112 GAME. 



which he had fallen and broken his leg, and where he 

 had perished miserably by starvation. 



I have known very many instances of accidents, not 

 very serious in themselves, but which would probably 

 have been fatal had the individuals been alone when they 

 happened. I speak from ample experience. Do not go 

 hunting on the plains alone. 



A well-trained dog is most invaluable to the sports- 

 man ; for, whatever his skill as a marksman or a trailer, 

 he will lose more or less game unless he has the assist- 

 ance of man's best friend. All plains animals have 

 extraordinary vitality; and nothing but the breaking of 

 the backbone, or a shot through the brain, will certainly 

 bring one down ' in his tracks.' Any one of these ani- 

 mals is liable to run for a quarter of a mile, though his 

 heart be split as with a knife. 



The red deer loves the cover of thick jungle of 

 willow, or quaking asp (a species of aspen, or cotton- 

 wood, which grows profusely in mountain gorges). The 

 black-tail prefers the thickets of pine or cedar, which 

 grow on rocky crags and ledges. In many cases the 

 trail of the wounded animals through such thickets defies 

 the skill of any but an Indian ; and the animal is likely to 

 be lost, though he expend his strength and latest breath 

 in going but a hundred yards. It is on such occasions 

 as these that the value of a good dog is best appreciated. 

 To be of value, however, he must be thoroughly under 

 control. He must be trained to remain at heel until sent 

 forward, then to find and take the trail of the wounded 

 animal. Should he run after one unhurt, he expends 

 his strength, and is liable to be lost. He should be 

 taught, when he has found or pulled down the wounded 

 game, to bark loudly and continuously until his master 

 come to him. 



This training is very simple, and easy to give. Tor 

 such work I very greatly prefer the pointer. His nose is 

 as good as the best ; he has sufficient speed, strength, and 



