PREFACE 



NOT least among the many attractions of big-game hunting 

 is the never-faiHng variety of experiences which the sports- 

 man encounters. Not only is there a vast difference in the 

 surroundings, habits, and chase of the various larger mammals 

 known as big game, but the stalking of each animal, whether 

 successful or not, stands out by itself as a totally distinct ex- 

 perience. The follower of this sport must travel far. The 

 endless change in climate, fauna, flora, scenery, peoples, lan- 

 guages, and customs is not the least charm of the pastime. 



In the following account of experiences in several parts of the 

 world the author has kept this fact in mind, and has endeavored 

 to give the reader a picture of the life in the regions visited 

 as well as a description of the different kinds of hunting. In 

 travelling outside of the regular tourist routes the sportsman 

 is obliged to make the best of many disagreeable occurrences, 

 as well as a certain amount of hardship and discomfort incidental 

 to active life in the open during all kinds of weather. Fort- 

 unately, in looking backward he is apt to forget the unpleasant 

 experiences, and to dwell upon the pleasant and exciting events 

 of camp - life and the chase. In this volume an attempt has 

 been made to keep the unpleasant as much in the background 

 as fidelity of narrative permits. 



From the standpoint of the hunter, I have endeavored to fur- 

 nish a plain and unvarnished description of some of the more suc- 

 cessful hunts in which I have participated. At the present time 

 there seems to be a tendency among some writers to apologize 



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