The man was silent with fright, and, in an instant, the lariat of Buffalo Bill had been passed round and round his arms, pinioning them to his body, while his weapons had been removed.
“Come in, Alex, and see poor Tom,” said Buffalo Bill, and the other man, having dismounted, stepped into the cabin, to be felled his full length by a stunning blow dealt him by Buffalo Bill full in the face.
“Ho, Black Bill!” called out the scout, and the negro sprang into the cabin at the call, having followed the last man closely.
The latter found himself bound before he recovered from the scout’s stunning blow full in the face, but he gasped:
“Who is yer, cuss yer?”
“A government officer on the track of gold boomers, four of whom we have just roped in, for there lie your pards Tom and Rocks, in as bad way as you are.”
“Is this one all secure?”
“You bet he is, Massa Buf’ler Bill.”
“Buffalo Bill! That means we hang, Jim!” cried Alex Sands, in bitter tones.