In ending this little sketch of a remarkable man it is worth telling an
episode of the experience of these natives of the wilderness in the midst
of the centuries-old cities of the Old World. Everywhere the company went
in England, in Europe, the famous scout was entertained by royalty and
entertained them in return. One day after they had opened in London the
King, then the Prince of Wales, expressed a desire to see the show. A box
was prepared and the royal party attended. The whole exhibition was so new
and interesting that in a short time the Prince went again, and expressed
a desire to ride around the ring in the Deadwood coach. Buffalo Bill was
ready and called for five passengers. The five passengers who accepted
were the Prince of Wales himself on the box beside Buffalo Bill, and four
kings who happened to be visiting in England--the King of Denmark, the
King of Saxony, the King of Greece, and the Crown Prince of Austria. As
usual, the coach started. But this time the Indians who attacked and the
cowboys who rescued the coach had been instructed to "do something a
little extra," to give a little louder yells, to fire a few more shots.
And it is no wonder if, as the rumor goes--though proof does not
exist--that before the ride was over some of the four kings were under the
seats. When the trip was finished and the Prince of Wales congratulated
Buffalo Bill, he said to him:
"Colonel, did you ever hold four kings like that before?"
And Cody replied: "I have held four kings more than once. But, your Royal
Highness, I never held four kings and a royal joker before."
THE END
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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