He raised the girl to her saddle, but securely held the reins, while his father drew his knife across the throats of the two noble animals that had brought them there. “You have those papers with you, old man, that give this fortune to Mary?” “Yes.” “Be certain, for I want no mistake.” “I have them here in my pocket.” “All right; come!” and at once the two villains set off at a rapid pace, their unfortunate captive between them. But hardly had they disappeared from sight, when a dark form arose from behind a rock and muttered: “I am glad I hid here to see who came for those horses; now to head them off.” Darting through the thicket, the speaker soon came to where a horse stood awaiting him, and five minutes after he was riding swiftly along a rough trail leading up the valley. CHAPTER XXI. AN UNEXPECTED HALT. Swiftly flying along in their flight, neither Kent King nor his degenerate father looked for danger ahead, and were brought to a sudden and unexpected halt by blinding flashes in their eyes and two sharp reports from a revolver. Down beneath them went their horses. As Mathew Kingsland struck the ground, a form darted out from behind a bowlder, and, at close range, sent a bullet crashing through the brain of the man whose life had been a lie and full of crime. As if confident of his aim, the assailant did not wait to see the effects of his shot, but turned upon Kent King, who had sprung to his feet and attempted to draw his revolver. The fall had broken the outlaw’s arm. With a curse, he seized the weapon in his left hand and faced his foe, who was advancing quickly upon him, while Mary Hale, spellbound, sat on her horse like a statue, watching, waiting, and praying. The weapon of Kent King flashed first. The aim with his left hand was untrue, for the one he fired upon still advanced upon him, and said, in clear tones: “Kent King, I shall win my bet!” “Great God! Are you man or spirit?” cried the Gambler Guide. “Neither; I am Buffalo Bill,” was the rejoinder. With the last word, two revolvers flashed together, and again the aim of Kent King was untrue. But not so with Buffalo Bill, for he sent his bullet straight to the center of the forehead of the man he meant to kill. With a cry of joy, Mary Hale threw herself from her horse, and once more fainted, but Buffalo Bill caught her in his arms. In a few moments Mary revived. Then Buffalo Bill told her of his adventures in the Indian camp, and suggested that they strike the back trail at once, in which she gladly acquiesced. Tying the dead bodies of Kent King and his father upon Mary’s horse, the scout gave the girl a seat behind him on Midnight. Just as the sun illumined the valley they came in sight of the home of Judge Hale, around which was gathered a large crowd of horsemen.