“He is another of the same stripe, is Blake Haskins.” (_Aside_.) They are laying for Buffalo Bill again, I guess. (_Aloud_.) “What is your name?” “Which one?” “Have you got more than one?” “I get a new one every time I’m stolen. I used to have an honest name, but that was early; I’ve forgotten it. Since then I’ve had thirteen _aliases_.” “Aliases? What is alias?” “A false name.” “Alias. It’s a fine large word, and is in my line; it has quite a learned and cerebrospinal incandescent sound. Are you educated?” “Well, no, I can’t claim it. I can take down bars, I can distinguish oats from shoe-pegs, I can blaspheme a saddle-boil with the college-bred, and I know a few other things—not many; I have had no chance, I have always had to work; besides, I am of low birth and no family. You speak my dialect like a native, but you are not a Mexican Plug, you are a gentleman, I can see that; and educated, of course.” “Yes, I am of old family, and not illiterate. I am a fossil.” “A which?” “Fossil. The first horses were fossils. They date back two million years.” “Gr-eat sand and sage-brush! do you mean it?” “Yes, it is true. The bones of my ancestors are held in reverence and worship, even by men. They do not leave them exposed to the weather when they find them, but carry them three thousand miles and enshrine them in their temples of learning, and worship them.” “It is wonderful! I knew you must be a person of distinction, by your fine presence and courtly address, and by the fact that you are not subjected to the indignity of hobbles, like myself and the rest. Would you tell me your name?” “You have probably heard of it—Soldier Boy.” “What!—the renowned, the illustrious?” “Even so.” “It takes my breath! Little did I dream that ever I should stand face to face with the possessor of that great name. Buffalo Bill’s horse! Known from the Canadian border to the deserts of Arizona, and from the eastern marches of the Great Plains to the foot-hills of the Sierra! Truly this is a memorable day. You still serve the celebrated Chief of Scouts?” “I am still his property, but he has lent me, for a time, to the most noble, the most gracious, the most excellent, her Excellency Catherine, Corporal-General Seventh Cavalry and Flag-Lieutenant Ninth Dragoons, U.S.A.,—on whom be peace!” “Amen. Did you say _her_ Excellency?” “The same. A Spanish lady, sweet blossom of a ducal house. And truly a wonder; knowing everything, capable of everything; speaking all the languages, master of all sciences, a mind without horizons, a heart of gold, the glory of her race! On whom be peace!” “Amen. It is marvellous!” “Verily. I knew many things, she has taught me others. I am educated. I will tell you about her.” “I listen—I am enchanted.”