PBEFACE. 



THE Author of the following pages feels it necessary to 

 apologize to the reader for the very discursive, and, in some 

 respects, disconnected character of the little work he offers to 

 his perusal, which, indeed, is merely a simple, yet faithful 

 record of many scenes and adventures that have formed some 

 of the " sunny spots" in his long and varied career through 

 life's wilderness. 



He does not aspire to the character of either a first-rate 

 sportsman or close observer, but gives his own views and 

 impressions on the different subjects contained in this narra- 

 tive, satisfied, at least as far as he is concerned, with having 

 realized the school-boy prophecy " Forsitan hcec olwi 

 meminisse juvabit" 



Although the earlier scenes must be traced through a long 

 vista of intervening years, some of them may be interesting, 

 particularly at 'this moment, to the general reader, and to 

 those who well remember the quiet and happy security with 

 which we enjoyed our sports and pastimes in the East; and 

 even should the Author meet that critical severity he doubt- 

 less deserves, he feels convinced of sympathy from his 

 brethren of the rivers, woods, and fields. 



