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THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
OF BUFFALO BILL
CHAPTER XIX
AGAIN ON THE INDIAN TRAIL
Upon reaching Fort McPherson, I found that the Third Cavalry,
commanded by General Reynolds, had arrived from Arizona, in which
Territory they had been on duty for some time, and where they had
acquired quite a reputation on account of their Indian fighting
qualities. Shortly after my return, a small party of Indians made a
dash on McPherson station, about five miles from the fort, killing
two or three men and running off quite a large number of horses.
Captain Meinhold and Lieutenant Lawson with their company were
ordered out to pursue and punish the Indians if possible. I was the
guide of the expedition and had an assistant, T. B. Omohundro, better
known as "Texas Jack," and who was a scout at the post.
Finding the trail, I followed it for two days, although it was
difficult trailing because the red-skins had taken every possible
precaution to conceal their tracks. On the second day Captain
Meinhold went into camp on the South fork of the Loupe, at a point
where the trail was badly scattered. Six men were detailed to
accompany me on a scout in search of the camp of the fugitives. We
had gone but a short distance when we discovered Indians camped, not
more than a mile away, with horses grazing near by. They were only a
small party, and I determined to charge upon them with my six men,
rather than return to the command, because I feared they would see us
as we went back and then they would get away from us entirely. I
asked the men if they were willing to attempt it, and they replied
that they would follow me wherever I would lead them. That was the
kind of spirit that pleased me, and we immediately moved forward on
the enemy, getting as close to them as possible without being seen.
I finally gave the signal to charge, and we dashed into the little
camp with a yell. Five Indians sprang out of a willow tepee, and
greeted us with a volley, and we returned the fire. I was riding
Buckskin Joe, who with a few jumps brought me up to the tepee,
followed by my men. We nearly ran over the Indians who were
endeavoring to reach their horses on the opposite side of the creek.
Just as one was jumping the narrow stream a bullet from my old
"Lucretia " overtook him. He never reached the other bank, but
dropped dead in the water. Those of the Indians who were guarding the
horses, seeing what was going on at the camp, came rushing to the
rescue of their friends. I now counted thirteen braves, but as we had
already disposed of two, we had only eleven to take care of. The odds
were nearly two to one against us.
A SHARP FIGHT&emdash;WOUNDED
While the Indian re-enforcements were approaching the camp I jumped
the creek with Buckskin Joe to meet them, expecting our party would
follow me; but as they could not induce their horses to make the
leap, I was the only one who got over. Ordered the sergeant to
dismount his men, leaving one to hold the horses, and come over with
the rest and help me drive the Indians off. Before they could do
this, two mounted warriors closed in on me and were shooting at short
range. I returned their fire and had the satisfaction of seeing one
of them fall from his horse. At this moment I felt blood trickling
down my forehead, and hastily running my hand through my hair I
discovered that I had received a scalp wound. The Indian, who had
shot me, was not more than ten yards away, and when he saw his
partner tumble from his saddle he turned to run.
By this time the soldiers had crossed the creek to assist me, and
were blazing away at the other Indians. Urging Buckskin Joe forward,
I was soon alongside of the chap who had wounded me, when raising
myself in the stirrups I shot him through the head.
The reports of our guns had been heard by Captain Meinhold, who at
once started with his company up the creek to our aid, and when the
remaining Indians, whom we were still fighting, saw these
reinforcements coming, they whirled their horses and fled; as their
steeds were quite fresh they made their escape. However, we killed
six out of the thirteen Indians, and captured most of their stolen
stock. Our loss was one man killed, and another &emdash;myself
&emdash;slightly wounded. One of our horses was killed, and Buckskin
Joe was wounded, but I didn't discover the fact until some time
afterwards, as he had been shot in the breast and showed no signs of
having received a scratch of any kind. Securing the scalps of the
dead Indians and other trophies we returned to the fort.
I made several other scouts during the summer with different
officers of the Third Cavalry, one being with Maj. Alick Moore, a
good officer, with whom I was out for thirty days. Another long one
was with Major Curtis, with whom I followed some Indians from the
South Platte river to Fort Randall on the Missouri river, in Dakota,
on which trip the command ran out of rations and for fifteen days
subsisted entirely upon the game we killed.
HUNTING WITH AN EARL
In the fall of 1872 the Earl of Dunraven and Dr. Kingsley, with
several friends, came to Fort McPherson with a letter from General
Sheridan, asking me to accompany them on an elk hunt. I did so, and
afterwards spent several weeks in hunting with the Earl of Dunraven,
who was a thorough sportsman and an excel lent hunter. It was while I
was out with the Earl that a Chicago party &emdash;friends of General
Sheridan &emdash;arrived at Fort McPherson for the purpose of going
out on a hunt also. They, too, had a letter from the General
requesting me to go with them. The Earl had not yet finished his
hunt, but as I had been out with him for several weeks, and he had by
this time learned where to find plenty of elks and other game, I
concluded to leave him and accompany the Chicago party. I informed
him of my intention and gave him my reasons for going, at the same
time telling him I would send him one of my scouts, Texas Jack, who
was a good hunter, and would be glad to accompany him. The Earl
seemed to be somewhat offended at this, and I don't think he has ever
forgiven me for "going back on him." Let that be as it may, he found
Texas Jack a splendid hunter and guide, and Jack was his guide on
several hunts afterwards.
Among the gentlemen who composed the Chicago party were E. P.
Green, &emdash;son-in-law of Remington, the rifle manufacturer,
&emdash;Alexander Sample, Mr. Milligan, of the firm of Heath &
Milligan, of Chicago, and several others, whose names I do not now
remember. Mr. Milligan was a man full of life, and was continually
"boiling over with fun." He was a regular velocipede, so to speak,
and was here, there, and everywhere. He was exceedingly desirous of
having an Indian fight on the trip, not that he was naturally a
blood-thirsty man, but just for variety he wanted a little "Indian
pie." He was in every respect the life of the party, during the
entire time that we were out. One day while he was hunting w ith
Sample and myself we came in sight of a band of thirty mounted
Indians.
"Milligan, here's what you've been wanting for some time," said I,
"for yonder is a war party of Indians and no mistake; and they'll
come for us, you bet."
"I don't believe this is one of my fighting days," replied
Milligan, "and it occurs to me that I have urgent business at the
camp."
A PARTY WHICH MILLIGAN REFUSED TO ATTEND
Our camp was five or six miles distant on the Dismal river, and
our escort consisted of a company of cavalry commanded by Captain
Russell. The soldiers were in camp, and Milligan thought that Captain
Russell ought to be at once notified of the appearance of these
Indians.
Knowing that we could reach the camp in safety, for we were well
mounted, I continued to have considerable amusement at Milligan's
expense, who finally said:
"Cody, what's making my hat raise up so. I can hardly keep it on
my head."
Sample, who was as cool as a cucumber, said to Milligan: "There
must be something wrong with your hair. It must be trying to get on
end."
"It's all very fine for you fellows to stand here and talk,"
replied Milligan, " but I am not doing justice to my family by
remaining. Sample, I think we are a couple of old fools to have come
out here, and I never would have done so if it had not been for you."
By this time the Indians had discovered us and were holding a
consultation, and Milligan turned his horse in the direction of the
camp. I never believed that he was half as scared as he seemed to be,
but that he was merely pretending so that we could enjoy our joke.
However, we did not wait any longer, but rode into camp and notified
Captain Russell, who immediately started with his company to pursue
the band. While we were riding along with the company Milligan said
to Sample: " Now, Alick, let them come on. We may yet go back to
Chicago covered with glory."
We struck the trail going north. but as we had not come out on a
scout for Indians, we concluded not to follow them; although Milligan
was now very anxious to proceed and clean then out. The hunt came to
an end in a day or two, and we escorted the visiting sportsmen to
North Platte, where they took the train for Chicago. Before their
departure they extended to me a very cordial invitation to come to
their city on a visit, promising that I should be well taken care of.
ROPING A BUFFALO
Soon after this I had the pleasure of guiding a party of gentlemen
from Omaha on a buffalo hunt. Among the number were Judge Dundy,
Colonel Watson B. Smith, and U. S. District Attorney Neville. We left
Fort McPherson in good trim. I was greatly amused at the "style" of
Mr. Neville, who wore a stove-pipe hat and a swallow tail coat, which
made up a very comical rig for a buffalo hunter. As we galloped over
the prairie, he jammed his hat down over his ears to keep it from
being shaken off his head, and in order to stick to his horse, he
clung to the pommel of his saddle. He was not much of a rider, and he
went bouncing up and down, with his swallow-tails flopping in the
air. The sight I shall never forget, for it was enough to make a
"horse laugh," and I actually believe old Buckskin Joe did laugh.
However, we had a splendid hunt, and on the second day I lariated
or roped, a big buffalo bull and tied him to a tree, _ a feat which I
had often performed, and which the gentlemen requested me to do on
this occasion for their benefit, as they had heard of my skill with
the lariat. I captured several other buffaloes in the same way. The
gentlemen returned to Omaha well pleased with their hunt.
In the fall of the year 1872, a convention was held at Grand
Island, when some of my friends made me their candidate to represent
the Twenty-sixth District in the Legislature of Nebraska; but as I
had always been a Democrat and the State was largely Republican, I
had no idea of being elected. In fact I cared very little about it,
and therefore made no effort whatever to secure an election. However,
I was elected and that is the way in which I acquired my title of
Honorable.
The
Autobiography of Buffalo Bill Continued
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