I demanded a large salary, which they could well afford to pay, as the meat itself would cost them nothing.

Under the terms of the contract which I signed with them, I was to receive five hundred dollars a month, agreeing on my part to supply them with all the meat they wanted.
Leaving Rose to complete our grading contract, I at once began my career as a buffalo hunter for the Kansas Pacific.

It was not long before I acquired a considerable reputation, and it was at this time that the title "Buffalo Bill" was conferred upon me by the railroad hands.

Of this title, which has stuck to me through life, I have never been ashamed.
During my engagement as hunter for the company, which covered a period of eighteen months, I killed 4,280 buffaloes and had many exciting adventures with the Indians, including a number of hairbreadth escapes, some of which are well worth relating.
One day, in the spring of 1868, I mounted Brigham and started for Smoky Hill River.

After a gallop of twenty miles I reached the top of a small hill overlooking that beautiful stream.