INSTRUCTIONS FOR SPORTSMEN. 275 



whose tramping and lowing can be heard for miles, 

 offering itself to view. 



At one period the buffalo was to be found almost all 

 over the American continent, from the St. Lawrence to 

 Florida, and from the Atlantic to the Pacific ; but culti- 

 vation and emigration have done here their usual havoc, 

 and not a single specimen can now be found in many 

 localities where fifty years ago they swarmed ; and if we 

 look into futurity, say fifty years hence, it is more than 

 probable that but few of these lordly animals will exist. 

 Like the poor red man, their days are numbered, and to 

 future generations nought will remain but the remi- 

 niscence or literary mention of these races. This animal 

 forms the principal resource of the Indian his food, his 

 covering, and his amusement ; it is even the constant 

 topic of his conversation, and the two, that are thus 

 closely associated, are doubtless destined to make their 

 final exit from the world about the same date. 



While these animals exist in numbers, and travelling 

 is so easily accomplished, it is surprising that more 

 of our gentlemen do not visit their resorts, to enjoy 

 with uninterrupted freedom a sport which is at the 

 same time exciting and healthful; true, to be a pro- 

 ficient requires many qualities, such as a firm seat 

 on horseback, a quick eye and ready hand, decision 

 and capacity to act on an emergency, with a consti- 



