352 MANUAL FOli YOUNG SPORTSMEN. 



survivors of the innumerable multitudes which formerly 

 roamed unmolested from ocean to ocean; there are no 

 rules, positive, which can be laid down, no instructions 

 which can be of much use to the young sportsman. 

 "Where the rifle, or the double gun with buck-shot is 

 the implement, beyond the mere directions how to take 

 aim, load, and fire to the best advantage, nothing can be 

 taught. 



Of all things wholly unteachable by writing or oral 

 instruction, unless upon the spot, with practice and exam- 

 ple to illustrate precept, the most impracticable is wood- 

 craft. 



How to find or follow the trail of an animal, itself not 

 discernible to the sharpest unpractised eyes, in the seem- 

 ingly untrodden grass, or on the leaf-strewn surface of the 

 pathless soil of the wilderness, cannot be taught by words 

 written or spoken. 



How to judge by the foot-prints, half seen, of bear or 

 deer, as a woodman will do at a glance, whether the ani- 

 mal which left the sign was young or old, fat or lean, going 

 to or returning from his lair, how long he has gone by, and 

 whether it avails to follow him or not, can only be learned 

 by long experience, attentive observation, and a course of 

 pupilage, on the ground, under thorough and competent 

 teachers. 



In the same way it is evident that one cannot give 

 directions how one shall steal up, unseen and unheard, 

 within rifle shot of a herd of deer, a gang of elk, or a 

 watchful moose or cariboo. This may be told, and this 

 is about all, that you must invariably advance on all wild 



