114 THE COMMON AMERICAN DEER. 



woodland. In such a situation you can, ^Yithout v.ery 

 much exertion, hunt either deer or turke}^, and, when 

 satiated with that sport, can shoot small game to your 

 pointers. I always prefer pointers in a hot climate, 

 for their coats are shorter, and they need less water. 

 The river, too, will afford some sport, should you feel 

 inclined to fish : the water will be necessary for every 

 living being in the camp, so that at night, after j^our 

 day's sport, when grog and pipes are in full activity, 

 you can safely say that it is the best spot for a hunt- 

 ing camp that could be selected. Songs and stories will 

 amuse you : the most extravagant adventures are in- 

 vented and told by the camp-fire, and many true 

 adventures are sometimes related which seem quite 

 as extraordinary as the extempore ones. 



Sometimes, however, the Texan hunters are given 

 to practical jokes : so be upon your guard. One of 

 the best and most excusable, because the victim 

 was much addicted to that insane species of wit, was 

 played upon a friend of mine, who had exerted himself 

 very much during the day, and feeling much fatigued, 

 threw himself upon the ground, and fell asleep while 

 his companions were eating a slight refreshment. 



'What shall we do to him?' asked one, pointing 

 towards the unconscious hunter. 



All eyes were instantly directed towards the rival 

 wit, who was known to nourish schemes of vengeance 

 against the sleeping joker. The man immediately 



