# Administering Justice explained — The Life of Buffalo Bill

> Chapter companion for The Life of Buffalo Bill by William F. Cody.

## What happens

Cody recounts a series of military campaigns and personal events in the late 1860s and early 1870s, including a chase of Pawnee Killer's band, the birth of his son Kit Carson, his appointment as a justice of the peace, a skirmish where he recaptures his horse Powder Face, and a fossil-hunting expedition with Professor Marsh.

## Themes in this chapter

### Conflict and Coexistence with Native Americans

The chapter details military pursuits of hostile bands, the abandonment of an elderly squaw, and the use of Pawnee scouts as allies.

### Violence and Survival

Skirmishes, killings, and the harsh realities of frontier life are depicted, including Cody's killing of two Indians and the recovery of his horse.

### Self-Invention and Celebrity

Cody's appointment as justice of the peace and his naming of his son after Kit Carson reflect his growing public persona and self-fashioning.

## Character check-ins

### Buffalo Bill

Narrator and protagonist; serves as chief of scouts, becomes justice of the peace, and participates in skirmishes.

### Major Frank North

Leads the Pawnee scouts in the chase of hostile Indians.

### Major W. H. Brown

Proposes naming Cody's son Kit Carson; accompanies Cody on a drinking spree.

### General Emory

Appoints Cody as justice of the peace to handle civilian offenses near the post.

### Powder Face

Cody's favorite horse, stolen by Indians and later recovered during a skirmish.

### General E. A. Carr

Receives captured war bonnets from Cody to present to General Augur's daughters.

### Thomas Duncan

Commands an expedition to the Republican River country; known for his jovial nature and fondness for hunting.

### John Y. Nelson

Scout with a Sioux wife; recognizes the old squaw left behind by the fleeing Indians.

## Key lines

> General, you compliment me rather too highly, for I don’t know any more about law than a government mule does about bookkeeping.

Cody modestly tells General Emory that he knows nothing about law, comparing his ignorance to that of a mule.

_Cody's self-deprecating humor when offered the position of justice of the peace._

> I had no blank forms, and had not yet received the statutes of Nebraska to copy from, so I asked the man: 'Where is the'

When asked for a writ of replevin, Cody admits he lacks the proper legal forms and statutes.

_Illustrates the informal and improvised nature of frontier justice._

> We were feeling rather tired and hungry, as we had started out on the trail thirty-six hours before without a breakfast or taking any food with us; but not a murmur or complaint was heard among the men.

Despite extreme fatigue and hunger after a 36-hour pursuit, the men did not complain.

_Highlights the endurance and stoicism expected of frontier soldiers and scouts._

> This man is a character in his way; he has a Sioux squaw for a wife, and consequently a half-breed family. John is a good fellow, though as a liar he has but few equals and no superior.

Cody describes John Y. Nelson as a unique individual with a Sioux wife and a reputation for tall tales.

_Cody's candid and often humorous portrayal of his fellow scouts._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se/chapters/xxiii-administering-justice
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se/chapters