I told him I could take nothing for what I had done. He then handed me
a small jewel box, which I slipped into my pocket without examining,
and asked if I would not also accept the magnificent fur overcoat which
Alexis had worn on the hunt.
I had frequently admired this coat, which was made of many fine Russian
furs. I was glad to receive it as a remembrance from one of the most
agreeable men I had ever guided on a hunting expedition.
After leaving us Alexis telegraphed to the most famous of New York
jewelers and had made for me a wonderful set of sleeve-links and a
scarf-pin, studded with diamonds and rubies, each piece in the form of
a buffalo head, as large as a silver half-dollar.
Reporters who accompanied the expedition telegraphed the story of this
order to their New York newspapers. When later I arrived in New York,
after this present had been given me, some of the papers said that
Buffalo Bill had come to New York to buy a shirt on which to wear the
jewelry given him by the Grand Duke Alexis.
Shortly after this, General Ord, who had accompanied the hunting party,
rode over with me to Fort McPherson. On the way he asked me how I would
like to have a commission in the regular army. General Sheridan, he
said, had suggested that I ought to have a commission, and the matter
could be arranged if I desired it.
I thanked the general, and asked him to thank General Sheridan.
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