After carefully examining the traces, Buffalo Bill reported the outlaws about thirty strong. With a cheer the troopers dashed on, until the scout suddenly drew rein where a large trail was visible.
“Here is another trail of fully a hundred horsemen, and they have followed on after Ricardo,” he announced. “Ah! I have it, they are the band of Dog Soldier Sioux under the desperate Red Dick. General, can I offer some advice?”
“Assuredly, Cody. Our success in this affair depends upon you.”
“Well, sir, I would say dispatch half a dozen men at once to the fort for another squadron of horse, so that we can be able to manage both of these bands, and follow Ricardo to his retreat.”
“Good!” said the general, “we’ll make a ten-strike of him this time, and it will be a feather in our cap to rid the country of such a desperate renegade. Lieutenant Ainslie, take four men with you, return to the fort, and tell Captain Kassidy to come on at utmost speed with his company, and see also that you bring fresh horses and rations.”
Away darted the lieutenant, while a halt was called, and the horses were allowed to rest. But Buffalo Bill determined to push on at once alone and reconnoiter; so, telling the general he would return if he discovered the exact whereabouts of the enemy, he rode away, and soon disappeared behind a roll in the prairie.
For a few miles the scout continued on, Midnight keeping up a sweeping and untiring gallop; then he suddenly drew rein, for the distant crack of a rifle broke on his ear. Cautiously advancing, Buffalo Bill soon reached a roll of the prairie higher than the ordinary. Knowing that he could obtain an extensive view from its summit, he dismounted, and, leaving Midnight to await him, he advanced until he could see for miles before him.
Then, quite to his surprise, he beheld a small timber island, and around it, just out of rifle range, fully two hundred Indians.
Taking a small field glass from his pocket, he soon discovered that the timber hid a number of horsemen, who had taken refuge from their Indian foes.
“Aha!” he exclaimed, as he turned his glass upon the Indian besieging party. “Aha! Ricardo; you are in a trap, and Red Dick holds the winning hand. Well, so much the better for the troops. Ah! Ricardo, your days are numbered now.”