CHAPTER III. 



THE GROUSE OF THE NORTHERN CATTLE 



PLAINS. 



IO my mind there is no com- 

 parison between sport with 

 the rifle and sport with the 

 shot-gun. The rifle is the 

 freeman's weapon. The man 

 who uses it well in the chase 

 shows that he can at need use it also 

 in war with human foes. I would no 

 more compare the feat of one who bags his score of ducks 

 or quail with that of him who fairly hunts down and slays 

 a buck or bear, than I would compare the skill necessary 

 to drive a buggy with that required to ride a horse across 

 country ; or the dexterity acquired in handling a bill- 

 iard cue with that shown by a skilful boxer or oarsman. 

 The difference is not one of degree ; it is one of kind. 



I am far from decrying the shot-gun. It is always 

 pleasant as a change from the rifle, and in the Eastern 

 States it is almost the only fire-arm which we now have a 



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