THE PLAINS. 



CIIAPTEE I. 



GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 



WHEN I was a schoolboy my map of the United States 

 showed between the Missouri River and the Rocky 

 Mountains .a long and broad white blotch, upon which 

 was printed in small capitals ' The Great American 

 Desert Unexplored/ 



What was then ' unexplored ' is now almost tho- 

 roughly known. What then was regarded as a desert 

 supports, in some portions, thriving populations. The \ 

 blotch of thirty years ago is now known as ' The Plains.' 



Like an ocean in its vast extent, in its monotony, and 

 in its danger, it is like the ocean in its romance, in its 

 opportunities for heroism, and in the fascination it exerts 

 on all those who come fairly within its influence. 



The first experience of the plains, like the first sail 

 with a ' cap ' full of wind, is apt to be sickening. 



This once overcome, the nerves stiffen, the senses 

 expand, and man begins to realise the magnificence of 

 being. 



At no time, and under no circumstances, can a man 

 feel so acutely the responsibility of his life, the true 

 grandeur of Ms manhood, the elation of which his nature 

 is capable, as when his and other lives depend on the 

 quickness of his eye, the firmness of his hand, and the 

 accuracy of his judgment. 



There is no lack of such occasions on the plains. 



The whole western portion of the North American 

 Continent, from the Isthmus of Darien to Behring Straits, 



B 2 



