Buffalo Bill had not been in the lonesome house on the big mesa an hour before he heard a roaring shout near the stables. It drew him to the open window, and when he looked out he beheld Pizen Kate. She had sighted Nick Nomad, and was making for him, waving her big umbrella round her head as if it were a lasso with which she meant to effect his capture. “Run away from me, will ye?” she was bellowing. “Abandon me, yer lawful and lovin’ wedded wife, will ye? Well, you’ll perceive the sinfulness of yer sinful ways before I git through with you, you bet! You’ll know fer certain that I’m Pizen Kate, of Kansas City, and a lady that’s not to be trifled with.” For a moment Buffalo Bill was too astonished for mirth; then he broke into a roar of laughter. Leaving the window, he descended quickly to the ground, and made his way out to where Pizen Kate was tongue-lashing her recreant spouse. She was still at it when the scout arrived. “Me washin’ fer you, and laborin’ fer you; and then you cuttin’ right out and runnin’ away from me! Is that the way fer a man to conduct himself toward the wife of his bosom? Answer me that, you dried-up mummy, you pestiferous weasel! Why don’t you answer me?” Nomad had backed into a corner of the adobe wall that formed part of the horse inclosure, and was defending his face with his hands from the jabbing umbrella. “Yes, yes!” he admitted. “Wasn’t I a true and lovin’ wife to ye?” “Yes.” “And you run away from me when I was workin’ fer ye?” “Don’t!” he pleaded. “Don’t hit me in ther face with thet! Great snakes! Yes; I’m willin’ ter admit ter anything. I’m all sorts of critters that ye can think up, and more throwed in. But don’t poke me in the eye with thet.” “I’ve a notion to ram it down yer throat and open it up inside of ye!” she threatened. “Waal, it’d make me look fatter, ef ye did!” he declared. “Hold on--hold on! Thet thar is my arm you’re peelin’ the skin off of. Let up, can’t ye?” “Why did you do it?” she demanded. “I--I----” “I ast you why did ye do it?” “I couldn’t live with ye, and that’s a fact!” he sputtered, hopping about to evade her blows. “Couldn’t live yith yer lovin’ and lawful wife?” “You was too strenuous fer me, and yer temper was too peppery. So I thought I’d slide.” Latimer had appeared, drawn by the noise. “And there’s the feller that you went away with!” she said to Nomad. “Don’t say he ain’t, fer I know. Thet’s ther dashin’ galoot that called hisself Persimmon Pete. You got stuck on him there in Kansas City, and lit out with him. Don’t say it ain’t so, er I’ll poke the p’int of this umbreller inter yer innards! Don’t say it ain’t so!” “Waugh! I ain’t sayin’ that it ain’t so.” “Then it is so? I knowed it was. And he lied to me in ther town, when I charged him with it. And he knowed you was out here; and out here he rid, to meet ye. I seen him go, and I follered him. Oh, I understand ye! You can’t fool Pizen Kate. Ain’t it so?”