390 THE DEER OF AMERICA. 



crackers and cold venison steak. The course for the day is 

 agreed upon, and the wagon is taken along and the teamster is 

 directed to keep upon the most elevated ground and to observe 

 as well as he can the position of the several hunters, to listen for 

 the reports of shots, and to look out for signals, which he is to 

 answer, and to take the game on board. 



The horsemen separate, according to the nature of the ground, 

 generally following the sloughs where the long grass is usually 

 left standing, even when the high ground has been burned over. 

 Here they usuall}' expect to find the deer concealed in their lairs. 

 The dog is taught to follow close to the heels of the horse, and 

 on no account to leave that position till he is commanded to go, 

 and if he is properlj^ trained he will keep his position, no matter 

 how many deer get up around him, or how many shots are fired. 

 The horse is kept upon a slow walk through the tall grass, while 

 the elevated position of the horseman enables him to command 

 the entire view. The bridle-reins usually lay on the pommel of 

 the saddle, across which, also, the rifle is carried, or in the angle 

 of the left arm, usually cocked, but not always so. For myself, 

 I never cock the gun till the game is up, whether it be bird or 

 quadruped, always carrying it with my thumb on the hammer, 

 at half-cock, and finger on the trigger, and if I have a double 

 shot I lower the breech and cock the other lock, and I have al- 

 ways found I could shoot right and left as quickly as those who 

 carry their guns cocked. I have never hunted with but one man 

 whose habit was the same, though I presume there are many 

 others. It is all a matter of practice, and, if commenced young, 

 the act becomes automatic, and is performed as unconsciously as 

 I now form my letters, and more unerringly. It has always 

 seemed to me the safest way, though others may think differ- 

 ently. 



The deer usually lay till the horseman gets nearly upon them. 

 If there be more than one, which is usually the case, they will be 

 found lying within a few rods or even feet of each other, but 

 never actually together. At the least, a considerable belt of the 

 tall grass will be found separating their beds. Usually the near- 

 est will be the first to rise, and the first bound he makes will 

 arouse all the others. The second bound the deer jumps high, 

 as if to survey the situation, and this is the best for the shot, for 

 it will likely be within ten or twenty yards. When a double 

 shot is offered the hunter it is frequently advisable to take the 

 longest shot first, and his own practice will suggest whether to 

 open with the ball or the buckshot. 



