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Show Nettie, Page 32 answered her unspoken question. "That's Colonel Cody--you know--the one they call "Buffalo Bill." "My stars," Nettie breathed, "my own sweet stars!" She moved at once to get a closer look and hear the conversation. Never one to be shy, Nettie manouevered into the group until she was standing beside the notorious Indian fighter, scout, and star of his own wild west show. She listened as the elders voiced their concerns over possible Indian encounters. Col. Cody assured them he had spoken with the various tribes in the area and told them the Saints were interested only in peaceable settlement of the northern part of the Wyoming territory. "Do you speak the Indian language?" Nettie blurted out. The warm brown eyes turned and found the little girl and he smiled. "Well now, enough to get by. And who might you be?" he asked her. "Nettie Peterson. Are you really "Buffalo Bill'?"she stared un-bliqkingly at him. "The Easterners call me 'Bison William', but out here in the west we're a little less formal," he chuckled. Nettie grinned and stuck out her hand. "Welcome to our Company, sir. Won't you come meet my family?" Col. Cody threw back his head and laughed. "Well, aren't you the one! Bold as brass. I'd be right pleased to meet your family, angel. Lead on!" And he stuck out his hand which Nettie unhesitatingly gripped, then marched out toward the wagon. The elders smiled at him and called out they would talk again later, |
