Suddenly an idea flashed through the scout’s mind. Forcing his horse alongside the sky pilot’s roan, he leaned from the saddle to shout: “You can act as peacemaker, parson, but it must be in my way!” “Any way, Buffalo Bill,” cried the sky pilot, “just so it really brings peace without the spilling of blood.” “Dunbar,” roared the scout, “ride alongside Miss Perry.” The other horsemen shifted their positions so that this manœuvre could be accomplished. “You, Jordan,” went on the scout, “ride up behind Miss Perry and Dunbar. Get as close to them as you can.” Every one in that party was a trained horseman. The reins were handled in masterly fashion, and the racing steeds weaved slowly into positions as ordered by the king of scouts. “The rest of you,” thundered Buffalo Bill, “spread out so that Lige Benner and Hank Phelps can see what Miss Perry, Dunbar and the parson are doing.” No one, as yet, had any idea what Buffalo Bill had at the back of his head. “What’s ther game, Buffler?” demanded Nomad, swerving Hiderack toward the side. “The ombrays behind are getting ready to use their guns!” warned Wild Bill. “Never mind their guns--yet,” answered the scout. “What am I to do?” called the sky pilot. The scout, pointing to Dunbar and Hattie with his quirt as Bear Paw slashed along, yelled at the top of his voice: “_Marry them!_” For an instant a dead silence fell over the group of racing fugitives; then, as the wonderful timeliness of the scout’s plan grew clear in the minds of the rest of the party, a cheer broke from the pards. “Well thought of!” cried the sky pilot. The book he had used, on the afternoon of the preceding day in Hackamore, came from his pocket; then, with the horses at break-neck pace, and Benner and Phelps close enough to see and understand what was going on, the sky pilot united Nate Dunbar and Hattie Perry in the holy bonds of wedlock. There have been weddings in balloons, in the Mammoth Cave, on mountain heights and in the depths of mines, but where and when had a young couple ever joined hands for a journey through life as Nate and Hattie joined hands now? With the final words, “I pronounce you man and wife,” Buffalo Bill ordered a halt. “A hollow square, pards,” he cried, “with Mrs. Dunbar in the centre! We will face these cattle barons now and see if Lige Benner will listen to reason.” Swiftly the horses were reined to a panting halt, and as swiftly the scout and his pards, Dunbar, Perry and Jordan took their places in a circle--all facing outward, the girl in the centre and each man with his weapons in hand--each man with the exception of the sky pilot. Thus they waited for Benner and Phelps and their cowboys to reach them. The approaching horsemen came furiously. There were fully twoscore. With skilled hands they manœuvred their horses into a “surround,” and the little circle formed by the scout and his friends formed a living and determined barrier between Hattie Dunbar and the barons.