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A NEW FIELD! WITHOUT A RIVAL! JUST THE THING! TRUTH STRANGER THAN FICTION!--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Beadle's BOY'S LIBRARY of Sport, Story and Adventure
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Entered at the Post Office at New York, N.Y., as Second Class Mail Matter.$2.50 a year. Copyrighted in 1881 by BEADLE AND ADAMS. December 14, 1881.==========================================================================Vol. I. Single PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS, Price, No. 1. Number. No. 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. Five Cents.==========================================================================
Adventures of BUFFALO BILL FROM BOYHOOD TO MANHOOD.
Deeds of Daring and Romantic Incidents in the Life of Wm. F. Cody, the Monarch of Bordermen.
* * * * *
BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAHAM.
MADDENED WITH FRIGHT, THE BULL BOUNDED INTO THE AIR,SNORTED WILDLY, GORED THOSE IN ADVANCE, AND SOON LED THE HERD.]
Adventures of Buffalo Bill
From Boyhood to Manhood.
Deeds of Daring, Scenes of Thrilling Peril, and Romantic Incidents inthe Early Life of W.F. Cody, the Monarch of Bordermen.
BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAHAM.
CHAPTER I.
PROLOGUE.
That Truth is, by far, stranger than Fiction, the lessons of our dailylives teach us who dwell in the marts of civilization, and therefore wecannot wonder that those who live in scenes where the rifle, revolverand knife are in constant use, to protect and take life, can strangetales tell of thrilling perils met and subdued, and romantic incidentsoccurring that are far removed from the stern realities of existence.
The land of America is full of romance, and tales that stir the bloodcan be told over and over again of bold Privateers and recklessBuccaneers who have swept along the coasts; of fierce naval battles, seachases, daring smugglers; and on shore of brave deeds in the saddle andafoot; of red trails followed to the bitter end and savage encounters inforest wilds.
And it is beyond the pale of civilization I find the hero of these pageswhich tell of thrilling adventures, fierce combats, deadly feuds andwild rides, that, one and all, are true to the letter, as hundreds nowliving can testify.
Who has not heard the name of Buffalo Bill--a magic name, seemingly, toevery boy's heart?
And yet in the uttermost parts of the earth it is known among men.
A child of the prairie, as it were, Buffalo Bill will go down to historyas one of America's strange heroes who has loved the trackless wilds,rolling plains and mountain solitudes of our land, far more than thebustle and turmoil, the busy life and joys of our cities, and who hasstood as a barrier between civilization and savagery, risking his ownlife to save the lives of others.
Glancing back over the past, we recall a few names that have stood outin the boldest relief in frontier history, and they are Daniel Boone,Davy Crockett, Kit Carson and W.F. Cody--the last named being BuffaloBill, the King of Bordermen.
Knowing the man well, having seen him amid the greatest dangers, sharedwith him his blanket and his camp-fire's warmth, I feel entitled towrite of him as a hero of heroes, and in the following pages sketch hisremarkable career from boyhood to manhood.
Born in the State of Iowa in 1843, his father being one of the boldpioneers to that part of the West, Buffalo Bill, or Will Cody, wasinured to scenes of hardship and danger ere he reached his tenth year,and being a precocious youth, his adventurous spirit led him into allsorts of deeds of mischief and daring, which well served to lay thefoundation for the later acts of his life.
CHAPTER II.
A CAPTURE OF OUTLAWS.
When Will was but nine years of age his first thrilling adventureoccurred, and it gave the boy a name for pluck and nerve that went withhim to Kansas, where his father removed with his family shortly afterthe incident which I will now relate.
The circumstance to which I refer, and that made a boy hero of him inthe eyes of the neighbors for miles around where his parents lived,showed the wonderful nerve that has never since deserted him, but ratherhas increased with his years.
The country school which he attended was some five miles from hisfather's house and he was wont to ride there each morning and back inthe afternoon upon a wiry, vicious little mustang that every one hadprognosticated would some day be the death of him.
Living a few miles from the Cody ranch was a poor settler who had a sontwo years Billy's senior, who also attended the same school, but whoseparents were too poor to spare him a horse from the farm to ride.
This boy was Billy's chum, and as they shared together their noondaymeal, the pony was also shared, for the boy rode behind my hero to andfrom school, being called for each morning and dropped off near hiscabin on the return trip.
Owing to the lawlessness of the country Mr. Cody allowed his son to goarmed, knowing that he fully understood the use of weapons, and hispistol Billy always hung up with his hat upon reaching the log cabin,where, figuratively speaking, the young idea was taught to shoot.
The weapon was a revolver, a Colt's, which at that time was not incommon use, and Billy prized it above his books and pony even and alwayskept it in perfect order.
One day Rascal, his pony, pulled up the lariat pin which held him outupon the prairie and scampered for home, and Billy and Davie Dunn, hischum, were forced to "hoof it," as the western slang goes, home.
A storm was coming on, and to escape it the boys turned off the maintrail and took refuge in a log cabin which was said to be haunted by theghosts of its former occupants; at least they had been all mysteriouslymurdered there one night and were buried in the shadow of the cabin, andpeople gave the place a wide berth.
It was situated back in a piece of heavy timber and looked dismalenough, but Billy proposed that they should go there, more out of sheerbravado to show he was not afraid than to escape a ducking, for which heand Davie Dunn really little cared.
The boys reached the cabin, climbed in an open window and stood lookingout at the approaching storm.
"Kansas crickets! but look there, Davie!"
The words came from Buffalo Billy and he was pointing out toward thetrail.
There four horsemen were seen coming toward the cabin at a rapid gallop.
"Who be they, Billy?" asked Davie.
"They are some of them horse-thieves, Davie, that have been playing themischief of late about here, and we'd better dust."
"But they'll see us go out."
"That's so! Let us coon up into the loft, for they'll only wait till thestorm blows over, for they are coming here for shelter."
Up to the loft of the cabin, through a trapdoor, the boys went quicklyand laid quietly down, peering through the cracks in the boards. Thefour horsemen dashed up, hastily unsaddled their horses and lariatedthem out, and bounded into the cabin through the window, just as thestorm broke with fury upon forest and plain.
As still as mice the boys lay, but they quickly looked toward eachother, for the conversation of the men below, one of whom was kindlinga fire in the broad chimney, told them that, if discovered, their liveswould be the forfeit.
In fact, they were four of a band of outlaws that had been infesting thecountry of late, stealing horses, and in some cases taking life androbbing the cabins of the settlers, and one of them said plainly:
&n
bsp; "Pards, when I was last in this old ranch it was six years ago, when wecame to rob Foster Beal who lived here; he showed fight, shot two of theboys, and we wiped the whole family out; but now let us get away withwhat grub we've got, and then plan what is best to do to-night. As formyself, I say strike old Cody's ranch, for he's got dust."
The boys were greatly alarmed at this, but, putting his mouth close toDavie Dunn's ear, Billy Cody whispered:
"Davie, you see that shutter in the end of the roof?"
"Yes, Billy," was the trembling reply.
"Well, you slip out of there, drop to the ground and make for your homeand tell your father who is here."
"And you, Billy?"
"I'll just keep here, and if these fellows attempt to go I'll shoot'em."
"But you can't, Billy."
"I've got my revolver, Davie and you bet I'll use it! Go, but don't makea fuss, and get your father to come on with the settlers as soon as youcan, for I won't be happy till you get back."
Davie Dunn was trembling considerably; but he arose noiselessly, crossedto the window at the end of the roof, and which was but a smallaperture, closed by a wooden shutter, which he cautiously opened. Thenoise he made was drowned by the pelting rain and furious wind, and therobbers went on chatting together, while Davie slipped out and droppedto the ground.
But ere he had been gone half an hour the outlaws were ready to start,the rain having ceased in a measure, and night was coming on to hidetheir red deeds.
"Hold on, boys, for I've got ye all covered. He's a dead man who moves."
Billy had crept to the trap, and in his hoarsest tones, had spoken,while the men sprung to their feet at his words, and glancing upward sawthe threatening revolver.
One attempted to draw a weapon, but the boy's forefinger touched thetrigger, and the outlaw fell dead at the flash, shot straight throughthe heart!
This served as a warning to the others, and they stood like statues,while one said:
"Pard, who is yer?"
But Billy feared to again trust his voice and answered not a word. Helay there, his revolver just visible over the edge of the boards, andcovering the hearts of the three men crouching back into the corner, butfull in the light from the flickering fire, while almost at their feetlay their dead comrade.
Again and again they spoke to Billy, but he gave no reply.
Then they threatened to make it warm for him, and one suggested thatthey make a break for the door.
But, each one seemed to feel that the revolver covered him, and nonewould make the attempt, for they had ocular demonstration before them ofthe deadly aim of the eye behind the weapon.
To poor little Billy, and I suppose to the men too, it seemed as if ageswere passing away, in the hour and a quarter that Davie Dunn was gone,for he had bounded upon one of the outlaws' horses and ridden away likethe wind.
But, at last, Billy heard a stern voice say:--
"Boys, you is our meat."
At the same time several pistols were thrust into the window, and incame the door, burst open with a terrific crash that was music toBilly's ears; while in dashed a dozen bold settlers, led by farmer Dunn.
The three outlaws were not only captured, but, being recognized as oldoffenders, were swung up to a tree, while Billy and Davie became indeedboy heroes, and the former especially was voted the lion of the logcabin school, for had he not "killed his man?"
CHAPTER III.
BILLY'S FIRST DUEL.
Near where Billy's father settled in Kansas, dwelt a farmer who had ason and daughter, the former being fourteen, and the latter eighteen.
As is often the case with boys, Billy fell in love with Nannie Vennor,which was the young lady's name, although she at eighteen was just sevenyears older than he was.
But she had been over to call on the Cody girls with her brother, and adeep attachment at once sprung up between the boys, and Billy became thedevoted slave of Nannie, making her a horse-hair bridle for her pony,gathering her wild flowers whenever he went over to the Vennor farm, andin fact being as devoted in his attentions as a young man of twenty-onecould have been.
But Nannie had another lover, in fact a score of them from among theneighboring young settlers, but one in particular who bid fair to beBilly's most dangerous rival. This one was a dashing young fellow fromLeavenworth, with a handsome face and fine form, and who always hadplenty of money.
Folks said he was very dissipated, was a gambler, and his name had beenconnected several times with some very serious affairs that had occurredin the town.
But then he had a winning manner, sung well, and Nannie's beaux had toall admit that he was every inch the man, and one they cared not toanger.
From the first Billy Cody hated him, and did not pretend to hide thefact; but it seemed the boy's intuitive reading of human nature, as muchas his jealousy on account of Nannie Vennor.
One day Billy was seated by the side of a small stream fishing.
The bank was behind him, rising some eight feet, and he had ensconcedhimself upon a log that had been drifting down the stream in a freshet,and lodged there.
Back from him, bordering the little creek ran the trail to the nearesttown, and along this rode two persons.
The quick ear of the boy heard hoof-falls, and glancing quickly over thebank he saw three horsemen approaching, and one of these he recognizedas Hugh Hall his rival.
Just back of Billy was a grove of cottonwood trees, and here the menhalted for a short rest in the shade, and all they said distinctlyreached the boy's ears.
"I tell you, pards," said Hugh Hall, "I cannot longer delay then, so ifold Vennor refuses to let me have Nannie I'll just take her."
"The best way, Hugh; but what about the wife that's now on your trail?"asked one.
"What care I for her, after I have run off with Nannie?"
"But she'll blow on you to old man Vennor."
"I do not care. I'll deny it to Nannie, say the woman is crazy, and oneby one the family will drop off until she only remains, and then she'llget the property."
"You are sure it's coming to 'em, Hugh?" asked one.
"I am so sure that I drew up the will of Vennor's brother four yearsago, when I was practicing law in Chicago."
"He may have changed his mind."
"Nonsense; he died shortly after, and the will says if Richard Vennorwas not found, and the fortune turned over to him, within five yearsafter Robert Vennor's death, the fortune was to go to charity.
"Now I kept the secret dark, came out to look up Richard Vennor, andhaving found him, shall marry his daughter and get all!"
"Your wife will give you trouble."
"I wish you to get rid of her then, and I'll pay well for it."
"We'll do the job, and help you all we can," said one, and the secondone of the pair whom Billy did not recognize, echoed his comrade'ssentiments.
"Well, Hugh, we found Lucy was trailing you, and hearing you was aboutto strike it rich, concluded we'd come and post you for old friendship'ssake."
"And I'll pay you for it; but we must not be seen together, so I'll waithere while you ride on to Leavenworth, and in an hour I'll follow you."
This agreement seemed satisfactory, and two horsemen rode away, after afew more words, while Hugh Hall threw himself down upon the grass torest.
For awhile Billy Cody was very nervous at what he had heard; but he soongrew calm, and having waited until he knew the two men were more than amile away, he cautiously stood up upon the log and glanced over thebank.
Hugh Hall was fast asleep, and his horse was feeding near.
Noiselessly Billy drew himself upon the bank and approached the man, hisfaithful revolver held in his hand.
"I wonder if it would be wrong if I killed him, when he is such avillain!" he muttered.
"Yes, I won't do it; but I'll make him go straight to Mr. Vennor andI'll tell him all I heard.
"Here, Hugh Hall, farmer Vennor wants to see you."
The man sprung to his feet, his ha
nd upon his revolver.
But Billy had taken the precaution to get behind a tree, and had thedrop on his rival.
"Oh, it's you, you accursed imp of Satan," cried the man angrily.
"Yes, it's me, and I want you to go to Mr. Vennor, for I'm going to tellhim all I heard you say," said the boy boldly.
Hugh Hall knew Billy's reputation as a fearless boy and a sure shot, andhe saw that he was in great danger; but he said quietly:
"Well, I was going to the farmer's and we'll ride together."
"No, I'll ride and you'll walk, for I came down the stream fishingto-day, and haven't got my pony."
As quick as a flash the man then drew his pistol, and firing, the bulletcut the bark off the tree just above the boy's head.
Instantly however Billy returned the shot, and the revolver of Hugh Hallfell from his hand, for his arm was broken; but he picked it up quicklyand leveled it with his left, and two shots came together.
Billy's hat was turned half round on his head, showing how true was theaim of his foe, while his bullet found a target in the body of HughHall.
With a groan he sunk upon the ground, and springing to his side, Billyfound him gasping fearfully for breath.
"I am sorry, Hugh Hall, but you made me do it," he said sorrowfully.
But the man did not reply, and running to the horse feeding near, hesprung into the saddle and dashed away like the wind.
Straight to farmer Vennor's he went and told him all, and mounting inhot haste they rode back to the grove of cottonwoods.
Beadle's Boy's Library of Sport, Story and Adventure, Vol. I, No. 1. Page 1
