PREPARING FOR A DEER-HUNT. ] 09 



The following experiences in its pursuit will give an idea 

 of its habits, and the localities where the sportsman may 

 find them. Near Vincennes, Indiana, I once knew a man 

 who was pretty nearly master of the art of deer-stalking, and 

 he could as well discriminate a good day for this purpose 

 from an indifferent one as he could a thorough-bred from a 

 mustang. " No use going out to-day, Cap," he would say, 

 in answer to an inquiry ; " the woodpeckers have got their 

 heads up, and the deer are lying : best stop at home ;" and 

 best it always was. 



It was in the month of December or January, I can not 

 precisely state which ; but on rising from my bed, to my 

 surprise I found the ground covered with a few inches of 

 snow, just sufficient, and none to spare, to track a deer with 

 a degree of certainty. Now, I was hungry for venison, and 

 such a chance was not to be let slip. From a very bad 

 habit, which is unaccountable among many when they go 

 from home, I had a morning cocktail brewed, and with a 

 glass in each hand sought the dormitory of my friend, and 

 over this beverage we discussed the prospects and our plan 

 of campaign. 



The horses were ordered to be in readiness after break- 

 fast; buck-shot and bullets were hunted out, shooting- 

 boots greased, and tobacco and pocket-pistols loaded to the 

 neck and stuffed in our saddle-bags. A hard day we knew 

 to be before us, so ample justice was done to our menl; 

 for, sportsmen, rely \ipon what I say, nothing so material- 

 ly assists you to withstand fatigue and cold as an ample 

 breakfast. 



A ride of about five miles took us to our ground ; but as 

 our horses were fresh, and we impatient to be at work, the 

 distance was soon traversed, and we dismounted in a grove 

 of saplings, well suited to hitch our nags to and shelter them 

 from the wintrv blast. 



