WANTED AT THE FRONT. 195 



if one-third of these terribly named bullies could tell, 

 on a pinch, where the north star is. Unless they 

 chanced to strike one of the Pacific lines which stretch 

 across the plains, a party, under their guidance, wish- 

 ing to go west would be equally liable to get among 

 the Northern Siouxs or the Ku-Klux of Arkansas. 



A thousand miles east Young America's cherished 

 ideal of the frontier scout and guide is an eagle-eyed 

 giant, with a horse which obeys his whistle, and 

 breaks the neck of any Indian trying to steal him. In 

 addition to its wonderful master, the back of this mod- 

 el steed is usually occupied by a rescued maiden. At 

 risk of infringing on the copyrights of thirty-six thou- 

 sand of the latest Indian stories, we have obtained from 

 an artist on the spot an illustration of the last heroine 

 brought in and her rescuer, the rare old plainsman.* 



Cody had all the frontiersman's fondness for prac- 

 tical jokes, and delighted in designating Mr, Colon 

 as "Mr. Boston," as if accidentally confounding the 

 residence with the name. In one instance, with a cry 

 of " Come, Mr. Boston, here's a specimen ! " he en- 

 ticed the philanthropist into the eager pursuit of a 

 beautiful little animal through some rank bottom 

 grass, and brought the good man back in such a con- 

 dition that we unanimously insisted on his traveling 

 to leeward for the rest of the day. 



While we thus journe3^ed, and, in traditional 

 traveler's style, mused and pondered, Shamus came 

 running^^ack to say that we were wanted in front. 

 ''Such a goin' on in the ravine beyant as bates a 

 witch's dance all holly ! " We saw that the forward 

 wagons had halted and the men were peering 

 * See illustration on page 137. 



