“I’ve made mistakes, I reckon,” said Benner slowly, “a lot of ’em, but I’m not making any mistake now, old Nomad, and don’t you make any. I’m tired of this squabbling in the cattle country. I’ll admit I never liked Perry or Dunbar. They blew in here and spoiled one of the objects I had set my heart on achieving. I did everything I could to carry out that object, but the scout and his pards made that impossible; then, listening to advisers, I set out to secure revenge. There I failed again. My hands are in the air. Now I want Red Steve captured, so it can be proved that I had nothing to do with what happened to Ace Hawkins.” “If he’s captured,” returned the scout, “are you willing to cry quits in this fight on Perry and Dunbar? Will you be for peace in the cattle country, Benner?” “I’m for peace now,” was the reply; “if I hadn’t been I shouldn’t have come here as I did to-day.” “I believe you,” said the scout quietly. “Have you any idea where Red Steve can be found, or what he intends to do?” “If he is hunted for at once, he’ll be found somewhere on the Brazos. He got away, as I said, on foot. Since he has no horse, about the first move he makes will be to get a mount somewhere. After he does that it will be hard to capture him. He knows this country like a book, and he’ll hole himself away where he’ll never be found.” “My pards are looking for Red Steve on the river,” proceeded the scout. “If he’s there, you can gamble that they’ll find him.” “I’ve sent out some of my cowboys to prosecute the search. Between them and your pards, Buffalo Bill, the chances seem pretty fair for taking the scoundrel. You understand my attitude? There may be a suspicion that I was back of Red Steve in the shooting of Ace Hawkins. I want that suspicion brushed aside and my entire innocence made clear. Red Steve is the one to do this. Whatever else I have done, I’ve never tried to get any man’s blood on my hands. I’ve gone far in this war with Perry and Dunbar, but never so far as that.” A sneer curled Bloom’s lip as he gazed at Benner. “Lost your nerve, have you?” he rasped. Benner lifted his eyes to Bloom’s. “You’ll find,” said he, “that I have plenty of nerve to avenge any insult you heave at me. Walk softly, Bloom, when you’re going over my feet. That’s my advice to you. So far as Dunbar and Perry are concerned. I’ve buried the hatchet; but, so far as you are concerned, I’ll dig it up if you give me half a chance. Spread your blankets and go to sleep on that.” Benner’s spirit was not broken. There was plenty of snap and ginger in his words. It was clear to the scout that the cattle baron was swerved by only one motive, and that was to have Red Steve captured, so that the owner of the Circle-B ranch would be cleared of the taking off of Ace Hawkins. The capture of Red Steve, therefore, had become a factor in the business Buffalo Bill was so anxious to accomplish--the peace of the Brazos country.