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t； for it had cost a hundred dollars； and was a great curiosity。 But the old man's eyes glistened； and he would not take 〃no〃 for an answer。 〃The Utes have killed my little child；〃 he said through the interpreter； and now he must have this steel shirt to protect himself； and when he returned to the Rocky Mountains he would have his revenge。 Barnum remained inexorable until the chief finally brought a new buckskin Indian suit； which he insisted upon exchanging。 Barnum then felt compelled to accept his proposal； and never did anyone see a man more delighted than the Indian seemed to be when he took the mailed shirt into his hands。 He fairly jumped up and down with joy。 He ran to his lodging…room； and soon appeared again with the coveted armor upon his body； and marched down one of the main halls of the Museum； with folded arms； and head erect； occasionally patting his breast with his right hand； as much as to say； 〃Now； Mr。 Ute； look sharp； for I will soon be on the war…path！〃
Among these Indians were War Bonnet； Lean Bear； and Hand…in…the…water； chiefs of the Cheyennes； Yellow Buffalo； of the Kiowas； Yellow Bear； of the same tribe； Jacob； of the Caddos； and White Bull； of the Apaches。 The little wiry chief known as Yellow Bear had killed many whites as they had travelled through the 〃far West。〃 He was a sly； treacherous； bloodthirsty savage； who would think no more of scalping a family of women and children than a butcher would of wringing the neck of a chicken。 But now he was on a mission to the 〃Great Father〃 at Washington； seeking for presents and favors for his tribe； and he pretended to be exceedingly meek and humble； and continually urged the interpreter to announce him as a 〃great friend to the white man。〃 He would fawn about Barnum； and although not speaking or understanding a word of our language； would try to convince him that he loved him dearly。
In exhibiting these Indian warriors on the stage； Barnum explained to the large audiences the names and characteristics of each。 When he came to Yellow Bear he would pat him familiarly upon the shoulder； which always caused him to look up with a pleasant smile； while he softly stroked Barnum's arm with his right hand in the most loving manner。 Knowing that he could not understand a word he said； Barnum pretended to be complimenting him to the audience； while he was really saying something like the following：
〃This little Indian； ladies and gentlemen； is Yellow Bear； chief of the Kiowas。 He has killed； no doubt； scores of white persons； and he is probably the meanest black…hearted rascal that lives in the far West。〃 Here Barnum patted him on the head； and he； supposing he was sounding his praises； would smile； fawn upon him； and stroke his arm； while he continued： 〃If the bloodthirsty little villain understood what I was saying； he would kill me in a moment； but as he thinks I am complimenting him； I can safely state the truth to you； that he is a lying； thieving； treacherous； murderous monster。 He has tortured to death poor； unprotected women； murdered their husbands； brained their helpless little ones； and he would gladly do the same to you or to me； if he thought he could escape punishment。 This is but a faint description of the character of Yellow Bear。〃 Here Barnum gave him another patronizing pat on the head； and he； with a pleasant smile； bowed to the audience； as much as to say that the words were quite true； and that he thanked Barnum very much for the high encomiums he had so generously heaped upon him。
After the Indians had been at the Museum about week they discovered the real character of the place。 They found they were simply on exhibition； and that people paid a fee for the privilege of coming in and gazing at them。 Forthwith there was an outcry of discontent and anger。 Nothing would induce them again to appear upon the stage。 Their dignity had been irretrievably offended； and Barnum was actually fearful lest they should wreak vengeance upon him with physical violence。 It was with a feeling of great relief that he witnessed their departure for Washington the next day。
In the fall of this year Barnum produced at his Museum a dramatization of Dickens's 〃Great Expectations。〃 On the opening night of the play； before the curtain rose； the great showman himself went upon the stage and made this poetical address of welcome to the audience：
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN：
〃That Prince of Humbugs； Barnum；〃 so it appears Some folks have designated me for several years。 Well； I don't murmur； indeed； when they embellish it； To tell the truth； my friends； I rather relish it； Since your true humbug's be； who as a host； For the least money entertains you most。 In this sense I'm a 〃humbug；〃 I succumb！ Who as a 〃General〃 thing brought out Tom Thumb？ Who introduced （you can't say there I sinned） The Swedish Nightingale； sweet Jenny Lind？ Who brought you Living Whales from Labrador？ The Hippopotamus from Nilus's shore； The Bearded Lady with her （h）airs and graces； The Aztec Children with their normal faces； The Twins of Siamrarest of dualities Two ever separate； ne'er apart realities？ The Family of Albinos？ the Giraffe？ The famous Baby Show that made you laugh？ The Happy Familycats； rats； doves； hawks； harmonious？ Their voices blend in tones euphonious。 The great Sea Lion from Pacific's coast； The 〃Monarch of the Ocean；〃 no empty boast； Old Adam's Bears； cutest of brute performers； In modern 〃peace meetings〃 models for reformers。 That living miracle； the Lightning Calculator； Those figures confound Hermann the 〃Prestidigitator。〃 The Grand Aquaria； an official story Of life beneath the waves ill all its glory； The curious 〃What is It？〃 which you； though spunky； Won't call a man and cannot call a monkey。 These things and many more time forbids to state； I first introduced； if I did not originate； 〃The World's Seven Wonders；〃 pooh！ let them invite you； Here 〃seven〃 saloons all wonder…full delight you。 To call this 〃humbug〃 admits of no defence； For all is shown for five and twenty cents。 And now； good friends； to use less rhyme than reason； To…day re…opens our dramatic season； Therefore I welcome you！ And though we're certain To raise 〃Great Expectations〃 with the curtain； And 〃play the Dickens〃 afternoon and nightly； I bid you welcome none the less politely； To these my 〃quarters；〃 merry and reliable； That yours are always welcome 'tis undeniable！ And Patrick Henry like I say； I boast of it； If that be 〃humbug；〃 gentlemen； 〃make the most of it。〃
The foregoing address may be correctly said to have as much truth as poetry。 It is a graceful summary of the curiosities which Barnum had brought before the world up to his sixtieth year。 It does not include the Sacred White Elephant of Siam； the mammoth Jumbo and other wonders of nature which he was yet to reveal to astonished and delighted millions。 Nor does it indicate that grand genius of aggregation by which in later years he surpassed all his previous performancesmasterly as they were。 Not till the veteran had reached the age of seventythe allotted span of lifedid he gather and create 〃The Greatest Show on Earth。〃
In connection with the dramatization of Dickens' novel； it see