66 ACCESSIBLE FIELD SPORTS. 



let the poor creature die in peace aggravate not her 

 last moments. 



The scene which I have tried to describe took place 

 about ten miles on the south side of the Yellow Stone. 

 An old and tried friend from Germany was my com- 

 panion, and on this occasion we each killed two cows. 

 Double the number, or even more, could have been 

 shot without trouble ; but the requisite amount of beef 

 had been obtained, and I was jealous of husbanding 

 the strength of my horse, for then, as now, but little 

 reliance could be placed on the professed peaceful 

 intention of the Indians. 



The range of the buffalo was at one period much 

 more extensive than at present. The same reasons 

 that have decreased, and in some instances almost 

 annihilated, other genera, can be safely urged as 

 the cause of this the cultivation of wild lands and 

 the unprecedented increase of inhabitants on the 

 American continent. On the eastern limit of the 

 Grand Prairie, in Indiana, I have frequently found 

 bones of the buffalo, telling too plainly that this had 

 once been his home. At the present day, at least 

 twelve hundred miles farther westward must be 

 traversed before the sportsman can hope for a chance 

 to use his rifle on this game ; and year after year 

 farther distances will require to be journeyed to 



