Events justified his disobedience, as it often did in the kaleidoscope changes in fighting Indians. Colonel Cody, who at that time was in the midst of a Wildwest exhibition, at the Centennial Fair, abruptly closed his show at tremendous loss, and volunteered his services. He was made chief of scouts with General Merritt. To intercept the movements of the Indians the cavalry moved as directed by Buffalo Bill, seventy-five miles in twenty-four hours, and placed themselves directly in the path of the Indians.

The advanced portion of the Indians was surprised, and drew up in battle line, to await these that were coming from the rear. The cavalry also were prepared. At this dramatic moment, Yellow Hand, issued his famous challenge to "Long Hair" (Buffalo Bill), and without waiting for orders from his superior, Colonel Cody rode out to meet him.

Little Bat, the interpreter, conveyed to General Merritt, the nature of the challenge, and

HISTORY OF WESTERN NEBRASKA

all eyes on both sides were centered on the duel. It was with such sudden rush and denouement, that it was over and the battle of War Bonnet Creek was on before it was hardly time to realize it.

Buffalo Bill and Yellow Hand spurred their horses straight for one another at full speed, and when near to each other, a bullet from Cody's rifle struck the Indian's horse squarely in the forehead. It fell with a forward momentum, and the horse Cody was riding fell over it. Yellow Hand and the veteran of the plains were both afoot, and went at each other without a moment's delay, one with his tomahawk, and the other with his knife. With his left hand Cody caught the blow of the tomahawk, and plunged the knife into the heart of the Indian. Falling upon him as he went down, Buffalo Bill lifted his war bonnet, and seized his scalp-lock.