The Life of Hon. William F. Cody Known as Buffalo Bill The Famous Hunter, Scout and Guide

n they had yet had-started a subscription school in a little log cabin on the bank of the creek, which for a while proved quite a success. My moth

were-and was getting along very well in every other re

f course I had a rival, Stephen Gobel, a boy about three years my senior-the "bully" of the school. He was terribly j

got badly beaten. The teacher heard of our quarrel and whipped us both. This made matters worse than ever, as I had received two thrashings to Steve's one; I smothered my angry feelings as much as possible under the humiliating circumstances, and du

at, I'll hurt you." And I meant it, t

tion: TWO

me on the ground and was beating me severely. While away from home I had someway come into possession of a very small pocket dagger, which I had carried about with me in its sheath, using it in place of a knife. During the struggle this fell from my pocket, and my hand by accident rested upon it as it lay upon the ground. Exasperated beyond measure at

ed! O, I a

ushed to the spot and wer

e matter?"

lled Steve Gobel,

ake the consequences; but the sight of that flag-staff in the school teacher's hand was too much for me. I no longer hesitated, but started off like a deer. The teacher followed in hot pursuit, but soon became convinced that he could not catch me, and gave up the ch

he, "and what's more, we'll go

hat I might fall into the hands of the wounded boy'

for Fort Kearney; the trip will take me for

must go home and tell mother

fter we make our camp,

the children. Late in the afternoon, after the train had moved on some considerable distan

Frank and somebody else, and they are a

about it, and I rather think I have. Get into one of the wagons-keep quiet

orders and fe

he neighbor soon came

re somewhere,"

stabbed my son a little while

les it; so you needn't waste any of

minutes, but getting no greater sa

e me, notwithstanding the difficulty in which I had become involved. I at once told her that at present I was afraid to remain at home, and had accordingly made up my mind to absent myself for a few weeks or

overcome, and she concluded to let me go. She fixed me up a big bundle of clothing and gave me a quilt. Kissing her and my sisters a fon

way. On my return from Fort Kearney I was paid off the same as the rest of the employees. The rem

difficulty with him, the two families had become friends again, and I may state, incidentally, that they ever after remained so. I have since often met Stephen Gobel, and we have had many a lau

57 my father, in compa

d, Ohio, and organized

ught to Kansas and loca

e families stil

This, in connection with the wound he had received at Rively's-from which he had never entir

. I had no difficulty in obtaining work under my old employers, and in May, 1857, I started for Salt Lake City with a herd of beef cattle, in

uarded by three men, and the cook was preparing dinner. No one had any idea that Indians were anywhere near us. The first warning we had that they were infesting that part of the country was the firing of shots and the whoops and yells from a party of them, who, catching us napping, gave us a most unwelc

ow coolly and determinedly the McCarthy brothers were conducting themselves and giving orders to the little band, I became convinced that we would "stand t

them, although they returned the compliment, and shot one of our party through the leg. Frank McCarthy t

: KILLING MY

us the wounded man. The bank proved to be a very effective breast-work, affording us good protection. We had been t

ck to Fort Kearney by wading in the river

a safe distance with our guns, until the slough made a junction with the main Platte river. From there down we found the river at times quite de

close, and were continually watching for an opportunity to get a good range and give us a raking fire. Covering ourselves by keeping well under the b

dian peeping over the bank. Instead of hurrying ahead and alarming the men in a quiet way, I instantly aimed my gun at the head and fired. The report rang out sharp and loud on the night air, and was immediately followed by an Indian whoop, and the next moment about six feet of dead Indian came tumbling into the rive

t shot?" cried

udly, as my confidence returne

he rest, and had almost stumbled upon the corpse. From that time forward I became a hero and an Indian killer. This was, of cou

ed by the bank. We resumed our journey down the river, and traveled all night long. Just before daylight, Frank McCarthy crawled out over the bank and discovered that we were only five miles fr

ned. The commandant at once ordered a company of cavalry and one of infantry to proceed to Plum Cree

killed and scalped, and literally cut into pieces. We of course buried the remains. We caught but few of the cattle; the most of them having been driven off and stampeded with the buffaloes, there being numerous immense herds of the latter in that sect

le and mules-sent us back to Fort Leavenworth. The company, it is proper to state, did not have to stand

m candid enough to admit that I felt very much elated over this notoriety. Again and again I read with eager interest the long and sensational account of our adventure. My exploit was related in a very graphic manner, and for a