As the three men looked they heard a cheerful bugle call sounding from the direction of the Platte.
“Company B is coming in!” cried the adjutant.
“What is the news?” asked the general hastily, as Buffalo Bill rode up to him. “What is the news, Colonel Cody?”
“The very best, general. We have wiped out one of the worst band of outlaws this country was ever cursed with—the Death Riders.”
“My daughters? You don’t say a word about them!” groaned old Mr. Doyle. “Are they dead?”
“They are alive and well, sir. They are just as happy as they can be, and it won’t be many minutes now before they are here with you. I rode on ahead to bring in the news.”
“Quick! Lift him up! The old gentleman has fainted!” cried the general.
He had fainted from sudden and excessive joy, and not until his daughters arrived did he fully come back to his senses and to a realization of the fact that there was yet happiness in store for him.
By this time the general was receiving the report of Captain Meinhold, who had not only done the country the great service of breaking up a most dangerous band of desperadoes, but had managed so well the care of his command, aided by Buffalo Bill, that he had brought it back efficient in men and horses and ready for immediate service. But the gallant soldiers were not needed again for immediate active service, although the captain himself was wanted at once for special duty with a surveying party on the Great Lakes.