CHAPTER VIII 

 TROPHIES AND COLLECTIONS 



An expedition over, the strain and excitement passed, 

 the sportsman again in his smoking-room with his 

 memories and his trophies ! The years go by, the 

 remembrances of details wane, while the interest of the 

 curios tends to grow. The sportsman, wearied by his 

 day of family or financial cares, looks round at his 

 walls and catches the eye of a buffalo. His tired 

 brain revives. "Ah ! ah ! " he says ; "you old wretch ! 

 What a splendid fight we had in 1S9 — ! Heavens, 

 what a day that was, and what a trip! I'll drop 

 a note to B. and C. and ask them to come round 

 to-night, and we'll yarn till all's blue." 



A collection is worth the taking of unlimited 

 trouble ; make it accurate and above criticism. 

 Perhaps the length of the horn falls short of record, 

 but never mind — the story of that head is yours, 

 and yours alone. See that it is correctly mounted. 

 When a first head is shot a note should be taken 

 of the colour of the nose and eyes, and when ex- 

 amining game through glasses, in its natural habitat, 



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