MY FIRST TRIP TO THE ROCKIES 187 



We were assembled in a Fort Steele saloon, where 

 Boney had been regaling the assembled company 

 with blood-curdling yarns of the hostile Indians, 

 huge grizzlies, and unpassable canons, that he and 

 his party had recently met with in the heart of the 

 mountain ranges on the Idaho border, a district then 

 almost unknown. It was clearly implied from Boney's 

 narrative that unparalleled difficulties and dangers had 

 there been successfully negotiated by himself and his 

 companions. 



Buffalo Bill, to whom we had been formally intro- 

 duced that afternoon, was present, and for a time 

 played the part of a silent and interested listener. 

 Later in the evening, after some further friendly 

 intercourse and refreshment, Buffalo Bill unburdened 

 his soul on the subject of Boney's tales. ' Of the 

 three biggest liars in America/ he casually remarked, 

 ' Texas Jack is one, and Boney, here, is the other 

 two!' 



It was thereupon unanimously agreed that Boney 

 should set up the parting drinks. 



