22 INTRODUCTION 



the bare back of a mule, and falling on the sharp 

 picket of an Indian lodge on the small of my back. 

 I fear I injured my spine, for I have never felt al- 

 together the thing since, and, shortly after I saw 

 you, the symptoms became rather ugly. However, 

 I am now getting round again.' 



" His medical advisers shared his opinion that 

 he had sustained internal injury from this ugly 

 fall; and it is not improbable that it was the re- 

 mote, but real cause of his dissolution. From 

 whatsoever this ensued, it will be a source of deep 

 and lasting regret to all who ever enjoyed oppor- 

 tunities of appreciating the high and sterling quali- 

 ties of George Frederick Ruxton. Few men, so 

 prepossessing on first acquaintance, gained so 

 much by being better known. With great natural 

 abilities and the most dauntless bravery, he united 

 a modesty and gentleness peculiarly pleasing. 



" Had he lived, and resisted his friends' re- 

 peated solicitations to abandon a roving life and 

 settle down in England, there can be little doubt 

 that he would have made his name eminent on the 

 lists of those daring and persevering men, whose 

 travels in distant and dangerous lands have ac- 

 cumulated for England, and for the world, so rich 

 a store of scientific and general information. And 

 although the few words it has been thought right 

 and becoming here to devote to his memory, will 

 doubtless be more particularly welcome to his per- 



