in their case the fundamental principles of wood- 

 craft were instilled into them when children. But 

 while the modern hunter may not be able to acquire 

 all of the skill of the old-time trapper, he can by 

 perseverance and hard work, become a man strong, 

 self-reliant, reading the beautiful truths of nature as 

 an open book, and fearlessly facing her anger. But 

 while nature is a hard mistress, she has no rivals ; 

 once thoroughly in her power, the desires for wealth 

 and social precedence are forgotten ; and the breath 

 of the woods, and the deep, bass song of the 

 mountain, hold no secrets from you. 



1 H I J, a 



m 



[V> 



HUNTING 



Every man who travels in wild 

 countries, must at times go for 

 long intervals without seeing any other human 

 beings except those that compose his own party. 



This makes the wild life about him doubly 

 interesting, whether his object is the hunting of big 

 game or not. If the lack of food makes hunting a 

 necessity, then, indeed, the chase becomes a pas- 

 sion ; and given a fresh trail, the hunter will travel 

 on, suffering cold, hunger, and fatigue, until he meets 

 with success or failure. Hunting big game suc- 

 cessfully requires all the characteristics that go to 

 make a man successful in any branch of life. Deter- 

 mination, cheerfulness, optimism, physical strength, 

 and good judgment, are needed, besides a knowl- 

 edge of the habits of big game. 

 102 



