Benton was thoroughly alarmed now, and said:
“Yas, sah, you done sabe my life, an’ I ain’t gwine ter fergit it, nuther. You bet I’s keepin’ watch now, sergeant, I is.”
The shot had startled the troopers, as it was answered by yells from the Indians across in the timber.
But the sergeant continued his round, and to each man he told of Benton’s narrow escape, until several shots were fired at rocks fearing they might be large groups of Indians.
That a random shot thus fired sounded a death-knell a choking war cry told.
The sergeant had got the rifles of the corporal and of the other slain trooper, and kept them ready for use when the time came.
But he continued his rounds through the night.
Then he ordered all to be ready, for he felt sure an attack would be made.
That Buffalo Bill had not got back was a cause of deepest anxiety, but the sergeant was brave and told his men that the scout with help was doubtless close at hand, only waiting for the Indians to attack the retreat, and this gave them hope.
Soon a dark mass was visible, moving out from the distant timber. The Indians were advancing to the attack, and they were mounted.