428 SPORTING ADVENTURES IN THE FAR WEST. 



said the other. " Oregon mules can," was the answer, "for 

 they are sprung from coyotes and Indian mustangs." The 

 immigrant looked at the speaker in blank amazement ; but 

 when his assertion was gravely backed by other settlers 

 present, he could only yield, and say that the Pacific Coast 

 did indeed contain many wonders. He wrote a description 

 of xthe new " mule " to an Eastern newspaper under the 

 dictation of the pioneer; but, unfortunately for him, the 

 journal published it with comments so pointed that he was 

 afterward known as the Oregon mule. 



This long- eared creature affords much sport to those 

 army officers on the frontier who keep greyhounds, and 

 many a pleasant day have I had with it myself both with 

 dog and gun. When started it heads for the highest 

 ground at once, and manages to lead the hounds a jolly 

 run ere it is caught. Notwithstanding its long hind-legs 

 and light body, I doubt if it is as swift as the English 

 hare ; at least I have seen few escape a good brace of grey- 

 hounds on open ground ; but I should fancy it had more 

 endurance. 



In California, that land of keen sportsmen, its represent- 

 ative there is hunted regularly with greyhounds, that being 

 the only portion of the United States where a coursing- 

 club exists. It is governed by the same rules as similar 

 clubs in Great Britain, and its meets are reported with as 

 much detail as those held at Altcar. The victorious dogs 

 are also made much of, and their progeny commands a 

 high price in the market. It is said that dogs imported 

 into the country increase in size, speed, and staying power ; 

 and if that is the case, it would be worth while to match 

 its best representatives against those of Great Britain at 

 some important "meeting, such as the Waterloo. 



I have heard it stated that English dogs, w r hen first im- 

 ported, are beaten, in the majority of cases, by the native- 

 bred, but that they improve so rapidly under the influences 

 of the invigorating climate, that they are able to render a 

 good account of themselves in a short time. 



Notwithstanding its apparently large size, the mule rab- 



