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Artistic Florence, practical Bologna grand and stately Milan and unique Verona were next added to the list. Verona's superb and well-preserved "Arena," excelling to superficial area the Colosseum and holding 45,000 people, was specially granted for the Wild West's use; and the home of Shakespeare's love-lorn heroine placed another picture in Red man's tour of the native land of his discoverer. The Indians were taken by "BUFFALO BILL" to picturesque Venice, and they're shown the marvelous results of the ancient white man's energy and artistic architectural skill. They were immortalized by the camera in the Ducal Palace, St. Marc's Piazza, and in the strange street vehicle of the Adriatic's erstwhile pride-the gondola-contributing another interesting object lesson to the distant juvenile members of their tribe-to testify more fully to their puzzled sense the fact of strange sights and marvels whose existence is to be learned of in the breadth of knowledge necessitated by their future existence.
Moving via Innsbruck through the beautifully scenic Tyrol- the Bavarian capital. Munich, with its naturally artistic instincts, gave a grand reception to the beginning of a marvelously successful tour through German-land, which included Vienna (with an excursion on the "Blue Danube"), Berlin, Dresden, Leipsic, Magdeburg, Hanover, Brunswick, Hamburg, Bremen, Dusseldorf, Cologne, along the Rhine past Bonn, Coblenz. "Fair Bingen on the Rhine" to Frankfurt, Stuttgart, and Strasburg.
ARENA, VERONA.
At Strasburg, the management decided to close temporarily this extraordinary tour and winter the whole company. The quaint little village of Benfield furnished ancient nunnery and a castle with stables and a good range; here the little community of Americans spent the winter comfortably, being feasted and feted by the inhabitants whose esteem they gained to such an extent that their departure was marked by a general holiday.
Leaving the temporary colony under the charge of his director partner, MR. NATE SALSBURY (whose energy found occupation in attending to the details of the future), and proceeded to the seat of the Indian difficulties in the distant State of Dakota.
After a short, bloody and mixed campaign, peace was restored, the Government authority was secured, and a selected band of Indians- composed equally of the "active friendly," headed by Chiefs "LONG WOLF," "NO NECK," "YANKTON," "CHARLEY," "BLACK HEART," and the "band of hostages" held by the military under Gen. Nelson A. Miles, at Fort Sheridan, and headed by the redoubtable "SHORT BULL," "KICKING BEAR," "LONE BULL," "SCATTER," and "REVENGE"- were given special permission to come with "BUFFALO BILL" for a short European tour, and left Philadelphia in the chartered Red Star steamer Switzerland.
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39 Passing rapidly through the, to them, marvelous experience of the railroad, and its flying express train, the sight of the towns, villages, cities, over valley, plain, and mountain–to the magic floating house (the steamer), sadly learning, while struggling with mal de mer, the existence of the "big waters" that tradition alone had bruited to incredulous ears, these red men passed the first portion of a tempestuous voyage, which landed them, wonderingly surprised at the sight of thousands of white men peacefully greeting their arrival, in the busy commercial mart of Antwerp.
After introducing the Indians to hotel life for the first time, a tour of the city was made, among the notable points visited being the Cathedral, which grand edifice aroused their curiosity. The grand picture, Rubens' "Descent from the Cross," brought to the minds of all–white men, "friendlies," and "hostiles"–an interest intensified by the fact that the aesthetic-looking "SHORT BILL" and some of the others had been the leading fanatical believers (probably, even apparently, conscientious), promoters and diciples of the still mysterious religious disease that lately agitated the Indian race in America. In fact, after the death of "SITTING BULL," the central figures of this strange belief were "SHORT BULL" as the religious leader, and "KICKING BEAR" as the War Chief. Grouped together with "SCATTER," "REVENGE," and others, in moody contemplation of this subject, was the late defier of mighty nation of 65,000,000 people, nearly all of whom teach or preach the truthfullness of the picture's traditions
OFF ANTWERP.
AFTER THE BATTLE.–FIELD OF WOUNDED KNEE.–CAMPAIGN 1890-91.
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a man in two short months transported from the indescribably desolate, almost inaccessible natural fortresses of the Bad Lands (Mauvaise Terre) of Dakota to the ancient city of Antwerp, gazing spellbound on the artistic reproduction, by the renowned artist, of the red man's late dream, "The Messiah." Respect for his thoughts and the natural stoical nature of the Indian leaves to future opportunity an interesting interrogative of what passed through the mind of the subtle chief. Suffice it to say that surprise at the white man's many-sided character, and the greatness of his resources in the past and present, was beginning to dawn more and more on the new tourists. Arriving the next day at Strasburg--introduction to the cow-boys, the camp life, the Cathedral, the great clock, the fortifications, etc., was followed by the delight of each brave on receiving his pony; and once more with his trusty friend, the horse, the Ogallalla and Brule in a few days felt as though "Richard was himself again."
Joining more heartily than was expected in the mimic scenes of the "Wild West," soon the ordinary routine of daily duties seemed a pleasant diversion. A grand reception in Stras burg, the tour resumed to Carlsruhe, Mannheim-including a visit a Heidelberg Castle- Mayence, Wiesbaden, to Cologne (the Rhine legends of Lurline, etc., giving interest to the Peau Rouge en route), Dortmund, Duisburg, Crefeld and Aix-la-Chapelle terminated a tour of Germany filled with the most pleasant recollections. The tomb of Charlemagne! (Carole Magno). The history of this great warrior was interpreted to attentive ears, a lesson being instilled by the relation that after all his glory, his battles, triumphs, and conquests in which he defeated the dusky African prototypes of the present visitors to his tomb, peace brought him to pursue knowledge, to cultivate the arts and sciences , and that after two hundred years of entombment his body was found by Otto, the Saxon, sitting erect upon a granite throne, the iron crown upon his head, imperial sceptre in right hand, while his left rested on an open volume of Holy Scriptures, the index finger pointed to the well-known passage, "What will it proft a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?" Here, by the grave of the founder of Christianity, stood the latest novitiates to its efforts, who may yet, in following its teachings, it is hoped, make such progress through its aid and education as to furnish one of their race capable of holding the exalted chieftainship--the Presidency of their native land--the Empire of the West, Who can say--why not?
Belgium--Brussels, its Paris, brings vividly to mind, in its semblance of language, peo ple, habits, beauty, wealth, culture, and appreciation, remembrances of our delightful sojourn in the capital of the how-truly-named La Belle France. Visit Waterloo. From Pine Ridge to historic Waterloo! Our immense success, courteous treatment, the repeated visits and kindly interest of that most amiable lady, the Queen, an enthusiastic horsewoman, her pleasant refer ence to London in the Jubilee year, combined to increase the gratitude the Wild West voyagers feel for the treatment everywhere received in Europe since, in 1887, we invaded "Old England," and pitched our tents in the World's Metropolis--London. So, after a short season in Antwerp, our motley cargo set sail across the North Sea to make complete our farewell visit to our cousins of the isle, revel in a common language (bringing a new pleasure to the ear), hoping to receive a continuance of that amicable appreciation of our humble efforts that the past seemed to justify. Landing at Grimsby and proceeding of Leeds in Yorkshire, we commenced a provincial tour of Great Britain. The reception everywhere accorded us was so hearty in its nature that a sentiment of relationship insensibly permeated the Yankee exiles. From Leeds we went to Liverpool, the great shipping port, thence to Manchester, where old friend ships were renewed and new ones formed--a notable event being a benefit to nineteen of the Balaclava survivors (who were indigent), resulting in great success, not only financially, but from an historic point, because of the participation in our performance of three generations the past, present and future English soldier--in the battle-scarred veterans; the Prince of Wales' Own (Lancers) and the boy cadets of the city. Sheffield with its busy factories was next visited, and the Indian found a new cause for amazement in the world's cutlery city. Stoke-on-Trent, with its marvelous Wedgewood ware wroks and other innumerable pottery in dustries, gave another lesson in Caucasian progress, and opened to the red man new wonders in the art of table decoration. Nottingham with its busy lace looms, Leicester of historic interest, and Birmingham with its mammoth iron plants, in order challenged the admiration and assisted to educate the son of the forest.
Cardiff (Wales), in energy and "git up" quite an American city, having increased in population and wealth 55 per cent in nine years, remains on our ledger as a banner six days stand, the receipts exceeding 10,000 ($50,000), the R. R. stocks rising on the market and one restaurant alone feeding 15,000 extra dinners to the visiting Welshmen. To Bristol, the famous West of England seaport, and thence to Portsmouth-Devonport. The great naval
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military-commercial twin cities combined to render our visit to the South of England profit able and enjoyable. Brighton with its beauty in repose and its terror in a cyclone will long be remembered as our last stop before going to Glasgow (Scotland), where the winter was spent in a specially arranged building. Here we were made acquainted with the many sturdy virtues of the Scot, and here 6,000 orphan children, impromptu, sang, "Yankee Doodle" on appearance of the starry flag. Glasgow will ever be remembered for the many public and social courtesies extended.
A return to the scene of our London triumphs brought a renewal of all that was pleas ant and agreeable in our former experience, and brought our visit to the Old World to as close with the bright compliment under the circumstances (the Court in mourning for Prince Albert Victor) of a Royal request to exhibit before her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen of England and Empress of India, at Windsor Castle; who was thus the first and only poten tate on earth to view, as yet, the Wild West in conjunction with the Rough Riders of the World.
Leaving England with genuine expressions of regret from thousands who witnessed our departure, we boarded at Tillbury Docks in London the good American liner, Mohawk, traversing the North Sea, the English Channel and the broad Atlantic. Landing at Jersey City, the usual scenes attendant occurred, with nothing to mar the occasion, if I may except one instance in our little circle, which to a certain extent had its tragic side. It was only a white horse, but a well-known horse; a horse whose picture the public will remember in conjunction with Colonel Cody's, placarded on all walls and exhibited in all windows; a horse who possibly, with his rider, appeared in more cities and before more people of dis tinction, ranks, wealth and character, than ever did steed before. The fact that he was the com paniion of Colonel Cody's last war horse, "Charley," who dided and was buried at sea upon our first return voyage, and that, singular to relate, without any premonitory symptoms of sickness and never looking better in his life, "Billy" walked off the gang-plank, neighed as his hoofs struck his native shore, and dropped dead--is food for thought that each one may assimilate. However small it may seem, this pathetic incident will always be remembered by the returnin voyagers, as "Billy" and "Charley" were favorite members of the "Old Guard."
The writer followed the sun on its westward course with his Red Brother, and it would take a chapter to describe the scenes at the grand reception at the foothills of the Rockies upon the return to the Ogallallas of the various bands- among them many of the Ghost Dance prisoners, now changed by experience- where the camp fires and dances of their friends showed the savage nature to pos sess the same warm sentiment towards loved ones as that whch animates more civilized men.
THE powerful, practical, patriotic in fluence of Buffalo Bill's Wild West and Congress of Rough Riders of the World as a mighty and masterly National Object Teacher was strikingly manifested in the suggestion, formation, and even the popular naming of the most fearless and famous single mililtary organization in all martial annals--Teddy Roosevelt's Regiment of Rough Riders.
"LITTLE EMMA," INDIAN GIRL, DAUGHTER OF THE OGALLALLA CHIEF, "LONE WOLF."
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I. T. - COL. BADEN-POWELL THE ENGLISH ROUGH RIDER, ON THE AMERICAN SCOUT.
Scouting as a fine art had its origin in America when the pioneer settled first upon the shores of the new country which stretched away, away, to the Westward, how far they knew not. What wonders, what dangers, what secrets were held by that unknown country by the forest primeval they likewise knew not.
They were surrounded by hostile savages, who came and went like shadows, who found their way as straight as the flight of a carrier pigeon through countless miles of trackless forest: who appeared and disappeared as quickly and completely as the elfs of the fabled fairy-lands. But the instinct of self-preservation sharpened their wits; no man sleeps soundly when danger threatens.
They learned first the secrets by which the Indian made his way from place to place, and tracked his foe for vengeance or his game for sustenance. They quickly discovered how by training and vigilance the eye became quick, the ear alert, and the touch-sensitive.
A crushed blade of grass or a weed, a broken twig, a bent bough, all these things were to the Indian as they are to Sherlock Holmes, sufficient to construct a theory as to the character and numbers of those he pursued.
THE WILD WEST AT THE VATICAN- "BUFFALO BILL'S" INDIAN AND COW-BOYS AT THE ANNIVERSARY CEREMONY OF Leo XIII.
New York Herald, March 4, 1890,- (From our Special Correspondent.) ROME, March 3.
One of the strangest spectacles ever seen within the venerable walls of the Vatican was the dramatic entry of "BUFFALO BILL" at the head of his Indians and cow-boys this morning, when the ecclesiastical and secular military court of the Holy See assembled to witness the twelfth annual thanksgiving of Leo XIII, for his coronation. In the midst of the splendid scene, crowded with the old Roman aristocracy, and surrounded by walls immortalized by Micheal Angelo and Rafael, there suddenly appeared a host of savages in war paint, feathers, and blankets, carrying Tomahawks and knives.
A vast multitude surged in the great square before St. Peter's early in the morning to witness the arrival of the Americans. Before half-past nine o'clock the Ducal Hall, Royal Hall, and Sextine Chapel of the Vatican were packed with those who had influence enough to obtain admittance. Through the middle of the three audiences, the pathway was bordered with the brilliant uniforms of the Swiss Guards, Palatine Guards, Papal gensdarmes and private