“Got ter go back,” put in Sim. “I ain’t needed here, anyways, with all these men o’ Benner’s standing between Nate an’ trouble. I’ll borry a rifle an’ take it erlong in case I meet up with Red Thunderbolt. Say, I’d like ter put a bullet inter that critter. The’s a thousand out for Red Thunderbolt.” “A thousand?” asked the scout, falling to with his knife and fork. “Shore. The cattle barons, up an’ down the river, have offered a thousand in cash fer the man thet knocks over that murderin’ maverick. Now, if I could do the trick----” “You can’t, Sim,” cut in Dunbar. “It’s been tried too many times. Red Thunderbolt bears a charmed life.” “Don’t leave the ranch just yet, Pierce,” said the scout. “There’s something I want you to do.” “Waal, if ye got any bizness on hand fer me, o’ course I’ll hang eround. Any more peace-makin’?” grinned Pierce. “That’s what it’s to be.” The scout’s face had become sphinxlike, and prying eyes learned nothing from a study of it. “Buffler, ye’re holdin’ somethin’ back!” rumbled the trapper. “Consarn et, pard, kain’t ye see how I’m on tenterhooks? Why don’t ye le’go with what ye got on yer mind? What’s ther use o’ hangin’ fire?” The scout laughed. “Don’t get inquisitive, Nick. I’ve got a big surprise in store for all of you, but I must spring it in my own way, and at my own time.” “What kind of er s’prise?” “The kind that will make you sit up, open your eyes, and gasp. I want several in the party.” “Me an’ Pierce?” quizzed Nomad. “More than that. Hattie must be along, and Nate, and Perry; also Sim, and you, Nick, and Cayuse.” “Jumpin’ catermounts! Why, ye’re cleanin’ out ther hull ranch house. Ef Wild Bill an’ the baron’ ’u’d on’y happen erlong, I reckon ye’d take them, too, hey?” The scout laughed. “Benner will also be with us,” said he, “and Hank Phelps.” The name of Benner was a little surprising, but the mention of Hank Phelps quite took the breath of the others. “The way Hank Phelps feels toward us, Buffalo Bill,” said Perry, “it’s doubtful whether he would agree to go.” “I think he’ll go, all right, if the invitation is handed to him in the right way.” “Arter what happened hyar last night,” chuckled Nomad, “d’ye opine Phelps would accept any o’ our invitation, no matter how et was handed ter him?” “I reckon he will. You see, to make sure the invitation is given as it should be, I intend to offer it myself.” They all stared at that. “How ye goin’ ter work et?” demanded Nomad. “I’m going to ride to the H-P ranch directly after breakfast.” “All o’ us with ye?” “Certainly not, Nick. Do you imagine that I would take Nate over to Phelps’ place, while things are as we have them now? It would be worse than foolish. I’m going to call on Phelps alone.” “Don’t!” begged Perry. “Ruffianly work will be done, Buffalo Bill. I know Phelps better than you do. He’s probably as crazy mad over what happened to Jake as any of his men. You’ll have more on your hands than you can attend to.”