e reached the station at North Platte, we found that the entire
population had turned out to receive their fellow-townsman. The "Cody
Guards," a band to which Will presented beautiful uniforms of white
broadcloth trimmed with gold braid, struck up the strains of "See, the
Conquering Hero Comes." The mayor attempted to do the welcoming honors
of the city, but it was impossible for him to make himself heard. Cheer
followed cheer from the enthusiastic crowd.

We had expected to reach the place some hours earlier, but our late
arrival encroached upon the hour of church service. The ministers
discovered that it was impossible to hold their congregations; so they
were dismissed, and the pastors accompanied them to the station, one
reverend gentleman humorously remarking:

"We shall be obliged to take for our text this morning 'Buffalo Bill and
his Wild West,' and will now proceed to the station for the discourse."

Will's tally-ho coach, drawn by six horses, was in waiting for the
incoming party. The members of his family seated themselves in that
conveyance, and we passed through the town, preceded and followed by
a band. As we arrived at the home residence, both bands united in a
welcoming strain of martial music.

My oldest sister, Julia, whose husband is manager of "Scout's Rest
Ranch," when informed that the "Wild West" was to visit North Platte,
conceived the idea of making this visit the occasion of a family
reunion. We had never met in an unbroken circle since the days of
our first separation, but as a result of her efforts we sat thus that
evening in my brother's home. The next day our mother-sister, as she had
always been regarded, entertained us at "Scout's Rest Ranch."

The "Wild West" exhibition had visited Duluth for the first time that
same year. This city has a population of 65,000. North Platte numbers
3,500. When he wrote to me of his intention to take the exhibition to
Duluth, Will offered to make a wager that his own little town would
furnish a bigger crowd than would the city of my residence. I could
not accept any such inferred slur upon the Zenith City, so accepted the
wager, a silk hat against a fur cloak.

October 12th, the date of the North Platte performance, dawned bright
and cloudless. "To-day decides our wager," said Will. "I expect there
will be two or three dozen people out on this prairie. Duluth turned
out a good many thousands, so I suppose you think your wager as good as
won."

The