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a large body of Indians approaching from the South. Bill rode rapidly back to camp to acquaint Gen. Merritt of his discovery, whereupon the calvary was ordered to mount and hold themselves in readiness, while Bill and the General should ride out on a tour of observation. Selecting a high knoll, by the use of field glasses the Cheyennes were plainly seen riding directly towards Gen. Merritt's camp. Presently a large party of Indians were observed to leave the main body and ride at a furious pace northward, and scanning the surroundings critically to ascertain the cause, Bill saw mounted soldiers, evidently couriers, trying to reach Gen. Merritt's camp. In order not to apprize the Indians of the presence of the regiment, Bill suggested to the General the advisability of waiting until the couriers should come near the command, when, having led the Indians some distance from the main party, he would take the other scouts and cut them off so as to insure their capture.

Gen. Merritt approving of Bill's idea, the latter rode back to camp, selected fifteen men, and hurried to a place of concealment, where he waited for the pursuers. It was but a few moments before the couriers dashed by with the Indians not more than two hundred yards in the rear. Bill and his men leaped out of their ambush and sent a rattling fire after the Indians, three of whom were killed; the rest turned and ran back to the main party, which had halted upon hearing the rapid firing.

After stopping for a few moments the Cheyennes renewed their march, thinking they were opposed by a small body that would offer no particular resistance. Another advance party of Indians was sent out form the main body, and as they approached near, Bill and his men charged them; but the Indians, seeing their numbers were superior, made a stand, and a lively fight ensued. Each side then drew off, and while they stood studying their opportunities, one of the Indians richly dressed in a chief's ornamentation, large war bonnet, capped with eagle's feathers, and carrying a Winchester rifle, rode out from his squad several rods, and made the following speech, addressing Buffalo Bill, whome he had seen before, and heard much of:

"Me know you, Pa-he-has-ka (the Indian for "long hair"), you great chief, kill many Indians; me great chief, kill many pale faces; come on now fight me."

Here was a direct challenge, and Buffalo Bill was not the man to decline it. He had met such challenges before; so he shouted back to the chief:

"I'll fight you; come on ; let Indians and white men stand off and see the Red Chief and long Hair fight with rifles."

This was a genuine novelty, and of such an exciting nature that the troops advanced to a position commanding a view of the battle ground, while the Indians rode up also sufficiently close to witness the combat.

DEATH OF YELLOW HAND--CODY'S FIRST SCALP FOR CUSTER.
On the 17th of July, 1876, at Hat or War Bonnet Creek, W.F. Cody ("Buffalo Bill") fought and killed the Cheyenne Chief, Yellow Hand, in a single-handed encounter, in front of Gen. Wesley Merritt, Gen. E. A. Carr, the Fifth United States Cavalry, and the Chief's band of 800 warriors, and thus scored the first scalp for Custer.

When everything was in readiness, Bill advanced on horseback about fifty yards towards his opponent, and then the two started towards each other on a dead run. They were scarcely thirty yards apart when both their rifles were discharged simultaneously. The Indian's horse fell dead, having been struck by the bullet from Bill's rifle, and at the same time the latter's horse stepped into a hole and tumbled over; thus they were both dismounted. Bill was not hurt by the fall, and springing to his feet, faced his recovered antagonists, now not more than twenty paces distant. Again the two fired almost simultaneously, but the Indian missed, while Bill's aim was good, his bullet planting itself in the chief's breast. As the Indian reeled and fell Bill leaped on him, and in the next instant had thrust his bowie-knife into the warrior's heart. With a skillful movement Bill tore the war-bonnet off his victim's head and then scalped him in the most gentlemanly and dexterous manner. Then, holding up the bonnet and reeking cap-sheaf, he exclaimed: