IV PREFACE. 



Thrilling adventures are frequent in the life of the hunter. 

 The perils to which he is exposed during the chase, cannot 

 always be surmounted with ease and safety, and, occasionally, 

 his own daring brings him into straits from which the most 

 consummate address, or the special interposition of Provi- 

 dence, alone can extricate him. Such adventures are epochs 

 to our hunters of the Rocky Mountains. Thay are often 

 heard to say that an event occurred " so many months after 

 the bear-fight, or a terrible contest with a buffalo." 



Although various kinds of knowledge, according to the 

 character of the game, are requisite in hunters of both the 

 Old World and the New, the qualities of both head and heart 

 absolutely demanded are the same every where. A clear, 

 cool head, quick to see and cautious to devise, a firm, indo- 

 mitable heart, which no dangers can appal, are necessary to 

 the successful hunter. He may be a bad shot or a poor 

 rider ; these defects he may remedy by persevering practice. 

 But a dull, slow head, or a timid heart, unfits him entirely 

 for the chase. 



The hunters of our own land will compare favorably with 

 any to be found upon the face of the globe. Those of the 

 western prairie have hardy frames, formed for an existence 

 of strife, activity, and exposure and souls that actually 

 seem insensible to fear. In the midst of the most imminent 

 dangers, they retain their courage and caution, and often 

 effect an escape when such an achievement seems beyond 

 human exertion. One of them believes himself equal to two 

 grizzly bears, or several Indians, and will not hesitate to 

 encounter them. These hunters are a bold, high-hearted 

 race, and our country has reason to be proud of them. 



