36 PKAIRIE AND FOREST. 



hand should invariably sheer your steed from the 

 quarry, not only to avoid this deviation, but to clear 

 the animal if it drop to shot. The majority of horses 

 accustomed to this work do so of their own accord. 

 At the same time, I should particularly caution the 

 tyro that on himself and his own nerve he should in- 

 variably rely, not on that of his dumb companion. To 

 be a good horseman, of course, is particularly desirable ; 

 and the person who can ride bare-back will often come 

 in for a run when a saddle may not be at hand. Many 

 of us, of course, can ride in this primitive manner ; 

 but there are very few Americans or Europeans who 

 can compare in this respect with the Indians they 

 appear so perfectly at home on their horses ; any- 

 where and everywhere they place themselves, and but 

 seldom get a fall. 



However, the paces of horses are very different ; 

 some I used for running buffalo I preferred riding with 

 blanket and a surcingle ; on others I did not feel suf- 

 ficiently at home without the saddle. For some months 

 I had an under-sized chestnut, very little over fourteen 

 hands. My associates called her a mustang. In some 

 points she much resembled one ; but there was a well- 

 bred look about her small head, narrow muzzle, broad 

 forehead, and lean neck, that told of aristocratic 

 lineage. Moreover, she was very fast and high 

 couraged, as well as easy in her paces. Her back, 

 while in my possession, was seldom crossed by a 

 saddle, although she was the favourite mount, and as 

 such was more frequently used. I purchased her for 

 a trifle from a fellow with " villain " plainly written on 

 his countenance, and, as might have been expected, 

 she was recognised and claimed. To part with her 



