“If I could get in here, redskins can—who is commander here?”
“I am, sir, Sergeant Mobile Buck, and we were going to meet you, Chief Cody.”
“I am glad to meet you, Sergeant Buck; but you have only colored troops?”
“Yes, sir, from the Tenth Cavalry, and Major Armes told us we could come and meet you on the trail, and mighty glad we are to see you, sir.”
“I saw your man ahead killed, but could not save him, for he rode right into an ambush I was watching, and his doing so saved me. Then I watched developments and saw you retreat here, so waited until dark to creep in, for there are more Indians coming and you are in a bad way.”
“Oh, Lordy!”
Buffalo Bill laughed.
“You are not dead yet, boys,” he said, “and you made a good fight when they attacked you; but you will not be attacked again until morning, about dawn, and then by a force large enough to run you down.”
“Jist you take us to de fort, Massa Bill, fer you kin do it, sah,” said one, and all held the same opinion.