“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.