“The girl and Dunbar are in the house,” muttered the Laramie man, “and if they’re worried about Perry, the fact is not evident from this distance. I’ll slash along, just as though there weren’t any hostile barons on the Brazos. If any cowboys present themselves--well, they’ll make as good targets for me as Beeswax and I will make for them.” He laughed softly and spurred onward. The door was open when he drew up before it, and a flood of lamplight poured through. A figure stood in the light--a figure that brought Wild Bill up rigidly in his saddle. His astonishment was intense. “Well, by gorry!” he exclaimed. “Have I got the blind staggers? Pard Cody, is that you?” “There’s no mistake, Wild Bill,” came back in the familiar tones of the king of scouts. “Get down and tell me what brings you here?” Wild Bill got down and leaned against his saddle. He was dazed, and was trying to guess how fate had shuffled and dealt the cards in this amazing fashion. “I can’t seem to pull myself together, Pard Cody,” said Wild Bill. “Did you drop in here to spend the night on your way from Texico?” “I dropped into another place before I came here,” answered the scout; “and, if I hadn’t, I shouldn’t be here now.” A cowboy pushed into the light and out through the door behind the scout. “Who’s this, Buffalo Bill?” the cowboy asked. “It’s my pard from Laramie, Wild Bill Hickok,” said the scout. “From Hackamore?” “That’s the last place he hailed from, I reckon.” “How does he happen to be here?” “That’s what I’m trying to get him to tell me. First, though, you fellows strike hands. Hickok, this amigo is Nate Dunbar. He has an interest in Perry’s cattle, and he’s all right.” They shook hands. “Now,” went on the scout, “give me the right of this, Pard Hickok. Why are you here?” “I’m here to see how things stack up at this ranch,” said Hickok. “Something came my way in Hackamore that offered a chance for excitement while we were waiting for you to ride in from Texico.” “You came alone?” “Hardly.” Pulling his revolver, the Laramie man fired three quick shots into the air. “The rest will hear that,” he explained, “and come a-running. Meanwhile, as explanations will consume a little time, where’ll I put the caballo?” “In the corral,” answered Dunbar. “I’ll take the bronk.” Turning the horse over to the cowboy, Wild Bill walked into the cabin with the scout. “This has been a night of surprises,” said Buffalo Bill, “and not the least of the surprises is this meeting with you. I’m glad you’re here, though. There’s a tangle at this ranch, and we’re to unravel it.” “Buenos!” murmured Wild Bill, taking a chair; “maybe I can help in the unraveling more than you think.” A clatter of approaching hoofs sounded. The scout started forward in his chair. “Don’t be in a taking, pard,” counseled Wild Bill. “Nomad, Little Cayuse and the sky pilot are riding up. I left them back in the timber.” CHAPTER VI.