“You see,” called Lige Benner, “I’m the boss of this end of the business. There are fifteen of you and twenty-six of us. We have rifles, and you have small arms. Likewise, we have the drop.” “I--I thort you fellers was friends o’ our’n!” stuttered Prouther. “So we are,” answered Benner. “We’re the best friends you H-P fellers ever had. What we’re doing now is the friendliest kind of an act. Prouther, we’re keeping you from doing something you’d be sorry for--something you’d be brought to book for. You’re fighting Buffalo Bill, and you’re laying yourself wide open by your lawlessness. If you had been allowed to keep on, sooner or later Buffalo Bill would have made you pay up in full.” “But Nate Dunbar done up Jake Phelps!” “Be hanged to that! Dunbar is as guilty of that as I am--just about. But I’ve talked enough. You punchers will file past me, one at a time, and drop your guns in front of my horse. After that, you will take to your mounts and hustle for home--and you’ll stay home when you get there, for I intend to keep this force of men on guard here until this Jake Phelps matter is settled, and settled right. You can head the procession, Prouther!” “I’m blamed if I’ll give up my guns!” howled Prouther. “You’ll give them up, and no more words about it. If you’ll ride over to the Circle-B, in two or three days, you can have the weapons back again. Start yourself, Prouther!” Prouther tried to haggle further. Thereupon Benner ordered one of his men to dismount and take his weapons away from him. Prouther swore, but he had to yield. Two rifles were aimed at him, and the faces behind the guns were full of grim resolution. The rest of the H-P men did not make so much trouble. They realized that they were helpless to do otherwise than obey orders. One by one they defiled past Lige Benner, and one by one they snatched their weapons from their belts and flung them angrily down. When they were all disarmed, Benner ordered them to their horses. They rushed at their animals, hurled themselves into their saddles and careered away, roaring their threats as to what they would do later. As soon as the last hoofbeat had died to silence, Buffalo Bill pulled open the cabin door and passed out in front. Lige Benner rode up to him, dismounted, and came forward with outstretched hand. “Do you believe that I mean well now?” he asked. “I never doubted that you meant to do the right thing, Benner,” answered the scout heartily, giving the offered hand a cordial clasp. “How were you able to get here just when we most needed help?” “I left Hackamore just after I talked with you, and rode for home. I hadn’t been there long when I heard this about Dunbar. A little while after that, one of our boys who had been over at the H-P ranch, rode in and told me that the lynching party of fifteen had started for the Star-A. As quick as I could, I got this force of men together, gave them a short talk, and we rode here. I reckon you know the rest.”