PREFACE. 



THE acme of pleasure can only be attained by the 

 sportsman when his confreres are permitted to share with 

 him in the excitement of the chase. In this respect the 

 chase may be compared to a good dinner, which is always 

 most enjoyable when partaken of in the company of con- 

 genial spirits. A book may likewise be further compared 

 to a dinner, since the first chapter is commonly introduc- 

 tory to the better parts which come in the regular order 

 of the courses, while a narrative which produces no pleas- 

 urable excitement for the reader is like a dinner without 

 wine. 



This menu has been prepared for the general reading 

 public, but it is thought by the author that it may be es- 

 pecially enjoyed by sportsmen and the rising generation 

 of boys, who frequently find more pleasure in the perusal 

 of books truthfully delineating the excitement of the chase 

 than in reading those of fiction. 



The author is deeply indebted to the accomplished artist, 

 Dan. C. Beard, of New York, who has so greatly assisted 

 him in the presentation of the more interesting parts of 

 this narrative, and also to the publishers, J. B. Lippincott 

 Company, of Philadelphia, whose work speaks so well for 

 the printing art in America. 



B. A. WATSON. 



JERSEY CITY, N. J., October 12, 1887. 



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