“I would overreach him by fair or foul means, even were he my brother!”
“We think alike, Mr. Lawrence,” said the major. “Now, let me ask you what regard you have for that prairie rover, Buffalo Bill?”
“None whatever, sir.”
“Well, he is my rival,” the major declared. “I have been told that he is married, yet I am sure he has stolen the heart of the one woman I love.”
“Then court-martial him for the crimes some say he has committed, and hang him to the nearest tree,” was the fierce answer.
“Good advice, sir, and I will follow it; Mr. Lawrence, it will give me pleasure to see you at the fort as my guest, and I think together we can overreach this scout. Good day, sir.”
“Good day, Major Belden.”
Away dashed the major; and, with a strange smile upon his face, Howard Lawrence rode on, muttering to himself:
“He sees I do not like Buffalo Bill any too well. Well, my gallant major, when you have removed the scout from your path, I’ll devote my attention to you and that handsome captain, for all that cross my love trail must die. An arrow or rifle shot from the cover of a motte will easily make those two officers food for wolves.
“Now, I must go on and improve my time with the lovely Sibyl, who is the cause of so much mischief.”