“All’s well that ends well,” said the doctor. “Maybe, if you cowpunchers are good from now on, Dunbar will overlook that little play.” “You’re sure Jake will live now, are you, doc?” asked Phelps. “Want me to sing it?” grunted the doctor. “Of course I’m sure. He’ll be as well as ever in a week. The first thing, after he’s up, you’ve got to make him do something.” “What’s that?” “Why, steer him over to the Star-A, and make him shake hands with Dunbar.” “I’ll do it, doc, and I’ll begin by shaking hands with Dunbar myself.” They had reached the point where the north and south trail branched, the branch leading to the Star-A ranch. Phelps rode up to Dunbar, and offered his hand. Dunbar lost no time in taking it. The hand grip went around, Perry, Mrs. Dunbar, Buffalo Bill, and Benner all coming in for their share of the reconciliation. “Peace on the Brazos from now henceforward, eh, Phelps?” asked Benner. “Yes,” replied Phelps. “I’ve had enough of the squabbling.” “Same here. Red Thunderbolt’s out of the running, too. I’ll hand five hundred over to Wild Bill and the baron, if you will?” “I’ll send the money this afternoon.” “Bully! I’ll do the same. Thunderbolt wasn’t shot, but it was the scout’s rope and Jake’s saddle that landed him. The scout’s rope is good for my five hundred to the baron.” “And the truth of this business, first brought out by the help of that trailing saddle of Jake’s,” said Phelps, “is worth five hundred to me.” “Then, truly,” chuckled the doctor, “all’s well that ends well. When you’re in Hackamore next, Cody, come and see me. I’d like to talk with you.” “You’ll see me, doctor,” answered the scout. “And I want you to pay me another visit at the H-P ranch,” said Phelps. “I can promise you a different welcome next time you come, Buffalo Bill.” “I doubt whether I shall have time.” “If he has any time,” put in Benner, “he’ll spend it at the Circle-B.” “Not at all,” cried Dunbar, “he’ll spend all his time at the Star-A.” “We’ll see about it later,” said the scout, and the party separated. Phelps, Prouther, the doctor, and Bloom rode off toward the H-P ranch, while the scout and the others turned their horses into the branch trail. * * * * * In front of the Star-A ranch, that night, the scout and his pards sat long with the Star-A ranchers. It was to be their last chat together, for in the early morning Buffalo Bill and compadres were to fare toward Hackamore, turning their backs permanently on the Brazos country. “It has peen a mighdy valuple nighdt’s vork for Hickok und me,” piped the baron, shaking a bag of gold. “I ditn’t t’ink, ven Vild Pill und me vas following dose dracks oof der feller on foot, dot ve should make fife hundert each oudt oof der pitzness. Sooch,” added the baron with great complaisance, “is vat dey call luck.”