“I am really fatigued, for I have had a long ride since leaving the fort. I knew that you were upon my trail, Buffalo Bill, and I am glad that you were, as you came up in time to have served both Horseshoe Ned and myself well, but for the fact that our enemy had already been placed hors de combat.” “Yes, you are fully able to protect yourself, Bonnie Belle,” said the scout. “And others, too,” remarked Surgeon Powell. “Well, as I wished to throw you off the scent I went on eastward by stage; but only for a couple of stations, where I secured a horse and guide, going across country to head off Sandy on his way here. I caught his coach and made him promise not to tell of my arrival, so he drove, as there were no other passengers, at once to the stables, and I got out there and ran to my rooms here. It was Sandy who heard of the row in the Den, and he came for me, just as I intended going into the saloon as a surprise. Now I have a favor to ask of both of you.” “Granted before asked,” said Surgeon Powell. “Ditto,” responded Buffalo Bill. “You are very kind, to offer to grant me a favor without knowing what it is. Suppose I ask you something that you cannot conscientiously do?” said Bonnie Belle, with a smile. “That is impossible, for _you_ would not ask anything of us which we cannot conscientiously do,” was the response of the surgeon. “It is not too much to ask, I feel. It would have to be much, indeed, for us to refuse you, Bonnie Belle, for both of us owe you our lives, and you may be sure, if not profuse in thanks, we appreciate that we are under obligations to you,” and Surgeon Powell’s manner was sincere. “Do not speak of what I did, for one does not deserve either thanks or gratitude for doing one’s duty. No, I only wished to ask you both not to betray me.” “Not to betray you?” “Yes, for no one knows here, except you two gentlemen, that I am the sister of the condemned outlaw, Silk Lasso Sam. Not a soul do I wish to know it.” “And no one shall through me,” said Powell. “Nor through word of mine,” added Buffalo Bill. “I believe that Captain Caruth suspected me, and yet when I met him face to face at the fort he did not by any act show that he did. He simply looked as though he recalled Bonnie Belle in Miss Ruth Arden, and, if so, I wish that you would ask him also to keep my secret.” “I will.” “And he will do it.” “I do not care to have any one here know that I am the sister of the outlaw, for it would bring me under a suspicion here with many which I would not care for. Now I can do good, and I have a certain power over the wildest spirits here, which you had an opportunity to see yourselves to-night.” “We did, indeed,” said Buffalo Bill. “And it was in our behalf. You have indeed wonderful power over the wild savages that congregate here in Pocket City,” the surgeon remarked.