BUFFALO AND DUCK SHOOTING 295 



Skeleton Creek abounded in game. Prairie 

 chickens were plentiful on the prairie, bands of 

 antelope could be found within ten minutes' ride, 

 ducks and geese were constantly flying past and 

 frequently stopping at the creek, while I saw a 

 number of swans and killed one while there. 

 There was no end to the sport I was having and 

 one more day was left before the stage I pro- 

 posed to take was due when Walker asked if I 

 would keep the station and let him go away to 

 visit a friend at the next station. He said he 

 would be back the next dav and all I would 

 have to do would be to feed and water the stage 

 horses. Of course I agreed at once to his sug- 

 gestion and then asked: 



"How about the Indians?" 



"The Osages may come but you know them 

 and there may be some Cheyennes but they won't 

 bother you." 



"But suppose other Indians come and act 

 ugly?" 



"Send them away, tell them to clear out, make 

 this sign to them." 



