“Not this time, for you are too dangerous a man to be at large. I know you, Buffalo Bill.” “And I know you, now, for you were a deserter from the army, and later became a finished cutthroat; but I thought you were dead, Dallas Mowbray.” “No, I left the northern country several years ago, as it became too hot for me, and came back to the Southwest, for I am really a Mexican, you know, and was once an officer of the Mexican army, but was exiled for certain acts. You see, I don’t mind telling you, as I regard you as good as dead.” “Thanks; but while there is life, there is hope.” “So I have found out; but I’ll fix you now--ho, men, come here!” The four men came, their rifles still loaded; but as they neared the scout there were several shots heard--then one. The first came from some thick timber close at hand, and the four men with rifles dropped dead. The single shot was from Buffalo Bill’s revolver, who was quick to take advantage of the volley in his favor. He had sent a bullet through the heart of the cowboy king. The next moment Texas Jack, four of his pards, with Señor Otega and his cowboy chief, Palma, came into view. “You were just in time, Jack, and I thank you all. “Find the horses of those four men, strap the bodies in the saddles, and we’ll take them to our ranch to-night, and to-morrow there will be two visits for us to make, and in full force, for I can see the beginning of the end of our trail.” “As I also can, chief,” answered Texas Jack. CHAPTER XLIV. REVEALED. Again did Buffalo Bill pay a visit to the hacienda of the fair hermit. It was the day following his meeting with the cowboy king. Again he was received, and in the garden, as before, while the señorita said: “You have come sooner than I expected, señor; but it is well, as the cowboy king is not here.” “Why do you fear that man?” “Ah! I cannot tell.” “What is he to you?” “Do not ask me.” “Do you love him?” “No!” “I am glad, for I can tell you that you need no longer fear him.” “What do you mean?” she gasped. “Señorita, I have read your secret, for that man was the Mexican officer I saved with you from those men that day nearly two months ago.” “You recognize him, then?” “Yes, and as a vile cutthroat who joined our army, robbed the paymaster, deserted, and became a fugitive and an outlaw, at last, as we believed, being killed, but, instead, coming here. Did you not know him as all that was bad?” “Señor, I was deceived by him, for I believed him an officer of the Mexican army. I was left this place, and he urged me to marry him secretly, and I did so, then coming here to live, and obeying him blindly. At times he came here, I believing he was on duty when he was away.