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A PRACTICAL "ALL-ROUND SHOT."
In contradistinction to the mnay so-called "fancy shots" that have for years been before the public, Buffalo Bill is what may be termed a "practical marksman," and where that expression's full meaning is understood, he is looked on as a marvelous "all-around shot." That is, a man of deadly aim in any emergency, with any weapon–a small Derringer, a Colt's, a shot-gun, a carbine, a blunderbuss, or a rifle–at any foe, red or white; at any game–chicken, jack-rabbit, antelope, deer, buffalo, bear, or elk; at the swiftest birds or soaring eagle; on foot, in any postion; on horseback is only the result of years of necessity for exercising the faculties of instantaneous measurement of distance, acuteness of vision–in fact, an eagle eye and iron nerves–to think quick, to resolve, to fire, to kill. As a hunter these gifts have rendered him famous, and gained him plaudits from admiring officers, noblemen, sportsmen, and competitors in the chase, and compelled the respect and fear of his implacable Indian foes. That he exists to-day is the result of the training that enables a man, in the most startling exigency, to command himself, and to meet the circumstances face to face, whatever they may be, and achieve, by cool precision, deserved victory in the field, and embellish history with the deeds of heroism. Mr. Cody will give an exhibition of his ability by shooting objects thrown in the air while galloping at full speed, executing difficulties that would receive commendation if accomplished on foot, and which can only be fully appreciated by those who have attempted the feat while experiencing a rapid pace when occupying "a seat in the saddle."
CODY SAVES WILD BILL.
"After a very long march, full of hardships and sufferings, Gen. Penrose's camp was found on the Palodora in a most distracted condition. Gen. Carr's arrival was none too soon, as the famished men were sustaining life on the last carcasses of their draught animals. In a few weeks Balck Kettle's depredations necessitated a pursuit. . . . . The consolidated command discovered the Indians on the Cimarron, and a terrific battle ensued. . . . . In this fight Buffalo Bill and Wild Bill did almost the work of a regiment; braver men never went into an action, both fighting as though they were invulnerable. In the furry and rout which followed the first charge Wild Bill gave chase to Black Kettle, head chief of the Cheyennes, engaged and overtook the fleeing red warrior, stabbing him to death. But the accomplishment of this heroic action would have cost him his own life, had not Buffalo Bill ridden with impetnous daring into the very midst of fully fifty Indians, who had surrounded Wild Bill, intent on either his capture or death. These two daring and intrepid scouts plunged furiously into the midst of the Indians, each with a revolver in either hand, and literallly carved their way through the surging mass of redskins, leaving a furrow of dead Indians in their wake. Such fighting, such riding, and such marvelous intrepidity combined, were doubtless never equaled, and if but this act alone were credited to the valor of Wild Bill and Buffalo Bill, their names would dserve inscription on Fame's enduring monument."–Buell's History, page 322
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Cody's Famous Ride, 355 Miles in 58 Hours, through, a Hostile Country.
In the spring of 1868, at the outbreak of the violent Indian war, General Sheridan, from his headquarters at Hays City, dispatched Cody as guide and scout to Capt. Parker at Fort Larned. Several bands of Comanches and Kiowas were in the vicinity, and Buffalo Bill, after guiding Gen. Hazen and an escort of twenty men to Fort Sarah, thirty miles distant, started to return to Larned alone. At Pawnee Rock, about half way, he found himself suddenly surrounded by forty warriors. By professions of friendship and warn greeting of "How! how!" Bill saw he could alone depend on cunning and strategy to escape. Being taken before Santanta, whom Bill knew was expecting a short time before a large herd of cattle which had been promised by Gen. Hazen, be boldly complained to the wily chief of his treatment and informed him that he had been order to find him and deliver "a big heap lot who-haws." The cupidity of old Santanta enabled Bill to regain his [arms?] and mule for his purpose. Although declining an escort, he was followed, much to his alarm, by a dozen well-mounted red-skins. Keeping up "a heap of thinking," Cody at last reached a depression that hid him from view, and succeeded, by putting the mule at his highest speed, in getting fully a mile in advance before the trailers discovered his object. The result and the closely following incidents of "the ride" are thus related in J. W. Buell's authenticated "History of the Heroes of the Plains" (page 302):
Upon seeing the fleeing scout there were no further grounds for suspecting his motives, so the Indians, who were mounted on excellent ponies, dashed after him as though they were impelled by a promise of all the whisky and bacon in the Big Father's commissary for his scalp. Bill was trying to save his hair and the Indians were equally anxious to secure it, so that the ride prompted by these diametrically opposed motives was as furious as Tam O'Shanter's. After running over about three miles of ground Bill turned his head only to be horrified by the sight of his pursueres gaining rapidly on him. He now sank the spurs a little deeper into his mule, let out another inch of the reins and succeeded in increasing the speed of his animal, which appeared to be sailing under a second wind.
It was thus the chase continued to Ash Grove, four miles from Fort Larned, at which point Bill was less than half a mile ahead of the Indians who were trying to make line shots with him and his mule as the target. Reaching Pawnee Fork he dashed into that stream and as he gained the opposite shore and was rounding a thick clump of trees he was rejoiced to meet Denver Jim, a prominent scout, in company with a private soldier, driving a wagon toward the post.
A moment spent in explanation determined the three men upon an ambush. Accordingly, the wagon was hastily driven into the woods, and posting themselves at an advantageous point they awaited the appearance of the red-skinned pursuers. "Look out!" said Bill, "here they come, right over my trail." True enough, the twelve painted warriors rode swiftly around the clump of brush, and the next instant there was a discharge of shots from the ambush which sent two Indians sprawling on the ground, where they kicked out their miserable existence. The others saw they danger of their position, and making a big circle, rode rapidly back toward their war party.
When the three men reached Larned, Buffalo Bill and Denver Jim each displayed an Indian scalp as trophies of a successful ambush, and at the same time apprised Capt. Parker of the hostile character of Santanta and his tribe.
On the following day about eight hundred warriors appeared before the fort and threatened to storm it, but being met with a determined front they circled around the post several times, keeping the soldiers inside until their village could move off. Considerable fear was entertained at the fort, owing to the great number of hostile Indians who practically invested it, and it was deemed by Capt. Parker as of the utmost importance to send dispatches to Gen. Sheridan, informing him of the situation. Fort Hays was sixty-five miles distant from Fort Larned, and as the country war fairly swarming with the worst kind of "bad" Indians, Capt. Parker tried in vain to find some one who would carry the dispatches, until the request was made to Buffalo Bill. This expedition was not within Bill's line of duty, and presented dangers that would have caused the boldest man to hesitate; but finding all the couriers absolutely refusing to perform the necessary service, he agreed to deliver the message, provided he could select the horse that he wanted to ride. Of course this requirement was readily assented to, and at ten o'clock at night, during a terrible storm, the brave scout set out, knowing that he had to run a very gauntlet of hostiles, who would make many sacrifices if by so doing they could lift his covered scalp.
The profound darkness of the night afforded him some security from surprise, but his fears of riding into an Indian camp were realized when he reached Walnut Creek. A barking dog was the first intimation of his position, but this was speedily followed by several Indians pursuing him, being directed by the sounds of his horse's feet. By hard riding and good dodging, however, he eluded these, and meeting with no further mishap than being thrown over his horse's head by reason of the animal suddenly stepping into the gopher hole, he reached Fort Hays shortly after daylight and delivered the dispatches he carried before Gen. Sheridan had arisen from bed.
After delivering the message Bill went over to Hays City, where he was well acquainted, and after taking some refreshments, lay down and slept for two hours. Thinking then that Gen. Sheridan might want to ask him some questions regarding the condition of affairs at Larned, he returned to the fort and reported to him. He was somewhat astonished to find that Gen. Sheridan was as anxious to send a messenger to Fort Dodge, ninety-five miles distant, as Capt. Parker had been to communicate with his superior officer at Fort Hays, and more surprised was he to find that of the numerous couriers and scouts at the fort not one could be induced to carry the General's dispatch, though the sum of five hundred dollars was offered for the service. Seeing the quandary in which Gen. Sheridan was placed, Bill addressed that official and said:
"Well, General, I'll go over to the hotel and take a little more rest, and if by four o'clock you have not secured some one to carry you dispatches I will undertake to do it."
The General replied: "I don't like to ask so much of you, for I know you are tired, but the matter is of great importance and some one must perform the trip. I'll give you a fresh horse and the best at the Fort if you'll undertake it."
"All right, General, I'll be ready at four o'clock," replied Bill, and then he went over to the hotel, but meeting with many friends, and the "irrigating" being good, he obtained only the rest that gay companionship affords. At the appointed time Bill was ready, and receiving the dispatches at the hands of Gen. Sheridan he mounted his horse and rode away for Fort Dodge. After his departure there was much debate among the scouts who bade him good-bye respecting the probability of his getting through, for the Indians were thick along the whole route, and only a few days before had killed three couriers and several settlers. Bill continued his ride all night, meeting with no interuption, and by daylight next morning he had reached Saw-Log Crossing, on Pawnee Fork, which was seventy-five miles from Fort Hays. A company of colored cavalry under Major Cox was stationed here and it being on the direct route to Fort Dodge, Bill carried a letter with him form Gen. Sheridan requesting Major Cox to furnish him with a fresh horse upon his arrival there. This the Major did, so after partaking of a good breakfast, Bill took his remount and continued on toe Dodge, which point he gained at ten o'clock in the morning, making the ninety-five miles in just eighteen hourse from the time of starting.
The commanding officer at Fort Dodge, afte receiving the dispatches, remarked:
"I am very glad to see you, Cody, and I'll tell you that the trip just mde is one of the most fortunate I know of. It is almost a miracle how you got through without having your body filled as full of holes as a pepper-box. The Indians are swarming all around within fifty miles of here, and to leave camp voluntarily is almost equal to committing suidice. I have been wanting to send a message to Fort Larned for several days, but the trip is so dangerous that I can't find any one who will risk it, and I wouldn't blame the bravest man for refusing."
"Well, Major, I think I might get through to Larned; in fact, I want to go back there, and if you will furnish me with a good horse I'll try to carry your message."
"I don't think it would be policy for you to make the trip now, especially since you have done so much hard riding already. Besides, the best mount I could give you would be a government mule."
"All right, Major, I don't want the best; second best is good enough for me, so trot out your mule. I'll take a little nap, and in the meantime have your hostler slick up the mule so that he can slide through with me like a greased thunderbolt should the reds jump us."
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Bill then went off, and after "liquidating" in true Western style, lay down in the Major's quarters where he slept soundly until nearly five o'clock in the evening, when, having replenished his canteen, he mounted the patient mule and set out for Fort Larned, which was sixty-five miles east of Fort Dodge.
After proceeding as far as Coon Creek, which was nearly half way, Bill dismounted for the purpose of getting a drink of water. While stooping down the mule got frightened at something and jerked loose, nor did the stupid animal stop, but followed the trail, keeping ahead of the weary and chagrined scout for thirty-five miles. Half a mile from the Fort, Bill got within rifle range of his exasperating steed and gave him a furlough to the eternal grazing grounds.
After reaching Larned–carrying the bridle and saddle himself–Buffalo Bill spent several hours in refreshing sleep, and when he awakened he found Gen. Hazen trying to induce some of the couriers to take his dispatches to Gen. Sheridan, at Fort Hays. Having been warmly and very justly praised for the long and perilous rides he had just completed, Bill again proffered his services to perform the trip. At first Gen. Hazen refused to despatch him in the mission, saying: "This is like riding a free horse to death; you have already ridden enough to kill an ordinary man, and I don't think it would be treating you properly to permit you to make this additional journey."
But when evening came and no other volunteer could be engaged, as a matter of last report Bill was given a good horse and the dispatches entrusted him for transmission. It was after nightfall when he started, on this last trip and by daylight the next morning he was in Fort Hays, where he delivered the dispatches. Gen. Sheridan was profoundly astonished to see Bill before him again in so short a time, and after being informed of his wonderful riding during the three days, the General pronounced it a feat that was never equaled, and even now Gen. Sheridan maintains that no other man could accomplish the same distance under similar circumstances. To this day the rides here described standing on record as the most remarkable ever made. They aggregated three hundred and fifty-five miles in fifty-eight riding horses, or an average of more than six miles an hour including an enforced walk of thirty-five miles. When it is considered that all this distance was made in the night time and through a country full of hostile Indians, without a road to follow a bridge to cross the streams, the feat appears too incredulous for belief were it not for the most disputed evidence, easily attainable, which makes disbelief impossible.
Gen. Sheridan was so favorably impressed with the self-sacrificing spirit and marvelous endurance of Buffalo Bill, and being already acquainted with his reputation as a brave man, that he called the noted scout to his headquarters directly after receiving Major Hazen's dispatches and said:
"Cody, I have ordered the Fifth Cavalry to proceed against the Dog Soldier Indians who are now terrorizing the Republican River district, and as the campaign will be a very important one I want a first-class man to guide the expedition. I have therefore decided to appoint you guide and also Chief of scouts of the command."
Cody, the Boy-Guide. - Danger Ahead!
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GABRIEL DUMONT, THE EXILED REBEL CHIEFTIAN OF THE GREAT LOUIS REIL NORTHWEST REBELLION. v
Gabriel Dumont, the hero of this sketch was born at St. Boniface, Manitoba, in the year 1837, and is of French and Indian extraction. Was married at the age of 20 to a half-breed woman of the Assiniboine tribe of Indians. He has no children. In person, he is a plain, unassuming man of medium height, possessed of an iron constitution wedded to indomitable courage and physical activity. His mental qualities prove him to be a a man of suprerior character and a leader among the Indians, from whom he gained a knowledge of woodcraft that served him well during the late Northwest Rebellion. At the age of 22 he entered the employment of the Hudson Bay Company, where he remained six years as a hunter and trapper. At the expiration of his term of service he became a trader for the Canadian Indians, and amassed a comfortable share of wealth, which he invested in government lands and for several years devoted himself to farming and cattle raising. He first met Louis Reil at Pembina, in the year 1869, who was then making his first treaty with Canadian government. Being convinced of the justice of Reil's claims, on behalf of the Metis, he pledged his life and fortune to the cause. When the treaty of '69 was broken, Reil took possession of Fort Garry, which he held until the spring of 1870. Dumont redeemed his pledge, and was the ablest supporter that Reil called to his aid.
When the last rebellion broke out, Reil again summoned Dumont to his side, who quickly responded, and was placed in command of 350 men. He proved his skill as a soldier by successfully holding Batoche against the attack of 1,600 volunteers, and bears on his person numerous scars made by his enemies' bullets on that occasion. Whatever the merits of the question may be, Gabriel Dumont has shown that he was willing to sacrifice everything to secure justice for a people he believed had been wronged.
The rebellious was a failure, and Gabriel Dumont is a political outlaw. But the time will come when the future historian will point to him as a man, "Sans peur et sans reproche;" as the last man to lay his arms in what he felt to be a righteous cause; as a man having the courage of his convictions, and the daring to assert them.
On the collapse of the rebellion he, with his Lieutenant Dumais, fought their way out when surrounded by General Middleton's command who, with the Canadian Volunteers, have attested by public utterance to the skill and daring Dumont displayed. He was apprehended by the United States Government authorities at Fort Assiniboine, but the Department of State at Washington ordered his immediate release. Although an exile, he has the consolation to know that Queen Victoria and the Home Government has granted to the half-breeds almost all the rights that he so gallantly fought for. His coadjutor, the Chief Pound-maker, has been pardoned, and it is only a question of time when Parliament, by special enactment, will replace Gabriel Dumont where he belongs, by right and the affection of his people, to his full citizenship and promience in the great Northwest.
ANNIE OAKLEY.
This celebrated lady-shot was born at Woodland, Darke County, Ohio, August 13, 1866. Ever since a toddling child she has had an inherent love for fire-arms and hunting. At the age of ten she, as often as ammunition was obtainable, would smuggle her brother's musket and steal into the woods, where game, at that time, was plentiful. Naturally she was a good shot, and came home well supplied with game. From the old musket she passed to shooting a muzzle-loading shot-gun, and rapidly became such a fine shot that she rarely missed a quail. Then came a local reputation, and with improved fire-arms she attracted wider notice, and for the past four years she has been shooting before the public with graet success. Though, like the modest little girl she is, she never laid claim to being a champion, yet Richard K. Fox of New York, had so much confidence in her ability that, in 1883-4, he offered to back her against any other so-called champion then traveling. The great Indian Chief, Sitting Bull, after seeing her shoot at St. Paul, Minn., adopted her in the Sioux tribe, giving her the name of Mazzo-Coy-Ah-Pazzo, or Little Sure Shot. Besides the thousands of exhibitions she has given, she has shot in twenty-three matches and tournaments, winning nineteen prizes. In April, 1884, she attempted to eat the best 1,000 ball record made at balls thrown in the air, using a 22-calibre rifle. The best record was 979, made by Dr. Ruth. Miss Oakley broke 943. February, 1883, she attempted the feat of shooting 5,000 balls in one day, using three 16-gauge Parker shot-guns, and loading them herself. The balls were thrown from traps at fifteen yards' rise. Out of 5,000 shot at, she broke 4,772. On the second thousand she only missed sixteen, making the highest 1,000 ball record--984. This feat was accomplished near Cincinnati, in less than nine hours, Miss Oakley is also a fine rider, and understands how to manage a horse, as the following will show: In the fall of '84 a gentleman near Greenville, Ohio, who owned a valuable but vicious and unbroken horse, told her he would give her the horse if she could ride him in less than three days without any assistance. She broke him to a saddle,a nd has used him ever since, when not engaged in her exhibition, sometimes riding fifty miles in one day. What makes Miss Oakley's feats more surprising is the fact that she is small in stature, and weighs only 110 pounds. For the past season this lady has been one of the features of the Buffalo Bill Wild West, and will appear at each performance.
