CHAPTER III 



THE GROUSE OF THE 



NORTHERN CATTLE 



PLAINS 



TO my mind there is no comparison be- 

 tween sport with the rifle and sport 

 with the shot-gun. The rifle is the free- 

 man's weapon. The man who uses it well 

 in the chase shows that he can at need use 

 it also in war with human foes. I would no 

 more compare the feat of one who bags his 

 score of ducks or quail with that of him who 

 fairly hunts down and slays a buck or bear, 

 than I would compare the skill necessary to 

 drive a buggy with that required to ride a 

 horse across country; or the dexterity ac- 

 quired in handling a billiard cue with that 

 shown by a skilful boxer or oarsman. The 

 difference is not one of degree; it is one of 



kind. 



112 



