and shall
only be in town this afternoon; so if there's anything between us that
demands settlement, don't hesitate to ask for it."

The stranger drained his glass at a single gulp, and with admirable
composure replied, "If there's anything between us, we'll settle it in
due time, and as men usually settle such differences in this country.
I have a friend or two in town, and as soon as I see them, you will
receive notice, or you may consider the matter dropped. That's all I
care to say at present."

He walked away to the rear of the room, Priest joined us, and we
strolled out of the place. In the street, a grizzled, gray-bearded
man, who had drunk with him inside, approached my bunkie and said,
"You want to watch that fellow. He claims to be from the Gallatin
country, but he isn't, for I live there. There 's a pal with him, and
they've got some good horses, but I know every brand on the headwaters
of the Missouri, and their horses were never bred on any of its three
forks. Don't give him any the best of you. Keep an eye on him,
comrade." After this warning, the old man turned into the first open
door, and we crossed over to the wheelwright's shop; and as the wheel
would not be finished for several hours yet, we continued our survey
of the town, and our next landing was at The Buffalo Bull. On entering
we found four of our men in a game of cards at the very first table,
while Officer was reported as being in the gambling room in the rear.
The only vacant table in the bar-room was the last one in the far
corner, and calling for a deck of cards, we occupied it. I sat with my
back to the log wall of the low one-story room, while on my left and
fronting the door, Priest took a seat with Flood for his pardner,
while Honeyman fell to me. After playing a few hands, Flood suggested
that Billy go forward and exchange seats with some of our outfit, so
as to be near the door, where he could see any one that entered, while
from his position the rear door would be similarly guarded. Under this
change, Rod Wheat came back to our table and took Honeyman's place. We
had been playing along for an hour, with people passing in and out of
the gambling room, and expected shortly to start for camp, when
Priest's long-haired adversary came in at the front door, and, walking
through the room, passed into the gambling department.

John Officer, after winning a few dollars in the card room, was
standing alongside watching our game; and as the