance he got.” - -“You’re a pill,” scowled Bloom, “and you ought to be run out of the -country. That’s how I feel.” - -“Well,” said the scout scathingly, “be advised by me, Bloom, and -don’t let your personal spite interfere with your duties as a public -officer.” - -“You’re not so high an’ mighty,” sneered Bloom. “Because you’re a -government scout, you ain’t bigger’n the whole State of Texas.” - -“I’m big enough to look after you and take care of Nate,” replied -Buffalo Bill. “The boy’s no thief.” - -“Prove it!” grunted Bloom. - -The door was kicked open just at that moment, and Wild Bill pushed -breathlessly into the room. - -“Sure we’ll prove it!” he cried; “by gorry, that’s what I’m here -for--it’s what I’ve been pounding over this range for during the last -five hours. Nate’s innocent! Listen to the mellow trill of my bazoo, -all hands!” - -Wild Bill dropped wearily down on the bench beside Dunbar. - -The Laramie man presented an appearance that was badly demoralized, -to say the least. He still wore his mismatched footgear and his -torn slouch hat. Where the disguise had been stripped away his -usual costume showed itself, but it did not appreciably improve his -appearance. His hands, face and clothing were covered with grime. - -“Can--can this be Mr. Hickok?” faltered the sky pilot. - -“It’s Wild Bill, parson,” laughed the scout. “Where’d you come from, -pard?” - -“From the Star-A ranch last, amigo,” replied Wild Bill. “Old Nomad -gave me a tip as to what had happened, and where you were, and I -raced on here. Beeswax has had some travel to-night--and it was a bee -line and the keen jump every foot of the way.” - -“What happened at the Circle-B?” - -“I’m getting to that. The Jew, Abe Isaacs, is at the hotel. I tarried -there just long enough to see him in the office and to find out that -you were at the jail. I think the Jew better be here with us while -the case is tried.” - -“This case ain’t goin’ to be tried,” cried the sheriff, “till it -comes up in the regular way.” - -“Who’s he, Pard Cody?” asked Wild Bill, nodding toward Bloom. - -“He’s the sheriff,” answered the scout. - -“Oh, is that all? Can’t he be quiet till he’s spoken to? You’re the -judge, Buffalo Bill, and the parson is the jury. I’m attorney for the -defense, and the sheriff can be attorney for the prosecution, if he -wants to. Who’s going after Isaacs--the judge or the jury?” - -“The jury had better go,” laughed Jordan; “the judge has to keep an -eye on the attorney for the prosecution. I’ll be back before many -minutes have passed.” - -The sky pilot left the jail. - -“I’ve stood for this foolishness about as long as I’m a-going to,” -snarled Bloom. “Give me that gun, Buffalo Bill, and clear out o’ -here.” - -“Not till after the trial,” was the cool reply. “Calm down, Bloom. -Don’t get rantankerous. I’ve got a Long Tom and two sixes, and Pard -Hickok has a pair of forty-fives. Just reflect on the amount of lead -we could throw at one broadside, and take things as you find them.” - -“Has the sheriff got an ax to grind, Pard Cody,” asked Wild Bill, “or -is he just naturally ugly?” - -“A little of both, I reckon.” - -“You fellers can’t ride roughshod over the law o’ this State,” cried -Bloom. - -“We’ll ride roughshod over you,” flung back Wild Bill, “if you give -us any more of your back talk. What I’ve gone through to-night -hasn’t sweetened my temper any.” - -“Have you found out something that proves I’m not a thief?” asked -Nate. - -“I’m next to a whole lote, Nate, that maybe you never dreamed about,” -said Wild Bill. “But wait till the case comes to trial; wait till---- -Ah, the parson and the Hebrew! Here’s where we get busy.” - -It seemed evident that Isaacs had not come willingly to the jail. The -sky pilot had an arm hooked through his and was half dragging him -along. From one of the Jew’s hands swung his always-present satchel. - -Isaacs’ face was an ashen hue under the lamplight, and with his free -hand he pulled nervously at his long beard. - -“Here’s Mr. Isaacs, Buffalo Bill,” announced the sky pilot, pushing -his companion forward. - -“Don’t be scared, Isaacs,” said Wild Bill, getting up from the bench, -“you’re only a witness. Sit down.” - -“Chentlemen,” quavered the Jew, sinking down on the bench, “vat is -der meaning of dis?” - -“You’ll know in a little while,” answered Wild Bill. “If the attorney -for the prosecution--or persecution--will state his case, I’ll come -back at him with a handful of cold facts. Go on, Bloom.” - -“You fellers’ll not make a fool o’ me,” growled the sheriff. “Just -get done with your play and mosey out o’ here. That’s all I want o’ -you.” - -“Then, your honor,” said Wild Bill, bowing to the scout, “I might -as well open up my bag of tricks. This Jew, Abraham Isaacs, came to -the Circle-B ranch yesterday and had a palaver with Lige and Jerry -Benner. Isaacs was piloted out there by Red Steve, as graceless a -scoundrel as ever went unhung. Lige selected about thirteen hundred -dollars worth of jewelry from that bag of Isaacs’, but said he -wouldn’t take the stuff unless Isaacs would help him prove Nate -Dunbar a thief. Jerry Benner did most of the talking, and----” - -“Lieber Gott,” wailed Isaacs suddenly, slumping down on the floor and -hugging Wild Bill about the knees. “Dot iss plendy! Say no more, mein -friendt! Say no more!” - -Wild Bill kicked the peddler away. - -“Get back on your bench,” he ordered sternly, “and don’t butt into -my argument. Isaacs agreed to come back to Hackamore, while Dunbar -was in town, and put up a howl that he had been robbed. Jerry Benner -was also to come to town, get some fake diamonds from Isaacs, and -put them in Dunbar’s saddlebags. That’s what happened. Lige Benner -and his brother Jerry fixed up this little game, and Abraham Isaacs -helped them carry it through. Is that so?” he cried, turning on the -Jew. “Answer!” - -“Ach, it iss so!” groaned Isaacs. “Vat a miserable mans I vas! I -didn’t vant to do dot, aber I lose der sale if I don’t.” - -“You admit,” went on Wild Bill, “that you gave those diamonds to -Jerry Benner?” - -“Yah, so!” - -“And that Benner was going to put them in Dunbar’s saddlebags?” - -“It vas like you say! Vat a most unhabby man iss me! Mercy, -chentlemen! Don’t do nodding mit me. It vas Lige und Cherry Benner.” - -“The defense rests,” said Wild Bill. - -“The case goes to the jury,” said the scout, turning to the sky -pilot. “What’s your verdict, parson?” - -“Not guilty,” said the sky pilot promptly. - -“The prisoner at the bar is discharged,” declared the scout. “Bloom, -take off those manacles.” - -“I’ll not do any such thing!” cried the sheriff. “I’ll let you kill -me first.” - -“He ought to be killed, Pard Cody,” growled the Laramie man, “even -if you make up your mind you won’t do it. I’d like the pleasure of -taking off those iron gyves myself. Hold that rifle on him while I go -through his clothes.” - -Buffalo Bill brought the rifle to bear on Bloom, and ordered him to -put his hands in the air. Bloom fumed and protested, but his hands -went up nevertheless. - -The Laramie man searched his pockets, found a bunch of keys, and soon -had the manacles off the young rancher’s wrists and ankles. - -“You men will pay for this high-handed proceeding!” scowled Bloom. - -Wild Bill laughed. - -“You were the only one who did anything high-handed, sheriff,” he -returned. - -“How did you find out all this, Wild Bill?” queried the dazed Dunbar. -“I had a notion that Lige Benner was back of the play, but there -wasn’t any way I could prove it. I seemed to be tied up hard and fast -in circumstantial evidence.” - -Wild Bill told what had happened to him at the Circle-B ranch. He -protected Ace Hawkins, however, by failing to mention his name in -the presence of the sheriff. Bloom was manifestly a friend of the -Benners, and not to be trusted with any information about Hawkins. -The Laramie man let it appear as though he had effected his own -escape by way of the chimney. - -“That sounds too good to be true,” said Bloom sarcastically. - -“I reckon it does, to you,” returned Wild Bill. - -“If you know when you’re well off, sheriff,” said the scout, “you’ll -let this matter drop. You don’t show up very well in what has -happened. I’m ready to meet you, though, on any grounds you care to -cut out.” - -Bloom made no answer, but stared stonily at the scout. - -“Nate,” pursued Buffalo Bill, “you’ll march out of here arm in arm -with your good friend, the sky pilot; Wild Bill, you’ll personally -conduct Abe Isaacs back to the hotel office where we can get his -testimony in writing; I’ll bring up the rear of the procession and -stay company front with Bloom, ready to begin on him whenever he -makes the proper sign.” - -But the sheriff made no “sign.” The scout and his party walked -unmolested out of the jail, and proceeded in the direction of the -Delmonico Hotel. - -“Shake, Pard Hickok,” said the scout, when they were nearing -the hotel office. “You’ve done fine work, although it’s hard -to understand how you slipped your bonds and got out of that -chimney--but you’re here, and that proves that you called the turn -somehow.” - -Wild Bill chuckled as he looked around and took the scout’s hand. - -“I’m in on this, Wild Bill,” spoke up Dunbar, seizing the Laramie -man’s hand when the scout was through with it. “This is something -more I owe the scout and his pards.” - -“You owe more to the sky pilot, Dunbar, than to any one else,” -answered Wild Bill. - -“How is that?” asked Jordan. - -“I’ll tell you later.” - -The trembling Isaacs was conducted into the hotel office and made to -write out an account of his agreement with Lige and Jerry Benner. -Buffalo Bill, Wild Bill, and Jordan signed the paper as witnesses. - -“Now, Isaacs,” said the scout, folding the paper and thrusting it -into his pocket, “as it will soon be known to the Benners that they -have lost out through you, I’d suggest that you do not linger in -Hackamore. An extended sojourn might not be pleasant for you. It’s -only a suggestion, however, and you can do as you please.” - -“I vill go,” declared Isaacs eagerly, “und I vill go now.” - -And he did go--taking Lige Benner’s five hundred dollars with him. - -The morning gray was streaking the east when all this business was -finished. - -“Suppose we go to bed?” said the scout. - -“Come out hyer fust, you men,” called a voice from the front of the -hotel. - -It was the clerk. He had accompanied Isaacs to the corral to make -sure that he took his own horse, and he was now calling those in the -office from the hitching pole. - -Buffalo Bill, Wild Bill, and Jordan hurriedly answered the clerk’s -summons. In the dim, ghostly light of coming day a weary horse could -be seen with drooping head over the pole. A man was hanging to the -saddle--bound to the horn and cantle by a rope. His arms hung limply, -and his head was bowed over on the horse’s neck. - -“Who is it?” demanded the scout. - -“Pass the ante,” the clerk answered. “The hoss must hev come up hyer -while I was at the c’ral. The man’s tied in the saddle. By jings, -he’s shot an’ past talkin’! It’s--it’s one o’ Benner’s men. It’s Ace -Hawkins.” - -The sky pilot and Wild Bill both started hastily forward. - - - - - CHAPTER XX. - - IN A GOOD CAUSE. - - -The limp form in the saddle was untied and carried into the hotel. -The clerk proffered the use of a room--the same room in which Dunbar -had talked with Isaacs--and Hawkins was borne in there and laid down -on the bed. A doctor was sent for. - -“He’s got his gruel, that’s my opinion,” announced Wild Bill, -surveying a wound in Hawkins’ breast. - -“This,” said Jordan, in a voice that throbbed with deep feeling, “is -my friend--the very man who came from Benner’s ranch and told me that -trouble was brewing for Perry and Dunbar.” - -“And he’s the man, parson,” added Wild Bill, “who helped me out of -Benner’s adobe house. Red Steve and his White Caps were standing -guard around the house to see that I didn’t make a getaway; and it -was Hawkins, here, who came down the chimney, took the ropes off me, -and helped me get out and find my horse. He said he had helped me -because he was a friend of yours, and that you had brought him to -see where he had been going wrong. When I left Hawkins, he was just -starting off with Red Steve and the other White Caps. The scoundrels -must have found out he helped me to get away--and paid him for it.” - -Wild Bill, with sadness and regret in his face, looked down on the -unconscious man. - -“It was in a good cause, a good cause,” murmured the sky pilot. -“Although a brand snatched from the burning, yet Ace Hawkins is -nevertheless sure of his reward.” - -The minister bent over and parted the tangled hair from Hawkins’ -forehead; then, gently, he began chafing his temples. - -Buffalo Bill had laid a hand on his heart. - -“He’s alive yet,” said he. - -At that moment the doctor came. - -“A shooting, eh?” said he, looking down at the man on the bed with -merely professional interest. “Pretty bad, but I’ll see what I can -do.” - -The most the doctor could do was to revive Hawkins. The man opened -his eyes, and stared around. - -“Whar’s Buffler Bill?” he asked feebly. - -“Here!” said the scout, pushing close to the bed. - -“Yer pard, Hickok----” - -“Here, too, Hawkins,” cut in Wild Bill, stepping to the scout’s side. - -Hawkins lifted a hand, and brushed it across his forehead. - -“The little hoss brought me ter town, eh?” he muttered. “I was purty -nigh fagged when I got that thar rope around me an’ tied ter the -saddle horn. I reckon I’m about done an’----” He paused abruptly, a -faint gleam coming into his eyes as they rested on the sky pilot. -“That you, parson?” - -“It’s I, Ace,” said Jordan, coming up on the other side of the bed -and taking Hawkins by the hand. “Who did this?” - -“Red Steve. I reckoned he might.” - -“Because you helped me?” asked Wild Bill. - -“Nary,” said Hawkins, a faint smile hovering around his lips, “the -White Caps hadn’t found that out yit. This was done bekase I tried -ter help Perry.” - -“Perry?” gasped Nate Dunbar. - -“Yes, Perry,” went on Hawkins. “I got ter be muy pronto if I git you -fellers headed right. Remember when I left ye, Wild Bill?” - -“Yes.” - -“Well, the White Caps rode ter the Star-A ranch. I was afeared we -might see ye thar, but we didn’t. A trick was played on Perry.” - -“Trick?” echoed the scout. “What sort of a trick?” - -“Why, Red Steve had Shorty Dobbs take off his white fixin’s an’ ride -up ter the ranch house. Shorty asked for Perry. When Perry come out, -Shorty told him that Nate Dunbar had been arrested in Hackamore for -stealin’ dimings from Isaacs, that Buffler Bill had gone to town, -and that Buffler had sent him--Shorty--arter Perry. Perry wasn’t ter -tell anybody what had happened ’r whar he was goin’. He sneaked out -ter the c’ral, got onter his hoss, an’ started with Shorty. When them -two come ter whar the rest of us was waitin’ fer ’em, in the timber, -Perry was nabbed. I tried ter help Perry, an’ then’s when Red Steve -let me have it. I knowed right off I’d got my whatfer, but I wanted -ter make Hackamore an’ tell the facts ter Buffler Bill.” - -Hawkins’ strength failed at this point, and the doctor had to give -him a stimulant to enable him to rally. Presently he went on. - -“They chased me, Red Steve, Shorty, an’ the rest, but the little hoss -was too fast fer ’em. I tell ye what, that buckskin kin go! I was -afeared, though, that I’d play out afore we reached town, an’ that -the hoss would kerry me back ter the Circle-B. But he didn’t. He -brung me hyer.” - -“What about Perry, Hawkins?” asked the scout. - -“It’s long odds whether ye save him er not. They’ve took him ter -Crowder’s c’ral--they--they----” - -Hawkins’ head fell back, and his eyes closed. Jordan threw a -questioning, startled look at the doctor, but the doctor shook his -head. - -“Not yet, parson,” said he; “it won’t be long, though.” - -“They’ve bagged Dick Perry--the scoundrels!” muttered Nate Dunbar. -“What’re they going to do with him?” - -“If they follow out the plan as I got it from Red Steve,” said -Wild Bill, “they’re going to stake Perry out and head a drove of -stampeding longhorns his way.” - -The sky pilot’s face went white. - -“They couldn’t be so inhuman!” he declared. “They wouldn’t dare do -such a murderous thing!” - -“You don’t know Red Steve, parson,” said Wild Bill. “Even Lige Benner -balked at that game--but his brother Jerry stood for it, and Red -Steve is going to do this unknown to Lige.” - -“We’ve got to do something,” cried Dunbar. “We can’t stand here like -this.” - -“That’s right, Nate,” agreed the scout; “we’ve got to make a quick -move for Perry. The three of us can manage it, I reckon. It’s a fight -against long odds, for Red Steve and his White Caps have several -hours the start of us, but we’ll do what we can. Do you know where -Crowder’s corral is?” - -“Yes. The corral ain’t used now, except for an occasional round-up.” - -“Well, that’s our destination. Spurs and quirts, friends!” - -As they started from the room, the scout turned and looked back. -Jordan was just laying a blanket over the silent form on the bed. He -caught the scout’s look, and nodded. - -Buffalo Bill hurried on after Dunbar and Wild Bill. In ten minutes -they were slashing along the trail toward the Brazos, Dunbar laying a -course that was to bring them to Crowder’s old corral by the shortest -route. - -“This is a bad job for Red Steve,” remarked Buffalo Bill, as they -galloped along. - -“It’s not the only notch Red Steve has on his guns,” said Dunbar. - -“That Ace Hawkins was plumb white!” declared the Laramie man. “He did -what he thought was right, and it seems hard that he’s got to pay for -it like this.” - -“Hawkins and the sky pilot must have been pretty good friends, Pard -Hickok. If they hadn’t been, Hawkins would never have gone to the -parson, as he did, and told him that trouble was hatching at the -Circle-B ranch.” - -“Human nature is a queer country,” mused Wild Bill. “No Apache Injun -could have thought up a worse scheme than Red Steve concocted for -putting Perry out of the way. Hawkins looked to be on a par with -Steve, Shorty Dobbs, and the other White Caps, but, from the way he’s -acted, is easy to see you can’t always judge a man by his looks. I -take off my hat to Ace Hawkins! He was a whole man.” - -Dunbar’s mind was running on Perry--as was quite natural, in the -circumstances. - -“Red Steve decoyed Perry away from the ranch,” said Dunbar, “and got -him to leave without telling Hattie, or any of your pards, Buffalo -Bill, where he was going. It was my trouble that was getting Dick -away--and the whelps downed him in the trail, and by now must have -him at Crowder’s corral. If we can save Dick, well and good; if we -can’t, I’ll camp on Red Steve’s trail, and stay there until I get him -or he gets me, one or t’other.” - -“If I get a good chance,” cried Wild Bill, “I’ll camp on Red Steve’s -trail myself, just on account of Ace Hawkins. Hawkins, while he was -with Steve’s gang, was playing a part, same as I was. He did it well, -too; so well that he fooled me. But, talking of snakes, that Jerry -Benner is the most venomous rattler loose in this cattle country. -Lige can’t hold a candle to him.” - -The horses were none too fresh, especially Beeswax; but they -stretched themselves gallantly to their work. Dunbar set the pace. -The scout had brought Bloom’s rifle with him. He had taken it from -the jail, in order to be on the safe side; and when the start for -Crowder’s corral was made it seemed good business to keep the gun in -hand against possible emergencies. - -After two hours of rapid travel, the three riders topped a “rise” -that gave them a distant view of the Brazos. - -“Over there,” announced Dunbar, pointing with his quirt, “is -Crowder’s corral.” - - - - - CHAPTER XXI. - - LONG ODDS. - - -The Brazos River, along this part of its course, flowed through -bluffy country. Here and there the low bluffs gave way to show the -river, sparkling in between. - -The old corral came distinctly into view at about the time a wave of -stampeding cattle rolled down toward the plain out of the mouth of -one of the gullies in the bluffs. - -Buffalo Bill shifted his eyes from the log walls of the corral to the -rushing tide of steers. - -“There goes the stampede!” shouted Wild Bill. “We’re not a minute too -soon!” - -“Where’s Perry?” demanded the frantic Dunbar, sweeping his eyes over -the level country in the vicinity of the corral. - -“If you want to locate Perry,” answered the scout, “watch the cattle. -The scoundrels who started that stampede must have got them headed in -the way they want them to go.” - -The thump of hoofs and the click of knocking horns could be heard -distinctly, while the gully began to smoke from the dust kicked up by -the racing steers. - -“I can’t see Perry,” cried Dunbar; “that confounded dust blurs -everything. Let’s head off the cattle, if we can! Perhaps we can get -them to milling!” - -Everything considered, this seemed to be the best course. It was -doubtful whether the frenzied longhorns would keep to the course -marked out for them by Red Steve and his men, and in this very doubt -lay a chance for Perry. - -Uncertainty, however, hedged in every move the scout and his two -companions could make. Had they known definitely just where Perry -was, they could have planned their efforts in his behalf more -intelligently. - -The three riders scattered, Dunbar riding to nag at the herd’s flank -close in toward the bluffs. Wild Bill made a dead set at the rolling, -dusty tide nearer the corral. The scout, on the other hand, pointed -Bear Paw in a direction that would cut the wide path along which the -steers were running at a hundred yards or more in advance of the -leaders. - -As the scout rode, he not only watched the steers, but kept on the -alert for some sign of Red Steve and the scoundrels with him. - -The dust had become a dense cloud, and screened most of the frenzied -herd. From the depths of the cloud came the clickety-clack of -striking horns and the rumble of hoofs. - -Suddenly the scout grew rigid in his saddle. The next moment he had -lifted himself high in his stirrups, and was peering ahead at the -object that had flashed before his eyes. - -The dust whirled and eddied about the object so that, for a few -moments, the scout was not sure of what he saw. When Bear Paw had -brought him closer, every doubt faded. - -Perry was before him, and directly in the course of the charging -steers! - -Four stakes had been planted in the earth, so as to form a square. In -the centre of the square lay Perry, flat on his back, arms and legs -stretched out. Each wrist and each ankle was fastened to a stake. - -The cattleman’s torture, as he lay helpless between the stakes, -hearing the stampeding herd draw closer and closer, must have been -intense. - -What was there the scout could do? While Bear Paw continued to race -on, Buffalo Bill once more lifted himself in his stirrups and shouted -for Wild Bill and Dunbar. - -The dust was so thick he could not see either of the men, and the -noise was so great his voice could not travel far. - -If anything was done for Perry, it must be the scout alone who did it. - -There was but one move open to him. This was to fling himself forward -and get between the approaching steers and the helpless man roped to -the stakes. - -Just what could be accomplished by this move was problematical. There -was absolutely no other way, however, by which even possible aid -could be given to Perry. - -It was a time when seconds counted. Half a minute brought the scout -in the position he had settled upon, and he pulled Bear Paw to a -sharp halt. He was between the rancher and the moving dust cloud--the -cloud from whose forward edge pushed the foam-flecked nostrils and -the wide horns of the charging leaders. - -Turning half around in his saddle so as to face the steer, the scout -lifted the gun from the saddle horn. - -Could quick work with the rifle save Perry, or would that rushing -tide of steers overwhelm Buffalo Bill and the unfortunate cattle -baron? - -Even as this momentous problem flashed through the scout’s brain the -rifle was at his shoulder. - -Sping! - -The hoarse roar of the gun echoed suddenly against the background of -noise caused by the steers. - -One of the animals pitched forward. - -Swiftly the scout worked the breech mechanism and forced a fresh -cartridge into place. - -Sping! - -Another steer went down. - -He picked the animals off the edge of the herd, so that those behind -had to swerve farther and farther to the right in order to find clear -ground. - -Sping! coughed the rifle; clatter, clatter, sping! - -Six shots emptied the magazine, but the last two bullets dropped -steers in such a way that those behind tumbled over the slain, so -that there was a horrible tangle of living and struggling animals, -rolling and floundering on the plain. - -But the main part of the herd had been deflected. Sitting breathless -in his saddle, the king of scouts saw the edge of the rushing herd -just graze the stakes. Loose earth was thrown at him and Perry by the -flying hoofs, and a choking fog rolled around and over them. - -In three or four minutes the last of the steers had passed. Six had -been left on the plain, and to those six Buffalo Bill and Perry owed -their lives. - -Wild Bill and Dunbar, now that the dust had settled somewhat so they -could see, put spurs to their horses and dashed toward the scout. - -“What were you killing Circle-B steers for, pard?” asked Wild Bill, -his voice husky with the dust. - -“To turn the herd so it would go around Perry,” answered the scout. - -“Perry?” echoed Dunbar. - -The scout backed Bear Paw one side and waved his hand toward the -stakes, and the man bound between them. - -A bellow of anger broke from the Laramie man, to be taken up and -re-echoed by Dunbar. - -Throwing himself from his saddle, the young rancher jerked a knife -from his pocket and slashed the ropes that held Perry in his -torturing position. - -For some time Perry could not move or speak, so worn out and spent -was he from the ordeal through which he had passed. At last he -succeeded in rising to a sitting posture and turned his bloodshot -eyes on the scout. - -“Cody,” said he huskily, “you fought against long odds, and you won -out with the narrowest kind of a margin. If you hadn’t turned those -steers by a few feet, just where and when you did, you and I would -both have been done for.” - -“A miss is as good as a mile,” laughed the scout. “There wasn’t time -to cut the ropes and ride away with you, so I had to stand my ground -and fall back on the rifle. Red Steve pegged you out, like that?” - -“I don’t know who it was. The scoundrels wore white caps drawn over -their heads. They got hold of me by a trick--a trick that would have -worked successfully ninety-nine times out of a hundred. A man came to -the house and asked for me. When I went out, he said that Nate had -been arrested for stealing diamonds, that Buffalo Bill had gone to -Hackamore, and that I was wanted there. I wasn’t to tell my daughter, -nor any of Buffalo Bill’s pards. I could understand about not telling -Hattie, but why I was not to tell the scout’s pards was a mystery. I -see now that Red Steve was afraid, if old Nomad, the baron and Little -Cayuse knew where I was going, they might try to dissuade me, or to -let some one else go. I hadn’t got far from the house along the trail -when the white-capped men made an attack. The attack was unexpected, -and I was taken at a disadvantage. They bound me and carried me to -the old corral. There I was left till morning, when they brought me -here and staked me out. - -“I hadn’t an idea what they were intending to do; but, when I heard -the rumble of racing hoofs, I surmised what the fiends were about. -They were planning to have those cattle race over me and trample my -life out! This must have been some of Lige Benner’s doing. But how -did you three manage to learn of my predicament?” - -“If you feel able to ride, Perry,” said the scout, “we can talk that -over on the way back to the ranch. What became of your horse?” - -“He got away during the fight I had with the White Caps on the trail. -I presume he went back to the ranch. Hattie is probably doing a lot -of worrying, and the quicker Nate and I reach the ranch house, the -better it will be.” - -“Dunbar and I might do a little riding and see if we can’t locate Red -Steve, or some of his men,” suggested Wild Bill. - -“No use,” said the scout. “Those scoundrels are on their way back to -the Circle-B ranch by now. We will leave them alone till some other -time. Our trails will cross again, pard, and when they do----” - -The scout finished with a grim frown and a shrug of the shoulders. - -“When our trails cross again,” said Wild Bill, “we’ll remember Ace -Hawkins. I’ve marked Red Steve for my own private kybosh. Take -notice, everybody!” - -Perry got up behind Dunbar, and on the way to the Star-A ranch the -events that had led up to the stampede and the rescue of Perry were -recounted for the rancher’s benefit. - -When the recital was done, Perry was silent for some time. - -“I wonder,” he finally muttered, “when Nate and I will reach the end -of this hostility? How much longer will Benner keep up his evil work?” - -“I think you’ve seen the last of it, Perry,” said Wild Bill. “When he -learns how his latest plans have failed, all around, he’ll probably -take a vacation in some other part of the State and stay there till -the last of the trouble blows over.” - -“And he tried to rob Dunbar of his good name, and me of my life,” -exclaimed Perry, “just to satisfy his desire for vengeance!” - -“He was hit pretty hard, during that other set-to we had with him,” -said Wild Bill, “and it’s hard for Lige Benner to forget.” - -“He’s got something else to forget now,” commented Dunbar grimly. - - - - - CHAPTER XXII. - - PEACE ON THE BRAZOS. - - -When the scout, the Laramie man, Nate Dunbar and Perry rode up to the -ranch house, they found Nomad and Cayuse just about to start off on -their horses. - -The girl was in front of the cabin. At sight of her husband and her -father, she ran toward them with a cry of joy. Nate flung himself -from his saddle and clasped his wife in his arms. - -Hattie did not know how great a reason she had for rejoicing over the -return of Dunbar and Perry. But she was soon to know. - -“Waugh,” whooped the old trapper. “Ef hyer ain’t the lot o’ ye. -Wouldn’t give us a chance ter ride out an’ hunt ye up, would ye, -Perry? Mrs. Dunbar was erbout worried ter death, an’ Cayuse an’ me -was goin’ on er hike ter see ef we couldn’t locate ye. Whar’d ye go -ter, last night? An’ Buffler, how’d you come out in Hackamore? Ye -must hev made good, er Nate wouldn’t be hyar with ye.” - -“Hackamore?” echoed Mrs. Dunbar, withdrawing from her husband’s arms -and turning to her father, “what happened in Hackamore, dad? This is -the first time I’ve heard that anything was going wrong in town.” - -“Nate will tell you all about it, Hattie,” said Perry. “Get us -something to eat, will you, while he’s doing it? We’re a lot of -hungry men, girl, I can tell you that. I’ll take your horse, Nate.” - -Nomad and Cayuse dropped into line and led their horses back to the -corral with the others. - -The baron was asleep in the hammock. When the meal was ready Nomad -turned the hammock upside down and informed the sputtering baron that -everybody had got back and that all hands were sitting in at the -chuck table. - -“Vat a habbiness!” cried the baron bursting in on the scout and the -rest just as they were taking their chairs for a late breakfast. -“Vat a fine pitzness dot eferybody got oudt oof eferyt’ing und dot -ve vas all corraled again mit ourselufs! Nodding much habbened to me -dis trip, aber I don’d mind dot. Der bleasure oof finding you all -togedder, iss more as I can oxbress.” - -“Choke off, pard,” cried old Nomad; “Buffler is erbout ter tell us -what happened in Hackamore, while us fellers was gyardin’ Mrs. Dunbar -an’ the Star-A cabin. Don’t keep him hangin’ fire.” - -The events that had transpired in Hackamore were recounted, and -Hattie Dunbar flushed, and paled, and trembled at the peril her -husband had so narrowly escaped. - -“We owe a lot to you, Mr. Hickok,” said the girl. “We’ll never forget -what we owe Mr. Hickok, will we, Nate?” - -“No, Hattie,” answered Nate. “I reckon you, and I, and Dick can keep -track of our obligations.” - -“The sky pilot gets all the credit,” asserted Wild Bill. - -And then, of course, he had to explain how it was Hawkins’ friendship -for Jordan that had brought about the escape from the adobe house on -the hill. To that escape, and to the knowledge Wild Bill had acquired -in the adobe house, the rescue of Dunbar from the toils of the law -was due. - -“I hope,” said Hattie tremulously, “that we have reached the end of -Lige Benner’s persecutions. Couldn’t something be done to him for -what he tried to do to Nate?” - -“I doubt it,” answered Buffalo Bill. “We have a clear case against -both Benners, Lige and Jerry, and this statement in writing by Abe -Isaacs clinches the evidence, but I don’t believe Lige Benner could -be punished by any court in this part of the country. He is too -powerful. I think, however, that you and your people, Mrs. Dunbar, -will never be troubled any more by the Benners. They went too far, in -this last work, and everybody on the Brazos will learn of it. Every -respectable cattleman will have nothing but contempt and disgust for -the Benners after this.” - -“We could swing Red Steve for what he’s done, Pard Cody,” declared -Wild Bill. - -“Providing we could catch him,” said the scout. - -“And providing you could prove that he was the man who shot Hawkins,” -added Dunbar. - -“I’m pretty sure Red Steve was one of the White Caps,” put in Perry, -“but I didn’t get a look at his face, and I couldn’t swear to it.” - -“How about the man who came here and lured you out into the trail?” -queried the scout. - -“I never saw that man before.” - -“They call him Shorty Dobbs over at the Circle-B,” said the Laramie -man. - -“I don’t think Dobbs has been with Benner long,” spoke up Dunbar. - -“All’s well that ends well, they say,” observed Perry, “and I wish -some one would tell me for certain that the present peace on the -Brazos will last.” - -“I and my pards will stay around here until we’re sure there’ll be -nothing but peace on the river,” said the scout. - -“That makes me feel easier in my mind,” declared Perry. “With you and -your pards for friends and champions, Buffalo Bill, anything Benner -can do won’t worry me much.” - -“Buffler hes got somethin’ up his sleeve,” said old Nomad, “an’ I’ll -bet a blue stack on it.” - -“Vat it iss, bard?” queried the inquisitive baron. - -“He’s goin’ ter hang eround ther Brazos an’ lay fer Red Steve. Steve -was erbout ther fust ruffian the scout got acquainted with on the -Brazos, an’ I reckon he’s plannin’ ter make Steve ther last, as well.” - -“Red Steve richly deserves punishment for his misdeeds,” said the -scout. “I couldn’t leave the Brazos while Red Steve was still at -large without feeling I had failed in my duty.” - -“Same here,” seconded the Laramie man. “But don’t you forget, Pard -Cody, that I’ve marked Red Steve for my own. He and I are going to -come together, before many days, and then he’ll go to some place -where the law’s doing its regulation work and answer for Ace Hawkins.” - -“The law’s in full bloom in Hackamore, Hickok,” laughed the scout. - -“It’s not the sort of Bloom that spells right and justice. The -sheriff in Hackamore is working for the Benners, if I’m any judge.” - -“Bloom has always been hand-and-glove with Lige Benner,” said Perry. -“And he has never been a friend of Nate’s and mine. He was only too -willing, I’ll warrant you, to arrest Nate for taking those diamonds.” - -“Ten to one,” spoke up Wild Bill, “Jerry Benner gave Bloom his cue -before Abe Isaacs made his howl about the stones being stolen.” - -“Ther hull thing sounds like er frame-up, from start ter finish,” -dropped in old Nomad. “Thet Jerry Benner must er had a powerful head -ter set a thing like thet ter goin’.” - -“That head of his will get Lige Benner into trouble, one of these -days,” averred Wild Bill. - -“Oh,” exclaimed Nate Dunbar, pushing back from the table, “I was -forgetting something.” - -His hand went into an inside pocket and he brought out a little, -plush-covered box. - -“I didn’t finish all the business that took me to Hackamore,” he -went on, “but I did manage to wind up the most important part of it. -That’s for you, Hattie.” - -A cry of delight broke from the girl when she saw the diamond. - -“Whenever I look at this ring, Nate,” she said, slipping it on her -finger and holding it where the sun struck vari-colored hues from -the stone, “I shall always remember your peril in Hackamore, and the -gallant friends who saved you from the plots of Lige Benner.” - -“Amen to that,” added Dick Perry. - - - - - CHAPTER XXIII. - - RED THUNDERBOLT. - - -Buffalo Bill was in earnest when he said that he could not leave -the Brazos while Red Steve was at large, and, after a day’s rest, -the scout set out for Hackamore with his trapper pard. It was his -intention to call on Sheriff Bloom and learn what, if anything, he -knew about Steve. - -The pards were riding quietly along the trail when Nomad suddenly -drew rein. - -“I’m a Piegan, Buffler,” he howled, “ef it ain’t thet thar -Thunderbolt critter, ther demon o’ ther range, ther big medicine -steer thet kain’t be captured er killed. Wisht we had er rifle!” - -Thunderbolt was an outcast. In all that cattle country of the Brazos -every man’s hand was against him. - -Bred on the wild _llano_, he was early compelled to shift for -himself, growing up into a wild and untrammeled freedom. He rebelled -against authority and asked only to be let alone. - -Grass and water were free. He took his forage wherever he found it. -In the winter he starved more or less, fighting out the “northers” -under the lee of hills, or in the leafless shelters of the Brazos -thickets; but in the spring and summer he roamed at will, grazing -wherever fancy led him and sniffing the air and watching keen-eyed -for human foes. - -When he was three years old, this maverick fell in with a bunch of -cattle from one of the Brazos ranches. He experienced a desire for -brute companionship, and when the cowboys came he was caught in a -gully and hurried in the direction of the branding pen. - -A rope was thrown. Imbued with the strength of a huge body and the -unfettered years, he snapped the rope in twain, overset a horse and -threw a cowboy sprawling. Then he raced for the great out-doors, bent -only on getting clear of these human foes, with their ropes, and -their fires, and their branding irons. - -Six men on fleet horses took after him. One rider, his mount fleeter -than the others, came near to running him down. Just as the noose was -leaving the pursuer’s hand, the maverick whirled to an about face and -charged. - -A revolver echoed. Its puny report was almost lost in the immensity -of the plain. The bullet bit into the maverick’s dusty side, ran like -fire along his ribs and filled his heart with madness. - -Like a thunderbolt he collided with horse and rider; and when he -broke away and raced on to his hardly won freedom, he left a dead cow -pony behind him, and a cowboy with a broken arm. - -From that moment, the maverick was called Red Thunderbolt throughout -the range. War was declared on him, and cunning traps were devised -for his capture. - -But never a trap closed upon Red Thunderbolt. His brute cunning was -more than a match for the cunning of his foes. - -But the maverick did not come off scatheless in his various -encounters with mounted men. He broke more ropes than ever went wrong -on that range before; and he broke more saddle cinches and injured -more good saddle leather than natural wear and tear would have -accomplished in half a dozen years. - -Also, he killed a cowboy. - -When goaded into frenzy by the pestering horsemen with their ropes -and guns, Red Thunderbolt pitted his life against the lives of his -enemies. He was playing the game, and the unfortunate cowboy had -yielded to the fortunes of war. - -From that time on, the nature of the campaign against Thunderbolt -underwent a change. No further attempts were made to rope the -unmanageable maverick, but all cowboys were armed with rifles and -ordered to shoot him on sight, and to shoot to kill. - -Again and again the longhorn was wounded. His red hide was scarred -with bullet wounds. Nevertheless, he continued to live and to defy -his enemies, and it seemed that he bore a charmed life. - -Wild tales of what Red Thunderbolt had done and was capable of doing -were noised up and down the Brazos. - -It was gravely declared that he was seen at Portala’s, on the upper -river, at noon of a certain day; and, at two o’clock in the afternoon -of that day, he was also discovered racing across the range a hundred -and fifty miles to the south of Portala’s. - -From this it was argued that Thunderbolt, whenever he chose to “let -himself out,” had the speed of a lightning express train. - -The maverick, from accounts, was able to appear in two widely -separated places at the same time. - -His strength was talked of in awed whispers, and took on an aspect as -incredible as his speed. - -It was related that before the killing of Dusenberry, two cowboys -had roped Thunderbolt, and that he had pulled both men, saddles and -all, over their horses’ heads. Thunderbolt had faded away with the -saddles. The missing gear had at last been found in a dry wash--with -the ropes neatly coiled and lying over the saddle horns! - -Such wonder tales, aroused by the remarkable prowess of Thunderbolt, -filled every rider of the range with something akin to panic. - -Cowboys no longer hunted the maverick by ones or in couples--they -rather avoided him, or the haunts where he was supposed to be, unless -they traveled in parties of three or more. - -For two years Red Thunderbolt kept up the battle, spreading terror -wherever he went and growing wise in the ways of the cowboy hunters. -He was a veteran. - -One day, he was feeding in the Whiplash Hills that bordered the -Brazos. He was close to a trail, and the wind was in the wrong -direction for him to scent the approach of a man on foot, who came -suddenly into view around the base of an uplift. - -Thunderbolt was less than a hundred feet from the man. The latter, -recognizing the steer, gave a wild yell, and jerked a revolver from -his belt. - -There was nothing the man could climb and get out of the longhorn’s -way, nothing he could get behind. - -The maverick, seeing the glimmering thing rise in the man’s hand, -realized that there was danger. Thunderbolt had learned that the -safest way out of danger was by charging, not running. - -So his head dropped, he gave a wild bellow, and started for the man -like a red streak. - -_Crack!_ - -The lead went wide. Another moment and the man was lifted clear of -the ground and thrown a dozen feet, alighting on the earth with cruel -force. - -Red Thunderbolt, from the impetus of his first charge, passed on -around the base of the hill. It was his intention to turn and repeat -the charge, trampling and horning the man on the ground as long as he -showed any signs of life. - -But, when the trail beyond the hill’s base opened before -Thunderbolt’s eyes, he saw a sight that gave him pause. - -Two mounted men were coming toward him at speed--and they were not -the sort of men with whom the maverick was familiar. - -Their horses were larger than the usual cow pony, larger and -stronger. And the men who backed them were clad differently than -the human enemies whom Thunderbolt had heretofore encountered. -Furthermore, they were thundering toward him, ropes in their hands, -fiercely determined. - -“Waugh!” howled one of the horsemen. “I’m er Piegan, Buffler, ef et -ain’t thet thar Thunderbolt critter, ther demon o’ ther range, ther -big medicine steer thet kain’t be captered er killed. Wisht we had er -rifle!” - -“That was a man’s shout we heard, Nick!” answered Buffalo Bill. -“We’ll keep Thunderbolt busy while the man gets away, anyhow. Let’s -see what we can do with our ropes.” - -Again Thunderbolt made up his mind to throw himself headlong into the -threatening danger, escaping the coil by either killing or crippling -his foes. - -“He’s chargin’!” whooped the old trapper. “Look out fer yerself, -pard!” - -The king of scouts needed no urging. He had already measured his -peril. - -Thunderbolt was almost upon him when, with a prick of the rowels, -he whirled Bear Paw aside. The longhorn tore on, the tip of one -branching horn missing Bear Paw by no more than an inch. - -Nomad’s rope shot through the air and the noose dropped on the -steer’s head. It seemed as though it must surely close around the -steer’s neck. Thunderbolt, however, by a flirt of the head, caused -the menacing coil to fall into the trail. - -Old Nomad roared in a strange outburst of disgust and admiration. - -“Looket thar! Thunder an’ kerry one! Say, Buffler, did ye see how -he got out from under? Tork erbout yore knowin’ steers, I reckon he -heads the percession. Watch yer eye! He’s game, an’ he’s comin’ at us -ag’in.” - -Thunderbolt seemed to have settled on Buffalo Bill as the one foeman -most worthy of his valor. Whirling around on his hind hoofs, he -bellowed and started like a cyclone for the scout. - -Then Nomad, watching with all his eyes, saw something he had never -seen before. - -The king of scouts, noose in hand, rushed at Thunderbolt. Both -horseman and steer were going head-on toward each other, and neither -seemed to have the least notion of dodging. - -When they were almost together, Bear Paw, who had not his equal in -all Texas for jumping, went into the air like a bird suddenly taking -wing. He passed clean over the charging steer, and at the same moment -the scout dropped his own noose. - -The stout hempen coil encircled the steer’s neck. The scout had -barely time to halt Bear Paw and turn and brace the horse for the -shock that followed. - -The impact, when the rope was all payed out, was terrific. Bear Paw’s -hind hoofs were jerked into the air. What might have happened, had -the rope held, is problematical. But the rope broke from the saddle -and Red Thunderbolt raced on with the loose end flying. - -“Waal, sufferin, whipperwills!” boomed the old trapper. “I never -seen ye do nothin’ like thet afore, Buffler! Et was some great, et -was so. An’ Thunderbolt got enough. He’s sizzlin’ erlong to’rds the -open, an’ mighty glad, I opine, ter git erway from sich a jumpin’, -rope-throwin’ pair o’ marvels as you an’ Bear Paw.” - -“He’s got my rope!” yelled the scout. “Let’s follow him!” - -With that, both riders raced around the foot of the hill. - -The scout and the trapper were no more than a moment racing around -the foot of the hill; but when the trail around the turn was before -them, there was not a trace of Red Thunderbolt, and no sign of the -man whose wild shout had first claimed the attention of the pards. - -“Hyar’s a go!” muttered Nomad, pulling Hide-rack to a halt, and -screwing up his face into a puzzled frown. “Whar’d thet steer hike -ter, Buffler?” - -“He’s made a getaway through some gully,” was the answer. “I reckon -there’s no use hunting for him, pard. A steer as knowing as he is -can be trusted to keep away from us. That was a good rope of mine,” -he added regretfully. “Thunderbolt must have pulled on it like a -locomotive to tear it away from the saddle.” - -“An’ ther ombray thet we heerd a yellin’,” went on the trapper, -“he ain’t eround, nuther. Must be he took ter his heels as soon as -Thunderbolt begun payin’ attention ter us.” - -“The man was on foot,” said the scout, indicating boot-tracks in the -trail. “I don’t blame him for taking to his heels. I’d have done the -same, if I’d been in his place. Still, the fellow might crawl out of -his crevice and say something to us, I should think. If we hadn’t -interfered, the longhorn would have charged him again.” - -“Ther feller shot at ther maverick oncet. I heerd the bark of er gun.” - -“So did I. But what good is a revolver against Red Thunderbolt? -There’s not enough powder back of a revolver bullet to get it -through the longhorn’s hide. I’m beginning to understand, now, why -Thunderbolt has made such a big impression on the Brazos cattlemen.” - -“Same hyar.” - -Nomad lifted himself in his stirrups and made a trumpet of his hands; -then he yelled for the missing man who had faced the steer on foot, -and fired the revolver. - -No answer was returned. - -“Don’t bother, Nick,” said the scout. “The fellow couldn’t have been -hurt very much, seeing that he was able to use his legs and get away. -We’ll ride on to Hackamore.” - -The pards thereupon continued their journey in the direction of town. - -The coming interview with Bloom was delicate business. Diplomacy -would be necessary--diplomacy, backed by nerve. - -As peacemaker, however, the scout felt that a truce must be patched -up with Bloom. - -Nate Dunbar was in Hackamore, hiring cowboys and buying supplies -for the ranch. He had gone on this errand once before, only to be -interrupted by a plot of Benner’s that had well-nigh turned out -disastrously. - -“How ye goin’ erbout et ter tork with Bloom?” asked Old Nomad, as he -and the scout galloped onward, stirrup to stirrup. - -“We’ve got to handle him with gloves, I reckon,” answered the scout. - -“He ort ter be handled with the buckskin end of er quirt,” growled -the trapper. - -“That’s right, Nick. But now that Benner has been properly -disciplined, I’m in hopes that Bloom will see things differently. -We can’t leave this part of Texas until we patch up a peace between -Bloom and the ranchers at the Star-A. There must be peace all up and -down the Brazos when we leave the river.” - -“I’m more of er hand fer distarbin’ ther peace, Buffler, than fer -makin’ et. Thar’s er heap more excitement in diggin’ up the hatchet -than in buryin’ et.” - -“Bosh!” laughed the scout. “Nick, you and I never went into a job yet -without having for our end and aim the establishment of peace and -security. Drastic measures are sometimes necessary in order to smooth -the kinks out of law and order.” - -“H’m,” muttered Nomad. “I reckon I think too much o’ ther fightin’ -end. In smoothin’ out kinks, I’d ruther land on ’em with both feet, -with a gun in each fist. Rubbin’ the tangles out with love pats -an’ coo-coo words is some more’n I kin do. Thar’s erbout as much -sentiment in me as thar is in er horn toad. Anyways, this hyar -di-plom-a-cy--is thet what ye call et?--ain’t wuth er whoop ef it -ain’t backed by narve. By ther same token, what good’s narve ef ye -ain’t got a leetle hardware tucked away up yore sleeve?” - -The scout laughed again. - -“I reckon we’ll have excitement enough to please you before we’re -done with the Brazos,” said he, “but it’s only going to be -incidental to the main question of peace.” - -The trapper chuckled, fancying he was catching Buffalo Bill’s drift. - -“We’ll make peace, Buffler,” he declared, “ef we hev ter shoot holes -in every bloomin’ statute of ther State o’ Texas!” - -“Not so bad as that. We’re backing up the law, Nick. Bloom hasn’t -been looking after the law as he was sworn to do.” - -“Nary, he hasn’t. Ef he don’t do his duty, we’ll climb his neck -an’ choke him till he sees et right an’ promises ter be good. Oh, -I dunno. I reckon bein’ peacemaker kerries plenty o’ blue-fire -trimmin’s. I knowed er feller, up in the Niobrara kentry, called -Piegan Charlie. Charlie went an’ took an’ got married. I was lopin’ -past his wickiup one day, an’ I found him an’ Mrs. Charlie engaged -in er argyment. Charlie was pushin’ Mrs. Charlie agin’ the side o’ -the house, an’ argyin’ with a broomstick. I got all worked up with -er fool desire ter be one o’ these hyar peacemakers. Thet’s what I -did. So, like er ijut, I drapped off’n my hoss, caught Charlie by -the scruff o’ the neck, an’ throwed him inter a rainwater bar’l. -While I was prancin’ eround an’ yellin’ fer peace an’ domestic quiet, -Mrs. Charlie come up behind me an’ rapped me over the head with er -washboard. She screeched out thet I hadn’t no bizness meddlin’ with -her husband er distarbin’ ther fambly. When Charlie got out o’ the -bar’l, he begun shootin’ at me. So I loped on, sadder an’ a heap -wiser.” - -By the time the scout had finished enjoying his pard’s reminiscence, -they were in Hackamore. - -There was quite a crowd collected around the front of the Delmonico, -peering curiously through the open door of the office and the office -windows. - -“Somethin’ goin’ on, an’ I’ll bet er blue stack,” muttered Nomad. - -“Looks like it,” the scout answered. - -“What’s up, Pinkey?” queried the trapper, as the man in charge of the -corral came to look after their riding gear. - -“Dunno,” answered Pinkey. “Thar’s so much goin’ on in this man’s town -et’s hard ter keep track o’ all the doin’s. Mebby a dog fight, er a -man fight--thar ain’t much diff’rence when it comes ter rowdyin’.” - -At this point a lanky individual, who had seen the pards ride up to -the corral, hurried toward the group by the corral gate. - -“Buffler Bill! Buffler Bill!” the man cried. - -“Et’s Sim Pierce, thet’s who et is,” said Nomad, recognizing the -approaching man. “What’s agitatin’ ye, Sim?” - -“Row on in the orfice o’ the Delmonico,” panted Sim Pierce. “Jake -Phelps, Hank’s cousin er somethin’, is rowin’ it with Nate Dunbar. I -reckon ye kin stop it, muy pronto, Buffler Bill. Hustle in an’ stop -’em afore they git ter drorin’ hardware an’ throwin’ lead.” - -The scout started for the office at a run. - - - - - CHAPTER XXIV. - - THE QUARREL. - - -The scout reached the door of the office, only to be grabbed by one -of the men who had been standing there and looking in, but who had -now retired with others to a safer position. - -“Keep away!” breathed the man. “They’ve got their shooters out, an’ -there’ll be fireworks in a brace o’ shakes. If you go in there you’ll -be right in the middle of the celebration.” - -“That’s where I want to be,” answered the scout, shaking the hand -from his arm, “and I want to get in there before the celebration -begins.” - -He stepped to the door and looked in. - -Nate Dunbar and Jake Phelps were standing no more than a dozen feet -apart, Phelps with his back to the counter and Dunbar across the room. - -Furious anger burned in the face of Jake Phelps. In Dunbar’s face -there was only determination--but it was deadly. - -Each man held a revolver in his right hand, and each watched like a -cat for the first move of the other to lift his weapon. Only a hair’s -breadth separated these men from rash and ugly work. - -Without a moment’s hesitation, Buffalo Bill sprang into the room and -placed himself squarely between Dunbar and Jake Phelps. - -“I reckon this has gone far enough,” said he curtly. - -“Buffalo Bill!” exclaimed Dunbar. “Get away, amigo, and give me my -chance at that hound!” - -Dunbar’s voice, husky with pent-up passion, rang surprisingly in -the scout’s ears. He had not much time to remark upon the depth of -the young rancher’s feeling, however, before his keen eye caught a -hostile move of Jake Phelps’ right hand. - -In the wizardry of six-shooter practice, Buffalo Bill was second to -none. Jake Phelps was perhaps a fraction of a second in lifting his -revolver, yet, in that brief period of time, the scout had drawn--not -only his own revolver, but also a very effectual “bead.” - -“Down with that hand!” he ordered. “Don’t you dare say no to me!” - -The compelling voice of the scout, no less than the bewildering magic -that loaded his right hand with a six-shooter, caused Jack Phelps to -gasp. From sheer amazement he suffered the hand to drop. - -“That’s right,” said the scout, “but see that you keep that hand -where it is. Just remember, Jake Phelps, that what I miss in the -original deal I always make up in the draw. You’re a friend of mine, -Nate?” - -He kept his back to Dunbar and his eyes on Phelps as he asked the -question. - -“Great guns,” cried the young rancher, “don’t I owe you about -everything I’ve got in the world?” - -“I wouldn’t put it so strong as that, Nate,” said the scout, with a -quiet laugh. “If you’re my friend, though, you’ll put up your gun. -I’ll guarantee that Jake Phelps doesn’t take any advantage of you.” - -“But you don’t understand----” - -“I’m going to understand all about this before I get through. In the -meantime, you’ll please understand that I have requested you to put -up your revolver.” - -“She’s up,” said Dunbar promptly. - -“Buenos! Now, Nate, kindly talk at the back of my head and tell me -the cause of this flare-up.” - -Old Nomad was standing in the door, leaning negligently against the -door casing and fanning himself with his hat. Pard Buffler was “on -the job,” and the trapper realized that there wasn’t any cause for -any one to worry. But that peacemaker racket, while all right in its -way, wasn’t making much of a hit with Nomad. - -“I was sitting here minding my own business,” said Dunbar, “when -Jake Phelps came in. He began saying things to r’ile me. His palaver -wasn’t thrown at me, but was fired at the clerk. I allowed him to -talk about me as much as he pleased, but when he turned his dirty -tongue loose on Dick Perry, then on you, and, at the last, dragged -in the name of my wife, my patience had reached the limit. He’s a -low-down whelp!” - -“What did he say about me?” inquired the scout. - -“He said you were a meddler in other men’s affairs and----” - -“Which was the truth, in a way.” - -“It wasn’t so much what he said about you as the way he said it.” - -In the West there are some things a man has to say with a smile--if -he would avoid gun play. - -“Anything else, Nate?” asked the scout. - -“Well, he remarked that Dick Perry was a blackguard an----” - -“Waugh!” came from the door. “Did he refer ter me with any o’ his -fool talk, Nate?” - -“No.” - -“I’m relieved a hull lot,” grinned the trapper. “Ef he’d er called me -a goat, er somethin’ like thet, I mout hev shot him up.” - -“Got anything to tell us, Jake?” asked the scout. - -“Well, yes,” answered Jake; “you fellers over at the Star-A ranch are -a lot of measley tin horns. You can put up a good front, but your -work is all rhinecaboo. I rode into town after the H-P pay-roll, and -strolled in here to stuff the coin into my saddlebags. I saw Dunbar. -What I said, I said so as to show this town he ain’t half a man.” -Jake Phelps laughed, and looked around in a cheap attempt at bravado. -“He dassen’t fight. Everybody can see that.” - -“Anybody can see with half an eye that Nate Dunbar has you beat a -mile in everything that makes a man a man. You’re nine-tenths pure -guff, Jake, and the other tenth is just plain dog.” - -The scout put up his revolver. Phelps was still armed, but the scout -looked him squarely in the eye and he made no attempt to use his -weapon. - -“You’ve got your pay-roll money, have you?” went on Buffalo Bill. - -“What business is that of----” - -“That’s going far enough. I’ll give you five minutes to get out of -town.” - -“Ho!” glowered Jake. “You the boss of this town? You got more ter say -about things in Hackamore than the sheriff?” - -“Never mind that. If you’re not out of town in five minutes, I’ll go -gunning for you myself.” - -“I’ll take a shot at that meachin’ whelp behind you yet!” gritted -Jake. “He can’t make any dead-set at me without getting all that’s -coming. I’ll have his scalp, that’s what I’ll have. I’m going to -make a widder of Mrs. Dunbar, and then Lige Benner----” - -The scout jumped at Phelps, grabbed him by the shoulders, and flung -him bodily toward the door. Old Nomad stepped aside and helped him -out of the room with a kick. The clerk, who had been on hands and -knees behind the counter, carried out Phelps’ saddlebags and threw -them after him. - -From the hitching pole, where his horse was tied, Jake Phelps swore -and howled his threats. - -“I’ll square up with you for all this, my buck!” shouted Nate Dunbar, -from a window. - -“You’ll have to get Buffalo Bill’s permission to call your soul your -own before you do,” taunted Jake, tying the bags to the saddle, -mounting, and spurring away. - -Dunbar turned to the scout with a gloomy face. - -“Amigo,” said he, “it would have been better if you’d let me had it -out with that skunk.” - -“There was nothing to the row, Nate,” the scout answered. “Phelps has -had too much red eye, and you lost your temper too easily. Have you -finished your work here?” - -“Yes.” - -“Then you’d better ride for the Star-A ranch, Nate. And don’t forget -yourself and take the trail to the Phelps outfit.” - -“You know me too well for that,” answered the young rancher. “When I -say I’ll do a thing don’t I generally do it?” - -“You do,” returned the scout gravely, “and that’s what makes Nate -Dunbar stack up so high with me. You’ll leave Jake Phelps alone?” - -“Yes.” - -“Thet’s ther tork, pard,” approved old Nomad. “Even a measley, -no-’count yaller pup like Jake Phelps kin shoot. It would be tough on -that Hattie girl if you was wiped out. Go home, Nate, an’ tell ’em -out thar ter the ranch thet Buffler an’ Pard Nomad hev struck town -and aire already at their peacemakin’.” - -Nate pricked up his ears. - -“I was wondering why you were here,” said he. - -“We’ve come to see Bloom, the sheriff.” - -“Bloom’s travelin’ this-a-way as fast as his legs kin kerry him,” -spoke up Nomad, taking a squint through the door and up the street. - -“Then here’s where I pull out,” said Nate. “There’s no love lost -between Bloom and me, and if I met him now and he gave me any of his -back talk, the fur would fly. Be back to the ranch soon, Buffalo -Bill?” - -“To-morrow, I hope.” - -Dunbar left the hotel by a rear door. Old Nomad, with a queer grin -on his weather-beaten face, pushed into the office and dropped on a -chair. - -“Now fer more peacemakin’,” he remarked, “an’ from ther looks o’ ther -sher’ff, I reckon et’ll be real saloobrious. I’m fixin’ ter enjoy -what’s comin’, I am so.” - -“There’ll be no trouble,” said the scout, himself taking a seat. - -“Waal, ef thar is, I shore reckon they’ll hev ter git another sher’ff -ter bloom in this man’s berg.” - -A moment later the sheriff rushed into the room. He was at white -heat, and the looks he threw at the scout and the trapper were -anything but reassuring. - -The crowd outside once more clustered about the open door and the -windows. There was to be something more doing, and each spectator -held his breath and watched and listened. - -“Somebody said there was a row here,” growled Bloom. “I heard up the -street that Jake Phelps an’ that pesky trouble maker, Nate Dunbar, -was roughin’ it with each other.” - -The sheriff was addressing himself to the hotel clerk, but Buffalo -Bill took it upon himself to answer. - -“They didn’t get so far as an exchange of shots, sheriff. I happened -in, just as the affair began to look serious, and ordered Jake Phelps -out of town.” - -Bloom had whirled away on his heel as soon as the scout began to -speak; then, suddenly changing his mind, he whirled back when he had -finished. - -“You ordered him out o’ town?” he scowled. - -“Oh, yes,” answered the scout passively. “If they had both stayed in -town there would have been trouble.” - -“Tell me this, you who make yourself so high and mighty wherever you -happen to plant yourself: What business you got orderin’ anybody out -o’ Hackamore?” - -A glimmer arose in the scout’s eyes. - -“Well,” said he, “if you come to simmer it down to a fine point, I -was doing business that you ought to have been around here to attend -to.” - -“You my deperty?” flared Bloom; “have I ever asked you to help me?” - -“No, Bloom; I sort of asked myself.” - -“You take my advice, Cody, and keep hands off my work. You and I have -come together once, and if that ever happens again, sparks are sure -goin’ to fly.” - -There was only the clerk in the office, apart from the scout, the -trapper, and the sheriff. The spectators kept outside, confining -their view of what was going on to the open door and the windows. - -“Right here, then,” said Buffalo Bill, “is where the sparks begin to -fly.” He turned to the trapper. “As it may get rather hot for some of -the people outside, Nick,” he added, “you’d better close the door.” - -“On ther jump, pard,” carolled Nomad. - -The trend of affairs was vastly to his liking. - -“Leave that door open!” snarled the sheriff. - -Nomad’s answer was to slam the door, turn around, and put his back to -it. - -“How does thet hit ye?” he asked truculently. - -“There’s more’n one door,” grunted the sheriff, moving toward the -dining-room entrance. - -The scout got up and barred the way in that direction. For an instant -the sheriff glared, one hand half starting toward his hip. - -“I have only the most peaceable intentions, Bloom,” said the scout, -as pleasantly as possible. “There’s a little matter I want to talk -over with you.” - -“There ain’t any matter, little or big, that I want to talk over with -you,” snapped Bloom. - -“This has to do with your business. From what you’ve just been -saying, you’re mighty particular to attend to your own business, -seems to me.” - -The sheriff grunted and swept his eyes toward the two windows. In -each opening were framed as many excited faces as could crowd into -it. Bloom felt that the eyes of the town were upon him, that his -prestige would suffer if he did not in some way stir himself. - -“Sit down,” proceeded the scout; “have a cigar and we’ll smoke a -talk.” - -There was a friendly smile on Buffalo Bill’s face as he held out a -weed. - -With a muttered oath the sheriff grabbed the cigar, crushed it in his -thick fingers, and flung it in the scout’s face. A gasp came from the -faces in the windows. - -“Snarlin’ catermounts!” fumed the trapper. “Ef ye don’t make him eat -thet cigyar ye ain’t no friend o’ mine.” - -The scout was still smiling. - -“Sit down, Bloom.” - -The voice was as soft as velvet, but it cut like steel. - -The sheriff invited the scout to go to a warmer region than the -Brazos, and started to brush by in the direction of the rear door. - -Then something happened. It happened with a suddenness that deceived -the eye. - -One moment Bloom was pushing for the rear door, and the next he was -sprawled in a chair, and the scout had the revolver that had been -dangling from his belt. - -A titter came from the windows, and a whoop from old Nomad. - -“Et ain’t well ter fool with We, Us an’ Comp’ny when we’re loaded,” -exulted the trapper, “er when we’re out spreadin’ harmony an’ good -will up an’ down ther Brazos.” - -The sheriff’s face was as black as a thundercloud. He realized -fully the ignominy of his position--and, quite as fully, his own -helplessness. - -“More of your high-handed proceedings,” he ground out. “Some day -you’ll get jumped on good and proper for your meddlin’, and after -that you’ll ’tend to your own business an’ let other folks’ business -alone.” - -“Some day,” said the scout, “but not to-day. Try and be a gentleman, -Bloom. I reckon it’ll be hard for you, but, anyhow, make the effort.” - -The sheriff was beside himself with anger; in fact, he was so wrought -up that words failed him. He gurgled and glared. Old Nomad stood at -the door surveying the sheriff with great satisfaction. - -“Ther further we go on this hyar peacemakin’ tour, Buffler,” he -remarked, “ther better I like et.” - -“Bloom,” pursued the scout, “a little history has been made during -the last few days, and one detail of it I am going to offer for your -attention. A man by the name of Ace Hawkins was shot and killed by a -fellow calling himself Red Steve.” - -“You can’t tell me a thing I don’t know,” snorted the sheriff. “Ace -Hawkins was a desperado--he deserved all he got, no matter who gave -it to him.” - -“Wrong, in two ways. Hawkins was not a desperado. He was a man -who was doing his best to further the cause of right and justice. -Error number one for you. Whether or not he deserved the fate that -overtook him, however, need command little of our attention. It was -not Red Steve’s place to hand out his destiny with the point of a -six-shooter. What have you done to apprehend Red Steve?” - -“Nothin’, and I won’t do anythin’.” - -“Why not? Aren’t you sworn to look after the law in this county?” - -“It ain’t part o’ my duty to take advice from you.” - -“I’m going to tell you a few things, Bloom. Red Steve works for Lige -Benner, and you’ve a notion that Lige Benner wanted Ace Hawkins -sponged off the slate. You’re a friend of Benner’s. You think it -will please Benner if you don’t take any action against Red Steve. -Probably you’re right in your surmise, but you’re ’way wrong in -letting yourself be swayed by your likes and dislikes in a matter -that touches upon your duty as sheriff. You’d better take my advice -and help me and my pards lay Red Steve by the heels.” - -This was straight talk, and as logical as it was straight. Bloom knew -the scout had the right end of the argument, and he hated to have -the men outside hear him lectured in just that way. The scout had -purposely raised his voice and spoken deliberately and clearly, in -order that his words might carry, and his full meaning reach the ears -of the townspeople. - -“Confound you and your advice!” barked Bloom. “I know what my duty is -a heap better’n you, and I’m here to stand by it.” - -“Will you stand by your duty, in this case,” fenced the scout, “or -will you stand by Lige Benner and Red Steve?” - -“I ain’t goin’ to tell you what I’ll do. What’s more, I’ve got enough -o’ this talk.” - -“Then you’re going to get more than enough, Bloom, because I’m not -more than half done. In shielding Red Steve you’re trying to shield -Lige Benner. You’re afraid that if you press matters against Red -Steve that it will be shown that Lige Benner had at least a guilty -knowledge of Red Steve’s murderous intentions against Hawkins. Isn’t -that it?” - -Steadily, relentlessly, the sheriff was being forced into a tight -corner. It was like a trial. Bloom, accused of dereliction of duty, -was being catechised by the scout, and the townspeople outside were -the jury. Between duty and private desire the unfortunate sheriff -writhed and sputtered. - -“I’m not going to take any more talk from you,” he shouted. “There’s -a hull lot to this Red Steve matter you don’t know anything about.” - -“I know all about it,” declared the scout, “much more, in fact, than -you do.” - -“How do you know Red Steve did that shooting?” - -“Ace Hawkins said so.” - -“That’s what you say,” sneered the sheriff. - -“There are others who heard Hawkins make his statement, and they will -bear me out. Wild Bill Hickok, for one----” - -“He’s your pard. I wouldn’t believe him any quicker’n I’d believe -you.” - -Old Nomad’s gorge was rising. The sheriff was a coyote, and Buffalo -Bill was putting up with too much from him. He made an attempt to -slip in a few words, but the scout looked toward him and waved him to -silence. - -“There’s the sky pilot, Jordan,” went on the scout. “He’ll back up my -statement. I reckon there’s not a man on the Brazos who would refuse -to believe the sky pilot.” - -This statement rather floored the sheriff. - -“When the sky pilot talks to me,” said he, “then I’ll know what to -think, but----” - -Just here the door opened at old Nomad’s back. He turned quickly to -deny the newcomer entrance, but recoiled when he saw who was coming -into the office. - -“Benner!” exclaimed old Nomad, wondering what this new move was to -signify. - -“Benner!” cried Bloom, jumping to his feet. - -Benner pushed on into the room and came to a halt within a short -distance of the scout. - -“Yes, Benner,” said the cattle baron. “I’ve come here to say that -Buffalo Bill is right. Red Steve was the man who did the trick for -Ace Hawkins. Is that enough for you, Bloom?” - -The scout was surprised by this totally unexpected coming of Lige -Benner--surprised, perhaps, far more by his appearance and his words -than by the mere fact of his presence. - -There was a haggard, careworn look in Benner’s face--an earnestness -in his manner that contrasted strongly with his spectacular attire. - -If the scout was surprised by Benner’s words, the sheriff seemed even -more so. He stared. - -“Come again with that, Benner,” said he. - -“I’ve been standing outside listening to what was going on in here,” -continued Benner. “The time came when I thought I ought to take -part in the talk. Red Steve is guilty of shooting Ace Hawkins. I -had nothing to do with the crime, and knew nothing about it until -it was accomplished. Both men worked for me. Red Steve himself told -me he was guilty, and tried to find excuse for what he had done by -saying that Ace Hawkins was a traitor, that he was working for me and -trying to help Perry and Dunbar. That, of course, was no excuse at -all. I told him he would have to come to Hackamore and stand trial. -It was my intention to bring him myself, but he escaped on foot from -the ranch and, at the present moment, is somewhere on the Brazos, a -fugitive. I rode to town to get you to take up the pursuit of Red -Steve. It’s up to you, Bloom.” - -Lige Benner dropped wearily into a chair and drew one hand across his -forehead. Bloom continued to stare at him, Nomad regarded him with -suspicion, and only the scout--adept at reading motives in a man’s -face--gave him approval. - -“That’s the talk, Benner!” the scout exclaimed. - -“Don’t ye bank too much on his tork, Buffler,” put in the old -trapper. “Lige Benner is tricky; he’s showed himself ter be a snake -in the grass right along; an’ how d’ye know he ain’t got somethin’ up -his sleeve right now? Don’t give him a chance ter trap ye.” - -Benner flung himself around in his chair, but the fierce protest -faded from his face as he looked at Nomad. - -“I’ve made mistakes, I reckon,” said Benner slowly, “a lot of ’em, -but I’m not making any mistake now, old Nomad, and don’t you make -any. I’m tired of this squabbling in the cattle country. I’ll admit -I never liked Perry or Dunbar. They blew in here and spoiled one -of the objects I had set my heart on achieving. I did everything I -could to carry out that object, but the scout and his pards made that -impossible; then, listening to advisers, I set out to secure revenge. -There I failed again. My hands are in the air. Now I want Red Steve -captured, so it can be proved that I had nothing to do with what -happened to Ace Hawkins.” - -“If he’s captured,” returned the scout, “are you willing to cry quits -in this fight on Perry and Dunbar? Will you be for peace in the -cattle country, Benner?” - -“I’m for peace now,” was the reply; “if I hadn’t been I shouldn’t -have come here as I did to-day.” - -“I believe you,” said the scout quietly. “Have you any idea where Red -Steve can be found, or what he intends to do?” - -“If he is hunted for at once, he’ll be found somewhere on the Brazos. -He got away, as I said, on foot. Since he has no horse, about the -first move he makes will be to get a mount somewhere. After he does -that it will be hard to capture him. He knows this country like a -book, and he’ll hole himself away where he’ll never be found.” - -“My pards are looking for Red Steve on the river,” proceeded the -scout. “If he’s there, you can gamble that they’ll find him.” - -“I’ve sent out some of my cowboys to prosecute the search. Between -them and your pards, Buffalo Bill, the chances seem pretty fair -for taking the scoundrel. You understand my attitude? There may be -a suspicion that I was back of Red Steve in the shooting of Ace -Hawkins. I want that suspicion brushed aside and my entire innocence -made clear. Red Steve is the one to do this. Whatever else I have -done, I’ve never tried to get any man’s blood on my hands. I’ve gone -far in this war with Perry and Dunbar, but never so far as that.” - -A sneer curled Bloom’s lip as he gazed at Benner. - -“Lost your nerve, have you?” he rasped. - -Benner lifted his eyes to Bloom’s. - -“You’ll find,” said he, “that I have plenty of nerve to avenge any -insult you heave at me. Walk softly, Bloom, when you’re going over -my feet. That’s my advice to you. So far as Dunbar and Perry are -concerned. I’ve buried the hatchet; but, so far as you are concerned, -I’ll dig it up if you give me half a chance. Spread your blankets and -go to sleep on that.” - -Benner’s spirit was not broken. There was plenty of snap and ginger -in his words. It was clear to the scout that the cattle baron was -swerved by only one motive, and that was to have Red Steve captured, -so that the owner of the Circle-B ranch would be cleared of the -taking off of Ace Hawkins. - -The capture of Red Steve, therefore, had become a factor in the -business Buffalo Bill was so anxious to accomplish--the peace of the -Brazos country. - -“I’m mighty glad,” scowled Bloom, in no wise relishing the manner of -the cattle baron, “that Hank Phelps is still got the nerve to hold -his grudge against Perry and Dunbar.” - -“Don’t be too sure of that,” said Benner. “Phelps is a friend of -mine, and I’m going to see him to-morrow. I think he’ll promise to -coöperate with me in establishing peace on the Brazos. He’s about as -tired of these foolish squabbles as I am.” - -He got up and moved toward the door. - -“We’re on good terms now, Buffalo Bill?” he asked, halting at the -threshold. - -“Yes,” answered the scout. - -“Well, I’ve gone on record. All these men”--he waved his hand toward -the faces in the windows--“are witnesses. From now on, Perry and -Dunbar will receive from me the same treatment other ranchers on the -river give each other. That shot goes as it lays.” - -He left the hotel, and could be seen making his way through the crowd -in front. - -“Gi’me that gun!” snapped Bloom, stretching out his hand to the scout. - -The weapon was handed over without comment. Then Bloom himself -started for the door. - -“Has he got the right ter leave, Buffler?” asked Nomad. - -The scout nodded. The trapper stepped aside, and Bloom flung out of -the office. Nomad came over and dropped down in a chair beside the -scout. - -“Waugh!” he muttered. “Blamed ef we didn’t git out o’ thet without -er fight. I never thort we would, one spell. But I ain’t takin’ none -too much stock in this hyar flop o’ Benner’s. Et’s too suddent.” - -“Benner’s all right, Nick,” averred Buffalo Bill, with confidence. - -“Shore he ain’t figgerin’ on somethin’?” - -“I’m sure he is figuring on something. The shooting of Ace Hawkins -might have far-reaching results for him; so he wants Red Steve -captured, so he can be forced to tell the truth.” - -“Sufferin’ twisters! Why, Benner hired Red Steve in the fust place -bekase he was a desperado, an’ willin’ ter do any leetle job a honest -cowpuncher might shy around. Now thet Red Steve’s done jest what -Benner mout hev knowed he’d do, Benner gits what looks like an attack -o’ narves. I kain’t b’leeve in et, not complete.” - -“I never thought Benner was so desperate as some folks tried to make -out,” Buffalo Bill answered. “He has his good points, Nick.” - -“Up ter now,” said Nomad dryly, “he’s been purty successful keepin’ -his good p’ints buried out o’ sight. But I’m s’prised at one thing.” - -“What’s that?” - -“Why, Bloom an’ Benner ain’t the team I thort they was. They ain’t -pullin’ tergether like they was well matched.” - -“It looks as though we’d been a little wide of our trail, old pard,” -said the scout. “We’ve been thinking, all along, that Bloom, by his -ugly actions, was trying to keep on the right side of Lige Benner. I -think, come to sift the reasons close to bed rock, that Bloom is in -the game against Perry and Dunbar just because he hates the Star-A -ranchers. He’s taken a dislike to them--to Nate in particular--and -that’s why he acts as he does.” - -“Mebbyso. He’s ’er whelp. He’d do a heap ter land on Nate somehow. -I’m bettin’----” - -A pounding of hoofs out in front, suddenly brought to a stop, a -concerted rush of the men around the hotel toward the hitching pole, -and a wild voice suddenly lifted, caused the old trapper to break -off his remarks. The voice, husky with excitement, floated into the -office through the open front door. - -“Where’s a doctor? I want a doctor on the jump!” - -Buffalo Bill and old Nomad, at this startling summons, left their -chairs and went to the door. - -A cowboy, his horse lathered and panting painfully, was at a halt -before the hotel. A crowd of curious men surrounded him. - -“I’ll go fer a doctor,” said Sim Pierce, and hustled off without -waiting for further news. - -“What’s the matter?” asked the scout. - -“I was lopin’ inter town with a pard,” replied the cowboy, “when -we found Jake Phelps’ hoss, without no saddle, runnin’ to’rds ther -ranch. A mile farder we found Jake hisself, layin’ face down in the -trail. He come in arter the pay-rool money, an’ the money was gone. -Jake was about gone, too, an’ he may be clean gone by now. I left -Jeems with him, while I hit the breeze fer a sawbones. We gotter have -the doc in er hurry, an’ mebby it won’t do no good at that.” - -This news hit the scout between the eyes. Already the bystanders were -exchanging significant glances. - -The scout grabbed Nomad’s arm and pulled him back into the office. - -“This looks bad, pard,” he whispered. - -“Ye don’t think Nate had anythin’ ter do with what happened ter Jake -Phelps?” gasped the old trapper. - -“Certainly not, but there are others who’ll think so--after what -happened between Nate and Jake Phelps here in Hackamore. Take my word -for it, Bloom will be the first one to voice the suspicion.” - - - - - CHAPTER XXV. - - SIM PIERCE BRINGS NEWS. - - -The cowboy jumped from his weary horse, loosened the cinches to give -the animal’s lungs greater freedom, and came into the office to wait -for the doctor. - -The cowboy was excited, and tramped up and down, rolling a cigarette. - -“You’re from Hank Phelps’ ranch?” asked the scout. - -“That’s me,” was the answer. “My name’s Quiller, an’ I’ve worked fer -Hank for two years. He’s all right, Hank is.” - -“How was Jake Phelps hurt?” - -“Looks like he’d been hit on the head with a club er somethin’.” - -“Then he wasn’t shot?” - -“Not as Jeems an’ me could see. But I didn’t tarry long arter we -found Jake; I jest hustled right in arter the doc. There was some -queer things about Jake’s fix. The feller that swiped the pay-roll -money took Jake’s saddle along. What’s this I hear about Jake’s -havin’ a row with Nate Dunbar afore leavin’ fer home?” - -“They had some words, Quiller,” answered the scout. - -“I’m wonderin’--I’m wonderin’----” - -Quiller was leaning against the counter, holding a lighted match to -his cigarette. - -“You’re wondering,” spoke up the scout, “whether Nate Dunbar had -anything to do with what happened to Jake Phelps. Well, stop your -wondering. He didn’t.” - -“But the’ was bad blood between ’em, wasn’t they?” went on the -cowboy, wrinkling his brows. “When they separated didn’t they both -say they’d git even with each other? An’ didn’t Dunbar hit the trail -right arter Jake did?” - -“All that happened, yes. But that doesn’t prove anything against -Nate. I’m rather thinking that it makes the future dark for Red -Steve.” - -Old Nomad jumped at that; and Quiller, the match going out without -lighting his cigarette, flung away the burnt firestick and groped in -his pocket for another. - -“What about Red Steve?” demanded Quiller. - -“He’s loose in the Brazos country,” answered the scout. “Benner was -going to bring him to Hackamore for the shooting of Ace Hawkins, but -Red Steve slipped away from the Circle-B ranch on foot.” - -“On foot, hey? Then why didn’t Red Steve, if he done this, take -Jake’s hoss? Red Steve wouldn’t never hev let the hoss git away from -him arter he had nabbed the money.” - -“Perhaps Red Steve had a horse already,” suggested the scout. “It’s -possible he picked up a horse without any gear, and that he took the -saddle to ride in.” - -“It’s possible, I reckon.” - -But it was plain that Quiller’s mind was running on Nate Dunbar. -Circumstances seemed to point more decisively in the direction of the -Star-A rancher than toward Red Steve. - -“The man who took the money,” pursued the scout, noting the trend -of the cowboy’s thoughts, “was the man who look the saddle. Nate -Dunbar’s not a thief.” - -“It’s hard ter tell what a man is when he makes a play o’ this kind.” - -“And certainly Nate wouldn’t take the saddle. Why should he? He had a -good saddle of his own.” - -This fact seemed to make some impression on Quiller. Before he could -express himself, however, the doctor came riding up in front. With -the doctor was Bloom and Sim Pierce, both ready for the trail. - -“Come on, you there!” roared Bloom. - -Quiller ran out, tightened his cinches, swung into the saddle, and -the four riders fared out of town at a gallop. - -“See how it is, Nick?” queried the scout. “Already suspicion is -leveled at Nate Dunbar. You can gamble that Bloom will do everything -possible to make it bad for the boy. I reckon we had also better be -getting saddle leather between our knees.” - -“Ter go whar, Buffler?” - -“Why, to the H-P ranch. I want to watch this thing and find out just -what develops. We must keep in touch with every detail. It’s liable -to mean a whole lot for Nate.” - -“Waugh! Ye’re shore right thar. But et’s Red Steve as turned ther -trick, ye kin take et from me. When’ll we ride?” - -“Now.” - -“Whoop! When ye tune up like thet, ye shore ketch me plumb whar I -live. Spurs an’ quirts an’ a call on Hank Phelps. This hyar peace -bizness is gittin’ some excitin’.” - -Pinkney brought out their saddles and bridles. Bear Paw and old -Hide-rack seemed surprised at the sudden getaway. Probably, in -their brute minds, they had been expecting an all-night stay in the -comfortable corral. - -“It beats the nation,” remarked the scout, when he and his old -pard were galloping along the trail, “what beastly luck comes Nate -Dunbar’s way.” - -“Some fellers,” commented old Nomad, “tumbles inter bad luck jest as -nacherly as some others tumbles inter good. Nate’s shore gittin’ his -share o’ misfortun’s hyar on ther Brazos.” - -“And to have this happen,” frowned the scout, “just when we were -having such good success as peace commissioners!” - -“Ain’t thet allers ther way?” answered the trapper. “Did we ever -start out ter do a sartin thing thet some other thing didn’t butt in -on us? Thet sorter bizness comes so frequent, Buffler, et ort ter be -expected. But, say!” - -“Well?” - -“Sarcumstances does look mighty bad for Nate, huh?” - -“Yes.” - -“Ef Red Steve hes got er hoss, an’ er saddle, an’ a wad o’ dinero, he -won’t hang eround ther Brazos. He’ll git ter whar he kain’t be found. -Then, ef he does thet, how aire we goin’ ter prove it was him, an’ -not Nate, as done ther trick fer Jake Phelps?” - -“It’s a hard proposition we’re facing,” said the scout gloomily. “But -Nate may be able to prove an alibi.” - -“How?” - -“Oh, in a dozen ways. Suppose he met some one riding his way? That -man might give information that would clear Nate. We’ve got Nate’s -side of this to hear yet. Just now, it looks as though he and Lige -Benner would have to work shoulder to shoulder.” - -“Fer why?” - -“Why, because Benner will be suspected of complicity in what happened -to Ace Hawkins, same as Nate will be suspected in the matter of Jake -Phelps. The capture of Red Steve will help out both of them.” - -“Thet’s so. A good head is a heap better fer a feller, any time, than -a pair of guns. Let’s don’t fergit thet Pard Hickok is camped on Red -Steve’s trail. Mebby Hickok hes got hands on Red Steve by this time.” - -“I’m hoping he has had some success.” The scout pointed to a rapidly -approaching cloud of dust in advance of him and Nomad. “Some one -coming this way,” said he. - -As the rider approached, and the faint wind whipped the dust aside, -the pards made out that it was Sim Pierce. - -“Sim’s in somethin’ of er hurry,” muttered Nomad. “What d’ye reckon -he’s got on his mind?” - -“We’ll know in a few moments,” answered the scout grimly. - -As Sim Pierce’s horse came nose to nose with Bear Paw and Hide-rack, -Sim drew to a halt. - -“This here’s luck an’ no mistake!” exclaimed Sim. - -“What’s the matter, Pierce?” - -“I was pikin’ fer Hackamore ter find ye, Buffler Bill. Findin’ ye on -the trail this-a-way saves considerable time.” - -“What have you to tell me?” - -“A hull lot. I don’t know principally whar ter begin.” - -“How about Jake?” - -“He’s in bad shape, but he ain’t cashed in. They’re took him on ter -the ranch.” - -“What does the doctor think?” - -“He dunno what ter think. Mebby Jake’ll pull through, an’ mebby he -won’t. An’ nobody knows what ter think about the way he was hurt. -’Pears like some’un come up behind him an’ hit him over the head with -the handle of a quirt. An’ yit thar’s things about it which don’t -make it look like that, neither.” - -“Can’t Jake talk?” - -“Nary, he kain’t. He jest lays quiet an’ limp, with his eyes -closed--more’n two-thirds acrost the divide, if I’ve got any savvy -about sich things. But all this ain’t what I want ter tell ye.” - -“Then get down to cases, Sim,” urged the scout, “if it’s important.” - -“Waal, it sure is important. When Bloom, an’ the doctor, an’ Quiller, -an’ me got ter whar Jeems had Jake stretched out on the grass, thar -was five other cowboys from the H-P ranch thar. Bloom’s a pill. He’s -talkin’ all the time as how it must ’a’ been Nate Dunbar who done the -bizness fer Jake. Them cowboys ketches fire right off. ‘If Dunbar’s -at the Star-A,’ they says, ‘we’ll git him; an’ he won’t last long -when we do git him.’ With that the five of ’em wheels around an’ -starts fer the H-P ranch, ter pick up another bunch o’ punchers, I -opine, an’ ride fer the Star-A ter git Nate. Bloom, although he’s -sher’ff an’ ort ter stand up fer the law, never says ay, yes, er no -ter ’em, but lets ’em go on. That’s what was kerryin’ me back ter -town ter see you, Buffler Bill. Thar’ll be a swarm o’ H-P cowboys -comin’ down on the Star-A folks bymby, an’ somebody like you ort ter -be out thar.” - -Sim Pierce’s news was intensely disquieting. - -“Since Bloom won’t do his duty,” said the scout, “it’s up to us to -take care of Nate. We’ll change our minds about riding for the H-P -ranch, Nick,” he added, “and strike a bee line for the Star-A.” - -“I’ll go with ye,” declared Sim Pierce. “Mebby ye’re goin’ ter need -me.” - -“We may need all the men we can muster,” answered the scout. “This -affair has taken an angle that may result in a world of trouble for -our friends at the Star-A.” - -The horses were turned from the trail and headed toward another part -of the Brazos. - -Buffalo Bill wished to spare Mrs. Dunbar as much as possible, so he -and the trapper, and Pierce slowed their gait when close to the ranch -and rode up slowly. They saw Nate out near the corral, heating an -iron to brand a “dogie.” Dick Perry was with Nate. The calf was bound -and lying on the ground, and the two ranchers were leaning against -the corral fence, talking. The coming of the scout and his companions -aroused their curiosity. - -“Well, well!” laughed Nate, “this is almost too good to be true, -Buffalo Bill. I thought you weren’t going to get back here before -to-morrow?” - -“Something has happened that brought me here, Nate,” answered the -scout, dismounting and turning Bear Paw over to Nomad to be cared for. - -“You’ve been riding pretty fast, it looks like,” spoke up Perry. - -There was anxiety in his voice. Ever since he had been fighting the -cattle barons, he had never known when or how the lightning was going -to strike. Very little was needed to arouse his apprehensions. - -“I was in a hurry, Perry,” the scout answered. “Nate,” and he turned -to the younger of the two ranchers, “what did you do on the way back -from town?” - -“Do?” echoed Dunbar; “why, I just rode. What else was there to do? -I picked up that stray calf on the way, and snaked it along for -the last mile. You’ve got me guessing, Buffalo Bill. What’s gone -crossways?” - -“Did you ride the Star-A trail all the way?” asked the scout. - -“Didn’t I tell you I would?” - -“Yes. You didn’t follow Jake Phelps, did you?” - -Protest flashed in Nate’s eyes. - -“What’s the use of asking me such a question, amigo?” he demanded. “A -promise to you is a promise. I haven’t seen Jake Phelps since he rode -away from the front of the hotel.” - -“I could have made affidavit to that!” exclaimed the scout, with a -feeling of relief. - -“But what’s this all about?” put in Perry. - -“Well, Jake Phelps was badly hurt on the way from Hackamore to the -H-P ranch. Two cowboys, coming into town from the ranch, found his -horse, racing for home without a saddle. A little farther along the -trail they found Nate, saddle and money gone, sprawled out on the -ground.” - -Perturbation was written large in the faces of Dunbar and Perry. They -stared at the scout and then at each other. For a moment no one spoke. - -“Was--was he killed?” asked Nate finally, moistening his dry lips -with his tongue. - -“No,” said the scout, “but he was in pretty bad shape. The doctor -doesn’t know whether he’ll pull through or not. The worst part of it -is, he’s unconscious and can’t tell what happened to him. The longer -he remains unconscious, Nate,” the scout answered kindly, “the worse -it becomes for you. Of course, none of us believes you had anything -to do with what happened, but Bloom is no friend of yours, and Bloom -is with the H-P outfit now.” - -Again was there a silence. Nate threw a look toward the house where -his bride of a few days was busy with her household work. His lips -twitched. Presently he pulled his revolver from its holster and -handed it out to Buffalo Bill. - -“Examine that, amigo,” he begged. “Every chamber is loaded--not a -bullet missing. I haven’t touched the gun since I put it up in the -office of the Delmonico Hotel.” - -The scout waved the weapon away. - -“Your bare word is enough for me,” said he, “and for the rest of your -friends. Anyhow, Nate, it wasn’t a bullet that caused the trouble for -Jake Phelps.” - -“What was it?” - -“The handle of a quirt, or a club of some sort.” - -“I hadn’t a quirt with me,” protested Nate. “As for a club----” - -He changed ends with the revolver and looked at the handgrip absently. - -“This,” said he, “is the only club I could have used. Does it look as -though I had used it?” - -He held it up. - -“This is tough,” muttered Perry. “If it isn’t one thing with us, it’s -another, right along. My boy,” and he laid a hand on Nate’s shoulder, -“that quarrel with Jake Phelps was bad business for you.” - -From this it appeared that Nate had already told Perry of what had -taken place in the hotel office. - -“A quarrel of any kind is always bad business,” dropped in the scout, -“but what makes this particularly bad for Nate is the fact that Jake -was knocked down and robbed on the trail. There are those in town -who overheard the last words spoken by Nate and Jack Phelps. Those -last words were threats. Nate left town very soon after Jake rode -away. That also is known.” - -Anger rose in Dunbar’s eyes and flamed in his face. - -“But who dares call me a thief?” he cried. “If I followed Jack Phelps -to have it out with him, would I have taken his dirty money? Would I -have used a club when I had a gun handy? As a matter of fact, could I -have got close enough to him to use a club before he would have sent -a bullet into me? Why don’t people use a little reason? Great guns! -They might give me credit for not being such a fool!” - -“Maybe Lige Benner is back of this in some way?” suggested Perry. - -“No,” said the scout, “Benner is not back of it,” and he went on to -tell how the owner of the Circle-B ranch had come to the hotel and -made his peace with the Star-A ranchers through the scout. - -This line of talk brought Red Steve prominently to the fore. - -“Et was Red Steve as done et,” declared the old trapper. “He laid fer -Jake. Mebbyso he knowed Jake had the pay-roll money. Red was plannin’ -ter git out o’ the kentry, an’ the money would shore come handy fer -him.” - -“It was Red Steve!” declared Perry. - -“Admitting that it was Red Steve,” said Dunbar, “the same thing -would apply to him that applied to me. How could he ever get close -enough to Jake to hit him over the head with a club. It don’t sound -reasonable. There’s something more back of it.” - -“It all depends,” qualified the scout, “on the lay of the land at the -place where the attack on Jake was made. If there were bushes where -Red Steve could lie concealed----” - -“Thar warn’t,” spoke up Pierce. “It was flat kentry, whar the attack -was made, an’ nothin’ but grass. Thar warn’t no place whar a feller -could hide. How Red Steve ever done it is a myst’ry, but he sure done -it someway.” - -“It was Red Steve, of course,” averred Buffalo Bill. “Where are the -rest of my pards, Perry?” - -“They’re out looking for Red Steve,” answered Perry; “they left -pretty soon after you struck out for town.” - -“The baron and Little Cayuse went with them?” - -“Yes.” - -“Then we are short-handed and no mistake,” muttered the scout. - -“Short-handed for what?” asked Dunbar. - -“Tell him, Sim,” said Buffalo Bill, “just as you told me.” - -Sim Pierce told about the five cowboys who had started back to -Phelps’ ranch with the evident intention of increasing their numbers -and coming to the Star-A after Nate. Dunbar’s face blanched. But it -was not fear for himself that suddenly raced through him. He was -thinking of Hattie. - -“Dick,” said he, turning to his father-in-law, “you take Hattie at -once and go with her to some safe place where----” - -“No,” interrupted Perry, his face set and hard, “Hattie and I will -stay right here. If the H-P cowboys come they’ll find us at home. -Hattie can use a gun as well as anybody, and there’ll be trouble if -the Phelps outfit try to take you out of the house.” - -Old Nomad walked over to Perry and gripped his hand. - -“Perry,” he said approvingly, “ye’re the clear quill. I allers knowed -et, but ther fact never stuck out o’ ye same as now. We’re all goin’ -ter stand by Nate. I’m only sorry a heap thet Wild Bill, the baron, -an’ Leetle Cayuse ain’t hyar ter help out. But,” and the old trapper -swept his grim eyes over the group, “we’re quite er sizeable handful, -I reckon.” - -“Go in and tell your wife, Nate,” counseled Buffalo Bill. “She must -know all about this, and it’s better to have it come from you. Tell -her not to be alarmed, for the chances are good that Red Steve is -going to be captured by Wild Bill. Pard Hickok, you know, has made -a vow that he’ll lay Red Steve by the heels. Ace Hawkins befriended -Hickok, and that means that our pard will do his best to have the law -avenge him. The principal thing is to keep the Phelps outfit from -doing anything rash until Red Steve is located and brought in--or -until Jake Phelps recovers his wits and tells the truth about what -happened to him.” - -Nate started for the house to perform his disagreeable duty. The -scout would have spared Mrs. Dunbar the details, if he could, but -Perry’s decision to stay with her and see Nate through the gathering -storm made it necessary for the girl to be told everything. - -“Nick,” said the scout, “I want you and Pierce to watch the trails. -Get out a little way from the ranch house, and when you see the -cowboys coming, rush in with the news.” - -Nomad and Pierce departed at once. Perry went thoughtfully over to -the fire, picked up the white-hot branding iron and seared the calf -with the Star-A brand; then he released the animal and it darted -away into the timber. - -“No matter what happens, Buffalo Bill,” said Perry, with deep -feeling, “your generous aid will always be remembered and -appreciated. What we should have done without you and your pards, -during our troubles here, is more than I know. But all our other -troubles were small compared with this.” - -“You’ll pull through this flare-up with ground to spare, Perry,” -asserted the scout. “Don’t lose your nerve, now, of all times. I----” - -The scout broke off abruptly. There was a thump of hoofs along the -trail, swiftly approaching. A moment later a pinto pony with a small -rider broke into sight and headed for the corral. - -“Cayuse!” exclaimed the scout. “This is better than I hoped for.” - - - - - CHAPTER XXVI. - - THE MOB FROM PHELPS’ RANCH. - - -“How, Pa-e-has-ka?” said Little Cayuse, sliding from Navi’s back. -“You make um heap quick ride to town.” - -The sharp-eyed lad saw that there was something unusual in the wind. -A look at the scout’s face, even if there had been no other evidences -of trouble, would have been enough for him. - -“Where are Wild Bill and the baron?” the scout asked. - -He was hoping they might be so close that Cayuse could go after them -and get them to the ranch before H-P outfit arrived. - -“All same down river,” reported Cayuse. “Make um hunt for Red Steve.” - -“Are they having any luck?” - -“Find um trail, lose um, find um again.” - -“They’ve hit Red Steve’s trail, have they?” - -“Hit um trail man on foot. Mebbyso Red Steve, mebbyso somebody else. -Quien sabe?” - -The boy shrugged his shoulders and grunted. - -“How far away are Wild Bill and the baron?” - -“Mebbyso ten mile.” - -This was too far. The scout could not send Cayuse after his missing -pards with any hope that they would be able to reach the Star-A -ranch before the mob of cowboys arrived. Anyway, if they were on Red -Steve’s trail, the scout preferred to leave them to run it out. It -was of the utmost importance that Red Steve be found. - -Something of what was passing in the scout’s mind was divined by -Perry. - -“If you could get your pards here, Buffalo Bill,” said the rancher, -“it might be a good idea.” - -“I doubt whether Cayuse could cover the ten miles and bring them here -before the mob arrives,” answered the scout. “Besides, Perry, it is -almost as important that Red Steve be apprehended before he can get -out of the country. I think we had better leave Wild Bill and the -baron to take care of that part of the work. From what Cayuse tells -us, I believe luck has been with them, and that they are on the right -scent.” - -Cayuse was deeply interested in the mysterious state of affairs at -the ranch. He was not given to asking questions; it was rather his -part to keep his ears and eyes wide open and pick up what he wanted -to know from the ordinary course of events. - -The scout, however, proceeded to explain to him just what the -situation meant. The boy’s eyes sparkled as he listened. - -“Cayuse make um ride back plenty good time, hey?” he asked. “Buenos! -Me like um.” - -“Why did you come back?” the scout asked. - -“Wild Bill say Cayuse come, make um stay ’long with Perry and white -squaw. Him say tell um Pa-e-has-ka we find um trail, mebbyso follow -um trail all night. Ugh!” - -“I see. Wild Bill thinks he may be all night running out the trail, -and if I got back from town he wanted me to know that he thought he -was meeting with some success. Put out your pinto, Cayuse, and we’ll -go into the house. There’ll be some preparations to be made, Perry,” -he added to the rancher while the Piute boy was attending to Navi. - -“It won’t take long to make the preparations,” returned the rancher. -“From the looks of things, I shouldn’t wonder if Nate and Hattie were -already making preparations.” - -A wooden shutter closed over one of the cabin windows, on the side -facing the corral. - -“Those shutters,” went on Perry, “are bullet-proof. Nate rigged -them up when we first began having trouble with the barons. I never -thought we’d have to use them in helping to keep a mob of lynchers -away from Nate.” - -The scout caught the discouraged note in the rancher’s voice. - -“There’ll be no lynching,” said he, with a resolute snap of the jaws, -“even if there are lynchers coming. Rest assured of that. I have a -little authority from the United States Government, and I’ll use it.” - -“What do those frenzied cowboys care for the government?” returned -Perry. “They’re mad for vengeance by now, and it will be useless to -try to reason with them.” - -“We may find a way to bring them to their senses.” - -“It’s a shame and a disgrace that Bloom is not standing shoulder to -shoulder with us,” said Perry bitterly. “He doesn’t care a rap for -law and order, if there’s any violence aimed at us out here. In this -case he seems to have helped inflame the mob to do its dastardly -work.” - -Cayuse came out of the corral, closed and locked the gate and stepped -to Buffalo Bill’s side. The little Piute had his revolver in his -hands and, as he walked toward the house at the scout’s side, he was -poking cartridges into the cylinder. - -He was perfectly cool, and his matter-of-fact way in making -preparations showed that he could be depended on to do his best. - -In the house the scout found everything in order. The shutters were -closed over the windows, and the interior of the cabin was dark and -stuffy. A rifle lay across a table in the living room. Dunbar was -laying a supply of cartridges beside it. Not far away his wife was -loading a shotgun. The two were working silently. - -“Mrs. Dunbar,” said Buffalo Bill, admiration mounting in his breast -as he saw how bravely the girl was rising to the occasion, “you’re a -brick.” - -“Those scoundrels,” Mrs. Dunbar answered, with flashing eyes, “will -not take Nate out of this house if I can do anything to help it.” - -“They’ll not take him, Mrs. Dunbar,” returned the scout reassuringly. -“There are a few of us here to make sure of that. Don’t be alarmed.” - -“When will we ever get to the end of these troubles?” murmured the -girl, with a catch in her voice. - -“You are almost at the end of them now,” answered the scout, in a -kindly voice. “It is always darkest just before dawn, you know.” - -“The day of hope is a long while breaking for us,” said Mrs. Dunbar. - -“It will be all the brighter when it finally comes. Let’s go out in -front, Perry, and wait there for developments.” - -There was a bench near the front door of the cabin. Here Perry and -Buffalo Bill seated themselves. Little Cayuse sat just inside the -door, his head bowed over and his arms folded. Suddenly he broke into -a crooning chant that came weirdly to the ears of the rancher and the -scout. - -“What’s that?” asked Perry; “what’s the boy doing, Buffalo Bill?” - -“He is calling on his fathers and his Piute gods. He wants the Great -Spirit to be kind to Nate Dunbar and the white squaw. Listen!” - - “Ta-vi kwai-nant-si ya-ga-wats - Si-chom-pa kung-war-ru - Tu-yung-wi-ra-vats.” - -The strange words floated out of the door, not unmusically, although -they were little more than a whisper. - -“What is it?” queried Perry. “What’s the chant about?” - -“It’s the ‘Eagle Tears’ song-- - - “‘At morn the eagle will cry, - On the farther shore of the sea, - And the rainbow will be in the sky.’” - -“A rainbow,” murmured Perry, “is a sign of hope.” - -“Exactly,” smiled the scout, “and Little Cayuse is doing something -which, he believes, will bring Mr. and Mrs. Dunbar a happy day. He -has a song for everything--for sadness, for victory, for bringing -courage to a warrior’s heart. The boy thinks a lot of Mrs. Dunbar. -She has been mighty kind to Cayuse, while we have been staying at -your ranch, Perry, and kindness is something the Piute boy never -forgets.” - -“You and your pards are all our good friends,” said Perry, “down even -to Little Cayuse. Well, if we do get out of this, it will be Buffalo -Bill and his pards who makes the strike for us. I’ve been wondering -if we couldn’t send word to Bloom over at the H-P ranch and demand -that he come here and keep this mob away.” - -The scout shook his head. - -“It would be foolish to try such a move as that,” he declared. “Bloom -can not be depended on to do anything for law and order when you and -Dunbar are concerned. If we sent Cayuse after him he wouldn’t come. -Even if he did come, he wouldn’t be a help, but a hindrance.” - -“If he should come here and demand that we turn Nate over to him----” - -“We’d tell him mañana, Perry. We’ve got to keep Nate out of Bloom’s -hands entirely.” - -“A nice state of affairs this range has dropped into,” fretted Perry, -“when honest cattlemen can’t look to the legal authorities for -protection against mobs of lynchers. If we----” - -He broke off abruptly and jumped to his feet. The scout also started -up. - -Old Nomad and Sam Pierce had broken into sight along the timbered -trail, running at top speed toward the house. - -“I reckon we’re close to a show-down,” said the scout. - -“They’re on ther way, Buffler,” puffed the old trapper, as he and -Pierce came to the front of the cabin. - -“Who, Nomad?” - -It was Hattie’s voice from the door. - -“The punchers from the H-P ranch gal,” answered the trapper. - -“How many are there of them, Nick?” inquired the scout. - -“Fifteen.” - -“Did you recognize any of them?” - -“They was too fur off, Buffler, ter make out who they aire.” - -“You could have recognized Hank Phelps easily enough, in his Mexican -clothes.” - -“Waal, I didn’t see him, an’ I don’t reckon he’s erlong.” - -“Into the house, pards,” ordered the scout, “and we’ll make ready to -hold our ground.” - -Perry had already pushed into the cabin. Pierce and Nomad followed -him. The scout was last to enter, and he closed the door and dropped -a stout oak bar across it. - -A few moments later there came a sodden roll of hoofs, growing louder -and louder. - -The scout, peering through a loophole, saw fifteen armed men debouch -from the timber and surround the cabin. - -“Not a shot is to be fired,” said Buffalo Bill to the silent little -group in the cabin, “until I give the word. We will use our weapons -only as a last resort and not until every other expedient is -exhausted.” - -From his loophole the scout saw one of the cowboys throw himself from -the saddle and advance upon the front door. The plans of the H-P men -must have been well considered, for each of the party moved at once -to his post in the cordon that surrounded the cabin. There was no -talking, no confusion. A fist pounded on the door. - -“Who’s there?” called the scout. - -“A crowd of fellers from the H-P ranch,” answered a hoarse voice, -“and we mean business right from the drop o’ the hat.” - -“What do you want?” - -“We want the murderin’ hound that done fer Jake Phelps!” - -A stifled cry escaped Mrs. Dunbar. Nate stepped over and put his arm -around her waist, at the same time whispering to her encouragingly. - -“Is Jake Phelps done for?” asked the scout, intent on securing a -little information. - -“Purty nigh,” was the answer. “He ain’t never spoke a word since he -was found on the trail, where Dunbar knocked him out o’ the saddle.” - -Here was something, at all events. Phelps was still alive, and while -there was life there was hope that he would recover. - -“Wait a minute,” said the scout. “I don’t like talking through a -door, and I’m coming out.” - -Perry made a gesture of protest. - -“I want to reason with these men,” said the scout, in a low tone, -“and I can do it better face to face with them.” - -“But what if they should capture you?” murmured Mrs. Dunbar, her -voice sharp with apprehension. “What should we do then, Buffalo Bill, -with you taken from us?” - -“He won’t be captered, gal,” returned old Nomad. “I’ll let Buffler -out, an’ I’ll stand by ther door ter let him in ag’in. He’ll come in -a-hummin’ ef they make er move ter rush him.” - -The scout took a precautionary look through the loophole and stepped -to the door. The trapper lifted the bar and the scout stepped to the -front of the cabin. - -The cowboy scowled at him. There were no more than five of the H-P -outfit in sight, the others being scattered around the cabin. - -“Call the rest of your party here,” said the scout. “I want to talk -to all of you.” - -“Think I’m easy?” snorted the cowboy. “When them from the back part -o’ the house come here, Dunbar’ll hike through the kitchen door an’ -git inter the woods.” - -“Dunbar isn’t going to run,” declared the scout. “I knew you men were -coming from the Phelps ranch, and brought the news here two or three -hours ago. If Nate had wanted to run he would have had plenty of -chance. He’s an innocent man, and I think I can make you fellows see -it and leave here in peace.” - -“He ain’t innercent,” cried the cowboy. “He done fer Jake Phelps, an’ -us fellers aire here ter git him if we have ter burn the house.” - -“Not Nate Dunbar but Red Steve is the man you want.” - -“We know who we want, an’ we ain’t goin’ ter waste much more time -gittin’ him, nuther.” - -“What’s your name?” queried the scout, suddenly changing his tactics. - -These men were not in a mood to listen to reason. Impatient yells had -come from all around the cabin, demanding that the spokesman stop his -talking and do something. - -“Prouther,” said the cowboy. - -“For whatever happens here, Prouther,” threatened the scout, “I shall -hold you and those with you responsible. You’ll not take Nate Dunbar -away from us. If you try it, there’ll be shooting; and you men out -here will be better targets than those of us who are in the house.” - -Two of the other cowboys had dismounted and come to Prouther’s side. - -“What good’s all this chinnin’?” growled one. - -“He come out ter talk, Klinger,” answered Prouther, “an’ I reckoned -we might as well listen.” - -“While we’re listenin’,” said the third cowboy, “mebby them in the -cabin aire doin’ somethin’. Pass it up an’ let’s git busy.” - -“What’s yer answer?” demanded Prouther, facing the scout truculently. - -“Before I give you my answer,” said Buffalo Bill, “let me tell you -this: There’s law on the Brazos still, if not State law then national -law. I represent the government. My name is Cody, and I’m on detached -service. I reckon you men know me.” His face hardened and his lithe, -muscular form straightened to its full height. “Whenever I lay hold -of a proposition I generally make good. I tell you, Nate Dunbar -had nothing to do with the injury from which Jake Phelps is lying -unconscious at the H-P ranch. He----” - -“Bosh!” howled Klinger. “Didn’t him an’ Jake git ter loggerheads -in Hackamore? Didn’t you order Jake out o’ town? An’ didn’t Dunbar -foller him? What did he foller him fer if it wasn’t ter do him up?” - -“Nate didn’t follow Jake Phelps, but came straight to the Star-A by -the most direct trail. Suppose he did follow him. If Nate wanted to -do Phelps up, as you say, then why didn’t he use his revolver instead -of a club? What was Phelps doing with his own revolver while Dunbar -was riding up behind him and hitting him with a club? Can’t you men -use a little reason?” - -But the would-be lynchers had no reason. They were blindly determined -to take the law in their own hands. - -“We know Dunbar done it!” Prouther whooped. “Will ye trot him out -here, or hev we got ter come in arter him?” - -“Think this over well before you make a move!” warned the scout. - -Suddenly, as by a preconcerted signal, Klinger and Prouther hurled -themselves at Buffalo Bill. He received them--and they must have been -astonished at the manner of their reception. - -The scout’s fists shot out right and left like the piston-rods of a -locomotive. Prouther and Klinger reeled back under the impact of the -blows. With an oath, the other man fumbled at his revolver. Before he -could draw it, the scout leaped into the air, after the manner of a -French savateur, and kicked the weapon out of his hand. - -Nomad, who had been watching proceedings with cat-like vigilance, -threw open the door and the scout faded inside the cabin. When the -wrathful cowboys pulled themselves together, only the blank expanse -of the door faced them. Yelling furiously, they began slamming -bullets into the stout oak barrier. - -Those behind heard the shooting and likewise opened a fusillade. - -“All we can do now,” said Nate Dunbar, his face white and set, “is to -give them as good as they send--or better.” - -“Wait!” interposed the scout, “we’re not in the last ditch yet.” - -“What d’ye want ter wait fer, Buffler?” spoke up old Nomad. “All them -thar ijuts aire in plain sight. We kin pick ’em off in one, two, -three style.” - -“We’re not here to pick anybody off, Nick,” said the scout. “We’re -here to save Nate Dunbar, and not to make this matter any worse than -it is. Let them waste their ammunition on the walls of the cabin, if -they want to. It’s not hurting us, and it’s allowing some of their -steam to escape. Maybe they won’t be under such high pressure after -they shoot a while.” - -For a minute or two the bullets continued to thump against the cabin -walls. After that there came an interval of silence while the cowboys -moved farther back into the timber. From the loopholes they could be -seen preparing torches. - -“They’re going to fire the house!” gasped Perry. - -“Them fellers’ll do anythin’,” averred Sim Pierce. “They’re crazy -mad. When they come ter think this over termorrer, they’ll wonder how -the blazes they ever let their senses run away from ’em in this way. -It’s a rough bizness, an’ no mistake.” - -“They’ll not fire the house,” said Buffalo Bill. “In order to do -that, they’ll have to come within range of our guns. They have at -least sense enough to understand that we can pick them off as fast as -they come at us with their torches.” - -But, in this, the scout was mistaken. The H-P men had taken the box -from a lumber wagon, and were manipulating it in such a way that half -a dozen of them could carry it and advance with it for a breastwork. - -“Thet’s er whale of er idee!” growled the old trapper. “I reckon et -kyboshes us some, too. Hey, Buffler?” - -The scout peered gravely at the advancing wagon box. It moved forward -for a dozen feet, and then rested. During the rest, Prouther showed -himself, and the other cowboys advanced a little. - -“We’re goin’ ter give ye another chance!” yelled Prouther. - -“Another chance for what?” called back the scout. - -“Why, ter give up that feller we want. If ye don’t give him up, we’ll -shore burn the ranch house. If we kain’t git him one way, we kin -another.” - -“There’s no way you can git him!” the scout roared defiantly. “We’re -well armed in here, Prouther, and you’ll find it out to your cost if -you keep on as you’re going.” - -“Talk’s cheap. Aire we ter have Dunbar? Yes or no.” - -“No!” - -There was no mistaking the finality the scout put into the word. -Again the wagon box was picked up and started forward. - -Then, like a bombshell, a voice came from the woods back of the H-P -men: - -“Stand where you are! If another shot is fired at that cabin, or if -you fellows carry this lawless game any further, I’ll riddle the lot -of you! I’m here with twenty-five men, and they’re armed with rifles. -I’ve done a lot to make war on the Brazos, and now I’ll do just as -much to make peace. You hear me!” - -There followed a breathless silence, during which a man in black rode -out of the timber and pulled his horse to a halt. - -“My men are back there,” he went on, waving his hand in the direction -of the woods, “and each one of them has his rifle leveled.” He -laughed. “I reckon that, between us, Buffalo Bill and I have a cinch -on this lay-out.” - -“Er-waugh!” muttered old Nomad dazedly. “I’m er Piegan ef et ain’t -Lige Benner! An’ he fightin’ fer us an’ not ag’in us! Hev I got ther -blind staggers?” - - - - - CHAPTER XXVII. - - BENNER’S CHANGE OF HEART. - - -“What’s back of this?” breathed Dick Perry suspiciously. “What’s Lige -Benner’s real purpose in acting this way?” - -The rancher had for so long been the victim of Benner’s plots, that -even now he could not take his show of friendship at face value. - -“Benner,” answered the scout, “has undergone a change of heart. -There’s nothing back of this move of his except a desire to establish -peace on the river. He’s tired of the squabbling. For once in his -life, at least, Lige Benner is showing that there’s some good in him. -Watch--watch and listen! Let’s see how he handles the affair.” - -All eyes in the cabin peered from the loopholes. Horseman after -horseman had ridden from the woods into plain view--all Circle-B men, -and numbering fully a score and five. Each of Benner’s men had a -rifle, and each held it trained on a hostile cowboy. - -The H-P contingent were stunned into silence and inaction. The wagon -box tumbled over and the torches dropped from the hands of the -would-be firebugs. - -Certainly it was an odd situation. Both Phelps’ men and Benner’s had -fought side by side against the Star-A ranchers, along at the first -of the troubles. Each side had comrades in the other side, and for -the two parties to stand ready to leap at each other’s throat formed -a strange commentary on the ways of fate. - -“You see,” called Lige Benner, “I’m the boss of this end of the -business. There are fifteen of you and twenty-six of us. We have -rifles, and you have small arms. Likewise, we have the drop.” - -“I--I thort you fellers was friends o’ our’n!” stuttered Prouther. - -“So we are,” answered Benner. “We’re the best friends you H-P fellers -ever had. What we’re doing now is the friendliest kind of an act. -Prouther, we’re keeping you from doing something you’d be sorry -for--something you’d be brought to book for. You’re fighting Buffalo -Bill, and you’re laying yourself wide open by your lawlessness. If -you had been allowed to keep on, sooner or later Buffalo Bill would -have made you pay up in full.” - -“But Nate Dunbar done up Jake Phelps!” - -“Be hanged to that! Dunbar is as guilty of that as I am--just about. -But I’ve talked enough. You punchers will file past me, one at a -time, and drop your guns in front of my horse. After that, you will -take to your mounts and hustle for home--and you’ll stay home when -you get there, for I intend to keep this force of men on guard here -until this Jake Phelps matter is settled, and settled right. You can -head the procession, Prouther!” - -“I’m blamed if I’ll give up my guns!” howled Prouther. - -“You’ll give them up, and no more words about it. If you’ll ride over -to the Circle-B, in two or three days, you can have the weapons back -again. Start yourself, Prouther!” - -Prouther tried to haggle further. Thereupon Benner ordered one of his -men to dismount and take his weapons away from him. Prouther swore, -but he had to yield. Two rifles were aimed at him, and the faces -behind the guns were full of grim resolution. - -The rest of the H-P men did not make so much trouble. They realized -that they were helpless to do otherwise than obey orders. One by one -they defiled past Lige Benner, and one by one they snatched their -weapons from their belts and flung them angrily down. - -When they were all disarmed, Benner ordered them to their horses. -They rushed at their animals, hurled themselves into their saddles -and careered away, roaring their threats as to what they would do -later. - -As soon as the last hoofbeat had died to silence, Buffalo Bill pulled -open the cabin door and passed out in front. Lige Benner rode up to -him, dismounted, and came forward with outstretched hand. - -“Do you believe that I mean well now?” he asked. - -“I never doubted that you meant to do the right thing, Benner,” -answered the scout heartily, giving the offered hand a cordial clasp. -“How were you able to get here just when we most needed help?” - -“I left Hackamore just after I talked with you, and rode for home. I -hadn’t been there long when I heard this about Dunbar. A little while -after that, one of our boys who had been over at the H-P ranch, rode -in and told me that the lynching party of fifteen had started for the -Star-A. As quick as I could, I got this force of men together, gave -them a short talk, and we rode here. I reckon you know the rest.” - -Dunbar, Perry, Hattie Dunbar, Sim Pierce, old Nomad and Little Cayuse -had crowded through the door while Lige Benner was talking. The scout -stepped a little apart and waited to see what would happen between -Benner and the Star-A ranchers. - -There was an embarrassing pause, for a few moments. Benner cut it -short by stepping up to Perry. - -“Dick Perry,” said he, “let me frankly say that I never liked you, -but also let me confess that I had no real reason for putting myself -at swords’ points with you. I was in the wrong. I did not make this -about face because I felt that I was in the wrong, but because I -felt that I should be drawn into a bad tangle unless Red Steve was -captured and made to tell the truth about Ace Hawkins. But I’m -receding from that position. I’m beginning to want peace on the -Brazos for its own sake. I take it, you and Dunbar are as anxious to -find Red Steve as I am? Then let’s make common cause. Will you take -my hand?” - -Perry hesitated. In the gathering dusk, the scout saw his eyes flash -and his face harden; then, generously, he threw past grievances to -the winds and took the hand held out to him. - -Nate Dunbar pushed forward with his wife. His left arm encircled -Hattie’s waist, and together they stood in front of their old enemy. - -“Hattie and I want to be in on this,” said Nate. “I don’t say, mind -you, that you saved me from those H-P men. They never would have got -me, for I had Buffalo Bill and his pards on my side. But you did -keep us from shooting into the party of lynchers, and that would -have caused no end of trouble. Red Steve must have been the man who -tackled Jake Phelps on the trail. As you say, Benner, we have common -cause against him. Perry has met you halfway, and with him for an -example, Hattie and I won’t hang back in doing the same thing.” - -They shook hands, and Benner doffed his black sombrero and bowed to -Mrs. Dunbar. - -“Whoop-ya!” jubilated old Nomad. “Ring ther bells! Let the band toot! -Allymand left an’ all sashay! Peace is shore beginnin’ ter ride -circles eround the diffikilties on ther Brazos! Be happy, ever’body, -kase ther merlennium hes come! Who’d ever a-thort et?” - -“I have to say, Buffalo Bill,” went on Benner, as soon as the old -trapper had eased himself of his glorying, “that my men will remain -on guard around this cabin until this trouble about Jake Phelps has -been straightened out. There’ll be no more lynching parties. Have -your pards learned anything regarding Red Steve?” - -“Wild Bill Hickok and the baron are on his trail,” said the scout. -“They’ll be heard from before long.” - -“Wild Bill Hickok is a man of parts,” said Benner, with a rueful -laugh. “I know from personal experience with him what he can do. If -any one can catch Red Steve, it’s Wild Bill Hickok. We’re to remain -quietly until he reports?” - -“Yes.” - -“Then I and my men will stay out here.” - -“You can come in the house with the rest of us, Benner,” said Perry. - -“I’d prefer to be with my men,” was the answer. - -“Anyhow,” put in Dunbar, “we’ll see that you and your men have -supper.” - -Benner went back to his men, and the latter began caring for their -horses. Guards were posted to command all approaches to the Star-A -ranch, and rifles were kept within easy reach. - -Preparing supper for thirty or more was something of a task, but -Dunbar helped his wife, and Little Cayuse carried out the food when -it was ready. - -There was peace on that part of the Brazos, albeit an armed peace. -Real peace could not come until Red Steve was captured, and had been -forced to confess all he knew about Ace Hawkins and Jake Phelps. - -Following supper, the scout and his pards smoked with Benner in front -of the cabin. At a late hour Benner went to his blankets under the -trees. Cayuse bunked down at the corral by the horses, and the others -hunted berths on the floor of the ranch living room. - -It was in the small hours of the morning that Little Cayuse crept -into the living room and crawled to the scout. - -“Come, Pa-e-has-ka!” he whispered. - -The scout sat up. - -“What’s wanted?” he asked. - -“Wild Bill make um palaver by corral. You come, Pa-e-has-ka.” - -The scout wondered at all this mysteriousness on Wild Bill’s part, -but he presumed that Hickok, not knowing the lay of the situation, -had made up his mind to proceed carefully. The main fact seemed to be -that the Laramie man had returned from his search with important news -about Red Steve. Thrilled with hope, the scout left the house quietly -and met Hickok by the corral. - -They talked for several minutes in low tones, and the scout’s voice -betrayed traces of considerable excitement. At the end of their talk, -Buffalo Bill saddled Bear Paw, gave instructions to Cayuse to say -nothing, and slipped away into the darkest part of the night with -Wild Bill. - -Morning came, and great was the excitement when it was discovered -that Buffalo Bill had vanished. Nomad fretted, the rest wondered, and -Cayuse held his peace. - -Breakfast was prepared, and while Benner and his men were eating out -under the trees, and the others were taking their meal in the house, -Buffalo Bill came slashing up to the corral, cared for Bear Paw, and -hurried to the cabin. - -There was a queer look on his face, and a queer gleam in his eyes. -Over all, however, was an expression of triumph not unmixed with -amazement. - -“Whar ther nation you been, Buffler?” whooped the old trapper, when -the king of scouts pushed into the kitchen and took his seat at the -table. - -“Been having a little ride, pard,” laughed the scout indefinitely. - -“Took er leetle pasear around lookin’ fer Red Steve?” - -“Well, you might call it that. I’m hungry as a bear that has just -come out of his hole in the spring. Load that plate full, Nate.” - -“Sim hyar reckoned he wouldn’t git ter see ye afore he started fer -Hackamore.” - -“Got ter go back,” put in Sim. “I ain’t needed here, anyways, -with all these men o’ Benner’s standing between Nate an’ trouble. -I’ll borry a rifle an’ take it erlong in case I meet up with Red -Thunderbolt. Say, I’d like ter put a bullet inter that critter. The’s -a thousand out for Red Thunderbolt.” - -“A thousand?” asked the scout, falling to with his knife and fork. - -“Shore. The cattle barons, up an’ down the river, have offered -a thousand in cash fer the man thet knocks over that murderin’ -maverick. Now, if I could do the trick----” - -“You can’t, Sim,” cut in Dunbar. “It’s been tried too many times. Red -Thunderbolt bears a charmed life.” - -“Don’t leave the ranch just yet, Pierce,” said the scout. “There’s -something I want you to do.” - -“Waal, if ye got any bizness on hand fer me, o’ course I’ll hang -eround. Any more peace-makin’?” grinned Pierce. - -“That’s what it’s to be.” - -The scout’s face had become sphinxlike, and prying eyes learned -nothing from a study of it. - -“Buffler, ye’re holdin’ somethin’ back!” rumbled the trapper. -“Consarn et, pard, kain’t ye see how I’m on tenterhooks? Why don’t ye -le’go with what ye got on yer mind? What’s ther use o’ hangin’ fire?” - -The scout laughed. - -“Don’t get inquisitive, Nick. I’ve got a big surprise in store for -all of you, but I must spring it in my own way, and at my own time.” - -“What kind of er s’prise?” - -“The kind that will make you sit up, open your eyes, and gasp. I want -several in the party.” - -“Me an’ Pierce?” quizzed Nomad. - -“More than that. Hattie must be along, and Nate, and Perry; also Sim, -and you, Nick, and Cayuse.” - -“Jumpin’ catermounts! Why, ye’re cleanin’ out ther hull ranch house. -Ef Wild Bill an’ the baron’ ’u’d on’y happen erlong, I reckon ye’d -take them, too, hey?” - -The scout laughed. - -“Benner will also be with us,” said he, “and Hank Phelps.” - -The name of Benner was a little surprising, but the mention of Hank -Phelps quite took the breath of the others. - -“The way Hank Phelps feels toward us, Buffalo Bill,” said Perry, -“it’s doubtful whether he would agree to go.” - -“I think he’ll go, all right, if the invitation is handed to him in -the right way.” - -“Arter what happened hyar last night,” chuckled Nomad, “d’ye opine -Phelps would accept any o’ our invitation, no matter how et was -handed ter him?” - -“I reckon he will. You see, to make sure the invitation is given as -it should be, I intend to offer it myself.” - -They all stared at that. - -“How ye goin’ ter work et?” demanded Nomad. - -“I’m going to ride to the H-P ranch directly after breakfast.” - -“All o’ us with ye?” - -“Certainly not, Nick. Do you imagine that I would take Nate over to -Phelps’ place, while things are as we have them now? It would be -worse than foolish. I’m going to call on Phelps alone.” - -“Don’t!” begged Perry. “Ruffianly work will be done, Buffalo Bill. I -know Phelps better than you do. He’s probably as crazy mad over what -happened to Jake as any of his men. You’ll have more on your hands -than you can attend to.” - -“I think not,” said the scout quietly. - -“Stay away from the H-P ranch, amigo,” urged Nate. - -“But it’s necessary for you, necessary for peace on the Brazos, that -I call on him. So I’m going.” - -When the scout spoke in the tone of voice he used then, further -argument was useless. Everybody was burning with curiosity to know -what he had at the back of his head, but he continued smilingly -indefinite. - -“Cayuse,” said he, when he had finished and risen from the table, “go -out and get Bear Paw ready for the trail. In two hours,” he added to -Perry, “I want all the rest of you to ride to the forks of the trail -just where it divides for Hackamore and the Circle-B ranch. If I’m -not there with Phelps when you get there, wait for us. Benner will -ride with you, Perry. The Circle-B men will take care of the ranch -until we get back.” - -“I don’t like ther pizen lay-out, not noways,” declared Nomad, “but -orders is orders. Ef we wait more’n two hours fer ye at the forks o’ -ther trail, and ye don’t come, I’ll ride ter Phelps’ hangout, an’ -purceed ter tear things.” - -“Don’t do anything rash, Nick,” counseled the scout, leaving by the -kitchen door and climbing into his saddle. - -At the edge of the timber he drew rein to talk with Benner. - -“I’ve got something important to say to you, Benner,” said he, “and -my time is limited. Mount and ride a ways with me.” - -“I’ll do it.” - -Benner’s horse was put under saddle in record time, and he and the -scout started side by side along the trail that led to the H-P ranch. - -“I’m going over to call on Phelps,” announced the scout. - -Benner started in his saddle. - -“Alone?” he inquired. - -“Yes. Business calls me.” - -“It’s dangerous, considering the temper Phelps is in about Jake. If -Jake happens to have crossed the divide, I would be willing to gamble -you have trouble getting clear of his place with your scalp.” - -“Do you really think so?” asked the scout, with a keen glance at his -companion. “Didn’t I call on Phelps once before, when you and he were -in the ranch house? And didn’t I get away with ground to spare?” - -A flush stole over Benner’s bronzed face. The scout had referred to -an incident during the time when Phelps and Benner were at war with -Perry and Dunbar. On that occasion, Buffalo Bill had rescued Perry -from Phelps’ ranch house, and had left Benner and Phelps handcuffed -back to back. - -“I renig,” said Benner, with a short laugh. “You’re able to take care -of yourself in any and all circumstances, Buffalo Bill. I reckon you -can call on Phelps and get away again. But what’s the use?” - -“We’re close to the end of this trouble trail,” proceeded the scout -earnestly. “A little quick work this morning will settle everything. -Perry, Mr. and Mrs. Dunbar, Sim Pierce, old Nomad and Little Cayuse -are going to start on horseback inside of two hours for the place -where the trail forks to go to Hackamore and to your place. They will -wait for Phelps and me at the forks. You, Benner, are to ride with -the party from the Star-A.” - -Benner was intensely interested. - -“Have you discovered something of importance?” he asked. - -“I have--something of the utmost importance; something that will -spell peace on the Brazos.” - -“Something that will clear me of any suspicion regarding the taking -off of Ace Hawkins?” - -“I believe so.” - -“And clear Nate Dunbar?” - -“Undoubtedly.” - -“What is it?” - -“I’ll show you later. Meanwhile, be prepared for a big surprise.” - -“You’ve got me all worked up,” muttered Benner, with a low laugh. - -“Everybody will be worked up before we are through. It’s the biggest -thing, Benner, that ever happened in this Brazos country.” - -“Why are you taking Phelps along?” - -“Because he must hear what we hear, and see what we see. That’s of -the utmost importance.” - -“Can’t I go to Phelps’ ranch with you?” suggested Benner. “I know -Hank pretty well, and, if he gets ugly, perhaps I could help you -handle him.” - -“No, Benner,” answered the scout firmly, “I prefer to go alone. You -ride with Perry, Dunbar and my pards. They have nothing but friendly -feelings for you now. Have your cowboys watch the Star-A ranch until -we get back there.” - -“Just as you say. I’m a good soldier, Cody, and know how to obey my -superior officer. Is that all?” - -“Yes.” - -“Adios, then.” - -Benner wheeled his horse and rode back along the trail to the Star-A. -The scout spurred into faster gait, and laid a rapid course in the -direction of the H-P ranch. - -Benner turned to look back at him. - -“I wouldn’t be in Phelps’ shoes for a bushel of dinero,” thought -Benner, “if he tries to do what Buffalo Bill don’t want him to.” - - - - - CHAPTER XXVIII. - - IN THE ENEMY’S CAMP. - - -From rising ground, where Buffalo Bill had left his pards on the -previous occasion when he had gone alone into Phelps’ hangout, the -scout surveyed the situation at the hostile ranch. - -Everything was quiet about the buildings, but it was the brooding -quiet that oftentimes precedes a violent storm. Cowboys passed and -re-passed slowly under the scout’s eyes, but they seemed to avoid the -log house in which Phelps made his headquarters. - -In that building, no doubt, lay Jake Phelps, the mysteriously injured -relative of Hank Phelps. It might be that the building was being -avoided by the cowboys, on the injured man’s account. - -Without lingering long over his survey, the scout started Bear Paw -and rode down the hill up which he had once raced with the H-P -cowboys tight after him. He hoped that performance was not again to -be repeated. - -No one appeared to molest him. He was seen, nevertheless, and several -cowboys, out behind Hank Phelps’ quarters, gathered in an excited -group. - -Leaving Bear Paw at a little distance from the log house, Buffalo -Bill dismounted and moved briskly forward on foot. - -Before he had come within a dozen feet of the front door of the -house, Phelps himself appeared in the opening. He seemed, for a -moment, as though loath to believe his eyes. - -Recovering himself quickly, Phelps stepped through the door and faced -the scout. Rage was growing in Phelps’ face. - -“What do you want here?” - -“I want you, Phelps,” answered the scout. - -A harsh laugh escaped the cattleman’s lips. - -“You called on me once before,” said he, “and you got away that time. -You’ll not be so lucky now, Buffalo Bill.” - -“You mean that you will try to prevent me from going away when I get -ready to leave?” asked the scout calmly. - -“That’s what I mean.” - -“Why will you do that?” - -“Don’t you try to play lame-duck with me!” answered Phelps fiercely. -“You can do it with Lige Benner, but I’m cut out of different cloth. -You’ve been helping that young whelp over at the Star-A. What’s come -of it? Jake lies in there”--he waved an angry hand at the house -behind him--“unconscious and fighting for life. That’s what’s come of -your work on the Brazos. But you’ve done more, Buffalo Bill!” - -Phelps was rapidly lashing himself into uncontrollable fury. - -“What more have I done?” returned the scout, still calmly. - -“When Jake and that cur at the Star-A quarreled in Hackamore, you -sent Jake out of town; then, by thunder, you sent Dunbar after him! -You’re at the bottom of the whole villainous business! You set Dunbar -on to steal the pay-roll money, and----” - -“I wouldn’t go any further with that, if I were you,” cut in the -scout significantly. “I reckon you understand that I’ve heard about -enough in that strain.” - -“You’ll hear all I’m going to tell!” stormed Phelps. “I’m on my own -ground here, Cody! This isn’t the Star-A ranch. You haven’t got -Benner and his outfit to stand between you and trouble. You were a -fool to come here like this. But that’s your fault. Now that you’re -here, you’ll take what I’m going to give you. I’ll square up for -Jake!” - -Jumping back, Phelps gave vent to a furious yell. At the same moment -he jerked a revolver from his hip. - -The cowboys, out behind the house, heard the yell, and came rushing -around in front. One of them carried a rope. - -But, if Phelps had been quick in executing his manœuvre, the scout -had been even quicker. Seizing the angry man’s arm, the scout -wrestled with him for possession of the revolver. - -It was a critical moment for Buffalo Bill. He was fighting the -cattleman on his own ground, and cowboys were rushing to the scene. - -But the scout secured the revolver. That was the main thing. Throwing -his left arm around Phelps’ throat, the scout backed against the log -wall of the building, keeping the cattle baron in front of him by -main strength. With his right hand he pushed out the revolver over -Phelps’ squirming shoulder. - -“Steady, you men!” called the scout, recognizing Prouther as one of -the six cowboys. “I didn’t come here to make war, but to make peace. -Leave us alone and all will be well. Try to stir up trouble, and a -good many things will go wrong.” - -“Take him, confound you!” roared Phelps, fighting for his freedom and -half strangled by the arm around his throat. - -The cowboys appeared undecided. At this moment two other actors -appeared on the scene. They came from somewhere within the house and -stepped hastily through the door. - -One of them was Bloom, the sheriff. The other was the doctor. - -“Ah!” came from Bloom. “So the chivalrous Mr. Cody has paid us a -visit, has he? In his usual manner he has begun to make things -lively. Go ’way, you men,” and Bloom turned and waved the cowboys -off. “I reckon Phelps and I can look after this Cody person.” - -The cowboys retreated to a distance. The scout released Phelps, but -kept his revolver. - -“Tut, tut!” cried the doctor. “This here ain’t accordin’ to Hoyle. -We’re gents all, so why the nation should we act like a pack of -rowdies? Hank Phelps, you ca’m down. I got the highest respect for -Buffalo Bill, an’ I know he ain’t here for no wrong purpose. Bloom, -don’t be unmannerly. Confound it, can’t you two give Buffalo Bill a -chance to tell what he’s come here for?” - -Here was an unexpected aide in the person of the doctor. The scout -felt that he was indeed fortunate to find the doctor at the house. - -“I’m not lookin’ at Buffalo Bill with the same eye as you, doc,” -grunted Bloom. “Him an’ me don’t hitch.” - -“That is regrettable,” said the doctor. “When people can’t hitch, -Bloom, it’s best to let each other alone.” - -“Why don’t Cody let me alone?” babbled Phelps. “What does he come -crowhopping around here for?” - -“That’s his nature,” sneered Bloom. “He makes it a point to blow in -where he ain’t wanted.” - -“If you’ll go in the house with me,” said the scout, “I’ll tell you -what I want in a few minutes.” - -“Invite him in, Hank,” suggested Bloom, “but walk behind him.” - -“Oh, you fellers do make me all-fired tired,” grunted the doctor. -“Come in, Buffalo Bill. I’m gladder’n blazes that I happen to be -here.” - -The doctor returned into the house. Buffalo Bill followed him, and -the two others followed Buffalo Bill. Once inside, the scout was not -asked to be seated. - -“First, doctor,” said the scout, “I’d like to know how Jake Phelps is -coming along?” - -The doctor shook his head forebodingly. - -“He got a rap on the head that was some fierce,” said he, “but it -don’t seem to be a fracture. Yet, if it ain’t a fracture, why don’t -he corral his wits, open his eyes and talk? He ain’t said a word -since he was found in the trail. I’ve done my best to bring him -around, because I know two words from Jake would do a hull lot o’ -good. He could tell us, right off the bat, who it was knocked him -out; then, without any guessin’, the law could get in its work. -Personally, I don’t stand for any such foolishness as went on at the -Star-A ranch last night. I’m a law and order man, I am, and such -doin’s look too much like anarchy to suit me.” - -“What are Jake’s chances, doctor?” - -“Mebby slim, mebby good. I’m puzzled to beat four of a kind. A few -hours more ought to tell the story, though, one way or the other.” - -“He was hit with a club?” - -“I wouldn’t say that.” - -“Or the butt of a revolver?” - -“I wouldn’t say that, either. He was hit, an’ laid out senseless; but -what it was hit him is more’n I can savvy.” - -“The blow was on the head, wasn’t it?” - -“Toby sure. It wouldn’t have grabbed his wits if it hadn’t been on -the head.” - -“Do you think that Nate Dunbar could have ridden up behind Phelps and -struck him a blow on the head with a quirt handle?” - -“It wasn’t a quirt handle. I’m darned if I know what it was, as I -was jest sayin’. And I’ve been tellin’ both Hank and Bloom that Nate -Dunbar couldn’t have done it, that Nate would have used the business -end of a shooter and not bothered with the thing--whatever it -was--that collided with Jake’s head. But they’re set in their notions -an’ won’t listen to reason.” - -“Dunbar did it!” cried Phelps. - -“He shore did!” agreed Bloom; “and Buffalo Bill sent Nate Dunbar -after Jake so’t he could do it.” - -“Bloom,” said the scout, “you’re a cur dog. As an officer of the law, -you should be trying to bring evil-doers to justice and bring peace -on the Brazos. But you’re doing neither. All your energy is expended -in fomenting trouble and discord. But we’ll settle this matter once -and for all. You’ll know, presently, just what happened to Jake. I -invite you, and Phelps, and the doctor to ride with me.” - -“It’s a trap!” yelped Bloom. “He’s layin’ for us, Phelps.” - -“Hush your yaup!” cried the doctor, “or I’ll give you somethin’ -that’ll make you feel real bad. Phelps is going with Buffalo Bill; -so’m I; so’re you. Do you understand me? As a man with the free and -unrestricted right of franchise, a man who voted for you for sheriff, -you’re going, Bloom, or I’ll see to it that you’re everlastingly -snowed under at the next election. Phelps is going because I say so, -and that’s why. Git your hosses. While you’re about it, git mine. -Vamos!” - -“You can boss Bloom,” answered Phelps, “but you can’t boss me. I’m -staying here, with Jake.” - -The doctor stepped to the door. - -“Prouther!” he called. - -“Hyer!” answered the voice of Prouther. - -“Get up Phelps’ hoss, and Bloom’s, and mine. We’re goin’ to take a -hossback ride through this beautiful morning quiet. Pronto, boy, -pronto!” - -“On the jump.” - -The doctor turned back, pulled a cigar from his pocket, bit off the -end and scratched a match. - -“Sorry I ain’t got another,” said he. - -“Look here, doc,” fussed Phelps, “you can’t handle me like this.” - -“I can’t, hey?” returned the doctor, puffing at his weed. “I’m doing -it, Hank, and you say I can’t. Poof! Why, if I wanted to, I could -rope, down and tie you. Buffalo Bill says he’s going to settle this -mystery about Jake.” - -“It ain’t any mystery,” scowled Bloom. “He’s fixed up something to -make it look as though Dunbar didn’t----” - -There was a tramp of feet. The next moment, Buffalo Bill had Bloom -against the wall and was twisting his fingers about his throat. - -“Say you didn’t mean that,” said the scout. - -The sheriff glared and stuttered. - -“Out with it!” went on the scout. - -“I--d-d-didn’t mean it----” gurgled Bloom. - -“That will do.” Buffalo Bill threw the sheriff from him. “There’s a -yellow streak in Bloom, doctor,” he added, “that has to be handled -just so.” - -“I’ve noticed it before,” agreed the doctor. “Bloom means -well--sometimes--but he’s got a poor way of showing it--at all times. -However, he ain’t such a bad sheriff, where his personal likes and -dislikes don’t get tangled up with his duty. Don’t get sore, Bloom,” -he added, to the sheriff; “I felt like doing the same thing to you -when your mouth went off like that. Watch yourself, man, or your -tongue will do harm for you.” - -Bloom was angry. It happened, however, that the doctor was a -politician. Whatever the doctor said, in politics in that county, was -usually what the voters abided by. Nothing was to be gained by rowing -with the doctor. - -“I want to do my duty,” declared Bloom, caressing his throat, “but -I’ll be durn if I want to stand for Cody and all his high and mighty -purceedin’s. When he blows in here and begins straightening things -out on the Brazos, does he come to me and ask my help? Nary. For -all he cared, the sheriff didn’t amount to a whoop. He just went it -himself.” - -“So there’s your grouch, is it?” grinned the doctor. “Jealous! -Jealous old sore-head! Cody’s doing things and never asking you to -chime in and help. Oh, gosh! Well, what’s the odds so long as a good -live man brings order out of chaos? Makes the bird of peace wing -brightly up and down the river without molting a feather? Puts all -you cattlemen into harmony with each other? Besides, it appears to me -as though he’s asking you to do something now, and you’re hanging out -about it. You travel with Hank and me, Bloom, or I’ll get your scalp -when you’re up for nomination next time. That’s about as flat as I -can make it.” - -At that moment, Prouther came up with the horses. - -“All aboard!” called the doctor, picking up his hat from a chair. -“Here’s where we ride with the king of scouts, and find out what he’s -got to show us. I’ll bet a pill against a dose of salts it’s worth -while. Come, gentlemen!” - -“Will Jake be all right?” asked Phelps anxiously. - -“We can’t help him any by staying,” answered the doctor. “Maybe if we -clear out he’ll come around while we’re gone. I’ll have Prouther come -in and sit with him.” - -The doctor hurried into a rear room for a moment, and then reappeared. - -“Same’s usual,” said he, wrinkling his forehead perplexedly. “Ain’t -it fierce that I can’t do a thing? Well, anyhow, over the hills and -far away with Scout Cody. Chirk up, gents! I feel as though something -important was about to happen. Oh, my prophetic soul!” - -The doctor was a queer one. The scout had never seen much of him -before, but he was wonderfully taken with the old fellow. He was an -able aide in this emergency, that was certain. - -The three men went out and mounted. The doctor kept sharp eyes -on Phelps. He seemed perfectly sure of Bloom and gave him scant -attention. - -“How long will we be gone, Buffalo Bill?” asked the doctor. - -“Two or three hours,” answered the scout; “I can’t say exactly.” - -“I can’t go away from here for two or three hours,” expostulated -Phelps. - -“Tut!” returned the doctor, “you can stay away six, if necessary, in -order to get to the bottom of these mysteries. It’s time, well spent, -Hank. Prouther,” he added to the cowboy who held his horse while he -mounted, “go in and sit with Jake till we come back. You won’t have -to do anything but stay with him. He’s not very good company, Jake -ain’t, but I’m hoping for the best. Go on, Prouther.” - -Prouther looked toward Phelps to have the order confirmed. Phelps -nodded, half sullenly. Meanwhile, the scout had been mounting Bear -Paw. - -“Which way, Buffalo Bill?” called the doctor. - -“Up the hill,” answered the scout. “We’ll ride, first, for the forks -of the trail, where it separates for the Circle-B and for Hackamore.” - -Bloom and Phelps evidently did not care to ride beside the scout. -They started on ahead, leaving the doctor to follow with Buffalo Bill. - -“What do you expect to prove by this little junket, my friend?” asked -the doctor, as they rode. - -“I expect to prove whether or not Lige Benner had anything to do with -the shooting of Ace Hawkins, for one thing,” was the reply. - -“He didn’t--take it from me.” - -“I don’t think he did, either, but Benner himself is anxious to have -that point cleared up.” - -“Jerry, Lige’s brother,” mused the doctor, “is Lige’s worst enemy. -Lige has fired Jerry. Sent him to Houston, with a couple of thousand -and his blessing. He went two days ago. Pity he ever came to the -Circle-B at all. Lige Benner is a pretty good sort of a fellow, Cody, -down at bottom.” - -“I believe that, too, after the way he stood by us at the Star-A last -night.” - -“What else do you expect to prove by this trip of ours this morning?” - -“Nate Dunbar’s innocence in the matter of Jake’s injury.” - -“I had already gathered that. Anything more to be brought out?” - -“Well, yes. For instance, we’re to get back the pay-roll money and -Jake’s saddle.” - -“Better and better. Go on. You delight me.” - -“And then, doctor,” said the scout, “we will prove how Jake got his -injury.” - -“Whoop!” tuned up the doctor. “I can’t begin to tell you how glad I -am that I’ve come. My friend, you’re a man after my own heart. You do -things. While the trouble pot is boiling on the Brazos, you keep busy -and find out the reason--then settle the reason. There is much cause -for rejoicing m the fact that you paid the Brazos country a visit, -just when you did. No man but you could have laid hold here and man -handled this emergency in the correct way. I take off my hat to you.” - -The scout laughed. - -“You’ll have to take it off to some of my pards, this trip,” said he. - -Bloom and Phelps, who had been galloping at a good pace along the -trail, suddenly drew rein. - -“I reckon this is as far as I’m going,” declared Phelps. - -“Now, Hank!” protested the doctor indulgently, “what’s broke loose -now?” - -“Here’s the trap I told you about,” snapped Bloom. “Look ahead, -there!” - -The forks of the trail were in sight. A group of riders were in plain -view. - -“A trap, eh?” jeered the doctor. “Why, Hattie Dunbar is one of that -outfit. Not afraid of Mrs. Dunbar, are you, Bloom? And there’s Lige -Benner, too, on my soul!! Why, you’re old friends of Benner’s, both -of you. If he can be riding in peace and amity with Mr. and Mrs. -Dunbar and Perry, you fellows ought not to object. And is that Sim -Pierce? It is. Sim’s everybody’s friend. Old Nomad is with the lot, -and the little Piute Indian. What’s to be feared from that trap, -Bloom?” - -The sheriff swore under his breath. He had no logical answer ready. - -“How much farther have we got to go from the forks?” demanded Phelps -of the scout. - -“About a mile.” - -“Ride on, Hank,” urged the doctor. “The quicker we ride, the quicker -we’ll be going back to the H-P ranch and Jake. Don’t waste time like -this.” - -Phelps rattled his spurs and made off. Bloom rushed on beside him. - -“Waugh!” yelled the old trapper, waving his hat as those from the H-P -ranch came up; “blamed ef ye didn’t do ther trick. Got Sawbones, too, -an’ our friend, the sheriff. Whoop!” - -There were no greetings exchanged between Phelps, Bloom and the other -party. The doctor was gay and civil with all, and especially with -Mrs. Dunbar. - -“Now, then, amigos,” called the scout, “follow my lead. It won’t be -long before you get developments.” - -The scout set the pace, and behind him came the strangely assorted -party. The course carried the riders along that part of the trail -which the scout and the trapper had covered on the preceding day when -riding to Hackamore. They galloped around the base of the hill, on -for a hundred yards, then swerved to pass into a gully between two -uplifts. - -“I wonder whatever we’re comin’ in hyar fer?” muttered Nomad. “Ef I -had ther sense of er locoed steer, mebbyso I could figger out which -way the wind lies. But I kain’t. I’ll hev ter wait till somebody -drors a diagram, an’ explains in words o’ one syllable.” - -A little way through the gully the party came upon a ruinous adobe -shack. In front of the door stood Wild Bill Hickok. - -“Hello!” called Hickok. “You’re bringing quite a party, Pard Cody. -Come in.” - -“Are we in time?” asked the scout. - -“Just about,” was the answer. - -“Dismount, friends,” said Buffalo Bill. “Little Cayuse will take care -of the horses while we’re in the ’dobe.” - - - - - CHAPTER XXIX. - - RED STEVE. - - -The surprises began for old Nomad with this unexpected meeting with -Wild Bill. - -“How’d ye know Hickok was hyar, Buffler?” the trapper asked, as the -party moved in the direction of the adobe. - -“Wild Bill came to the Star-A ranch last night,” answered the scout, -“and I went away with him.” - -“Waugh! So ye was with Wild Bill when ye was absent from the ranch, -hey? Has he diskivered somethin’?” - -“He has.” - -“Whar’s ther baron?” - -“We’ll see the baron later, Nick.” - -The adobe shack had long been abandoned. It was scarcely more than a -shelter at best. - -Buffalo Bill and his party were ushered into the hovel by Wild Bill. -On a blanket, at one side of the only room the hut contained, lay a -man groaning with pain and with a bandage about his forehead. - -“Red Steve!” gasped Lige Benner, pushing eagerly forward. - -“I don’t care who the nation he is,” growled the doctor, “he’s a man -that needs attention.” - -“He’s already had attention, doc,” said Wild Bill. - -“Not professional,” and the doctor’s critical eye surveyed the rough -bandage. “Why wasn’t a doctor called before?” he demanded, fixing an -accusing eye on Wild Bill. - -“Because Red Steve wouldn’t have it. He swore he’d kill himself if -I went for a doctor. You see, Steve has something on his mind. He -was afraid he’d be landed for the shooting of Ace Hawkins. I didn’t -dare tell him he was to have visitors this morning--but he’s got to -a point where he don’t much care what happens to him. He’s got his -ticket, friends.” - -The doctor went down on his knees and began an examination. - -“How did he get his ticket?” he demanded. - -“The horns of Red Thunderbolt did the business for Steve. When I -found him he was about gone. I did what I could to keep him alive, -and, when I got the chance, I rode to the Star-A ranch. There were a -lot of men hanging around the ranch, and I hadn’t a notion what was -tip, so I sneaked in and sent Cayuse for Pard Cody.” - -“Sufferin’ twisters!” exclaimed old Nomad. “Say, Buffler, was Red -Steve the feller we heard yell, back thar in the trail yisterday? Is -he the feller thet fired the shot, then dug out while we was mixin’ -things with Red Thunderbolt?” - -“He’s the man, Nick,” answered the scout. “Red Steve was badly hurt, -but he managed to get into this gully and into this ruined ’dobe. If -we’d known who he was,” the scout added, “we might have found him -long ago.” - -“Blame’ quare how things turns out some times,” muttered Nomad. - -Red Steve’s eyes were closed, and he seemed scarcely to breathe. Only -a groan, now and then coming through his tense lips, gave evidence -that he was still alive. - -The doctor looked up and shook his head. - -“Red Steve is a whole lot nearer the Great Divide than what Jake is,” -announced the doctor. - -“He’s got to talk before he goes,” cried Benner; “he’s got to stay -here long enough to do me justice.” - -“He must say something for Nate, too,” put in Mrs. Dunbar. “He must -tell about the attack on Jake Phelps and clear Nate. Doctor! Do what -you can! He must talk!” - -In their excitement and apprehension, those interested in what Red -Steve had to say showed themselves in rather a merciless light. The -doctor raised his hand. - -“I haven’t my medicine case with me,” said he, “but if we had a -little liquor----” - -He turned and peered at Bloom. The latter, somewhat reluctantly, drew -a flask from his pocket. The doctor, lifting Red Steve’s head with -one arm, pressed the flask to his lips. A swallow of the fiery liquor -gurgled down the desperado’s throat. - -“Get him to talk about Nate first,” said Perry. - -“It isn’t necessary for him to say anything about Nate, Perry,” -returned the scout. “We’ll prove Nate’s innocence in another way. -Anyhow, from the very facts of the case, it’s certain Red Steve -had nothing to do with what happened to Jake Phelps. Red Steve was -wounded by Red Thunderbolt several hours before that attack was made -on Jake. That eliminates Red Steve.” - -A broken cry escaped Mrs. Dunbar. - -“Cheer up, Mrs. Dunbar!” said the scout reassuringly. “Nate will be -freed of all suspicion absolutely. Just be patient.” - -“I said all along,” scowled Phelps, “that Red Steve wasn’t the one -who made that attack on Jake.” - -“So did I,” seconded the sheriff. - -“But you said it was Nate, you fellows,” put in the scout, “and -that’s where you were wrong.” - -“I’ll believe it when you prove it,” said Phelps, with a glaring look -at Dunbar. - -“Hist!” breathed the doctor. - -All eyes turned to Red Steve. He was staring upward into the doctor’s -face. It was plain to every one that he had not many minutes to -live--perhaps not many seconds. - -“Steve!” called Lige Benner, bending down. “Don’t you know me?” - -“Share I know ye,” was the gruff response--as gruff, at least, as a -feeble voice could make it. - -“Tell these people,” went on Benner, “who it was shot Ace Hawkins!” - -“It won’t do me any hurt ter tell that, I reckon,” answered Red Steve -stumblingly. “Ye got it out o’ me at the ranch, Benner, an’ ye turned -me adrift. It was yer fiend of a brother that put me up ter it. Jerry -Benner said fer me ter do it. He didn’t think Hawkins was actin’ -right, Jerry didn’t. He thought Hawkins was playin’ double with him -an’ Lige. Lige said he wouldn’t stand fer no shootin’, but Jerry says -fer me ter go ahead an’ never mind Lige. So I did, an’ it was me -bored Hawkins.” - -“And I didn’t have a thing to do with it?” demanded Benner. - -“Nary a thing. Ye didn’t know it was done till ye found it out from -Jerry. Then ye fired me. I expected ye would send me ter Hackamore, -an’ hey me put in the lockup, an’ tried, so I hoofed it away from -ther Circle-B. Then--then I met that ther horned killer in the road. -I was on foot an’ couldn’t git away. He come at me--an’ right thar’s -whar I got my gruel. I heered some’un in the trail behind me, an’ I -was afeared it mout be some’un chasin’ arter me, so I crawled inter -the gully, an’ ter this place.” - -Red Steve sank back weakly. Once more Bloom’s flask was used, and he -revived a little. - -“Wild Bill Hickok,” went on Red Steve painfully, “has done a heap fer -me sence he located me hyer last night. He ain’t got no cause ter -think much o’ me, but he done all a feller could ter bring me back -ter y’arth.” - -“I wanted to save you for the law, Steve,” said Wild Bill. - -“I know what ye wanted, but--I--fooled--” He paused and pulled -himself together with a fierce effort. “I fooled the law,” he -finished. “Allers--allers knowed I--I would.” - -Then, again, he dropped back. The doctor’s fingers touched his pulse. - -“Red Steve has taken the One-way Trail, friends,” said the doctor -gravely. “I hold that there’s something good in the worst of us--even -in Red Steve. Let us hope that there was enough good in him to help -the poor fellow where he’s going now.” - -The doctor turned and went out of the hut. Wild Bill gently pulled a -fold of the blanket over the face on the floor. - -“I’ll send some of my boys from the Star-A to put him away,” said -Lige Benner. - -“We’re not ready to go to the Star-A ranch yet, Benner,” remarked the -scout. - -“How much longer will we be?” - -“Not much.” - -“Red Thunderbolt scores another victim,” said Perry. - -“I wonder when that maverick will finally be put out of commission?” - -“Perhaps that question can be answered if you come with me, Perry,” -suggested the scout. “You’ll go along, Hickok, and show us the -place,” he added. “I was there last night, but it might take a little -time for me to find it to-day.” - -“There’s nothing more to keep me here,” said Wild Bill. - -Thoughtfully, the party left the hut. Hank Phelps seemed in more -tractable mood. The tragic end of Red Steve’s life story had wrought -a deep impression. - -“How’re you goin’ to prove Nate Dunbar didn’t get the best of Jake?” -asked Bloom of the scout. - -“By a very simple method,” was the answer, “but it will be as -conclusive as it is simple.” - -“Have your pards nabbed the feller that done it?” - -“They have.” - -“I reckon you’ve got hold o’ some’un who’s willing to shoulder the -blame jest to clear Nate Dunbar of----” - -The scout whirled in his tracks and gave Bloom a square look. Bloom’s -words died on his lips immediately. - -“That’s right,” said the scout, “step carefully, Bloom. We’ve had one -row over your recklessness in using language. Our next row will be -more serious. Mount, friends,” he went on to the rest. “I’ll not be -detaining you much longer.” - -They all took to their saddles again. This time Wild Bill took the -lead. The course they traversed was back into the trail, then off -toward the timbered bottoms of the Brazos. - -“We’ve had er s’prise er two,” observed the old trapper to the -doctor, “an’ now thar’s more comin’. Got any idee what we’ll find -next, doc?” - -“Not the slightest, my friend,” was the reply, “but if the two Bills -are back of it we can rest assured that it will be worth while, amply -worth while.” - -The first sign that the party had of their proximity to their -destination was given by a voice very familiar to the pards. - -“Dis vay, people! Here iss vere you vant to go! I peen here waiting -so long as I can’t tell. Dis vay, bards!” - -The baron showed himself in front of a copse of bushes. He was on -foot, and seemed to have been on guard. But what was he guarding? - -“Howdy, baron!” said old Nomad. “You an’ Wild Bill appear ter hev -been doin’ a few things.” - -“You bed my life!” jubilated the baron, “aber ve ditn’t know how -mooch ve hat tone ondil Puffalo Pill came oudt dis vay lashdt night -und toldt us. Ach, Mrs. Tunpar, I vas so habby dot I vas aple to -helup!” - -The baron made his nicest bow to Mrs. Dunbar--he had always an eye -for the fair--and the lady favored him with a smile in return. - -“What have you done, baron?” she asked. - -“Puffalo Pill vill show you dot. He knows aboudt it.” - -Again the riders dismounted, and left their animals with Cayuse; -then they followed Wild Bill, Buffalo Bill, and the baron behind the -screen of bushes to a slope leading down to the water’s edge. - -The slope itself was clear of bushes and trees, but at the top of -it were two large sycamores, growing quite close together. Tightly -wedged between the trees was a broken and twisted object which had -once been saddle. To the saddle a pair of saddlebags were attached. -The bags were buckled tightly, and seemed not to have suffered very -materially. - -But it was not the saddle nor the bags that aroused wonder in the -minds of the spectators over the mysterious ways of fate. A stout -rope was attached to the saddle, while a second rope was writhed -around one of the sycamores, one coil wedged over the loose end in -such a manner as to make the rope fast. Both ropes--the one from the -tree and the one from the saddle--passed between the two trees and -down the slope. They ended at the carcass of a steer. At the end -of each rope was a tightly drawn noose--a noose that encircled the -steer’s head at the root of the wide-branching horns. - -The steer’s head was drawn grewsomely backward, so that both ropes -were taut as fiddle strings between the trees and the horns. - -It was a most amazing situation--one to be understood only by a -sorting of the details. - -“Great guns!” exclaimed Lige Benner. “Why, that’s Red Thunderbolt.” - -“The same,” said Wild Bill. “Red Thunderbolt, the man-killing -maverick. He has Dusenberry’s life and Red Steve’s charged up against -him.” - -“Who killed Red Thunderbolt?” queried Perry. “Was it you, Wild Bill, -or the baron?” - -“Neither of us,” answered Hickok. “Red Thunderbolt wasn’t made to -bite the dust by means of a bullet. Can’t you see what happened? He -rushed through between those trees, trailing two ropes, one with -a saddle attached; the saddle wedged against the tree trunks, and -the other rope twisted around one of the sycamores. Red Thunderbolt -charged down the slope. He was brought up short and thrown, with the -result that he broke his neck.” - -Exclamations of wonder came from those who had just reached the -scene. Even Bloom had something to say about the queerness of it all. - -“It don’t seem possible, not at all possible,” said the doctor, “and -yet, friends, we have the proof plainly before our eyes. Truth, they -say, is stranger than fiction. I’m beginning to believe it.” - -“There’s also a saying, doctor,” said the scout, “that truth, crushed -to earth, will rise again. By this accident to Red Thunderbolt, -several things are proved. That loose rope--the one whose end is -wrapped around the sycamore--belongs to me. I dropped it over Red -Thunderbolt’s horns yesterday on the trail. When the steer got to the -end of the rope, he jerked it away from my saddle and went on.” - -“But where did the other rope come from?” asked Perry. - -“Phelps,” said the scout, turning on the cattleman, “I wish you’d -examine that smashed saddle wedged between the trees.” - -“No need for me to examine it,” answered Phelps. “I’ve already -recognized it, Buffalo Bill--not only the saddle, but the saddlebags, -as well. They’re Jake’s.” - -“The saddle and saddlebags he took with him when he went to Hackamore -after the pay-roll money?” - -“Yes.” - -“You’re positive of that, are you?” - -“Of course I am. There can’t be any mistake.” - -“Very good. Now, let me sketch for you, very briefly, what happened -to Jake Phelps. On his way home from town he encountered Red -Thunderbolt. The maverick was still trailing the rope he had stolen -from me. Very likely the steer charged Jake. Red Thunderbolt must -have been in a killing mood after his experience with Red Steve, -Nomad, and me yesterday. Jake didn’t get out of the way--perhaps he -couldn’t. He had only a revolver. - -“Of course, a revolver is not very good artillery for attacking a -veteran maverick like Red Thunderbolt. Jake, very foolishly, instead -of taking to his heels and trying to make his escape, used his rope. -He made a good cast, for, as you see, his noose dropped right over -mine. Then, when Red Thunderbolt got to the end of the rope, the -saddle cinches broke, and the saddle and saddlebags were stripped -away. Jake was unhorsed, and quite likely got a bad tumble. The steer -charged him, and one of the steer’s horns inflicted that peculiar -bruise on Jake’s head--the injury which suggested that a club or some -other blunt instrument had been used.” - -The doctor threw up his hands. - -“Holy mackerel!” he cried; “no wonder I couldn’t figure out what it -was that had played hob with Jake. This is certainly the queerest -thing that ever happened on the banks of the Brazos. Every detail of -it is queer, and the farther you look into it the queerer it becomes. -Buffalo Bill,” and here he faced the scout, “you and your pards have -given this cattle country something to talk about for many a month to -come.” - -“Do you grasp the logic of these events, Phelps?” queried the -scout, giving his attention to the H-P rancher. “Are you willing to -admit that circumstances, as we find them here, prove Nate Dunbar’s -innocence?” - -“I don’t know what to think,” mumbled Phelps. - -“He don’t know what to think!” mimicked the doctor. “Say, Hank, if -you’ve got brains why don’t you use ’em? Here’s a chance for you to -recede gracefully from the fool position you’ve occupied ever since -Jake was hurt. What are you going to do about it?” - -“I’m going to take the facts as I find them,” replied Phelps. “But, -first, I’m going to see what’s in those saddlebags.” - -“That’s right,” approved Buffalo Bill. “I was careful to instruct the -baron and Wild Bill not to let a thing be touched. Everything here is -just as they found it. Go ahead and look through the saddlebags.” - -Phelps went to the broken and twisted saddle, and cut the saddlebags -away. Then he unbuckled the stout straps, and drew forth a canvas bag -full of jingling yellow wealth. Untying the bag, he looked into it. - -“The gold is here,” said he. “It’s not necessary to count it. I’m -willing to concede that the bag is just as it was when Jake tucked it -away in the bags.” - -“Then you’re satisfied?” asked the scout. - -“I am--entirely so.” - -“Now say you’ve made a fool of yourself,” counseled the doctor, “and -also thank Buffalo Bill and Benner for keeping your men from bringing -shame and disgrace on the cattle country last night.” - -“I was a little hasty,” acknowledged Phelps, “and I’m sorry I took -the attitude I did; still, I don’t see how I could have thought any -differently, considering the circumstances.” - -“What about you, Bloom?” asked the scout. “Haven’t you got anything -to say about this?” - -“Not a thing,” answered the sheriff sourly. - -“Oh, that’s Bloom for you!” cried the doctor sarcastically. “His -yellow streak is cropping out again. What’s wrong with this evidence, -Bloom?” - -“It could have been manufactured,” growled Bloom, with an uneasy look -in the scout’s direction. - -“Sure it could!” taunted the doctor. “Wild Bill and the baron could -have caught Red Thunderbolt, broken the steer’s neck, and then fixed -all this up. But where did they get the saddle and the saddlebags? I -reckon they’re the ones who stole them from Jake, aren’t they? Say, -Bloom, you’re the limit. If I didn’t think such a terrible lot of -your family, I’d come over there and kick you down the slope and into -the river. He’s got a fine family,” the doctor explained to those -around him. “I brought his boy through the measles last year. Fine -boy, too. Nothing like the sheriff.” - -“I believe what my judgment tells me to believe,” cried Bloom on the -defensive. - -“Your judgment is a fearful and a wonderful thing, Bloom. I’m glad -not many people are equipped with the same sort. I guess, friends,” -he went on, “that there’s nothing more to be gained here. Nate Dunbar -has been proved innocent of the trouble that happened to Jake Phelps; -Lige Benner has been cleared of every suspicion of complicity in what -happened to Ace Hawkins; and Buffalo Bill and pards have brought -peace and good will to the Brazos range. I reckon that’s enough. -Suppose we ride? I want to get back to the H-P outfit and see how -Jake’s getting along.” - -The scout left Nomad and Cayuse with Wild Bill and the baron. They -were to get the scout’s rope and Red Thunderbolt’s hide. There was a -reward of one thousand dollars out for the maverick, and the baron -was laying his plans to file a request for the money. - - - - - CHAPTER XXX. - - CONCLUSION. - - -On the way back to the Star-A ranch, close to which those from -Phelps’ place would have to ride, a scurry of dust in the road -claimed the attention of the riders. - -“Mebbyso,” remarked old Nomad, “trouble’s goin’ te bust through thet -cloud o’ dust. Pard Buffler an’ compadres don’t no more’n git time -ter breathe arter one shake-up than another hits ’em. Who’s thet -shackin’ this-a-way?” - -When the form of the galloping horseman emerged from the cloud, the -man was recognized as Prouther. - -“Something’s happened to Jake!” exclaimed Phelps, fearing the worst. - -“Don’t lose your nerve, Hank, till you hear what’s happened to him,” -cautioned the doctor. “I’m wondering how Prouther was able to guess -where we were.” - -When he came close, Prouther jerked his horse back on its haunches. - -“Waal, here ye aire!” he exclaimed. “Didn’t reckon I could spot ye, -but I had a notion ye rode over ter the Star-A ranch, seein’ as how -Buffler Bill was with ye. So I shot along in this direction. Ye -wasn’t at the Star-A, but them Circle-B men reckoned ye was some -place over hyer. So hyer I come, an’ hyer ye aire. I reckon thar’s -been a mistake, Hank.” - -“I reckon there has,” said the doctor dryly, “several mistakes. Why -did you leave Jake? Didn’t I tell you to stay with him?” - -“Waal, doc,” said Prouther, “he come to.” - -“Whoop!” jubilated the doctor. “He came to, eh? Then he’ll pull -through. That was all I was waiting for. Was he rational?” - -“Meanin’ which?” asked Prouther innocently. - -“Dunderhead! Was he in his right senses when he woke up?” - -“He was. It’s what he said as brung me hyer at sich a clip.” - -“What did he say?” - -“He allowed it was Red Thunderbolt as made him all the trouble.” - -“Ha! Better late than never. This is right from headquarters. Bloom! -Do you hear that, Bloom?” - -Bloom heard it, but he made no comments. - -“What else did Jake say?” asked Phelps eagerly. - -“Said he was ridin’ fer home when Red Thunderbolt charged him,” went -on Prouther; “he said Nate Dunbar didn’t have nothin’ ter do with -it. Jake said he tried ter rope Thunderbolt, an’ the steer galloped -on with his saddle an’ saddlebags, leaving Jake on the ground. Jake -was some shook up, and he was climbin’ to his feet an’ rubbin’ his -eyes when he see Thunderbolt comin’ at him full tilt. Thunderbolt -landed. The sunshine was blotted out fer Jake, an’ thet’s all he kin -recollect until he woke up, with me settin’ by him fannin’ him. I was -afeared,” Prouther added, “that Bloom might be doin’ somethin’ with -Dunbar. That’s why I pulled out ter find you all.” - -“I reckon this case is double proof!” laughed the doctor. “Say, -Prouther, you were one of the crazy men who came to the Star-A last -night to ‘get’ Nate Dunbar. Now how do you feel?” - -“Meachin’,” answered Prouther promptly, “meachin’ as sin. I’m a heap -sorry for it all, Dunbar,” he added sheepishly. - -“All’s well that ends well,” said the doctor. “Maybe, if you -cowpunchers are good from now on, Dunbar will overlook that little -play.” - -“You’re sure Jake will live now, are you, doc?” asked Phelps. - -“Want me to sing it?” grunted the doctor. “Of course I’m sure. He’ll -be as well as ever in a week. The first thing, after he’s up, you’ve -got to make him do something.” - -“What’s that?” - -“Why, steer him over to the Star-A, and make him shake hands with -Dunbar.” - -“I’ll do it, doc, and I’ll begin by shaking hands with Dunbar myself.” - -They had reached the point where the north and south trail branched, -the branch leading to the Star-A ranch. - -Phelps rode up to Dunbar, and offered his hand. Dunbar lost no time -in taking it. The hand grip went around, Perry, Mrs. Dunbar, Buffalo -Bill, and Benner all coming in for their share of the reconciliation. - -“Peace on the Brazos from now henceforward, eh, Phelps?” asked Benner. - -“Yes,” replied Phelps. “I’ve had enough of the squabbling.” - -“Same here. Red Thunderbolt’s out of the running, too. I’ll hand five -hundred over to Wild Bill and the baron, if you will?” - -“I’ll send the money this afternoon.” - -“Bully! I’ll do the same. Thunderbolt wasn’t shot, but it was the -scout’s rope and Jake’s saddle that landed him. The scout’s rope is -good for my five hundred to the baron.” - -“And the truth of this business, first brought out by the help of -that trailing saddle of Jake’s,” said Phelps, “is worth five hundred -to me.” - -“Then, truly,” chuckled the doctor, “all’s well that ends well. When -you’re in Hackamore next, Cody, come and see me. I’d like to talk -with you.” - -“You’ll see me, doctor,” answered the scout. - -“And I want you to pay me another visit at the H-P ranch,” said -Phelps. “I can promise you a different welcome next time you come, -Buffalo Bill.” - -“I doubt whether I shall have time.” - -“If he has any time,” put in Benner, “he’ll spend it at the Circle-B.” - -“Not at all,” cried Dunbar, “he’ll spend all his time at the Star-A.” - -“We’ll see about it later,” said the scout, and the party separated. - -Phelps, Prouther, the doctor, and Bloom rode off toward the H-P -ranch, while the scout and the others turned their horses into the -branch trail. - - * * * * * - -In front of the Star-A ranch, that night, the scout and his pards -sat long with the Star-A ranchers. It was to be their last chat -together, for in the early morning Buffalo Bill and compadres were to -fare toward Hackamore, turning their backs permanently on the Brazos -country. - -“It has peen a mighdy valuple nighdt’s vork for Hickok und me,” piped -the baron, shaking a bag of gold. “I ditn’t t’ink, ven Vild Pill und -me vas following dose dracks oof der feller on foot, dot ve should -make fife hundert each oudt oof der pitzness. Sooch,” added the baron -with great complaisance, “is vat dey call luck.” - -“It was a hard job we had, pards, all the same,” said Wild Bill. “We -found the steer first--tumbled over those two ropes by pure accident. -After we found the steer, we went hunting for the man who owned the -saddle.” - -“Und mitoudt looking indo der sattlepags,” cut in the baron. - -“It was an easy trail to follow--that one left by Red Thunderbolt. -The trailing saddle had gouged its way over the earth, and any one -could have taken that back track. But we lost the gouge marks in the -trail by that gully. I was trying to pick them up when I found the -’dobe and Red Steve inside. That was enough for me. I left the baron -with Red Steve while I went to the Star-A to tell Buffalo Bill, and -when Pard Cody came back with me we arranged that little surprise -party. It was a question whether Red Steve could last until the scout -got back with his party, but fortune favored us.” - -“I vas sent py der sgout to see dot nopody tampered mit der lay-oudt -vere Red T’underboldt was,” added the baron. “Und dere ve vas ven ve -vas foundt.” - -“It all worked out very nicely for Nate,” said Mrs. Dunbar. - -“With the scout and his pards to help in the working out, Hattie,” -dropped in Perry. - -“We’ll none of us ever forget Buffalo Bill and his pards,” declared -Nate Dunbar, with much feeling. - -“And I’ve erbout made up my mind ter one thing,” said old Nomad. - -“What’s that?” asked Wild Bill. - -“Why,” chuckled the trapper, “I b’leeve thar’s more excitement ter -be had by a feller who’s huntin’ fer peace than by a feller who’s -huntin’ fer trouble. Hey, Buffler?” - -“In some places, perhaps,” answered the scout, “and in some -circumstances. But not as a general thing, Nick.” - - - THE END. - - No. 103 of the BUFFALO BILL BORDER STORIES, entitled, “Buffalo - Bill’s Big Surprise,” is a thrilling story of Indian warfare, - haunted ranches, and exciting adventure. Every boy that loves the - great scout will want to read this book. - - - - - WESTERN STORIES ABOUT - - BUFFALO BILL - - Price, Fifteen Cents - - Red-blooded Adventure Stories for Men - - - There is no more romantic character in American history than - William F. Cody, or as he was internationally known, Buffalo Bill. - He, with Colonel Prentiss Ingraham, Wild Bill Hickock, General - Custer, and a few other adventurous spirits, laid the foundation of - our great West. - - There is no more brilliant page in American history than the - winning of the West. Never did pioneers live more thrilling - lives, so rife with adventure and brave deeds as the old scouts - and plainsmen. Foremost among these stands the imposing figure of - Buffalo Bill. - - All of the books in this list are intensely interesting. They were - written by the close friend and companion of Buffalo Bill--Colonel - Prentiss Ingraham. They depict actual adventures which this pair - of hard-hitting comrades experienced, while the story of these - adventures is interwoven with fiction; historically the books are - correct. - - - _ALL TITLES ALWAYS IN PRINT_ - - 1--Buffalo Bill, the Border King By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 2--Buffalo Bill’s Raid By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 3--Buffalo Bill’s Bravery By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 4--Buffalo Bill’s Trump Card By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 5--Buffalo Bill’s Pledge By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 6--Buffalo Bill’s Vengeance By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 7--Buffalo Bill’s Iron Grip By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 8--Buffalo Bill’s Capture By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 9--Buffalo Bill’s Danger Line By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 10--Buffalo Bill’s Comrades By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 11--Buffalo Bill’s Reckoning By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 12--Buffalo Bill’s Warning By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 13--Buffalo Bill at Bay By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 14--Buffalo Bill’s Buckskin Pards By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 15--Buffalo Bill’s Brand By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 16--Buffalo Bill’s Honor By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 17--Buffalo Bill’s Phantom Hunt By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 18--Buffalo Bill’s Fight With Fire By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 19--Buffalo Bill’s Danite Trail By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 20--Buffalo Bill’s Ranch Riders By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 21--Buffalo Bill’s Death Trail By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 22--Buffalo Bill’s Trackers By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 23--Buffalo Bill’s Mid-air Flight By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 24--Buffalo Bill, Ambassador By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 25--Buffalo Bill’s Air Voyage By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 26--Buffalo Bill’s Secret Mission By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 27--Buffalo Bill’s Long Trail By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 28--Buffalo Bill Against Odds By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 29--Buffalo Bill’s Hot Chase By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 30--Buffalo Bill’s Redskin Ally By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 31--Buffalo Bill’s Treasure Trove By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 32--Buffalo Bill’s Hidden Foes By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 33--Buffalo Bill’s Crack Shot By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 34--Buffalo Bill’s Close Call By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 35--Buffalo Bill’s Double Surprise By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 36--Buffalo Bill’s Ambush By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 37--Buffalo Bill’s Outlaw Hunt By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 38--Buffalo Bill’s Border Duel By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 39--Buffalo Bill’s Bid for Fame By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 40--Buffalo Bill’s Triumph By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 41--Buffalo Bill’s Spy Trailer By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 42--Buffalo Bill’s Death Call By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 43--Buffalo Bill’s Body Guard By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 44--Buffalo Bill’s Still Hunt By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 45--Buffalo Bill and the Doomed Dozen By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 46--Buffalo Bill’s Prairie Scout By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 47--Buffalo Bill’s Traitor Guide By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 48--Buffalo Bill’s Bonanza By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 49--Buffalo Bill’s Swoop By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 50--Buffalo Bill and the Gold King By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 51--Buffalo Bill, Deadshot By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 52--Buffalo Bill’s Buckskin Bravos By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 53--Buffalo Bill’s Big Four By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 54--Buffalo Bill’s One-armed Pard By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 55--Buffalo Bill’s Race for Life By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 56--Buffalo Bill’s Return By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 57--Buffalo Bill’s Conquest By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 58--Buffalo Bill to the Rescue By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 59--Buffalo Bill’s Beautiful Foe By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 60--Buffalo Bill’s Perilous Task By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 61--Buffalo Bill’s Queer Find By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 62--Buffalo Bill’s Blind Lead By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 63--Buffalo Bill’s Resolution By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 64--Buffalo Bill, the Avenger By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 65--Buffalo Bill’s Pledged Pard By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 66--Buffalo Bill’s Weird Warning By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 67--Buffalo Bill’s Wild Ride By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 68--Buffalo Bill’s Redskin Stampede By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 69--Buffalo Bill’s Mine Mystery By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 70--Buffalo Bill’s Gold Hunt By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 71--Buffalo Bill’s Daring Dash By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 72--Buffalo Bill on Hand By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 73--Buffalo Bill’s Alliance By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 74--Buffalo Bill’s Relentless Foe By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 75--Buffalo Bill’s Midnight Ride By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 76--Buffalo Bill’s Chivalry By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 77--Buffalo Bill’s Girl Pard By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 78--Buffalo Bill’s Private War By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 79--Buffalo Bill’s Diamond Mine By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 80--Buffalo Bill’s Big Contract By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 81--Buffalo Bill’s Woman Foe By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 82--Buffalo Bill’s Ruse By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 83--Buffalo Bill’s Pursuit By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 84--Buffalo Bill’s Hidden Gold By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 85--Buffalo Bill in Mid-air By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 86--Buffalo Bill’s Queer Mission By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 87--Buffalo Bill’s Verdict By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 88--Buffalo Bill’s Ordeal By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 89--Buffalo Bill’s Camp Fires By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 90--Buffalo Bill’s Iron Nerve By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 91--Buffalo Bill’s Rival By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 92--Buffalo Bill’s Lone Hand By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 93--Buffalo Bill’s Sacrifice By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 94--Buffalo Bill’s Thunderbolt By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 95--Buffalo Bill’s Black Fortune By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 96--Buffalo Bill’s Wild Work By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 97--Buffalo Bill’s Yellow Trail By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 98--Buffalo Bill’s Treasure Train By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 99--Buffalo Bill’s Bowie Duel By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 100--Buffalo Bill’s Mystery Man By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 101--Buffalo Bill’s Bold Play By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 102--Buffalo Bill: Peacemaker By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 103--Buffalo Bill’s Big Surprise By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 104--Buffalo Bill’s Barricade By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 105--Buffalo Bill’s Test By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 106--Buffalo Bill’s Powwow By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 107--Buffalo Bill’s Stern Justice By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 108--Buffalo Bill’s Mysterious Friend By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 109--Buffalo Bill and the Boomers By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 110--Buffalo Bill’s Panther Fight By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 111--Buffalo Bill and the Overland Mail By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 112--Buffalo Bill on the Deadwood Trail By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 113--Buffalo Bill in Apache Land By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 114--Buffalo Bill’s Blindfold Duel By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 115--Buffalo Bill and the Lone Camper By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 116--Buffalo Bill’s Merry War By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 117--Buffalo Bill’s Star Play By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 118--Buffalo Bill’s War Cry By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 119--Buffalo Bill on Black Panther’s Trail By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 120--Buffalo Bill’s Slim Chance By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 121--Buffalo Bill Besieged By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 122--Buffalo Bill’s Bandit Round-up By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 123--Buffalo Bill’s Surprise Party By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 124--Buffalo Bill’s Lightning Raid By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 125--Buffalo Bill in Mexico By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 126--Buffalo Bill’s Traitor Foe By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 127--Buffalo Bill’s Tireless Chase By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 128--Buffalo Bill’s Boy Bugler By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 129--Buffalo Bill’s Sure Guess By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 130--Buffalo Bill’s Record Jump By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 131--Buffalo Bill in the Land of Dread By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 132--Buffalo Bill’s Tangled Clue By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 133--Buffalo Bill’s Wolf Skin By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 134--Buffalo Bill’s Twice Four Puzzle By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 135--Buffalo Bill and the Devil Bird By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 136--Buffalo Bill and the Indian’s Mascot By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 137--Buffalo Bill Entrapped By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 138--Buffalo Bill’s Totem Trail By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 139--Buffalo Bill at Fort Challis By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 140--Buffalo Bill’s Determination By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 141--Buffalo Bill’s Battle Axe By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 142--Buffalo Bill’s Game with Fate By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 143--Buffalo Bill’s Comanche Raid By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 144--Buffalo Bill’s Aerial Island By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 145--Buffalo Bill’s Lucky Shot By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 146--Buffalo Bill’s Sioux Friends By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 147--Buffalo Bill’s Supreme Test By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 148--Buffalo Bill’s Boldest Strike By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 149--Buffalo Bill and the Red Hand By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 150--Buffalo Bill’s Dance with Death By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 151--Buffalo Bill’s Running Fight By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 152--Buffalo Bill in Harness By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 153--Buffalo Bill Corralled By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - 154--Buffalo Bill’s Waif of the West By Col. Prentiss Ingraham - - - - - BOOKS THAT NEVER GROW OLD - ALGER SERIES - Clean Adventure Stories for Boys - - Price, Fifteen Cents - - _The Most Complete List Published_ - - - The following list does not contain all the books that Horatio - Alger wrote, but it contains most of them, and certainly the best. - - Horatio Alger is to boys what Charles Dickens is to grown-ups. His - work is just as popular to-day as it was years ago. The books have - a quality, the value of which is beyond computation. - - There are legions of boys of foreign parents who are being helped - along the road to true Americanism by reading these books which - are so peculiarly American in tone that the reader cannot fail to - absorb some of the spirit of fair play and clean living which is so - characteristically American. - - In this list are included certain books by Edward Stratemeyer upon - whose shoulders the cloak of Horatio Alger has fallen. They are - books of the Alger type, and to a very large extent vie with Mr. - Alger’s books in interest and wholesomeness. - - - _ALL TITLES ALWAYS IN PRINT_ - - 1--Driven from Home By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 2--A Cousin’s Conspiracy By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 3--Ned Newton By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 4--Andy Gordon By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 5--Tony, the Tramp By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 6--The Five Hundred Dollar Check By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 7--Helping Himself By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 8--Making His Way By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 9--Try and Trust By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 10--Only an Irish Boy By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 11--Jed, the Poorhouse Boy By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 12--Chester Rand By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 13--Grit, the Young Boatman of Pine Point By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 14--Joe’s Luck By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 15--From Farm Boy to Senator By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 16--The Young Outlaw By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 17--Jack’s Ward By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 18--Dean Dunham By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 19--In a New World By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 20--Both Sides of the Continent By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 21--The Store Boy By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 22--Brave and Bold By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 23--A New York Boy By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 24--Bob Burton By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 25--The Young Adventurer By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 26--Julius, the Street Boy By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 27--Adrift in New York By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 28--Tom Brace By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 29--Struggling Upward By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 30--The Adventures of a New York Telegraph Boy By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 31--Tom Tracy By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 32--The Young Acrobat By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 33--Bound to Rise By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 34--Hector’s Inheritance By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 35--Do and Dare By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 36--The Tin Box By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 37--Tom, the Bootblack By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 38--Risen from the Ranks By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 39--Shifting for Himself By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 40--Wait and Hope By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 41--Sam’s Chance By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 42--Striving for Fortune By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 43--Phil, the Fiddler By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 44--Slow and Sure By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 45--Walter Sherwood’s Probation By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 46--The Trials and Triumphs of Mark Mason By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 47--The Young Salesman By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 48--Andy Grant’s Pluck By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 49--Facing the World By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 50--Luke Walton By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 51--Strive and Succeed By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 52--From Canal Boy to President By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 53--The Erie Train Boy By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 54--Paul, the Peddler By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 55--The Young Miner By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 56--Charlie Codman’s Cruise By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 57--A Debt of Honor By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 58--The Young Explorer By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 59--Ben’s Nugget By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 60--The Errand Boy By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 61--Frank and Fearless By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 62--Frank Hunter’s Peril By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 63--Adrift in the City By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 64--Tom Thatcher’s Fortune By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 65--Tom Turner’s Legacy By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 66--Dan, the Newsboy By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 67--Digging for Gold By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 68--Lester’s Luck By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 69--In Search of Treasure By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 70--Frank’s Campaign By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 71--Bernard Brook’s Adventures By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 72--Robert Coverdale’s Struggles By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 73--Paul Prescott’s Charge By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 74--Mark Manning’s Mission By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 75--Rupert’s Ambition By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 76--Sink or Swim By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 77--The Backwood’s Boy By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 78--Tom Temple’s Career By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 79--Ben Bruce By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 80--The Young Musician By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 81--The Telegraph Boy By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 82--Work and Win By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 83--The Train Boy By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 84--The Cash Boy By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 85--Herbert Carter’s Legacy By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 86--Strong and Steady By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 87--Lost at Sea By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 88--From Farm to Fortune By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 89--Young Captain Jack By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 90--Joe, the Hotel Boy By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 91--Out for Business By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 92--Falling in With Fortune By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 93--Nelson, the Newsboy By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 94--Randy of the River By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 95--Jerry, the Backwoods Boy By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 96--Ben Logan’s Triumph By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 97--The Young Book Agent By Horatio Alger, Jr. - 98--The Last Cruise of _The Spitfire_ By Edward Stratemeyer - 99--Reuben Stone’s Discovery By Edward Stratemeyer - 100--True to Himself By Edward Stratemeyer - 101--Richard Dare’s Venture By Edward Stratemeyer - 102--Oliver Bright’s Search By Edward Stratemeyer - 103--To Alaska for Gold By Edward Stratemeyer - 104--The Young Auctioneer By Edward Stratemeyer - 105--Bound to Be an Electrician By Edward Stratemeyer - 106--Shorthand Tom By Edward Stratemeyer - 107--Fighting for His Own By Edward Stratemeyer - 108--Joe, the Surveyor By Edward Stratemeyer - 109--Larry, the Wanderer By Edward Stratemeyer - 110--The Young Ranchman By Edward Stratemeyer - 111--The Young Lumbermen By Edward Stratemeyer - 112--The Young Explorers By Edward Stratemeyer - 113--Boys of the Wilderness By Edward Stratemeyer - 114--Boys of the Great Northwest By Edward Stratemeyer - 115--Boys of the Gold Fields By Edward Stratemeyer - 116--For His Country By Edward Stratemeyer - 117--Comrades in Peril By Edward Stratemeyer - 118--The Young Pearl Hunters By Edward Stratemeyer - 119--The Young Bandmaster By Edward Stratemeyer - 120--Boys of the Fort By Edward Stratemeyer - 121--On Fortune’s Trail By Edward Stratemeyer - 122--Lost in the Land of Ice By Edward Stratemeyer - 123--Bob, the Photographer By Edward Stratemeyer - - - - - Only One Best - - The best paper-covered books are S. & S. NOVELS; consequently they - are imitated. - - When you ask for an S. & S. NOVEL, be sure that you get an S. & S. - NOVEL, and save yourself disappointment. - - We have 1500 different titles to offer you, most of them copyrights. - - A complete catalog may be secured from your dealer or we will send - one free upon request. - - Street & Smith Corporation - 79 SEVENTH AVENUE - NEW YORK CITY - - - - - Transcriber’s Notes - - The Table of Contents at the beginning of the book was created by - the transcriber. - - Inconsistencies in hyphenation such as “matter-of-fact”/“matter of - fact” have been maintained. - - Minor punctuation and spelling errors have been silently corrected - and, except for those changes noted below, all misspellings in the - text, especially in dialogue, and inconsistent or archaic usage, - have been retained. - - Page 2: “A Congress of the Rough-riders of the World” changed to “A - Congress of the Rough Riders of the World”. - - Page 76: “roared old Nomand, while the scout” changed to “roared - old Nomad, while the scout”. - - Page 124: “quereid the hunchback eagerly” changed to “queried the - hunchback eagerly”. - - Page 185: “I’m Buffalo Bill, anr a frienh” changed to “I’m Buffalo - Bill, and a friend”. - - Page 228: “more ter say about things in Haokamore” changed to “more - ter say about things in Hackamore”. - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BUFFALO BILL, PEACEMAKER *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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