“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.