“Well, they’ve organized a vigilantes committee fer ter hang ye soon’s you put foot in ther town; and I’ve rid forth ter tell ye about it, so’s you won’t git caught too easy.” “To hang me?” “That’s what ther vigilantes was organized fer, and they----” “And you was in it?” “But I’m explainin’, Panther Pete, and----” “Stop!” The command was shot out like a bullet from a gun. Bug-eye Slocum stopped as suddenly as if he had been cut down by a rifle bullet. “What is it?” he gasped, his mouth open, looking nervously at the chief, who was fingering a revolver. “It’s that name--Panther Pete! Use that again, any time or anywhere, and I’ll pump a bullet straight through you. You know me--I’m Buffalo Bill!” “Ye--yes!” stammered Bug-eye. “I knowed it, only I forgot.” “Fergittin’ ain’t healthy where I am, when any friend o’ mine uses that name. I’ve shed it like a snake sheds its skin; and I’ve taken on a new skin, and----” “And a rattlesnake’s bite, after it has shed its skin, is as pizen as before,” said Bug-eye, trying to be humorous, though his nerves were shaking. “I didn’t mean no offense, nohow.” “Well, don’t use it ag’in!” “I won’t; I’ll remember.” “You bring news of the formation of a vigilantes committee that’s goin’ to get after me.” “They only think they aire,” said Bug-eye, waving his hand impressively, for the oratorical habit was strong on him. “They think they’re goin’ ter git after ther fake Buffalo Bill that’s makin’ the trouble in this section; but I’ve got ther mine laid which will shoot ’em into ther real Buffalo Bill.” “How’s that?” “Yer see, it’s this way: Ther real Buffalo Bill is comin’.” “Is that so? That’s important. When did you hear it?” “I heard it last night--got ther news by grape-vine telegraph; otherwise, it was brought me secretly by Jim Welch, ther stage driver. He heard it over near Fort Cimarron. Seems that Buffalo Bill has got wind of ther things that’s goin’ on over in this section, and ther way his name and reppertation is bein’ fly-blown on, as ye may say, and he’s comin’ over ter see about it. “I knowed at once that would queer your little game, Pan--I mean Buffalo Bill”--he dodged as if he expected a bullet--“and so as soon as ther thing had been done I hiked out here ter tell ye about it and give ye warnin’.” “Yes, I see.” “We’re goin’ ter hang the real Buffalo Bill soon’s he strikes ther town. Rainey and me got up ther scheme, and it’s a handsome one, if I do say it; and it will put William F. Cody nicely under the daisies.” “Yes, I see.”