Hearing horses’ hoofs, one of the men turned quickly and fired. At the flash both Buffalo Bill and the Texan replied with a shot. The man dropped in his tracks; while, with a curse, his comrade turned to run into the thicket, with the one he had been struggling with in his arms.
But quick as was his motion, quicker was the act of the Texan, who sent a lasso whirling over his head. With a sudden jerk the fugitive was brought to the ground. Throwing himself from his horse, Buffalo Bill bent over him, and placed his revolver to his head, while he cried:
“It’s Panther Kate he’s got!”
“Yes, Mr. Cody; they lassoed me and jerked me from my horse, and though I managed to draw my pistol and killed one of them, they caught me at last,” said the girl, rising from the ground as the scout released her from the lariat of the Texan, which had encircled her head also.
“Don’t p’int thet durned iron at me, pard, fer I is surrendered,” said the ruffian pleadingly.
“I’ve a mind to let it go off, and save trouble; shall I, Tabor?” asked the scout as the Texan approached, and raised his sombrero politely to Panther Kate, who stood by with folded arms, perfectly cool after her adventure.
“As you please, Cody; I guess nobody’ll mourn for him.”
“Oh, Lordy! Pards, yer wouldn’t do it; I knows yer, Bill Cody, an’ yer heart is too tender.”
“And I know you now, Vagabond Joe. Now tell me why you attacked Panther Kate?”