6 THE SPORTSMAN'S PARADISE; 



glittering' sabres. The old, decrepit hunting-dog, half 

 blinded by age, stiffened in every limb by rheumatism, 

 having been compelled by infirmities to remain in the 

 kitchen corner for years, is aroused to a new life by the 

 click of a gun-lock, raises his eyes towards his master's 

 face, staggers to his feet, and once more expresses his love 

 of the chase by jumping about the hunter's limbs, lovingly 

 caressing his hands, and following on with the other dogs, 

 huntinof through field and forest until his strength com- 

 pletely fails, then uttering a dismal howl, — proclaiming his 

 disappointment and rage caused by his inability to go 

 farther, — falls to the ground and frequently fails to reach 

 again the kitchen corner, but is often mercifully relieved 

 from further suffering by death in this last effort. The true 

 sportsman is possessed of a high degree of enthusiasm, — 

 he joins in the chase because it gives him pleasure, — ex- 

 citement which it produces causes him to forget, for the 

 time, hunger and fatigue. He therefore follows the game 

 from morning until night. His food is commonly plain, but 

 nutritious, still no one enjoys eating more than the sports- 

 man, since his system has been fully prepared for the food, 

 and it may be further added that the food is adapted for 

 the wants of the body. The hunter makes his bed on 

 smooth mother-earth, spreads his rubber blanket over the 

 sweet-scented balsam branches, or should his time be too 

 much occupied with other matters, then these branches will 

 be omitted, but without seriously interfering with his repose. 

 It is important to remember in this connection that those 

 who have lived a sedentary and studious life are particu- 

 larly prone to suffer from various forms of dyspepsia and 



