“I’m all ready, too, but I has orders to wait a few minutes.”
But a moment after Surgeon Powell hastily approached, and, leaping to the box-seat, said:
“Let her go, Ned.”
“The seat was for you, then, sir?”
“Yes.”
“Then she goes.”
The whip cracked and the team went rapidly away down the hill toward the stockade gate.
Soon after the stage rolled out of sight in the distance, and Horseshoe Ned, having given the idea to the uninitiated in stage-travel that he kept up that speed all the way, now drew the horses down to a slow pace for the long drive ahead.
Hardly had the coach disappeared when Buffalo Bill walked up to headquarters. The colonel, with a relieved look upon his face, was seated upon the piazza talking with Captain Caruth.
“Ah! Cody, any news?” asked the colonel.