Sergeant Buck was at once called, and Buffalo Bill told him he wished him, a corporal, and twenty-four men to take the trail with him, Captain Keyes adding:
“Yes, and we are to pick the men, sergeant, for Chief Cody will only take colored soldiers, and they are to be his scouts.”
“I’m mighty glad, sir, and I know we can get good men, sir,” was the answer.
A corporal was first selected, and though he was the hue of ink, he rejoiced in the nickname of Milk White, being generally called “Corporal Milk.”
With his aid, and he was a splendid soldier, strong as a giant, and an all-round good man, the twenty-four colored scouts were selected, the entire squad of Sergeant Buck’s original escort being taken along, save the wounded, for all wished to go with “Massa Buf’ler Bill.”
The scout took along extra rifles for all, carried on the pack animals, every horse was picked for speed and endurance, a large supply of provisions was taken, with every rope and lariat in the command, and a big supply of ammunition and cannon powder.
Within two hours, as Buffalo Bill had said, the band of black scouts mounted and rode away from the command, all wondering what the reason might be for the strange expedition.
Buffalo Bill rode at the head, the sergeant following with fourteen men, and then came the corporal with his ten men as a guard to the pack animals and a reserve force.
Buffalo Bill felt proud of his black scouts, and determined to push rapidly on to the lone camp of Black Bill, where a halt for a couple of days’ rest was to be made, and to enable the wounded and half-starved negro to recuperate.
Buffalo Bill also intended to take this time to mount his own pack animal, which would be fresh, and try and strike the trail of Ginger Sam, who would not be expecting him back from the fort for some days.