278 ACCESSIBLE FIELD SPORTS. 



gular, particularly if your horse is blown, relinquishing 

 the hold of your nag's head will not unfrequently 

 seriously incommode your animal, and sometimes cause 

 both him and the rider abruptly to become acquainted 

 with the surface of the soil. 



A good rifle and shot-gun will also find abundant 

 work, for besides the grand buffalo, abundance of other 

 game will be found, such as deer, antelope, bear, and 

 wild fowl, all welcome additions to the fare of the 

 hungry hunter. In selecting a rifle for this purpose 

 it should not be small in the bore, an error that too 

 many make, originating doubtlessly from the pioneers 

 and trappers who first visited these distant regions 

 being compelled to use such weapons, from the saving 

 of ammunition, and the comparatively trifling injury 

 a small bullet would do to the hide. Doubtless, a 

 small bullet properly placed will do all that is neces- 

 sary, but should your projectile deviate the slightest to 

 the right or left, you may have the satisfaction of 

 seeing your game go off for parts unknown, or have 

 the felicity of being placed in juxtaposition with a 

 wounded, dangerous customer ; whereas, if the ball 

 had been a large one, the paralysation that would have 

 resulted to the animal's system from the concussion, 

 and the haemorrhage that would ensue from the size of 

 the wound, would at once incapacitate the stricken from 



