New-York tribune., 1900-12-15

"a seal usually makes his appearance "hen
YOU least expect him. and il 10 not an easy thing
10 snatch up your rife and get good shot al
him before he is down again. II he has been UP
any time Il is ten 10 one that he is watching
vou and that he VIII duck the fash and with
boat and seal in motion II is not easy 10 take
an accurate aim" The author confesses 10
having shot at seals-aiming at their heads-for
several years before securing one one day. at
last. the firing Of his gun was followed by the
reddering OF the water. The wounded seal re-
mained under water for some few minutes. and
then rose about sixty yards from the spot where
ne had sunk His pursuers in the gig noticed
that after his temperance his dives grew
shorter and shorter. They finally got near
enough TO drive long. trident shaped baTbed
fish spear into the beast, but when they had
hauled him close 20 the side OF the boat he
gave a lash and splash. twisted the end Of
the spear like wire and slid down into the deep
once more. But he came up again-dead.
The question has been often debated whether
a seal shot in the water VIII always sink. The
writer OF the present volume has known seals
shot 10 sink Immediately, others to float for some
time and sink gradually, stin others 10 lie on
the surface Of the water like logs until they
drifted ashore. Mr.. GathorneHard thinks that
the floating capacities Of the seal depend on how
much air ne happens to have in his lungs when
he is hit. But this mode OF shooting the creature
in deep water IS extremely uncertain. The
surest method Of not wasting powder and shot is
10 aim at your victim when he is settled on
rock. or 10 take advantage Of him in shallow
water, where he is readily recoverable if he
sinks The most exciting sport with seals"
SAYS the author 'is a legitimate stalk. To spy
yoIr beast from distance, to make a long de-
tour. making due allowance for wind. approach
under cover OF rock or bushes. and kin your seal
SO dead that he never hears the shot that struck
him, is sport indeed worthy Of the name. The
pieces. however where seals can be got in this
manner are few and far between. They usually
choose secluded rocks, unapproachable from
land, and sleepy as they look are off like light
ming al the slightest sound Of oars or footsteps"
There are many other kinds Of sport than seal
ing 20 be obtained in Argyleshire. as the fine
but too few-ilustrations Of the book persuade
the inquirer There seems. indeed, hardly a
branch of sport practised north Of the Tay TO
which some allusion is not made in this enter
tanning work. At least fifty species belonging
20 the animal kingdom are mentioned in the in
deN from the gloweTing wildcat 10 the fabby
starfish, from the graceful fallow deer TO the
greedy cormorant from the golden eagle to the
hermit crab "Autumns in Argyleshire" ought
10 have message for many people who indulge
IN sport read about it.
Mr. Selous is a mighty hunter, and a mighty
traveller also Europe. Asia Minor. North
Africa South Africa, Western Canada-these
are some Of the scenes Of his wanderings. And
n asked to set up rare menu OF exotic dishes
he could enumerate for the delectation and sur
prise Of the Wesriest palate: Rudy chelduclz.
one-horned Wild goat. prong horned antelope
Canadian LYNX Sborf soaS ,,-.-,t.s A-.----,
the banquet to begin with consomuee white
tailed prairie marmot and finish with tartines
griffon vulture
II was with the prospect, he tells Us, OF laying
low some OF the red deer and wild goats inhabit
ing the mountains OF Turkey Asia that IN.
author Of sport and Travel' left CONSTANT
nople for Smyrna Owing 10 a passport obtained
ct Her Na5esty's Embassy. the traveller found
himself, when he proceeded beyond SMYRNA
courteously and Hospitality received by the Bev.
or Governor, Of the town Of FL Aaly After Civ
Ing the Englishman ' a very nice Turkish break
fast" the Sultan's officer determined thar the
etiquette of Fl Maly should be impeecable before
the eyes Of the world, provided the unbeliever
with = letter of introduction 70 one Achmet an
experienced hunter of Wild goats living IN the
Musa Dagh Mountains. There was no particu-
lar difficulty IN finding Achnlet who proved 10
be civil and obiging. Nor were there bitches Of
any consequence in the preparation Of a hunting
expedition taken through the mountains in the
direction OF the seashore. But otherwise the
hrst adventure in Asia Minor was disappointing.
Diana frowned. In spite Of considerable ardu-
Gus climbing, sometimes with bare feet. among
rocks and ravines. the bag was slim. But Mr
eeious eppears 70 be something OF a philosopher
as Wen as hunter for he ends the account Of
ms hrst visit 10 Asia Minor thus: 'If had not
haa much sport had spent pleasant time IN
Nuesi or H. and gaip experience which may be
nseIui 20 me an sor ure time"
lhat ume was m In a few months
oT snlnuslastlq was back IN Asia
hinor' ano his 7aign opened a2-pi-
saousiy' In NJ of railwsf