OF A RANCHMAN 65 



Manitou is a treasure and I value him ac- 

 cordingly. Besides, he is a sociable old fel- 

 low, and a great companion when off alone, 

 coming up to have his head rubbed or to 

 get a crust of bread, of which he is very 

 fond. 



To be remarkably successful in killing 

 game a man must be a good shot; but a 

 good target shot may be a very poor hunter, 

 and a fairly successful hunter may be only 

 a moderate shot. Shooting well with the 

 rifle is the highest kind of skill, for the rifle 

 is the queen of weapons ; and it is a difficult 

 art to learn. But many other qualities go 

 to make up the first-class hunter. He must 

 be persevering, watchful, hardy, and with 

 good judgment ; and a little dash and energy 

 at the proper time often help him immensely. 

 I myself am not, and never will be, more 

 than an ordinary shot; for my eyes are bad 

 and my hand not over-steady; yet I have 

 1 every kind of game to be found on 

 the plains, partly because I have hunted very 

 perseveringly, and partly because by prac- 



