Page 21
and salutes the vast audience thronging the tribunes. There follows an exhibition of riding by the Cowboys and a picturesque representation of an attack on a camp by the Indians. Colonel Cody then gives his wonderful display of shooting on horseback. Preceded by a Redskin on horseback who throws glass balls into the air, the Colonel at a hand gallop rarely fails to smash them. Next we have an object lesson of how the mails were carried in the old days before railways had invaded the Far West. The despatch bearer gallops up the arena to the end where a fresh pony is awaiting, and in less time than it takes to write it, he has dismounted, is on the fresh horse, and away. A detachment of artillery then gives a display, to show the rapidity attained nowadays in unlimbering the guns. Horse-stealing was a fine art in the bad old days, but probably the thieves, in the end, all met the same fate as the one in the show, for after he has apparently got safely away with his stolen steed, the inevitable cowboys come on the scene, pick up the trial, and catching him pistol him without compunction. Repelling the attack on the coach, a reminiscent of Colonel Cody's own experiences is carried out with as much spirit as ever. The acrobatic performances of Arabs and Japanese are excellent in their way, but seem, somehow, a little out of place in this show. There are no horses in their entertainment, and it is horses that we have come to see; for the same reason the evolutions of the Delvin Zouaves, clever and brilliantly executed as they are, rouse nothing like the same enthusiasm as the riding feats of the Cowboys and Cossacks. The former seem to prefer horses that would buck off a less accomplished rider in a few seconds, while the latter are able to ride in any position, one man going round the arena with his foot in the stirrup and his head on the ground, another with his head on the saddle and feet in the air.
There remain but two artists, whom we may not omit to mention, Johnny Baker and Tom Webb. The former claims and we imagine with justice, to be the best shot in the world. At all events, he can shoot better standing on his head than most men can shoot better standing on his head than most men can standing on their feet. Webb makes a specialty of lassoing, and shows really marvelous dexterity. Ponies gallop past him but are instantly brought up by the deadly noose, which Webb seems to be able to throw around either leg of the horse at will. Indeed, the rope seems alive when a man stands up and is lassoed round one leg, a flick of the wrist, a sinuous curl of the rope, and his hands are bound & e. The last battle of General Custer at "Little Bighorn", an episode of the Indian war of 1876, is portrayed with great fidelity. In this battle, the Sioux Indians massacred the little band commanded by General Custer to a man. The final tableau is extremely effective at night with the heap of dead and dying heroes lit up by the lurid flames of their tents, fired by the Indians.
Unfortunately, prior engagements prevent Colonel Cody staying more than four days in Dresden, but there are two performances both today and tomorrow, so there is still a chance for thousands to witness this wonderful and unique spectacle which no one can afford to miss.
And indeed there can be little fear of anyone missing the show if he can help it. The fear may rather be that it may be impossible to get in. The approaches to the Ostra Gehege present an extraordinarily animated appearance as the hour for the performance draws near and indeed, for that matter, all day long, for we were assured by the courteous Mr. Small that many persons take up a position as close as may be to the show, early in the morning and there remain all day. The visit of this mammoth show is in fact the event of the year, and it will be long ere Dresdeares forget this all too short visit of Buffalo Bill and his Wild West show.