The Life of Buffalo Bill · Chapter
A Tough Time explained
General Carr's command undertakes a winter campaign in the Canadian River country, facing harsh weather and difficult terrain.
What happens
General Carr's command undertakes a winter campaign in the Canadian River country, facing harsh weather and difficult terrain. Cody proves his resourcefulness by finding Penrose's trail, safely descending a steep bluff with the wagon train, and hunting antelope to supply the camp. A feud between American and Mexican scouts culminates in a fight, and Wild Bill and Cody are questioned by General Carr. The chapter also recounts a turkey hunt and the discovery of starving deserters from Penrose's command.
Themes in this chapter
Violence and Survival
The chapter depicts the fight between American and Mexican scouts, as well as the desperate starvation of Penrose's deserters, underscoring the constant threat of violence and the struggle to survive.
Masculinity and the Frontier Hero
Cody's resourcefulness in navigating the wagon train down a steep bluff and his success as a hunter reinforce the ideal of the self-reliant, capable frontier hero.
Loyalty and Comradeship
Cody's efforts to find Penrose's trail and his cooperation with Wild Bill highlight the bonds of loyalty among scouts and soldiers.
Characters to notice
- Buffalo Bill
Serves as chief of scouts under General Carr, leads the wagon train down a steep bluff, and hunts antelope to supply the camp.
- Wild Bill Hickok
Carries dispatches to Camp Supply with other scouts; later involved in a fight with Mexican scouts and is questioned by General Carr alongside Cody.
- General E. A. Carr
Commands the expedition, relies on Cody to find Penrose's trail and manage the wagon train, and investigates the scout feud.
- General Penrose
Commanded an earlier expedition that ran out of rations; his trail is followed by Carr's command.
- Little Gray
A half-breed scout who accompanies Wild Bill on the dispatch run to Camp Supply.
Key passages
“Cody, we're in a nice fix now”
General Carr remarked that they were in a difficult situation.
Carr expresses concern about the steep bluff, but Cody reassures him.
“Run down, slide down or fall down—any way to get down”
Cody told the wagon drivers to get down the bluff however they could.
Cody's bold attitude in overcoming the obstacle.
“Massa Bill, is you got any hawd tack?”
The lost soldier asked Cody if he had any hardtack.
Shows the desperation of Penrose's starving men.