THE BUFFALO HUNT 53 



ever, the native was the guide, we set out in a shower 

 which continued more or less all day and into the 

 night, so we camped in the rain. 



Next day it was obvious, and Sousi no longer con- 

 cealed the fact, that he was making for home as fast as 

 he could go. 



At Salt River I found the little Teal back on her 

 eggs in the burnt ground. At 3.30 we reached Smith 

 Landing, having been absent exactly 3 days, and hav- 

 ing seen in that time 33 Buffalo, 4 of them calves of 

 this year, 3 old Buffalo skeletons of ancient date, but 

 not a track or sign of a Wolf, not a howl by night, or 

 any evidence of their recent presence, for the buffalo 

 skeletons found were obviously very old. 



And our guide — the wicked one of evil ancestry and 

 fame — he was kind, cheerful, and courteous through- 

 out; he did exactly as he promised, did it on time, and 

 was well pleased with the pay we gave him. Speak as 

 you find. If ever I revisit that country I shall be glad 

 indeed to secure the services of good old Sousi, even 

 if he is a Beaulieu. 



