“Well, I hope to have a close look at him some day; but what do you think he went to Pioneer City for?” “I told you, sir, of his intended letter to my daughter, and as it seems he grew suspicious of me, my idea is that he has gone there to plot to get her into his power at once.” “By the Lord Harry! but you may be right, sergeant. We will break camp at daylight and push for the fort. Come, I’ll send couriers to the other camps to move, also,” and the three returned at a gallop to the camp. CHAPTER V. THE RETURN. When the three forces got under way they marched at a speed according to the distance they had to travel, that all might make the same camp the first night on the way. The command from the lower ford made twenty miles, and, camping early, they were joined in the afternoon by the party under Lieutenant Worth. At dark the third command, under Lieutenant Percy, came in, and Walter Worth surveyed his little army with pride at being the superior officer. When they pulled out from camp early the next morning, seeing that the news that the outlaw had gone to Pioneer City made Sergeant Fallon anxious, he said to him: “Sergeant, you and Buffalo Bill can push on ahead to the fort, for the command cannot get in to-night without crowding the horses very hard and riding late, and there is no necessity for either.” The face of the sergeant brightened at the order of the lieutenant, and he said: “Thank you, sir; I shall be most happy to go on ahead.” “Say to Colonel Carr I will arrive with the command to-morrow, not caring to push the cattle.” “Yes, sir.” The sergeant at once reported to Buffalo Bill what the lieutenant had said, and the two started off at a pace more than double that at which the troops were traveling, retarded as they were by the guns, a couple of ambulances, and some pack mules. The sun was yet above the horizon when the sentinel on the watchtower reported the coming of two horsemen by the trail leading to the Indian country. The coming of the scout and Sergeant Fallon was soon reported to the colonel. Their stories were told, the sergeant telling his first, and both were listened to with the greatest attention by the colonel, who then said: “Sergeant, your daring and gallant conduct shall be reported, with a strong recommendation, added to others already sent to Washington, for your promotion to a lieutenancy.” “I thank you, sir.” “It will be a well-won appointment, sergeant, but, as you request it, it will be best to say as little as possible about your going into the Indian lines, as it might reach the ears of the outlaw, who you say left the camps after your first visit, presumably going to Pioneer City.” “Yes, sir.” “Then he will be up to more deviltry, I fear; but, sergeant, your daughter is not here, you know, or had you heard of her departure?” “My daughter not here, sir?” Sergeant Fallon’s face turned to the hue of death.