Your Guide Book to the Pacific Railroad, 1879
Buffalo Hunt in Nebraska by
the
Grand Duke Alexis of Russia in 1872
(italics added)
|
GRAND DUKE ALEXIS KILLING HIS FIRST BUFFALO. |
During the visit of the Grand Duke Alexis of Russia, to the United States, the
imperial party were escorted to the plains, and enjoyed the excitement of a
buffalo hunt, over the western prairies. As the only representative of the great
Russian nation, he has seen the novelty of military life on the frontier; shaken
hands with partially tamed Indian warriors, and smoked the pipe of peace in
ancient style.
Among the company were Buffalo Bill, a noble son of the wild
West, and Generals Sheridan and Custer. The red men appeared in a grand pow-wow
and war-dance, and indulged in arrow practice for his particular benefit.
The party started from Camp Alexis, Willow Creek, Nebraska,
in January 1872. For the hunt the Duke's dress consisted of jacket and trowsers
of heavy gray cloth, trimmed with green, the buttons bearing the Imperial
Russian coat-of-arms; he wore his boots outside his trowsers; his cap was an
Australian (Austrian?) turban, with cloth top; he carried a Russian
hunting knife, and an American revolver recently presented to him, and bearing
the coat-of-arms of the United States and Russia on the handle.
Game was sighted in a long canon (canyon) with broken
sides and high hills on either side, forming a magnificent arena.
The Grand Duke and Custer started off, and as they went
Custer pulled out his revolver, and said, "Are you ready, Duke?"
Alexis drew off his glove, grasped his pistol, and with a wave of his hand
replied, "All ready now, General."
A cow was singled out to show him how fleet of foot the
females are, and the speed and skill essential to overtake and kill them. As
soon as she espied them she started off at full speed, the Duke and Custer after
her.
The chase was most exciting, and the Grand Duke, exhibiting
an enthusiasm and daring which the most experienced hunter could not have
surpassed, pressed his game until she turned upon him.
Describing a semi-circle with his horse, he dashed to the
other side of her, and taking deliberate aim, discharged the contents of his
revolver into her fore shoulder, as quick as a flash of lightning. The buffalo
fell dead upon the instant.
Thus, as he telegraphed to his father,
the Czar of Russia, he killed the first wild horned monster that had met his eye
in America.
The sport continued for two days, and ended with a series of
Indian festivities.