Ranching in the Bad Lands. 33 



almost exclusively, having killed every kind of game with 

 it, from a grizzly bear to a big-horn. It is as handy to 

 carry, whether on foot or on horseback, and comes up to 

 the shoulder as readily as a shot-gun ; it is absolutely 

 sure, and there is no recoil to jar and disturb the aim, 

 while it carries accurately quite as far as a man can aim 

 with any degree of certainty ; and the bullet, weighing 

 three quarters of an ounce, is plenty large enough for any 

 thing on this continent. For shooting the very large 

 game (buffalo, elephants, etc.) of India and South Africa, 

 much heavier rifles are undoubtedly necessary ; but the 

 Winchester is the best gun for any game to be found in 

 the United States, for it is as deadly, accurate, and handy 

 as any, stands very rough usage, and is unapproachable 

 for the rapidity of its fire and the facility with which it is 

 loaded. 



Of course every ranchman carries a revolver, a long 

 45 Colt or Smith & Wesson, by preference the former. 

 When after game a hunting-knife is stuck in the girdle. 

 This should be stout and sharp, but not too long, with a 

 round handle. I have two double-barrelled shot-guns : a 

 No. 10 choke-bore for ducks and geese, made by Thomas 

 of Chicago ; and a No. 16 hammerless, built for me by Ken- 

 nedy of St. Paul, for grouse and plover. On regular hunting 

 trips I always carry the Winchester rifle ; but in riding 

 round near home, where a man may see a deer and is sure to 

 come across ducks and grouse, it is best to take the little 

 ranch gun, a double-barrel No. 16, with a 40-70 rifle 

 underneath the shot-gun barrels. 



As for clothing, when only off on a day's trip, the 



