“Let him pick his horses, and you should reach him in time to-night to get a short rest there for yours, and be away all together at dawn.” “We will, sir; and I thank you deeply for your great kindness. We will start within half an hour, sir, but I dislike to force Scout Cody and others on such a hard ride,” said Sergeant Fallon earnestly. “Oh, don’t mind me, sergeant, for I’ve had more rest of late than I wanted,” said Buffalo Bill dryly. “Well, now be off, and remember, sergeant, you are to ride my horse, Spur.” “Thank you, sir.” With wishes for their success, the colonel saw them depart hastily for their respective quarters. The long ride they had had was forgotten by both men, for what did they care for fatigue when it was to save Lucille from the power of the hated outlaw chief? Buffalo Bill hastened to his quarters to change his clothing, and order two of his best horses brought out, for the scout was noted for the splendid animals he always had ready for use. One of them he intended to ride, the other to be used as a pack animal, and he ordered a good supply of provision put in the pack saddle, and within an hour after leaving the colonel’s quarters he was ready for the trail. He had his supper, and just at dark rode up to the sergeant’s quarters. “Time, sergeant, time!” he called. The colonel’s magnificent roan, Spur, was there, with the sergeant’s saddle and bridle on, and there was a place in the pack saddle for what the soldier wished to carry along. These were stowed away, and the two friends rode out of the fort side by side, the pack horse traveling behind. The traps of the horsemen had been so divided up that the saddle horses had only the weight of the riders, the pack animal carrying the balance. They were gazed upon as they rode away back on the trail they had come, the soldiers wondering at their going so soon after their return. As they left the gate, the scout urged his horse into a slow canter, the sergeant’s and the pack horse settling down to the same steady pace. Thus they went on their way through the darkness, leaving mile after mile behind them. “We will reach the camp by midnight, sergeant, and that will give our horses and ourselves a good rest until dawn, and allow Lieutenant Worth ample time to select his men.” “What number do you think he will take, Cody?” “I should say six of my men and as many soldiers, and this, with the lieutenant and ourselves, will give us fifteen.” “Enough, if Lieutenant Worth picks the men.” “Which he will do, and yet a few more would not be amiss.” “Well, suggest it, for he is most reasonable.” “He is, indeed, and one of the bravest and most brilliant young officers I ever knew.” “You are right there, and he is making his way well to the front.” Seeing that they were not distressing their horses, the two kept them at a still more rapid pace, and it was just before midnight that they dashed up to the camp.