PREFACE. 



IF the following pages prove but a tithe part as in- 

 teresting to the reading public as did the experience from 

 which is drawn the matter of them to the Author, he will 

 feel not only amply repaid for venturing himself in print, 

 but glad that he has done so. 



That while writing these reminiscences he has not wan- 

 dered into fiction, nor been guilty of exaggeration, can 

 be honestly averred ; and if he has erred by a too free use 

 of Westernisms and local expressions, it has been from the 

 wish to give a dash of true tone and colour to the pictures 

 he has aimed to place before the mental vision of the 

 reader. 



Nor are the illustrations fancy work. They are by the 

 hand of a conscientious, observing artist the " comrade 

 and companion staunch and true " mentioned in this book ; 

 who, for his pleasure and as souvenirs, made sketches as 



