“Have a care, scout, for every word of insult you heap upon me shall increase your torture at the stake.” “I see you’ve got it all mapped out for my finish,” said Cody. “You will not escape me this time, Buffalo Bill!” declared the bandit chief exultingly. “Don’t be too sure.” “Nay. It is settled. You are in my power. There can be no rescue here. _There_ lies the one who cheated my vengeance before. He has paid the price.” “True. And _his_ death must be paid for,” muttered the scout. “But not by you, Cody.” “Wait!” was the enigmatical word of the Border King, his eyes flashing the hate he felt for his sneering captor. “Do not tempt me too far, you dog!” exclaimed Bennett. “Remember you pay for all this when you come to die.” “Aye; when I _do_ come to die! But I am one who believes that while there is life there is still hope, you accursed renegade!” “That belief will not benefit you now, Cody. You are a dead man already.” “I’m the liveliest dead man _you_ ever saw!” The renegade looked as though he was about to shoot the scout in his tracks; but he caught sight of the smile that curled Cody’s lips, and, not understanding it, refrained. Indeed, he looked all about, somewhat nervously, to try to discover the meaning of the scout’s expression. “You must have help at hand, or you would not be so defiant, Buffalo Bill.” “That may be,” said the scout non-committingly. “At least, these will not help you,” said Boyd Bennett, with a horrible smile, pointing to the stark figures in the valley. “Not one left to tell the story--no prisoners?” queried Cody sorrowfully, forgetting for the moment his own peril. “No, no! Chief Oak Heart wanted no prisoners from Danforth’s band. I told the chief that Danforth and his men were come to take him captive--that they had sworn to do it! Ha! ha! That was rich, eh? So every man of them died.” “And he came for _you_,” said Cody bitterly. “Aye; and met the death he deserved; but a more merciful death than _you_ will meet, scout. I do not need to stir up the red men’s rage against _you_. They will receive you with great joy at Oak Heart’s encampment.” “And you fought with these savages?” cried Cody. “I did. And killed as they killed--without mercy.” “You do not fear to admit your crimes.” “Why should I? For am I not speaking to one who will soon be dead? Bah! you can no longer frighten me, Buffalo Bill!” “Yes, it looks as though I was near my finish; I do not deny it,” said Cody quietly. “But tell me one thing, Boyd Bennett. Did you kill Lieutenant Danforth yourself?” “I am sorry to say I did not. There was a good deal of hot work right here. But Red Knife claims the honor of having delivered the finishing-stroke. We were returning to take the scalp-lock----” “By Heaven, man! you shall not do it!” roared Cody, starting forward. But a dozen rifles clicked, and he knew that he was helpless. He fell back again. Bennett laughed.