“The Indians said the bones were those of a race of people three times the size of a man.”

You who live your lives in cities or among peaceful ways cannot always tell whether your friends are the kind who would go through fire for you. But on the Plains one’s friends have an opportunity to prove their mettle.

It was because of my great interest in the West, and my belief that its development would be assisted by the interest I could awaken in others, that I decided to bring the West to the East through the medium of the Wild West Show.

I thought I was benefiting the Indians as well as the government, by taking them all over the United States, and giving them a correct idea of the customs, life, etc., of the pale faces, so that when they returned to their people they could make known all they had seen.

The Indians were well mounted and felt proud and elated because they had been made United States soldiers.

Major North and myself went out in advance of the command several miles and killed a number of buffaloes.

We had avoided discovery by the Sioux scouts, and we were confident of giving them a complete surprise.

The greatest of all the Sioux in my time, or in any time for that matter, was that wonderful old fighting man, Sitting Bull, whose life will some day be written by a historian who can really give him his due.

General Custer was a close observer and student of personal character.

Excitement was plentiful during my two years’ service as a Pony Express rider.

Having secured my Indian actors, I started for Baltimore, where I organized my combination, and which was the largest troupe I had yet had on the road.

My debut upon the world’s stage occurred on February 26th, 1845.

As a good horse is not very apt to jump over a bank, if left to guide himself, I let mine pick his own way.

I found Spotted Tail’s lodge. He invited me to enter.

Frontiersmen good and bad, gunmen as well as inspired prophets of the future, have been my camp companions. Thus, I know the country of which I am about to write as few men now living have known it.

Major North has had for years complete power over these Indians and can do more with them than any man living.

But the love of adventure was in father’s blood.