THE NEW FIELD FOR SPORTSMEN. 463 



rotting carcasses of hundreds of buffaloes, and seen the beauti- 

 ful skins decaying, and tons of richest meat feeding flies and 

 maggots; and, standing there, I have felt but little surprise 

 that the savage should consider such wanton destruction worthy 

 of death. In the States, game is protected at least during the 

 breeding season ; but no period of the year is sacred from the 

 spirit of slaughter which holds high revel in Buffalo Land. 



It is manifest, however, that over the Indian Territory 

 history will soon repeat itself. Railroads are pushing steadily 

 forward; 1872 is already seeing the beginning of the end. 

 The savage must flee still further westward, and the valleys 

 and prairies which he is now jealously protecting will be 

 invaded first by the sportsman, and then by the farmer. 

 Perhaps, before that time, Congress may have taken the 

 matter in hand, and passed laws which will have saved the 

 noblest of our game from at least immediate extinction. 



