INSTRUCTIONS FOR SPORTSMEN. 281 



that formidable gentleman's attention, so as to afford 

 the sportsman unusual opportunities for administering 

 the coup de grace. 



For hard and fast riding I would recommend the 

 common English hunting- saddle, although for tra- 

 velling long distances, and carrying game or weighty 

 additions, the American saddle is preferable. It would 

 be well, therefore, to be provided with both ; and as it 

 can always be carried on the back of an unused animal, 

 it will be seldom found in the way. 



The exact locality to be certain to find buffalo is a 

 difficult matter to say, as they are so erratic in their 

 habits that a place where they have abounded one season 

 will be found almost deserted next the progress of 

 vegetation, the severity of the weather, and the vicinity 

 of war or hunting parties of Indians, having doubtless 

 much influence ; still, if I were about to revisit these 

 sporting Elysiums, I would take myself to St. Louis, 

 and go on board one of the numerous steamboats that 

 start each spring on trading excursions for the Upper 

 Missouri. There are few parts of the upper river where 

 a landing cannot easily be effected, and your horses, by 

 this means, can be placed fresh and in good condition 

 where their labours are about to commence ; independent 

 of which a supply of grain can be taken along that 

 will be invaluable in keeping your nags in good heart. 



