Buffalo Bill glanced back to see if he was pushing too hard, but the lieutenant waved him on, and the sergeant’s face brightened, as he said, in a low tone:
“God bless that noble young man.”
“Oh, he’s got the nerve to push to the end,” answered Buffalo Bill, and as he spoke, Lieutenant Worth called out:
“Your horses can stand the strain, Bill, so you and the sergeant push on ahead, and I’ll send what men after you I can pick out with the best animals. The rest of us can follow, but you go on and try and pick up the trail.”
The splendid animals ridden by Buffalo Bill and the sergeant were yet capable of hard work, as was also the one ridden by Lieutenant Worth, but he felt that he had better remain with the men.
So he picked out several of the scouts whose horses seemed less distressed, and told them to push on with their chief.
So on went Buffalo Bill, the sergeant and four scouts following, the rest bringing up the rear at a slower pace.
Buffalo Bill looked back and saw that they were dropping the command fast enough for the good of the animals, and so held at the reserved pace he had set.
On, on they went, halting at a brook for a few swallows of water, again a few mouthfuls of grass, and then on once more.
The river at last came in sight as they descended a ridge.