lt was here
called. It was thought that the owner of the ranch might take pity upon
my deplorable condition, and provide some sort of vehicle to convey the
ladies the remainder of the journey.

We were heartily welcomed, and our bachelor host made us extremely
comfortable in his cozy apartments, while he ordered supper for the
party. Will considered that we were within the safety zone, so he
continued on to the fort to obtain his postponed rest; and after supper
the ladies rode to the fort in a carriage.

The next day's Omaha paper contained an account of the hunt from Dr.
Powell's graphic pen, and in it May Cody received all the glory of
the shot that laid the buffalo low. Newspaper men are usually ready to
sacrifice exact facts to an innate sense of the picturesque.

At this time the fort was somewhat concerned over numerous petty crimes
among the civilians, and General Emory, now chief in authority at the
post, requested the county commissioners to appoint Will a justice of
the peace. This was done, much to the dismay of the new Justice, who, as
he phrased it, "knew no more of law than a mule knows of singing." But
he was compelled to bear the blushing honors thrust upon him, and his
sign was posted In a conspicuous place:

-------------------------- | WILLIAM F. CODY, |
| JUSTICE OF THE PEACE. |
--------------------------*/

Almost the first thing he was called upon to do in his new
capacity was to perform a wedding ceremony. Cold sweat stood upon
his brow as he implored our aid in this desperate emergency.
The big law book with which he had been equipped at his
installation was ransacked in vain for the needed information.
The Bible was examined more diligently, perhaps, than it had
ever been by him before, but the Good Book was as unresponsive
as the legal tome. "Remember your own wedding ceremony,"
was our advice "Follow that as nearly as possible."
But he shook his head despondently The cool-headed scout
and Indian fighter was dismayed, and the dignity of the law
trembled in the balance.

To put an edge on the crisis, nearly the entire fort attended
the wedding. All is well, said we, as we watched the justice take
his place before the bridal pair with not a sign of trepidation.
At the outset his conducting of the ceremony was irreproachable,
and we were secretly congratulating ourselves