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deranged lock or rigger, time and location prevent is being "mended." As a weapon of economy it is also to be commended, as the hunting arrow is made so that the rear shoulders of the long, tapering blade slope backward, thus facilitating its withdrawal from the wounded game. On the other hand, in the war arrow, the rear shoulders slope forward, forming barbs, as it is intended to remain and eventually kill. The possession, therefore, of firearms has not affected the Indian's love of this reliable weapon of the chase, which being his first childish plaything, is still, no matter how well armed or how rich he may be, an indispensable possession. At short distances it is a terribly effedtive arm, and the Indian expert can seize five to ten arrows in his left hand, and dispatch them with such rapidity that the last one will be on its flight before the first one touches the ground. In close quarters they prefer to rely on it to depending on the rifle, as it can be of deadly force at from thirty to forty yards, and creating a bad wound at much greater distance. In buffalo hunting, where the horeseman can approach near, it is invaluable and economic, and is often buried to the feathers. "Two Lance," an Indian chief, during the Grand Duke's hunt, sent an arrow clear through a bison, Alexis retaining the light-winged messenger of death as a souvenir of his hunt on the American Plains.
THE BUFFALO The buffalo is the true bison of the ancients. It is distinguishable by an elevated stature, measuring six to seven feet at the shoulders, and ten to twelve feet from nose to tail. Many are under the impression that the buffalo was never an inhabitant of any country save ours. Their bones have been discovered in the superifcial strata of temperate Europe; they were common in Germany in the eighth century. Primitive man in American found this animal his principal means of substitence, while to pioneers, hunters, emigrants, settlers and railroad builders this fast disappearing monarch of the plains was invaluable. MESSRS. CODY & CO. have a herd of healthy specimens of this hardy bovine in connection with their instructive exhibition, "The Wild West," rendered interesting as the last of their kind.
A PRACTICAL "ALL-ROUND SHOT." In contradistinction of the many so-called "fancy shots" that have for years been before the public, "BUFFALO BILL" is what may be termed a "practical marksman," and
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where that expression's full meaning is understood he is looked upon as a marvelous "all round 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 bird or soaring eagle; on foot, in any position; on horseback, at any speed. To be such a marks man 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, noblmen, 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 starting exigency to com mand himelf, and to meet the circumstances face to face, whatever they may be, and achieve by cool precision deserved victory in the field, and embellish hisotry with 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 or hardships and suffering, Gen. Penrose's camp was found on the Palodora in a most distracted con dition. 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 Black 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 regi ment; braver men never went into an action, both fighting as though they were invulnerable. In the fury and rout which followed the first charge, "WILD BILL" gave chase to Black Kettle, head chief of the Cheyennes, overtook and engaged 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 impetuous daring into the very midst of fully fifty Indians, who had surrounded "WILD BILL," intent on either his capture or death. The two daring and intrepid scouts plunged furiously into the midst of the In dians, each with a revolver in either hand, and literally carved their way through the surging mass of red skins, leaving a furrow of dead In dians in their wake. Such fighting, such riding, and such marvelous in0 trepidity combined, were doubtless never equaled, and if but his act alone were credited to the valo of "WILD BILL" and "BUFFALO BILL," their names woudl deserve inscription on Fame's enduring monument,--Buell's History.
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LETTERS OF COMMENDATION FROM PROMINENT MILITARY MEN. FROM AS OFL COMMANDER. [COPY.]
5th Avenue Hotel, New York, June 29, 1887.
HON. WM. F. CODY London, England.
DEAR CODY:-- In common with all your contrymen, I want to let you know that I am not only gratified, but proud of your management and general behavior; so far as I can make out you have been modest, graceful and dignified in all you have done to illustrate that history of civilization on this Continent during the past century.
I am especially pleased with the graceful and pretty compliment paid you bu the Princess of Wales, who rode in the Deadwood Coach while it was attacked by the Indians and rescued by the cow-boys. Such things did not occur in our days, and may never again.
As near as I can estimate there were in 1865, about nine and a half million buffaloes on the plains between the Missouti River and the Rocky Mountains; all are now gone--killed for their meat, their skins and bones.
This seems like desecration, cruelty, and murder, yet they have been replaced by twice as amny meat cattle. At that date there were about 165,000 Pawnees, Sioux, Cheyennes, Kiowas, and Arapahoes, who depended on these buffaloes for thier yearly food. They, too, are gone, and have been replaced by twice or thrice as many white men and women, who have made the earth to blossom as the rose, and who can be counted, taxed, and governed by the laws of nature and civilization. This hcange has been salutary, and will go on to the end. You have caught one epoch of the world's history; have illustrated it in the very heart of the modern world--London, and I want you to feel that on this side the water we appreciate it. This drama must end; days, years and centuries follow fast, even the drama of civilization must have an end.
All I aim to accomplish on this sheet of paper is to assure you that I fully recognize your work and that the presence of the Queen, the beautiful Princess of Wales, the Prince and British public, are marks of favor which reflect back on America sparks of light which illuminate many a house and cabin in the land where once you guided we honestly and faithfully in 1865-'6 from Fort Riley to Kearney in Kansas and Nebraska. Sincerely your friend. W.T. SHERMAN.
WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE, To whom it may concern: WASHINGTON, August 10, 1886.
MR. WILLIAM F. CODY was employed as Chief of Scouts under Generals SHERIDAN, CUSTER, CROOK, MILLS, CARR and others, in their campaigns against hostile Indians on our frontier, and as such rendered very valuable and distinguished service. S.W. Drum, Adj.Gen.
STATE OF NEBRASKA. To all whom these presents shall come; GREETING:
Know Ye, that I, JOHN M. THAVER, Governor of the State of Nebraska, reposing spe cials trust and confidence in the integrity, patriotism an ability of the HON. WILLIAM F. CODY, on behalf and n the name of the State, do hereby appoint and commission him as Aide-de-Camp of my Staff, with the rank of Colonel, and do authorize and empower him to discharge the duties of such office according to law. In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State. Done at Lincoln this 8th day of March, A. D., 1867. JOHN M. THAYER. By the Governor, G.L. LAUR, Secretary of State.
The following letter received with a photograph of the hero of the "March to the Sea, "Gen. W. T. Sherman:
NEW YORK, December 25, 1886, To Cot.,WM F. CODY:-- With the best compliments of one who, in 1866, was guided by him up the Republicans, the occupied by the Cheyennes and Arapahoes as their ancestral hunting grounds, now transformed into farms and cattle-ranches, in better harmony with modern civilization, and with his best wishes that he succeed in his honorable efforts to repr sent the scenes of that day to a generation then unborn. W. T. SHERMAN, General
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NEW YORK, December 28, 1886.
COL. WM. F. CODY: DEAR SIR, -- Recalling the many facts that came to me while I was Adjutant-General of the Division of the Missouri, under General Sheridan, bearing upon your efficiency, fidelity, and daring as a guide and scout over the country west of the Missouri River and east of the Rocky Mountains, I take pleasure in observing your success in depict ing in the East the early life of the West. Very truly yours, JAMES B. FRY Assisstant Adjutant-General, Brevet Major-General, U. S. A.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES. WASHINGTON D.C., January 7, 1887.
COL. WM. F. CODY was a scout, and served in my command on the Western frontier for many years. He was always ready for duty, and was a cool, brave man, with unimpeachable character. I take pleasure in commending him for the many services he has rendered to the Army, whose respect he enjoys for his many qualities. P.H. SHERIDAN, Lieutenant-General.
BUFFALO BILL GUIDING GENERAL SHERIDAN'S RELIEF TRAIN IN WINTER, 1866.
UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY, WEST POINT, N.Y. January 11, 1887.
"I have nown W. F. CODY (Buffalo Bill) for many years. He is a Western mand of the best type, combining those qualities of enterprise, daring, good sense, and physical endurance which made him the superior of any scout I ever knew. He was cool and capable when surrounded by dangers, and his reports were always free from exaggeration. He is a gentlemen in that better sense of the word which implies character, and he may be depended on under all circumstances. I wish him success. W. MERRITT, Brevet Major-General, U. S. S Late Major-General Volunteers.
OMAHA, NEB. January 7, 1887. HON. WM. F. CODY: DEAR SIR,-- I take great pleasure in testifying to the very efficient service rendered by you "as a scout," in the campaign against the Sioux Indians, during the realistic performance of the kind I have ever seen. Very sincereley, your obedient servant, GEORGE CROOK, Brigadier-General, U. S. A.
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LOS ANGELES, CAL., January 7, 1887. COL. WM. F. CODY: DEAR SIR,-- Having visited your great exhibition in St. Louis and New York City, I desire to congratulate you on the success of your enterprise. I was much interested in the various life-like representations of Western scenery, as well as the fine ex hibition of skilled marksmanship and magnificent horsemanship. You not only represent the many interesting features of frontier life, but also the difficulties and dangers that have been encountered by the adventurous and fearless pioneers of civilization. The wild Indian life as it was a few years ago will soon be a thing of the past, but you appear to have selected a good class of Indians to represent the race of people, and I regard your exhibition as not only very interesting but practically instructive. Your services on the frontier were exceed ingly valuable. With best wishes for your success, believe me very truly yours, NELSON A. MILES, Brigadier-General, U. S. A.
"HE IS KING OF THEM ALL."
HEADQUARTERS MOUNTED RECRUITING SERVICE, ST. LOUIS, MO., May 7, 1885.
MAJOR JOHN M. BURKE: DEAR SIR,-- I fully and with pleasure indorse you as the veri table "Buffalo Bill," U.S. Scout, serving with the troops operating against hostile Indians in 1868, on the plains. I speak from personal knowledge, and from reports of officers and others, with whom you secured renown by your services as a scout and successful hunter. Your sojourn on the frontier at a time when it was a wild and sparsely settled section of the continent fully enables you to portray that in which I have personally participated--the Pioneer, Indian Fighter, and Frontiersman. Wishing you every success, I remain, very respectfully yours, H.C. BANKHEAD, Brigadier-General, U.S.S.
"SPRING THAWS REVEAL BAD GUIDING. --Doage.