114 GAME 



my boatman to a distant lake across a three-mile portage, 

 over which I was expected to carry everything guns, 

 oars, seats except the empty shell of the boat. Arrived 

 at the lake I awaited for two hours, with some interest, 

 the development of this new style of hunting. Far off I 

 faintly heard the bay of hounds, and some moments after- 

 wards my boatman evinced the greatest excitement ; he 

 sprung into the boat, calling upon me, and at his best 

 speed made for the opposite shore. After a few moments I 

 saw the head of a noble buck coming directly for us, 

 swimming easily and freely ; he scarcely noticed the boat 

 until we were within shot, then turned and attempted to 

 retrace his way. With a fine sweep of his oars the boat- 

 man threw the boat directly in his path, and called upon me 

 to fire. The noble head, proudly erect, with half-defiant, 

 half-frightened bearing, was scarcely six feet from the boat. 



' Have I got to shoot that poor animal, without giving 

 him any show ? ' I asked. ' Pshaw ! ' answered the boat- 

 man, 'that ain't nothin'. You arter come here when 

 ther'n the red coat ; then they'll sink when they'r shot ; so 

 afore lettin' the gentlemen fire I allers gets a good grip 

 of their tails so as to save 'em, you see.' I wanted 

 venison, and I wanted the magnificent head, so I fired. 

 I have always regretted that shot ; and though I have 

 made two subsequent trips to the Adirondacks, I have 

 never been seduced into shooting another deer in the 

 water. If such be sport, I don't want it. 



But this is digression, and fortunately it is not plains 

 hunting. 



On the prairie the combat is at equal wits between 

 man and animal, and the fire must usually be delivered 

 at such a distance that the shot-gun is of little use. 



For some unknown reason, there are many ardent 

 sportsmen successful with shot-guns who cannot acquire 

 the art of rifle shooting. To these, much that is most 

 pleasurable in plains hunting must always remain a sealed 

 book. Against buffalo, elk, and mountain sheep, the shot- 



