“If ever there was a scamp, Señor Otega, that landlord is one, and I shall stand no nonsense with him.” “All right, sir, and you’ll find us within call,” said Jack. With this, Buffalo Bill and the Señor Otega mounted their horses and rode away from the camp. Texas Jack, Lone Star Sam, and Mustang Frank following soon after. The landlord was found in the Fandango Hall, at Silver Lake City, but he was called into his office by Señor Otega, who said at once: “Señor Alcalde, we have an unfortunate affair to report to you.” “The Señor Cody I suppose has killed some one?” The look the man got from the scout made him wince, but the words were calmly uttered: “You must not jump at conclusions, sir, or I might be tempted to punish impertinence. I am here to report to you that two of our men were left to guard camp, while the rest were away. We returned to find that one of our men had been killed, the other wounded, and the three men who had gone there to rob the camp were lying dead, having been shot by our comrade, Blue Jacket Bob.” “This is bad, very bad.” “The three men were those whom we had reason to believe friends, for two were Señor Otega’s cowboys, and the other was a cattleman of the band of the cowboy king, and he it was who arranged the robbery, which ended in the loss of their lives.” “This is bad, very bad. I must demand the man who did this killing, and while the Señor Otega goes to fetch him I will hold you as hostage, Señor Cody.” “You shall neither take Blue Jacket Bob, nor will you keep me here. I have reported the facts, and it is a pretty state of affairs when we cannot protect our camp and our lives. If you wish a trial, name the day and we will be here.” “And I will guarantee on bond, Señor Alcalde, for the appearance of the accused man,” said Señor Otega. “I must have a guarantee from them also.” Buffalo Bill laughed and replied: “You doubt my word, and I have reason to doubt you, and, in fact, do. No, I’ll pledge my word, and remember, the Señor Otega here shall give no bond for us, and we will be here on the day you set for trial.” “I wish a guarantee.” “See here, Landlord Riel, you shall have one. With your own people you would consider this justifiable killing of three robbers and murderers. We are here in this valley as are others, and you shall not make us an exception.” “But I must punish murder,” said the landlord, all in a tremor. “There was no murder, save the killing of my poor comrade by those men who were murderers and robbers. Blue Jacket Bob acted in self-defense, and I’ll tell you to your face, if you dare to attempt to hold me a prisoner, or arrest my comrade, I’ll make known to these people the confession of one of those three men, and a dying man does not lie. “I alone know that confession, Landlord Alcalde, or whatever you choose to call yourself, and I will make it known, and leave it for you to prove that dying lips lied. “Do you grasp my meaning as I intend you shall, Señor Riel?”