“You are a real girl, all right!”
“Well, why shouldn’t I be happy, when the good fairies have provided a way for me to gratify my greatest desire—to go to school?” she demanded.
“You should be happy, my dear child,” said the scout soberly. “And no one rejoices in your good fortune more than I. With my pards I shall be glad to escort you as far as Leavenworth on your way East. I think Lieutenant Avery and his wife will accompany you to the city where her parents live and arrange for your comfort and school course. The lieutenant will be granted a furlough to fully recover from his wounds.”
“Oh, Mr. Cody! You have been arranging all this for me and without knowing where the money was coming from to pay the bills!”
“Yes, I should have asked an appropriation from Congress to provide for your education as a victim of its charges, the red men.”
“How splendidly it has come about! Tootsie’s relatives also live in the East, and he thinks they may return next year.”
Thus they rejoiced for a time and then the scout said:
“My pards and I will return to the fort to give you time to make your final preparations to leave this place till your school days are over. Tootsie may remain if he wishes and can be of service to you. When shall we return with prairie schooner and cavalry escort for the ‘Queen of the Stars’?”
“In one week,” she answered promptly.
And so it was left for Buffalo Bill to make the final arrangements at the fort.