“Stopping at Chicago two days, where I was the guest of General Sheridan, I proceeded to New York, where I was shown the ‘elephant.’  During my visit I attended the performance at the Bowery Theater, in company with Colonel E.Z.C.  Judson (Ned Buntline), and witnessed a dramatization of Judson’s story, entitled ’Buffalo Bill, King of Border Men.’  The part of ‘Buffalo Bill’ was impersonated by J.B.  Studley, an excellent actor, and I must say the fellow looked like me, as his make-up was a perfect picture of myself.  I had not watched myself very long before the audience discovered that the original Buffalo Bill was in the private box, and they commenced cheering, which stopped the performance, and they would not cease until I had shown myself and spoken a few words.

“At that time I had no idea of going on the stage, such a thought having never entered my head.  But some enterprising managers, believing there was money in me, offered me as high as $1,000 per week to go on the stage.  I told them I would rather face 1,000 Indians than attempt to open my mouth before all those people.  I returned to my duties as a scout, and during the summer of 1872 Ned Buntline was constantly writing to me to come East and go on the stage, offering large inducements.  As scouting business was a little dull, I concluded to try it for awhile, and started East in company with Texas Jack.  Met Buntline in Chicago with a company ready to support me.

“We were to open in Chicago in Nixon’s Amphitheater on December 16th, 1872.  I arrived in Chicago December 12th, 1872.  We were driven to the theater, where I was introduced to Jim Nixon, who said, ’Mr. Buntline, give me your drama, as I am ready to cast your piece, and we have no time to lose, if you are to open Monday, and these men who have never been on the stage will require several rehearsals.’  Buntline surprised us all by saying that he had not written the drama yet, but would do so at once.  Mr. Nixon said, ’No drama! and this is Thursday.  Well, I will cancel your date.’  But Buntline was not to be balked in this way, and asked Nixon what he would rent the theater one week for.  ’One thousand dollars,’ said Nixon.  ‘It’s my theater,’ said Buntline, making out a check for the amount.  He rushed to the hotel, secured the services of several clerks to copy the parts, and in four hours had written ’The Scouts of the Prairie.’  He handed Texas Jack and I our parts, told us to commit them to memory and report next morning for rehearsal.  I looked at Jack’s and then at my part.  Jack looked at me and said, ’Bill, how long will it take you to commit your part?’ ’About seven years, if I have good luck.’  Buntline said, ‘Go to work.’  I studied hard, and next morning recited the lines, cues and all, to Buntline.  Buntline said, ’You must not recite cues; they are for you to speak from—­the last words of the persons who speak before you.’  I said, ’Cues be d—­d; I never heard of anything but a billiard cue.’