“I had that idea at first, but he spoke of going to Pioneer City, where he had friends, and I believe he will get men there, and more than he had before, from what he gave out in the way of hints.” “Then, to be sure, we will have to be well provided with men, say one on the box with Jack Jessop, who is also to be counted when it’s a scrimmage, and a dozen can pack away in the coach. Then a few scouts and soldiers on the trail behind the coach, some more of my men ahead and we’ll rope in the entire outfit, as you suggest.” “We’ll do it, and arrange with the lieutenant, but keep it as secret as the grave. When the letter comes we will then be ready to go out on the first coach, and the man who rides on the box with Jack Jessop can wear a hat and clothes to appear to be my daughter, for she rode all the way through on the box, you know. But here we are at camp.” Day had dawned, and the camp was astir, though the men were not building any fires, but were preparing to eat a cold breakfast. Having washed off his paint and changed his clothes, the sergeant and Buffalo Bill went directly to the quarters of the lieutenant. CHAPTER IV. BURSTING SHELLS. Before nightfall the two reserve commands had reached the fords, to which they had been guided by the scout sent to each of them. They found them good camping places, water, wood, and grass in plenty, and which could be readily defended if need be. There were a dozen fires built by those sent on ahead, and the officers in command were delighted to learn that there was a chance for a brush with the Indians, for, being ordered to the front, they believed there would be. It was just before sunset that Lieutenant Worth, Buffalo Bill, and Sergeant Fallon rode into the camp at the upper ford, and were welcomed by the officers and men. “Percy, how is your gun placed?” asked Lieutenant Worth of the officer in charge. “It commands the ford and the other shore, though it is not in position to be seen.” “All right, run it into position as soon as Buffalo Bill shows you, just to toss a shell or two, for he has been devoting the past day to studying the Indian camps at two of the fords,” said the lieutenant, with a smile, while the scout remarked: “Say night, rather, lieutenant, for I’ve been resting by daylight.” Going to a point which commanded a view of the other shore, Buffalo Bill ran his glass over it and said: “Sergeant, when I reconnoitered, the camp was in those willows.” “Yes, that is it; and the ponies are corralled over beyond them.” “I’ll see if I can put a shell there,” and the officer in charge of the guns sighted one himself, a sergeant training the other. “Fire!” The six and twelve-pounders flashed together, and shells went shrieking across the river. One burst directly in the willows, the other beyond, where the sergeant had said the horses were.