126 In the U^iited States v 



fortunately, the men who were sent out to bring 

 in the meat, instead of doing so, found more buffalo, 

 which they went after in vain. They then lost 

 themselves in a most frightful storm, got separated, 

 and one is gone altogether ; we hope, however, 

 that he may yet turn up. This buffalo running is 

 very good fun in its way, but I don't think that 

 I shall care about much more of it, the elk running 

 is far finer.^ Our southern bag consisted of these 

 two buffalo, five wild turkeys, a wolf, and — a rabbit ! 

 We saw six lynxes playing together, but they were 

 too far off to shoot. We are now contemplating 

 a new hunt, but the weather is so frightfully cold 

 that it is doubtful whether we shall be able to 

 go ; it has been below zero already, and even the 

 swift running streams are frozen over. We had a 

 terrible ride yesterday to get in, the wind blowing 



' The Doctor never seems to have changed his opinion with regard 

 to buffalo running : — 



' I vow that, all said and done, I think that stalking an educated 

 stag on a Hieland corrie is the most exquisitely delicious sport that 

 I have ever tried. Possibly, were I a sportsman, I should prefer 

 galloping in the midst of a herd of poor blundering brutes, plugging 

 one after another a buot portant with a Springfield, and leaving a long 

 line of carcasses behind me to rot on the plain. It is a thing to do 

 once; but for sport, No, sir! Once is enough for me. As for 

 stalking a single buffalo, I would as soon stalk an old woman, stone 

 deaf and parcel blind, picking up sticks to boil her kettle withal ; 

 but tastes, like doctors, differ. . . I am only a medical person who 

 goes up and down the world to see things, and to shoot them or to 

 miss them, as the case may be, generally the latter ; but if the title 

 of sportsman is only to be earned by going out buffalo hunting for 

 the fun of the thing, I don't think that I shall ever earn that diploma.' 

 — Extract from letter to the ' Field. ' 



