70 THE LIFE OF A HUNTER 



me. I have heard many people recommend 

 the practice of only dry brushing and rub- 

 bing a horse over instead of washing after 

 a day's hunting, and am inclined to believe 

 it is the safest plan, though I always felt 

 much more comfortable and refreshed after 

 a good wash. But then I was always 

 thoroughly dried, and after standing for 

 a while in my clothing, I had it removed 

 and exchanged for warm sheets from the 

 fire. To be really ready for hard work, 

 the hunter should have the best of oats and 

 hay, and should be kept in a dry, well- 

 ventilated box. A good linseed gruel should 

 be ready for him at the end of a day's 

 hunting, and it should never be counted 

 waste of time to put in and gruel the hunter 

 before a long ride home. I never could 



