OF A RANCHMAN 235 



are subject to perfect panics of unreasoning 

 terror, during which they will often put 

 themselves completely in the power of the 

 hunter; while buffalo will frequently show 

 a downright stupidity almost unequalled. 



The black-tail suffers from no such pe- 

 culiarities. His eyes are good ; his nose and 

 ears excellent. He is ever alert and wary ; 

 his only failing is his occasional over-curi- 

 osity; and his pursuit taxes to the utmost 

 the skill and resources of the still-hunter. 



By all means the best coverings for the 

 feet when still-hunting are moccasins, as 

 with them a man can go noiselessly through 

 ground where hobnailed boots would clatter 

 like the hoofs of a horse ; but in hunting in 

 winter over the icy buttes and cliffs it is best 

 to have stout shoes, with nails in the soles, 

 and if the main work is done on horseback 

 it is best to wear high boots, as they keep 

 the trousers down. Indeed in the Bad 

 Lands boots have other advantages, for rat- 

 tlesnakes abound, and against these they af- 

 ford perfect protection unless a man 



