Tom wished somebody would treat him so, but when telling the story, said that he “lacked confidence in human nature, especially where the road agents were concerned.” He even ventured the assertion that he “did not believe Graves’ story, anyway.”
Ives went to Virginia City the day following the robbery. While intoxicated at one of the fancy establishments, he boasted openly of having made Tom Caldwell throw up his hands, and that he intended to do it again. Talking of the robbery with one of the drivers, he said,
“I am the Bamboo chief that committed that robbery.”
“Don’t you believe Caldwell knows it?” inquired the driver.
“Certainly he knows it,” replied Ives. “He recognized me at once.”
As Ives and the driver were riding side by side into Virginia City, on their return from Nevada, the driver saw Caldwell approaching. He motioned him to keep away. Caldwell turned and went away, and was afterwards told that Ives knew he had recognized him in the robbery, and would probably kill him on sight. The driver, who expected that Ives would shoot at Caldwell, had his revolver in readiness to shoot him at the time alluded to, in case Ives manifested such a design.
Meantime, Southmayd, having finished his business at Bannack, was ready to return to Virginia City by the next coach. His friends were importunate for him to remain. On the day he was to leave, Buck Stinson and Ned Ray, on being told of it at the express-office, avowed their intention of accompanying him. The agent then searched for Southmayd, and said to him,
“For God’s sake, Leroy, don’t go. These fellows mean to kill you.”
“I’ve got to go,” replied Southmayd; “and if you’ll get me a double-barrelled shotgun, I’ll take my chances.” The agent complied with this request, and the coach left Bannack with Southmayd, Stinson, Ray, and a lad of sixteen years for passengers, and Tom Caldwell the driver. The coach was an open hack. Southmayd sat on the driver’s seat with Caldwell, and the boy took the back seat, and facing him were Stinson and Ray on the middle seat. Southmayd said to the boy on starting,
“If we have any trouble, do you shoot, or I’ll shoot you.”
“You may be sure I’ll do it, too, Southmayd,” said the boy. “I’m not afraid of them.”