The Race

Young William "Buffalo Bill" Cody came to help Major General Eugene A. Carr boot Tall Bull and his Dog Soldiers out of the Republican River valley. 

The general had pet dogs. Skinny, narrow-nosed greyhounds. "Look at those wiry legs," he said. "And those barrel chests. For speed, only the cheetah can beat them."

"Not the antelope?" Cody asked. 

"No. No. These dogs can outrun antelopes easy, easy."

The next morning, Cody tagged along to watch the race. When the general spotted a herd of antelope grazing, he let his dogs loose. 

The antelopes turned. Then they moved, their white rumps flashing.

The race looked close, but soon the dogs—not known for endurance—lagged far behind. The antelopes disappeared over a hill.

 Cody's eyes crinkled. "Sir," he said, "if anything the antelope is a little bit ahead."

Coming April 28, 7-9 p.m.

The Apollon, 1801 Vinton St., Omaha 

THIEVES, RASCALS & SORE LOSERS:

The Unsettling History of the Dirty 

Deals that Helped Settle Nebraska

by Marilyn June Coffey