The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1917-03-05

1t is difficult for this generation Of
boys. even though They he born Oh the
Great American desert" TO bei.erc
that Buffalo Bill was ever anything
except the star of n tent show. but old
timers know of his perlous life of ear.
lier days as an Indian lighter. scout.
overland freight guard and pony e@-
press rider.
When the Kansas Pacific railroad
was building 10 The coast II employed
Viii Cody to supply It's canstrucileA
gangs with meat. one Of Tie greatest
shots of the plains. he won his name
and his spurs killing buffalo for the
builders of the iron trail.
During Indian campaigns Cody rose
| to be chief scout for tie army aud H..
lian adventures became part OF IL
daily routine. The fame of Buffalo Bill
spread through the army None Goubi
cd the courage and resource Of the
great scout and Indian hunter
Yet one day this courage was sorely
tried There was one lime when Huf-
falo I.iH admitted he was scared.
General Emory. in communal at Fort
jefferson, Induced the county author
lilies 10 make buffalo Bin a justice o.
the peace.
"Why. general" protested the scout
Il don't know any more about law
han mule knows of singing"
But the appointment was duly and
legally made. and the new Justice had
10 serve.
His first task was to perform wed
ding ceremony. \ wedding was q
great event at Mcpherson, and the
whole fort resolved to.attend
In vain his wife and sisters tried to
coach Buffalo Pill. Nobody could find
Il copy of the marriage service.
che great day eamc Ihe guests as
senlbied Cold sweat stood in beads
on the brow ~ the Indian fighter lis
hands irembled
Yet at FIRST the ceremony movep
without leproach The bride and
groom were coInseled IN the ronycn.
iioral manner uatil the close 81 tie
cereiaony when Baffalo Bin started
nc eonsreeation b. announcing,
Whom God aid Buffalo bil hath
ioif,cd together let ro nIaA INT ashn-
der" ra,r,
As q marrying Justice be was yofe0
great success.
ec.oi1 tnd days 81 9Bs telegraph
qeNo, ,rataSpd ~ f?b bjus express.
nine rIa,s from st.'ira7Tih. lie end "
tie iqfi,toad, ~ satfamemT Ca. Tile
diStsica over The short ronfeNvas 1868
mi,@s. aat Il
WIFI Cody was twice in the emplo,
Of tl.e pony express as one Of Thc relay
iiGs,ss Ia the western wilderness. |.
was daring bis second engagement
thai he saved his life by his l.imcs 9,
shooting straight and thinking qgickiy
VIII was riding from Red Butte, on
the North Platte. TO Three CROSSINGS.
on the Sweetwater, distance OF seg-
enty.siX miles. when station boss one
day Informed him
There's signs of lnjins about. Billy
Better keep your eye peeled"
Tie young rider nodded comprehen
sion as lie swung into the saddle on
fresh pony and dashed out 81 The sta.
lion with his mail sacks.
Plinsmen learned early to keep tbelr
eyes open. As VIII cody rode he scan
ned the country ahcnd OF him with tire
less gaze livery rock and hummock
had MS attention
II Was grim. wild country he rode
through. Great Offs oyerAung his mar
POW va:h ana darkened the way. For
ests .. blaci; pine stood thick ON tn
prec'pli3ua slopes of The Rockies.
His keen eye caught sight Of slight
movement behind & large h0wlGer that
lay ahead og hlm II needed ~ iAorc
than that to tell the pony express rider
Of dahger. Riding Mt top speed toward
the can2er zone. he made his pan
Cody was almost upon the rock he.
fore he sweryed his horse sharply AMI
dashed off To ore side Two rifle re-
ports came simultaneously. ana FROM
behind the rocl, sprang two unmount
ePlndaLs.
~ the same time score of Indians
ou llpliiNH tuFSL from luc tlmbet on
the opposite side Of tine valley and
rode toward him.
Ahead lgy narrow pass leading to
safety, The race began
Only one rider threatened ihe express
messenger. lie wore the hcaddress OF
chef. and his pony was 1eetest.
Close together the horses sped to-
ward the pass. and the indian va
gaining steadily.
Cody turned in his saddle.
The Indian chief lad lifted an arrow
to his bow and even then was sighting
his target.
Like Il flash Cody drew his revolver
Seemingly he fred without MIN. 50
quick was the action. The Indian
dropped from his saddle, and the pony
express sped on safe. Kansas City
Star.
Described.