AUTHOR'S PREFACE. 



It has been the aim of the authors of this vokime to produce a work not 

 only highly entertaining, but also one of the highest educational value. To 

 combine the m.ost exciting experiences, thrilling adventures, daring deeds 

 and dangerous exploits in the life of great hunters, explorers and naturalists, 

 with the interesting and valuable facts of Natural History. A combination 

 in which the reader may learn all he wishes to known about wild animals — 

 their appearance, habits, traits of character, and every detail of their wild 

 life, and at the same time be highly entertained by stories of adventure, travel 

 and big game hunting. 



Interwoven with the most thrilling personal experiences and fascinating 

 stories are given accurate and thorough observations of every form of wild 

 animal life. In this way we have tried to produce an interesting story book, 

 which at the same time contains, in most popular form, a series of natural 

 history studies of more value than can be found in any text book. We trust 

 we have succeeded in making a book that, while highly entertaining to young 

 readers, is not lacking in educational value. 



In describing the animals we have avoided the use of scientific terms, and 

 have used the most simple language, so that young people, and those who 

 have made no special study of zoology will understand and appreciate it 

 as readily as the student or scholar; that children may read and study and 

 enjoy it as well as the adult members of the family. The subject of wild 

 animal life is especially attractive to young people, and no study can be 

 more elevating and ennobling. Nothing can be more instructive, or more 

 certainly enlarge and broaden the mind. 



Whether or not the saying be true that "man and animals are kin," we 

 believe the reading of this volume will greatly benefit the human mind, as 

 well as give it genuine enjoyment and pleasure, by bringing it into closer 

 acquaintance with God's Animal Kingdom. The reader will be especially 

 pleased with tlie numerous illustrations, which are of unusual interest and 



VI 



