The William F. Cody Archive: Documenting the life and times of Buffalo Bill

SHORT BULL and Kicking Bear,
Indians Red, and Indians rare,
Let me put some questions;
Then, perhaps, though Red you be,
You will say in language free,
What you think of what you see,
And may make suggestions.

This I said, and this I wrote,
Putting in, you'll please to note,
Many little posers;
How brave Kicking Bear replied,
How Short Bull did then decide,
Where they erred, or where they lied,
I'll not tell you, no, sirs.

"What d'ye think of Mayor Cooke? [1]
Tell me, Kicking Bear, and look,
You make no digression."
"Mayor Cooke," the Sioux essayed,
"Me much makee great afraid,
By his side me much in shade,
That is true confession."

"Now, Short Bull, your turn comes next,
Don't evade on false pretext.
What think you of Spark, now?"
"Doctor Sparkee, [2] makee noise,
Please the little girls and boys,
In Far West he'd givee joys,
But you keep it dark now."

"Kicking Bear," I did proceed,
"How would you our Archie read,
Our great water drinker?"
"Archie figee me like not,
Though drink water is most hot,
And he talkee muchee rot,
I of that am thinker."

"Once again, then, Short Bull, say,
What think you of our Sir J.—
That is, Sir James Kitson?" [3]
"Man of iron, very strong,
Fightee bravely, right or wrong,
Bigger be before 'tis long,
For M. P. a fit son."

"Kicking Bear, you've seen the Grand,
Nicest theatre in the land,—
What's your own opinion?"
"Much pretty, music sweet,
Likee dancing of the feet,
Tomahawk would make complete
Manager's dominion."

"Roundhay Park [4] you've seen, Short Bull,
When with Sunday people full,
Is it not most charming?"
"If horse ridee very well,
But too far the good to tell,
Bring it nearer to your swell,
Or let out for farming."

Then, before I spoke again,
They went at it might and main,
Many things denouncing;
Briggate and its fine arcade,
The new Post, the Boar Lane shade,
Kirkstall Abbey, Leeds's trade,
All came in for trouncing.