216 HUNTING TRIPS 



ground more than counterbalances the dis- 

 advantage of being on horseback. About 

 one third of my hunts are still made on 

 horseback ; and in almost all the others I 

 take old Manitou to carry me to and from 

 the grounds and to pack out any game that 

 may be killed. A hunting-horse is of no 

 use whatever unless he will permit a man 

 to jump from his back and fire with the 

 greatest rapidity; and nowhere does prac- 

 tice have more to do with success than in 

 the case of jumping off a horse to shoot at 

 game which has just been seen. The vari- 

 ous movements take a novice a good deal 

 of time ; while an old hand will be off and 

 firing with the most instantaneous quick- 

 ness. Manitou can be left anywhere at a 

 moment's warning, while his rider leaps off, 

 shoots at a deer from almost under his head, 

 and perhaps chases the wounded animal a 

 mile or over ; and on his return the good old 

 fellow will be grazing away, perfectly happy 

 and contented, and not making a movement 

 to run off or evade being caught. 



