We said that we knew him and that perhaps we could get him to come to
us. I wrote on my card: "It would give M. de Hegermann and myself much
pleasure to speak with you. We traveled in the same train with you to
California some years ago, if you remember." I sent the card by a
little page who was selling popcorn. At the first opportunity Buffalo
Bill came, preceded by the boy. He said he "remembered us perfectly." I
introduced him to the Duke, who, after having complimented him on his
"show" and laughed over the awkward attempts of _his_ boys, asked him
if we might see the camp.
No gentleman from the court of Louis XV. could surpass Buffalo Bill's
refined and courteous manners. He said if we would wait until the
performance was over he would "show us about."
We did wait, and went all over the camp with him, and saw everything
that was to be seen, and smelled the different fried things which
lurked in every corner. Buffalo Bill beckoned to some of the cowboys to
come forward and named them to us. I think they were delighted. They
had such good, honest (and even handsome) faces. My heart warmed to
them.