The approaching man fired on him at once, but missed his aim.

Quick as lightning Wild Bill pulled his revolver and returned the fire.

The stranger fell dead, shot through the brain.
"Bill, Bill! Help! Help! save me!" Such was the cry that Bill now heard.
It was the shrill and pitiful voice of the dead stock-tender's wife, and it came from a window of the house.

She had heard the exchange of shots, and knew that Wild Bill had arrived.
He dashed over the dead body of the villain whom he had killed, and just as he sprang into the door of the house, he saw two powerful men assaulting the woman.

One of the desperadoes was in the act of striking her with the butt end of a revolver, and while his arm was still raised, Bill sent a ball crashing through his skull, killing him instantly.