42 Life and Sport on the Pacific Slope 



hills, in the forests, and in the plateaux of the Sierras, 

 you will find these men. They are a silent race, 

 save when possessed of strong drink, sober of coun- 

 tenance, impassive (some of them) as Eedskins, 

 very prejudiced, but as a rule honourable, kind- 

 hearted and truthful. Like the ancient Persians, 

 they can ride, shoot, and speak truth. They are 

 loyal to their friends. Some years ago two outlaws 

 set the officers of justice at defiance. They lived 

 on the plain, but in their hour of need betook 

 themselves to their friends in the mountains. Here 

 they found sanctuary and food and drink. A great 

 price was set on their heads, but for many months 

 they remained at large. 



Shooting and fishing among these people, I have 

 always found them hospitable and honest. Often 

 they have refused money for my board and lodging. 

 Not once can I recall an overcharge for services 

 rendered. Talking with them around the camp- 

 fire, I have been told amazing stories of obstacles 

 surmounted, stories of almost superhuman pluck 

 and endurance. Of the life beyond their forests 

 and mountains they are profoundly ignorant. An 

 English Minister of Education, Sir John Gorst, has 

 said that he considers " reading, writing, and arith- 

 metic to be of dubious value to a boy who lives in 

 the country ; and grammar a positive curse." The 

 men who live nearest the stars are learned in other 

 lore, the ancient wisdom of the woods and streams, 

 where every leaf and pebble tells its tale to the at- 

 tentive eye and ear. They are still masters of the 

 arts that an educated world has forgotten. Perhaps 

 contrast colours too vividly the imagination, and 



