OLLEN AND OTHER HUNTING 271 



hunting-ground they knew what they were doing, and 

 the missionizing influence of it. How I wish I had been 

 born a Sioux or a Cree. Far rather would I wander 

 ever on the trackless shining plains after immortal 

 ibex or glorified gazelle than eternally sit on a damp 

 cloud-bank in white robes which never need laundering, 

 twanging a golden harp which is never out of tune. 

 The thing's unequal. But — a fly in the amber ! In the 

 Indian Paradise every day leads to great issues, and 

 there are no blanks. I shouldn't care for that. Con- 

 stant success soon satiates — it is in man's blood to 

 value only that which is difficult to acquire. Did not 

 Ovid make that plain to us centuries agone ? The 

 apple dropped at our feet has not the sweetness of fruit 

 gathered from the topmost bough, at risk of a broken 

 neck. Out on us for contrary beings ! But — it's true, 

 isn't it ? 



It is one of Nature's most alluring " ways " to hide 

 from us her greatest treasures, to give as the incentive 

 to search. 



" They only know what nature means 

 Who watch the play behind the scenes." 



For she is not prodigal of her effects, like a Drury 

 Lane spectacular drama. She lays few of her jewels 

 at our feet, and those charms which she seems to be- 

 spread generously conceal a thousand more. 



I left Keebeet to the hideous dismemberment — 

 being a Russian he had not desired to make my prize 

 edible by giving it the damaging throat-slash of the 

 Mahommedans, which simply ruins the appearance of 

 so many trophies designed for setting-up purposes. 



