amed him
I will report--or, if he has settled me, there will be no need of it."

"Do not run this risk."

"It must be done. He has, in a manner, defied me, and I accept his
defiance!"

"Surely he does not know---"

"No, he knows nothing of what you would say if I did not interrupt you.
Nor do I intend he shall at present. It is enough that you know it, and
will care for both my body and my good name, should I fail."

"You know I will. But you must not fall."

"I do not intend to. I think I can crush him by a look and a word. I
shall try, at least. If all goes well, I will be here by eight to-night
to arrange for our visit."

"I hope you will come, and safely."

"I will, Addie. Until the cup of vengeance is full. Heaven will surely
spare me. But I must go. I have no time to spare."

The young Texan glanced at the chambers of a handsome six-shooter which
he carried, to see if it was ready for use, replaced it in his belt, and
then, with a cheerful smile, left the room and house.

Hastening to the stable, he selected a saddle, lengthened the stirrups
to suit himself, took a stout bridle from among a lot hanging in the
store-room, and accompanied by the stable-keeper, approached the newly
purchased Black Hawk horse.

"I may as well have him ready," he said; "for if Wild Bill is to be here
at sunset, that time is close at hand. You say the horse has not been
ridden?"

"No," said the stable-keeper. "My regular breaker was not here when I
bought him. Black Joe tried to mount him, but the horse scared him."

"Well, I'll soon see what he is made of, if I can get saddle and bridle
on him," said the Texan.

They now together approached the large box stall in which the stallion
was kept. The horse, almost perfect in symmetry, black as night, with a
fierce, wild look, turned to front them as they approached the barred
entrance.

"Steady, boy--steady!" cried the Texan, as he sprang lightly over the
bars, and at once laid his hand on the arched neck of the horse.

To the wonder of the stableman, the horse, instead of rearing back or
plunging at the intruder, turned his eyes upon him, and with a kind of
tremor in his frame, seemed to wait to see what his visitor meant.

"So! Steady, Black Hawk! steady, old boy!" continued the Texan, kindly
passing his hand over the horse's neck and down his face.

The horse uttered a low neigh, and seemed by his looks pleased with his
attentions.

"That beats me!" cried the sta