“When he holds up the coach he will not only find Sergeant Fallon in it, but Buffalo Bill, Lieutenant Worth, and a few good scouts and soldiers, with others following on behind, and a few more to head off the outlaws, so that we will catch the whole outfit,” said the sergeant.
“The very thing to be done, sergeant; but who has the outlaw chief for a band?”
“That is the question, Cody.”
“Doubtless redskins?”
“I had that idea at first, but he spoke of going to Pioneer City, where he had friends, and I believe he will get men there, and more than he had before, from what he gave out in the way of hints.”
“Then, to be sure, we will have to be well provided with men, say one on the box with Jack Jessop, who is also to be counted when it’s a scrimmage, and a dozen can pack away in the coach. Then a few scouts and soldiers on the trail behind the coach, some more of my men ahead and we’ll rope in the entire outfit, as you suggest.”
“We’ll do it, and arrange with the lieutenant, but keep it as secret as the grave. When the letter comes we will then be ready to go out on the first coach, and the man who rides on the box with Jack Jessop can wear a hat and clothes to appear to be my daughter, for she rode all the way through on the box, you know. But here we are at camp.”
Day had dawned, and the camp was astir, though the men were not building any fires, but were preparing to eat a cold breakfast.
Having washed off his paint and changed his clothes, the sergeant and Buffalo Bill went directly to the quarters of the lieutenant.