“Do you see that dead Indian lying there?” asked Bill.
“I do.”
“Well, you had better spend your time burying him than in killing me, for it will be more profitable business.”
The outlaw was astounded at the cool nerve displayed by Buffalo Bill in his danger, and could not understand his light, bantering tone. He meant to kill Cody, there was no doubt; but as a cat will play with a mouse to torture it, he wished to make Buffalo Bill suffer terror and despair, so he delayed firing the fatal shot, feeling that he had the scout wholly at his mercy.
“I kilt that Injun.”
“Why, I shot him myself!” said Buffalo Bill. “What a liar you are!”
“I tell yer I was jist leavin’ ther timber when I seen thet Injun, hevin’ got sight o’ me, I s’pose. So I cracks away, an’ I seen him flop over an’ then lie still; but I lays close, fer I thought t’others mou’t be near, an’ then I seen you come out o’ thet timber from this p’int.
“I flanked yer, and I’ve been lookin’ at yer, an’ now yer says you kilt ther red.”
“And I tell you the truth, and I can prove it.”