85

guides, to the army expeditions on the western border.

An official order sent to Leavenworth early in the war, for a man who could manage a brigade of wagons, was answered with a reply that Wild Bill was the only man who could do the work. He was immediately put in charge of the wagons used in the transportation to the southwest. His dating character soon led him into the more important and dangerous duties of a spy, and Buffalo Bill said that he had shown some of the coolest bravery of the whole secret service. The value he must have held as a spy, can be seen in the fact that he was for some time supposed by the rebels to be a spy in the service of the confederacy. After the war, both Buffalo Bill and Wild Bill rode pony expressed over the plain, and much of their lives have been spent together.

The two men have been rendered quite well-known to the public, Buffalo Bill's connection with the Duke Alexis buffalo hunt made his name a common one before Ned Buntline's story excited wide-spread interest in his life. Wild Bill's celebrity was firmly established by a long article in Harper's Monthly written just after the close of the war, in which his wonderful achievements in towns and on the plains with his hero "Bess" were graphically discribed.

Texas Jack served through the war in the rebel army, and at its close was one of the first men to manage the driving of large herds of cattle from Texas to the northern government stations. Buffalo Bill met him, while chief of scouts about Fort McPherson. Jack's life as a herdsman hail made him an adept in that most important part of back-woodsmanship, trailing, and he was given an immediate situation as a government scout and guide.

The splendid personal appearance of the men both on the stage and off, has been the subject of general compliment. Buffalo Bill's lithe and graceful motions, Texas Jack's dashing style and handsome face, and the commanding physique of Wild Bill have each been praised. The men are remarkable for their small feel. It may be owing to their life in the saddle, but Wild Bill, though standing six feet and two inches in height has a very [small foot?], while Texas Jack with the solid weight of over 190 pounds, wears a number five boot, and Buffalo Bill has a thin, small foot, excellently shown off by the beaded moccasins he wore on the stage.

Their fund of anecdotes is of course inexhaustible, and scores of gentlemen have listened with pleasure to their stories here. Still not one of the party is in the least abrasive with remarks regarding himself. The members of the theatrical company are extremely entertaining in their tales. One of the best Mr. Barke told here was in regard to the Indians who were with the company last season. The chief Indian, as the story goes, was a natural grumbler, and his propensities were always increased by his potations of "fire water," of which he was of course a lover. At such times he used to assault Mr. Burke with complaints regarding the play, saying "June - no good - Indian killed all time - Indian no kill - no good - why not me kill Buffalo Bill"."