“There are many of us present who remember that Yellow Dust Valley was a very dangerous place of abode before the Vigilantes were organized, for lawlessness and disorder reigned supreme. But since they began to hunt down criminals and this court to sentence them for their crimes, see the change. Why, there has not been a murder in Pocket City for thirty-six hours.
“A short while since this gentleman occupying a seat upon the bench with me, was ambushed by a gang of desperadoes, and would have been hanged but for the intervention of our honored fellow citizen, Deadshot Dean, now absent, who killed the ringleader and saved a valuable life.
“Two of that gang are now arraigned before you as prisoners, charged with another offense against law and order. This gentleman, my fellow citizens, I desire to introduce to you as a man whose name has spread from pole to pole, from the rising to the setting sun, as you will know when I tell you that he is Buffalo Bill.”
A wild roar like thunder answered the words of the judge, and Buffalo Bill arose and bowed to the compliment bestowed upon him.
“Now, gentlemen,” resumed the judge, “let me tell you that on his way to Pocket City this evening Buffalo Bill saw a sight which I am going to ask him to relate to you.”
Thus urged, the scout arose and simply told his story as it is known to the reader. Then the judge resumed:
“You have heard, gentlemen, and this case is tried according to law and Gospel, for as soon as we have heard your decision in the matter, and I can guess what it will be, I will pass sentence, after which I will read a chapter in the Bible and the Ten Commandments to the prisoners and end by singing the Doxology. Now, gentlemen, are these men guilty or not guilty?”
“Guilty,” came with another roar like thunder.
CHAPTER XIII.
IN HANGMAN’S GULCH.
The two prisoners fairly quaked under the angry response of “guilty” to the question of the judge, and Buffalo Bill quickly arose and signified his desire to speak. The judge rapped for silence and said: