Molloy, lying on the grass, panting and dizzy, glared at him malevolently. The men said nothing, though they steadily regarded both him and Molloy. “A good un fer you!” said a voice. Nick Nomad had spoken, much to Clayton’s surprise. “I was bettin’ on ye frum the fust jump. Whenever I hear a feller hollerin’ and pawin’ round, tearin’ up the ground like a mad bull, wantin’ to fight, I allus knows thet thar’s more wind in him than courage; and so I knowed you’d do him up. And I’m congratulatin’ ye on it.” Molloy lifted himself on his elbow and shot a malignant glance at the old trapper. “Is it your cut in?” he snapped. “Shut yer head, and keep it shut, or I’ll feed bullets into yer mouth.” “I’m thet hungry I could eat anything,” said the old trapper, “even bullets.” The answer brought a laugh from the outlaws, and seemed to lessen the tension. Pool Clayton had dropped down near the old trapper, but he did not now look at him. But soon he heard the trapper say, and knew that the words were intended for him, even though they might be overheard by the other outlaws: “My old pard, Buffler Bill, has been sighted in this section of kentry, yer friends has told me, and the boss has gone out ter investigate reports about him; and he says if Buffler is caught, then you’ll have the fun of shootin’ both him and me. I’m cal’lating that there will be things doin’ some when they catches Buffler! He ain’t sich a fool as me.” CHAPTER VIII. CLOSING IN. Snaky Pete had in his band some of the finest trailers of the West, some being men who had made their mark as scouts in earlier and better days. These men had “gone wrong” at last, and were now outlaws; but they had not lost their skill in scouting and trailing; and on them Snaky Pete relied for information concerning Buffalo Bill, if the latter was really in the country. After leaving camp, Snaky Pete’s scouts and spies broke into two bands, one being under his command, and the other under command of a faithful lieutenant whose cruelties had gained him the name of The White Wolf. It was now the night of the second day of their investigations, after news had been received from the town confirming the information of Buffalo Bill’s presence and mission. Word had come to Snaky Pete that Buffalo Bill had been sighted. As strange as anything was the statement that the great border scout was accompanied by a woman of hatchety face and elderly aspect. The informants brought a description of the place where Buffalo Bill and this female had gone into camp; and, after a discussion with his men, Snaky Pete decided to try to surround the scout there, and capture or kill him. Horses were left behind, lest by neighing or stamping they should reveal their presence to the man whom the outlaws hoped to take.