And so the black escort set out upon the trail to meet the noted scout. CHAPTER XII. CORRALLED BY INDIANS. The sergeant in command of the escort was Mobile Buck, and he was so enrolled. He was a fine soldier and a brave one, and had won his rank for his good qualities. Sergeant Mobile Buck was vary cautious, however, and he wisely decided that it would be better to have an advance guard of one man to take chances of an ambush, than to have his whole force in danger, so he kept a trooper well ahead. What that solitary trooper thought of his being selected for that post of honor will never be known, as his sacrifice saved the sergeant and his other men. It was when some thirty miles from the fort, and when nearing the time for going into camp, wild yells were heard half a mile ahead, and soon back came the colored trooper’s horse, riderless. This and the yells told the story, and the sergeant was quick to take advantage of a retreat to a little hill, rocky and wooded, he had found only a mile back. He ordered his corporal to retreat there and go into camp, against the advice of several of his men that the safest place to fall back on would be the fort, and in a hurry, too. But Sergeant Mobile Buck called to two of his men to remain with him, and he set out to discover the trouble ahead, how many Indians there were, and what he had better do under the circumstances. He soon discovered more than he cared to, for fully half a hundred Indians were in sight, with no telling how many more were hidden near by. Back he rode to the retreating place, fully convinced that the advice offered by a few, to fall back on the fort, was wise. But he discovered as he came in sight of the hill, that the corporal and his men were in trouble, for there were a number of Indians there also, advancing to the attack. “That cuts off retreat,” said Sergeant Buck, and he charged for the hill with his two companions. This charge checked the attack of the redskins and greatly pleased Corporal Black, who did not belie his name, as he was as black as charcoal. The corporal was only too anxious to be relieved of his command, and have the sergeant assume responsibility. “We are in for it and no mistake, corporal. How many Injuns have you seen?” said the sergeant, as he rode into the retreat. “Some says dere is hundreds of ’em, but I ain’t seen dat many yit, though I has seen more’n I wants ter,” was the reply. “There were about fifty that ambushed Buck, maybe more, and perhaps as many yonder, so we are cut off, I fear.” “Did dey kill po’ Brick?” asked the corporal. “I guess they did, for they are Injuns.” “An’ scallip him, too?” “I don’t know, for that wasn’t easy, as his hair was cut close.” “So hit was, but mine ain’t,” and the corporal felt of his hair, which he feared was long enough to get a grip on.