Buffalo Bill had again raised his rifle, but lowered it with a chuckle.
“Guess Bloody Ike got a surprise party that time,” he said.
Down below old Nomad sang out:
“Are ye all right, Buffler?”
“Yes; go to sleep again. I don’t think you will be disturbed again to-night.”
The scout climbed to the top of the rock and examined the wreck. It had been a hogshead heavily padded with cotton waste and blankets in an attempt at bullet-proof construction. Holes in the ends had been sawn out below for the feet of the occupant and in the top for a peep hole, and from which to shoot or hurl missiles.
Bloody Ike had attempted to throw a bomb into the camp of his enemies, and Buffalo Bill’s bullet had caught it just as it left the rascal’s hand. The explosion had destroyed the bullet-proof craft.