172 



WILD SPORTS OF THE WEST. 



deteriorating from its strength, which exposure to a 

 stronger heat will inevitably occasion. 



"By the way, I have had more actual experience in 

 this necessary article than was exactly agreeable. Come, 

 we will bear away for the Lodge, and as the Colonel 

 is immersed in ' The Packet,' and deep in the debate, 

 I will give you the particulars. In powder 1 am not 

 * ignarus malt,' for I blew myself up, or made an excellent 

 attempt, — and burned a cabin to the very ground. 



** Both tales are briefly told. We were on a Christmas 

 visit, when, a slight fall of snow having taken place over- 

 night, the host proposed that 1, and Captain H 



of the yth Dragoons, should go out and shoot snipes 

 among the numerous drains by which his lawn was 

 irrigated. Guns were procured, but only one powder- 

 flask was attainable, and it was to be a partnership 

 concern. For this purpose it was large enough in all 

 conscience, being an old-fashioned horn, bound with 

 brass, and capable of holding a pound of powder. We 

 filled it to the top. At a short distance from the house, 

 a snipe sprang unexpectedly — I killed it — and in attempt- 

 ing to reload, the charge ignited in the barrel, and the 

 horn blew up in my hand. My clothes were reduced 

 to tinder, my hat scorched, my hair and eyebrows 

 burned off, but, excepting a slight cut in my hand, 

 otherwise I was perfectly uninjured. Not a fragment 

 of the flask ^ hut one shattered piece of horn, could be found 



upon the unbroken surface of the snow. H , who was 



about one hundred yards distant from me, described the 

 explosion as louder than the report of a nine-pounder ; 

 yet, to me, the noise seemed trifling. Was not this 

 escape miraculous ? 



" The second explosion, in which I perpetrated arson, 



