Buffalo Bill No. 52: Ben, ou l'Élève-Éclaireur

Buffalo Bill Publication No. 52: "Ben, ou l'Élève-Éclaireur" (Ben, or The Scout Apprentice) This issue contains a single complete narrative. The main story is a French-language adventure tale in the Buffalo Bill series. The plot opens with a conspiracy: Montero, a dismissed scout officer consumed by jealousy over Buffalo Bill's appointment as his superior, hires an assassin named Bill Bronze for one thousand dollars to kill the famous frontier scout. Montero claims dishonor at being subordinated to Buffalo Bill despite his previous renown among Comanches and renegade bands. Bill Bronze agrees and positions himself to ambush Buffalo Bill at Father's Rock as the scout travels to establish camp. Buffalo Bill, richly equipped and armed, approaches the location expecting danger. Bronze fires first but misses fatally; Buffalo Bill, moving with lightning reflexes, returns fire and kills his attacker. Recognizing the dead man as Bill Bronze, Buffalo Bill expresses both surprise and disgust.