OF A RANCHMAN 373 



change to a delicate green or yellow, on 

 which the eye rests \vith pleasure after hav- 



g so long seen only the dull drab of the 



s. Often there will be days of 1 

 ter cold, when a man who sleeps out in the 

 open feels the need of warm furs; but still 

 more often there will be days and days of 

 sunny weather, not cold enough to bring dis- 

 comfort, but yet so cool that the blood leaps 

 briskly through a man's veins and makes him 

 feel that to be out and walking over the hills 

 is a pleasure in itself, even were he not in 

 hopes of any moment seeing the sun glint 

 on the horns and hide of some mighty buck, 

 as it rises to face the intruder. On days such 

 as these, mere life is enjoyment ; and on days 

 such as these, the life of a hunter is at its 

 pleasantest and best. 



Many black-tail are sometimes killed in a 

 day. I have never made big bags myself, for 

 I rarely hunt except for a fine head or when 

 we need meat, and if it can be avoided do 

 not shoot at fawns or does; so the greatest 

 number I have ever killed in a day was three. 



