“Oh, if they’re so desert dry as that,” said Rainey, “I’ll set ’em up ag’in.”
He was mightily pleased with the uproarious cheers which had been given him.
Then there was more drinking, and more talk about Buffalo Bill’s Border Ruffians.
After that the vigilantes were appointed, a dozen men, with Rainey as judge; and they were to try Buffalo Bill as soon as he fell into their hands, and then hang him.
The “trial” would not be much; for, even before his capture, Buffalo Bill was thus adjudged guilty, and sentenced to be hanged.
But Bug-eye Slocum and Nate Rainey had accomplished their purpose.
This vigilantes band could be used not only against Buffalo Bill, but against the enemies of Slocum and Rainey as well.
Thereafter, if a man gained their ill will, the only thing necessary to get him out of the way would be to accuse him of some crime before this court of Judge Lynch, support the accusation with false testimony, and forthwith the man would be swung on high at the end of a rope and promptly choked to death.
It was almost as quick work as ordinary murder, and much safer for the murderers; for they could always show that they were acting for the good of the community.
When the vigilantes had been chosen, of men selected beforehand by Slocum and Rainey, there were again drinks all round; and then the meeting broke up, and the half drunken and excited crowd flowed out into the street in front of the Flash Light.