197

for liberty. His owner, the irrepressible
Crosby, who was standing behind the
scenes, however, sprang forward, caught
the animal and held him till the curtain
dropped.

By this time those on and about the
stage knew that some accident had occurred,
and when the blood, which flowed
fast from the wound, was seen trickling
from Captain Jack's leggings, Miss Gertie
Granville, who occupied one of the boxes,
fainted.

There were several rumors afloat last
evening as to the cause of the accident
and the manner in which the wound was
inflicted. Some said that Buffalo Bill had
shot Crawford in the head; others that
the horse had stepped on him. The foregoing,
however, are the facts in the case.

This affair, however much it may be
regretted, will not in any way interfere
with the matinee at 2 o'clock this afternoon.

National Theater.

An audience which packed the hall to
suffocation was present at Buffalo Bill's
benefit last night. "The Scouts of the
Plains" went off with a dash which carried
the audience fairly into the haunts of the
red man, and many of the gallery gamins
undoubtedly for the moment were alongside
Buffalo Bill and Captain Jack in their
valorous encounters with the Indians.
The horses introduced in the "Red Right
Hand" were received with unparalleled enthusiasm
and really performed their roles
in a most creditable manner. Barring the
accidental discharge of Captain Jack's revolver
against his leg and the consequent
simple flesh wound mentioned in another
column, everything was to the entire satisfaction
of the crowd, which was at times
decidedly vociferous in its manifestations
of delight.

This afternoon the "Red Right Hand"
will be performed at the matinee. Captain
Jack's accident will in no wise affect
the performance. This will be the last
performance in Virginia, as the company
and Buffalo Bill leave for Carson, where
they will perform to-night.