204! THE HUNTING GROUNDS 



charms and fascinations of "forest life," and en- 

 joyed its pure and heartfelt pleasures. To him it 

 possesses a peculiar spell, not to be found elsewhere ; 

 and, far away from the haunts of man, he gives no 

 care to the turmoil and bustle of the busy world, 

 but loves to study Nature in her grandest forms, 

 and silent unsullied beauty, whilst his heart glows 

 with thoughts that bear him untiring company. 

 There is a peculiarly exhilarating delight passing 

 all description in the wild excitement of this life, 

 wliich dispels all anxiety, and strengthens the men- 

 tal and physical energies for the ever-changing 

 scene, delights the eye, and gives pleasure to the 

 intellect ; whilst, at the same time, the constant ex- 

 citement arising from the varied incidents of such a 

 state of existence invigorates the mind and stimu- 

 lates the powers of thought and observation. The 

 body sustained in continued exertion by constant 

 exercise, enables the hunter to maintain his course 

 for days together through the pathless woods, 

 with that dogged stubbornness and inflexibility 

 which is necessary to insure success in the pursuit 

 of the game he seeks. He moves noiselessly along, 

 without a care as to what he may encounter, for he 

 has implicit confidence in the power of his trusty 

 rifle ; and his vigilant eye, piercing the shadowy 

 depths of the jungle, leaves no hollow unsearched, 

 for he and his followers are dependent for their 

 subsistence on their exertions in the chase. No- 

 thing is so conducive to the keen development of 



