the country over for two days and discovered no signs of the murdered men.  At last, however, our efforts were rewarded with success.  We found pieces of their wagons and among other things an old letter or two which Mr. Buck recognized as his father’s handwriting.  We then discovered some of the remains, which we buried; but nothing further.  It was now getting late in the fall and we accordingly returned to Fort McPherson.

A short time after this the Fifth Cavalry was ordered to Arizona, a not very desirable country to soldier in.  I had become greatly attached to the officers of the regiment, having been continually with them for over three years, and had about made up my mind to accompany them, when a letter was received from General Sheridan instructing the commanding officer “not to take Cody” with him, and saying that I was to remain in my old position.  In a few days the command left for its destination, taking the cars at McPherson Station, where I bade my old friends adieu.  During the next few weeks I had but little to do, as the post was garrisoned by infantry, awaiting the arrival of the Third Cavalry.

[Illustration:  FINDING THE REMAINS OF THE BUCK PARTY.]

CHAPTER XXV.

HUNTING WITH A GRAND DUKE.

About the first of January, 1872, General Forsyth and Dr. Asch, of Sheridan’s staff came out to Fort McPherson to make preparations for a big buffalo hunt for the Grand Duke Alexis, of Russia; and as this was to be no ordinary affair, these officers had been sent by General Sheridan to have all the necessary arrangements perfected by the time the Grand Duke should arrive.  They learned from me that there were plenty of buffaloes in the vicinity and especially on the Red Willow, sixty miles distant.  They said they would like to go over on the Red Willow and pick out a suitable place for the camp; they also inquired the location of the Spotted Tail, Sioux Indians.  Spotted Tail had permission from the Government to hunt the buffalo, with his people during the winter, in the Republican river country.  It was my opinion that they were located somewhere on the Frenchman’s Fork about one hundred and fifty miles from Fort McPherson.

General Sheridan’s commissioners informed me, that he wished me to visit Spotted Tail’s camp, and induce about one hundred of the leading warriors and chiefs, to come to the point where it should be decided to locate the Alexis hunting camp, and to be there by the time the Grand Duke should arrive, so that he could see a body of American Indians and observe the manner in which they killed buffaloes.  The Indians would also be called upon to give a grand war dance in honor of the distinguished visitor.

Next morning General Forsyth and Dr. Asch, accompanied by Captain Hays, who had been left at Fort McPherson in charge of the Fifth Cavalry horses, taking an ambulance and a light wagon, to carry their tents, and provisions sufficient to last them two or three days; started, under my guidance, with a small escort, for Red Willow Creek, arriving there at night.  The next day we selected a pleasant camping place on a little knoll in the valley of the Red Willow.  General Forsyth and his party returned to the post the next day while I left for Spotted Tail’s camp.