Hardly had the coach disappeared when Buffalo Bill walked up to headquarters. The colonel, with a relieved look upon his face, was seated upon the piazza talking with Captain Caruth. “Ah! Cody, any news?” asked the colonel. “Not any, sir; but I came to ask leave to go on a trail for a few days.” “Any definite point in view, Cody?” “Well, no, colonel, only I thought I would like to follow Horseshoe Ned’s coach.” “You have some motive for asking this, Cody?” “Yes, sir.” “Out with it.” “The coach carried a very valuable freight, sir, in the person of Silk Lasso Sam.” “Yes, and you think that he may escape?” “Well, sir, it has been rumored about that he was to go by this coach, and it may be that an attempt at rescue might be made.” “Impossible.” “Why impossible, sir?” “He is well guarded by three determined men, while Surgeon Powell and Horseshoe Ned are along, and I do not believe a force could be raised at short notice that would dare attack those five.” “Still, sir, Silk Lasso Sam has many friends, and those who sought to curry favor with him might attempt a rescue.” “There is something in this.” “There is much in it, I should say, colonel, and if you wish I will take some troopers and escort the coach past the danger-line,” Captain Caruth said. “It would be a hard ride for the troop to overtake the coach now, Captain Caruth, and Cody is ready, I see, for the trail, so he can go.” “I will start at once, sir,” was the scout’s reply, and he saluted and walked rapidly back to his quarters. Anticipating that the colonel would grant his request for him to follow the coach, Buffalo Bill had already prepared for his going, and had his horse awaiting him, the very best animal that he had, and he was never known to have an inferior one. Ten minutes after his request was granted the scout was riding out of the stockade, and once out of sight of the fort, went on at a very rapid pace, for the coach had all of ten miles the start of him. Buffalo Bill’s long life upon the border had made him watchful, cautious, nervy, and cunning. He had all the attributes of a great borderman, and he could bring into play his every talent and energy when it was needed. He had a suspicion that constantly grew upon him that there might be a rescue of the prisoner attempted. Did not Bonnie Belle know something, he wondered, of this intended requisition from the governor, and had she not prepared for the rescue when the opportunity offered? Might she not meet the detectives on the way with their prisoner, and with unlimited money at her command gain by strategy and bribery what could not be done by force? So argued the scout, and that was why he wished to go on the trail of the coach. He rode rapidly until out of sight of the fort. Then he dismounted, gave his horse a drink of water at a stream, tightened his saddle-girths, and, looking at his watch, said: