DEER-STALKIXP. 99 



Deer-stalking on the open prairie, when the grass is 

 lono-, or there are plenty of long weeds, or high mounds, 

 is perhaps less difficult than chasing the game in the 

 forest. The hunter being mounted on a well-trained 

 horse, can command an extended view of the surround- 

 ing space, and, after securing his horse, take advantage 

 of the wind and every other favourable circumstance 

 to approach the herd. It frequently happens that a 

 friendly gully lends its aid to shelter the hunter, and 

 under the screen of its banks he can approach close 

 enoucrh to deliver the contents of both barrels of even 

 a shot-gun. In places where the grass is not so tall, 

 or where the vegetation is only just beginning to make 

 its appearance after a prairie fire, or when the prairie is 

 perfectly level, the tacf^ skill, and patience of the 

 hunter must be exerted in order to insure success. 



During the period of my life which I passed as 

 hunter for a plantation, and afterwards as independent 

 hunter, supplying some rising young town with game, 

 I often had occasion to put in practice all hints and 

 instructions received from my preceptors in the art of 

 venery, and frequently to invent new dodges to circum- 

 vent the game where it had been much hunted and 

 disturbed by thoughtless boys and ignorant greenhorns. 

 Let us imagine sucTi a case. ,. 



The prairie hunter is in search of ' mleat' during a 

 time when the nights are dark, without the slightest 

 appearance of a moon ; and he disdains to practise the 



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