[Illustration:  INDIAN EXERCISES.]

General Custer, who was one of the hunting party, carried on a mild flirtation with one of Spotted Tail’s daughters, who had accompanied her father thither, and it was noticed also that the Duke Alexis paid considerable attention to another handsome red-skin maiden.  The night passed pleasantly, and all retired with great expectations of having a most enjoyable and successful buffalo hunt.  The Duke Alexis asked me a great many questions as to how we shot buffaloes, and what kind of a gun or pistol we used, and if he was going to have a good horse.  I told him that he was to have my celebrated buffalo horse Buckskin Joe, and when we went into a buffalo herd all he would have to do was to sit on the horse’s back and fire away.

At nine o’clock next morning we were all in our saddles, and in a few minutes were galloping over the prairies in search of a buffalo herd.  We had not gone far before we observed a herd some distance ahead of us crossing our way; after that we proceeded cautiously, so as to keep out of sight until we were ready to make a charge.

Of course the main thing was to give Alexis the first chance and the best shot at the buffaloes, and when all was in readiness we dashed over a little knoll that had hidden us from view, and in a few minutes we were among them.  Alexis at first preferred to use his pistol instead of a gun.  He fired six shots from this weapon at buffaloes only twenty feet away from him, but as he shot wildly, not one of his bullets took effect.  Riding up to his side and seeing that his weapon was empty, I exchanged pistols with him.  He again fired six shots, without dropping a buffalo.

Seeing that the animals were bound to make their escape without his killing one of them, unless he had a better weapon, I rode up to him, gave him my old reliable “Lucretia,” and told him to urge his horse close to the buffaloes, and I would then give him the word when to shoot.  At the same time I gave old Buckskin Joe a blow with my whip, and with a few jumps the horse carried 4he Grand Duke to within about ten feet of a big buffalo bull.

“Now is your time,” said I. He fired, and down went the buffalo.  The Grand Duke stopped his horse, dropped his gun on the ground, and commenced waving his hat.  When his suite came galloping up, he began talking to them in a tongue which I could not understand.  Presently General Sheridan joined the group, and the ambulances were brought up.  Very soon the corks began to fly from the champagne bottles, in honor of the Grand Duke Alexis, who had killed the first buffalo.

It was reported in a great many of the newspapers that I shot the first buffalo for Alexis, while in some it was stated that I held the buffalo while His Royal Highness killed it.  But the way I have related the affair is the correct version.

It was thought that we had had about sport enough for one day, and accordingly I was directed by General Sheridan to guide the party back to camp, and we were soon on our way thither.  Several of the party, however, concluded to have a little hunt on their own account, and presently we saw them galloping over the prairie in different directions in pursuit of buffaloes.