Transcribe Hornaday, W. T. Letter to Ward, Henry A. (1877-09-22)

2. failed in my first series of attempts-- I was ready to go off to Ceylon without spending further time or money. But now your letter comes just in the nick of time and says to [underscored:] stay [/underscore] if I can get skels of elephants, "I need these, and can sell them," &c. What surprised me most was that you were willing I should [underscored:] twice [/underscore] get a skin & skel. at £60 to £70. Good enough. I'm glad you found that out before I had left the [underscored:] only [/underscore] place where I [crossed out: could] can get this big thing that is of value to you. If I had got to Ceylon first, it would have been "good-bye John" to these Hills as far as coming back was concerned, for at the last of Nov. the rains cease entirely, no one can live here, and then entire force of the Forest Dept., native hill tribes & all go down to the low lands until the next July. In that interval the leaves fall, the streams dry up, the forest is swept by fire, and is inhabited only by wild beasts.

How [underscored:] glad [/underscore] I am that letter reached me just when it did, and just as glad that you want elephants [underscored:] decidedly [/underscore]. Now I [underscored:] must [/underscore:] get them, and will be only to [sic] glad to go to work with that understanding. You tell me how to prepare a skin (& skeleton of the same animal) and say "All this you can do with money in your pocket. [underscored:] Will [/underscored] you That is the question just now." I [underscored:] rather [/underscore] think I [underscored:] will [/underscore]. I have my campaign all laid out already, and if the fever and dysentery will let me alone I will ask no more. Have just ordered 75 Rupees worth of provisions & other necessities from Madras, to last me for the next month and a half or more, with slight additions. Am going to clear out from this place and go down to Annimallay village in the low lands at