“Yes, and I’ve ordered half a dozen extras driven along loose in case of breakdowns, for there must be no delay on this ride.”
The party who were to make the ride then had supper, and in just one hour after the arrival of Buffalo Bill and the sergeant in camp, the party, twenty-five all told and thirty-five horses, rode off on their expedition to rescue Lucille Fallon.
“Set the pace, Cody, and don’t make it too slow,” said Lieutenant Worth, and Buffalo Bill rode to the front, the sergeant with him.
Behind rode Lieutenant Worth and Surgeon Denmead, then the corporal and his troopers, the pack horses and extras following, and the scouts bringing up the rear in two detachments, under Will Palmer and Hugh Hardin respectively.
When ten miles had been passed over, Buffalo Bill began to look for a camping place, when Lieutenant Worth called out:
“The horses are all right, Cody, so give them another hour of it, and we’ll reach a good halting place.”
Another hour was given them, and the scout led the command to a fine camp where water, grass, and wood were plentiful.
They quickly staked out the animals, one scout was put on duty, with orders to call a relief after one hour, and he to do likewise, until four hours had passed, when breakfast would be eaten and the ride resumed.
The men threw themselves down upon their blankets and were soon fast asleep.