Transcribe Hornaday, W. T. Letter to Ward, Henry A. (1877-07-26)

what would I collect? Just nothing. I have taken every precaution I could think of, or have been told of, to preserve my health, and have been just as careful as I know how to be. But still came down. When any European employed in the Forest Department is prostrated by sickness his salary continued right along. The same is the regulation in the army. They recognize the fact that India is preeminently the country of diseases, and admit that their servants who are exposed to them on account of their duties must be braced up when they do fall sick. I have kept the gang out hunting every day during my sickness and convalescence, but they don't have much luck when I am not along. All they have brought in has been ♀ hog, (skel) [line is cut off]. But then there is not much to be had in the vicinity of their camp, as we have shot over the ground before pretty thoroughly. I regret very much that I have been knocked down for 9 days, as I had my heart set on sending you a good, long list of specimens for this month. Now it will be sadly shortened. I have just written Mr. Wildeboer a letter which I think will move him