OF A RANCHMAN 63 



case, the spirit in the thermometer sinks to 

 60 65 Fahrenheit, it is necessary to 

 have more wraps and bedding, and we use 

 beaver-robes and bear-skins. An oilskin 

 44 slicker " or waterproof overcoat and a pair 

 of shaps keep out the rain almost completly. 

 Where most of the hunting is done on 

 horseback the hunting-pony is a very im- 

 portant animal. Many people seem to think 

 that any broken-down pony will do to hunt, 

 but this seems to me a very great mistake. 

 My own hunting-horse, Manitou, is the best 

 and most valuable animal on the ranch. He 

 is stoutly built and strong, able to carry a 

 good-sized buck behind his rider for miles at 

 a lope without minding it in the least ; he is 

 very enduring and very hardy, not only pick- 

 ing up a living but even growing fat when 

 left to shift for himself under very hard 

 conditions; and he is perfectly surefooted 

 and as fast as any horse on the river. 

 Though both willing and spirited, he is very 

 gentle, with an easy mouth, and will stay 

 grazing in one spot when left, and will per- 



