“How did yer git yer foot inter it, Tom and Jerry?”
Such questions flowed too fast for replies, and, though the scout remained silent, the two prisoners tried to explain, but were constantly cut off by fresh questions. At last a commanding voice said:
“Ho, scout, what have those fellows been doing?”
The speaker was a storekeeper in the camps and a man of considerable prominence, being captain of the Vigilantes. He stood in front of the Frying Pan, where he had gone to get his supper.
“I was coming along the valley, sir, near Deadshot Dean’s cabin, and went up to take a look at it, when I saw those two men trying to break in the door. Here is the ax and the bar they used. I climbed upon the roof and had them where I wanted them, so made them prisoners, determined to bring them to Pocket City and turn them over to the miners, with a statement of the facts.”
“They have a very bad record, sir, and have got their heads at last into the noose. Remember, Tom and Jerry, it has not been a week since I warned you that you were getting to the end of your rope. You, sir, I am told, are Buffalo Bill, chief of scouts at Pioneer Post?”
“I am, sir.”
“Then turn over your prisoners to me for trial by our miners’ laws, sir, for I am Scott Kindon, captain of Vigilantes and proprietor of the Miners’ Market, as my store is called. I am glad to meet you, Buffalo Bill, so dismount and be my guest at the hotel to-night.”
Buffalo Bill dismounted and led his horse to the stables. He was shown to a pleasant room, where he freshened up for supper, and found every attention bestowed upon him by the clerk whom Bonnie Belle had left to manage her affairs in her absence, and who seemed anxious to treat the scout well.
Bonnie Belle’s quarters were all securely locked up in her absence, but otherwise the hotel was in full blast and the Vigilante captain and Buffalo Bill sat down to a very tempting supper.