THE PINNATED GKOUSE. 69 



men of a virile nature, and in vigorous health, can look 

 upon them with indifference. Sir Thomas More had an 

 apology for his love of sport which those who like it for 

 its own sake might quote in their favor, for he says: 



" Manhood I am ; therefore I me delight 



To hunt and hawk ; to nourish up and feed 

 The greyhounds to the course, the hawk to flight, 

 And to bestride a good and lusty steed." 



One of the most interesting days that I spent in pur- 

 suit of the pinnated grouse passed in Kansas. I was 

 stopping at the time in the house of a man who was a 

 fine type of the old Kentucky gentleman. He owned a 

 large tract of land and lived in almost baronial style, 

 surrounded by his herds and flocks, and respected by his 

 neighbors. His family consisted of three daughters, the 

 eldest of whom was a tall, graceful, and accomplished 

 brunette, who combined in her person the daring of a 

 Di Vernon and the artlessness of a child. She knew 

 almost as much about hounds and horses and birds and 

 guns as her father, and could handle a revolver better 

 than many men. She was a Diana in lier love of field 

 sports, but combined with that was a feeling of delicacy 

 and refinement, and a warm, true heart which soon 

 caused persons to forget the idea of masculinity which 

 would come into the mind on first becoming ac- 

 quainted with her tastes and fearlessness. Having no 

 son, the father doted on her, as she frequently drove the 

 carriage while he was out after game, and she was sure to 

 be among the first in at the death of wolf or fox when 

 mounted battues Avero held, and she took part in them. 

 While I was at her home I had a good opportunity of 

 learning how clever she was with gun or pencil; hence, I 

 was not surprised to hear the old General say to me one 

 morning: 



" By-the-bye, to-morrow is St. Prairie Chicken day, 

 and I've been thinking how to spend it to the best advan- 



