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deranged lock or trigger, time and location prevent it's 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 effective 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't be of deadly force at from thirty to forty yards, and creating a bad wound at much greater distance. In buffalo hunting, where the horseman 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 distinguished 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 superficial strata of temperate Europe; they were common in Germany in the eighth century. Primitive man in America found this animal has principal means of subsistence, while to pioneers, hunters, emigrants, settlers and railroad builders this fast disappearing monarch of the plains was invaluable. MESSERS 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, res or white; at any game-chicken, hack-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 marksman is only the result of years of necessity for exercising the faculties of instantaneous measurement of distance, acuteness of vision- fact, and eagle-eye and iron nerves-to think quick, to resolve, to fire, to kill. As a hunter these gifts have rendered hin 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 deeds of heroism. MR. CODY will gibe and 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 pave when occupying "a seat in the saddle."
"CODY SAVES "WILD BILL."
After a very long march, full of hardships and suffering, Gen. Penrose's camp was found on the Paladora 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 Black Kettle's depredations necessitated a pursuit . . . The consolidated command discovered the Indians on the Cimarron, and a terrific battle ensued . . . In this fight "BUFAFLO 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 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 Indians, each with a revolver in either hand, and literally carved their way through the surging mass of reskins, leaving a furrow of dead Indians in their wake, Such fighting, such riding, and such marvelous intrepedity combined, were doubtless never equaled, and if but this act alone were credited to the valor of "WILD BILL" their names would deserve inscription on Fame's enduring monument- Buell's History.
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LETTERS OF COMMENDATION FROM PROMINENT MILITARY MEN FROM AN OLD COMMANDER. [COPY.] 5th Avenue Hote, New York, June 29, 1887
Hon. WM. F. CODY, London, England
Dear CODY :-In common with all your countrymen, 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 the history of civilization on this Continent during the past century.
I am especially pleased with the graceful and pretty compliment paid you by 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 occur in our day, and may never again.
As near as I can estimate there were in 1865 about nine and a half million of buffaloes on the plains between the Missouri 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 many neat cattle. At that date there were about 165,000 Pawnees, Sioux, Cheyenne, Kiowas, and Arapahoes, who depended on these buffaloes for their 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 change 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 am to accomplish on this sheet of paper is to assure you that I fully recognize your work and that that presence of the Queen, the beautiful Princess of Wales, the Prince and British public, are marks of favor which reflect back on American sparks of light which illuminate many a house and cabin in the land where once you guided me honestly and faithfully in 1865-'6 from Fort Riley to Kearney in Kansas and Nebraska. Sincerely your friend, W. T. SHERMAN.
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WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE,
To whom it may concern: WASHINGTON, AUGUST 10, 1886
MR. WILLIAM F. CODY was employed as Cheif of Scouts under Generals SHERIDAN, CUSTER, CROOK, MILES, 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.
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 exhibition 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 & 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 exceedingly valuable. With best wishes for your success, believe me very truly yours, NELSON A. MILES, Brigadier- General, U.S.A.
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"HE IS KING OF THEM ALL."
HEADQUARTERS MOUNTED RECRUITING SERVICE, ST. LOUIS, MO., MAY 7,1885.
MAJOR JOHN M. BURKE: DEAR SIR,- I take pleasure in saying that in an experience of about thirty years on the plains and in the mountains, I have seen a great many guides, scouts, trailers and hunters, and Buffalo Bill (W. F. Cody) is king of them all. He has been with me in seven Indian fights, and his services have been invaluable. Very respectfully yours, EUGENE A. CARR, Brevet Major-General, U.S.A.
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WHERE AND WHEN THE PICTURESQUE SHOWMAN, "BUFFALO BILL." IS JUST PLAIN "BILLY," "BILL," "BILL CODY," "THE COLONEL," AND "COL. CODY."
Among all the realities that have made The Wild West and Congress of Rough Riders of the World famous, and easily the favorite on two continents of amusement enterprises, none can be more truly real than Col. W. F. Cody's reality as a Western man and the faithfulness of his love for the plains and mountains, where he found fame and fortune a third of a century ago.
His strong, picturesque personality has stood for a quarter of a century typical of the free life on the great plains, in the canyons, and among the cloud-piercing peaks of the West. Whether the season of the Rough Riders end at Berlin, Rome, Venice, Naples, Vienna, Madrid, Edinburg, Liverpool, London, Paris, or New York; be it in Germany, Italy, France, Spain, America or England, however enticing the social, sight-seeing or
COL. W. F. CODY'S TE RANCH, IN BIG HORN BASIN, WYOMING.
scenic attractions bidding him stay, nothing but the fastest speed steam can make suits Col. Cody. He wants to, and will, cross the Missouri River at the earliest possible moment. From London to the brink of the Grand Canyon of the Colorado in eleven days was one of his rushes from the rising to the setting sun made a few years ago.
In Omaha he is "Col. Cody," except when he meets men whose locks are silvered, men of the plains and mountains who have known him thirty years or more; with them he is just "Billy," or plain "Bill." At North Platte, Neb., where he has lived since the early seventies, he is "Our Billy" or "Bill," with his high and low, rich and poor alike, and a man's station in life or the money he has had, or has now, does not in the least affect Col. Cody's manner towards him. His hand and his heart are held out to all, and to the poor and needy it is never an empty hand he holds out.