With the last word, two revolvers flashed together, and again the aim of Kent King was untrue. But not so with Buffalo Bill, for he sent his bullet straight to the center of the forehead of the man he meant to kill.
With a cry of joy, Mary Hale threw herself from her horse, and once more fainted, but Buffalo Bill caught her in his arms. In a few moments Mary revived. Then Buffalo Bill told her of his adventures in the Indian camp, and suggested that they strike the back trail at once, in which she gladly acquiesced.
Tying the dead bodies of Kent King and his father upon Mary’s horse, the scout gave the girl a seat behind him on Midnight. Just as the sun illumined the valley they came in sight of the home of Judge Hale, around which was gathered a large crowd of horsemen.
As they drew nearer they were recognized, and such a shout of welcome went up as was never heard before in the Hale settlement. Then Captain Dash rode toward them and shouted:
“Bravo! bravo! Buffalo Bill, you’re a man of men and have saved us trouble, for we just returned victorious from the bandits’ camp, and the judge told us of Mary’s capture!”
“The judge! Is my father living?” gasped Mary.
“He is, indeed; the bullet grazed his head, and stunned him only; see, here he comes to greet you.”
The next moment the girl was in her father’s arms. Then the girl told her story, and Buffalo Bill told his, and, as the Revolver Riders had wiped out the band of outlaws, there was wild rejoicing in the valley.
The papers taken from Mathew Kingsland gave to Judge Hale and Mary their fortune, for the witnesses were looked up, and the money was found to be deposited in the banks, subject to the order of the heirs of the deceased miner.