call, gladly you bore your burden on, little heeding what the day might
bring, so that you and I but shared its sorrows and pleasures alike. You
have never failed me. Ah, Charlie, old fellow, I have had many friends,
but few of whom I could say that. Rest entombed in the deep bosom of the
ocean! I'll never forget you. I loved you as you loved me, my dear old
Charlie. Men tell me you have no soul; but if there be a heaven, and
scouts can enter there, I'll wait at the gate for you, old friend."

On this homeward trip Will made the acquaintance of a clergyman
returning from a vacation spent in Europe. When they neared the American
coast this gentleman prepared a telegram to send to his congregation.
It read simply: "2 John i. 12." Chancing to see it, Will's interest was
aroused, and he asked the clergyman to explain the significance of the
reference, and when this was done he said: "I have a religious sister at
home who knows the Bible so well that I will wire her that message and
she will not need to look up the meaning."

He duplicated to me, as his return greeting, the minister's telegram to
his congregation, but I did not justify his high opinion of my Biblical
knowledge. I was obliged to search the Scriptures to unravel the enigma.
As there may be others like me, but who have not the incentive I had to
look up the reference, I quote from God's word the message I received:
"Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and
ink; but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy
may be full."

CHAPTER XXVII. -- RETURN OF THE "WILD WEST" TO AMERICA.

WHEN the "Wild West" returned to America from its first venture across
seas, the sail up the harbor was described by the New York _World_ in
the following words:

"The harbor probably has never witnessed a more picturesque
scene than that of yesterday, when the 'Persian Monarch'
steamed up from quarantine. Buffalo Bill stood on the
captain's bridge, his tall and striking figure clearly
outlined, and his long hair waving in the wind; the gayly
painted and blanketed Indians leaned over the ship's rail;
the flags of all nations fluttered from the masts and
connecting cables. The cowboy band played 'Yankee Doodle'
with a vim and enthusiasm which faintly indicated the joy
felt by everybody connected with the 'Wild West' over the
sight of home."

Will had been cordially welcomed