No time was lost in obeying and a few moments later Joseph, Deerfoot and John Mason had joined the people who were gazing eagerly out from their position inside the fort.
“Look at them!” exclaimed Joseph. “Who do you suppose they are?”
“From Galena, I guess,” replied Mason. A hundred horsemen rode toward the fort. A great cloud of dust rose about them and a loud cheer from the throats of the fort’s defenders went out to greet the newcomers. It was easy to see that the riders were white men, and consequently were friends. With this reinforcement there was but slight danger that Black Hawk would dare return to the attack.
Captain Stone hastened out to meet the fresh arrivals and soon everyone else was also gathered around the horsemen, who had now drawn rein and halted just outside the fort.
“Who is that officer Captain Stone is talking to?” Joseph inquired of John Mason.
“That is Colonel Strode.”
“The man I want to see,” exclaimed Joseph. “Do you suppose I can give him these dispatches now? That would save us a trip to Galena.”
“I don’t see why you can’t,” replied Mason. “When he finishes talking to Captain Stone go up and hand them to him.”
Joseph followed this advice and when a chance presented itself a few moments later, he pushed The Swallow through the crowd and approached Colonel Strode. He saluted and started to speak.
“Colonel Strode,” he began, “I have some dispatches for you from Colonel Zachary Taylor at Dixon’s Ferry. I thought perhaps I might give them to you now instead of going to Galena.”