568 BIG GAME OP^ NORTH AMERICA. 



upon the chase, he forgets hunger and fatigue. With labo- 

 rious, yet cautious steps, he follows the signs that tell him 

 there is game ahead; and finally, when in response to the 

 echo of his rifle he sees tlie great quarry iDlunge forward, 

 fall upon his knees, and then stretch himself upon the 

 ground, then it is that an exultant thrill flashes through 

 every fiber of his frame, so intense as not to be compared 

 with any other Joy. Then it is that he measures the pro- 

 portions of his caj^ture, and carefully seeks for some new 

 feature of the animal to add to his store of knowledge. 

 The hunter, above all others, can study the habits of the 

 animals he pursues and captures; and so, if he will, may 

 gather a fund of knowledge which will be of untold value 

 to the scientist, who must study only in his laboratory, his 

 library, or in his parks. The hunter, who seeks and takes 

 the game in its native fastnesses, may thus, I say, give him 

 valuable assistance. 



To most sportsmen, companionship is indispensable to 

 the full enjoyment of a life in camp. For myself, I have 

 ever made this the first consideration when contemx^lating 

 a hunting excursion. One disagreeable companion will 

 poison the pleasure of a trip. One who is ever seeking 

 some advantage over his associates, and ever boasting of 

 his superior skill and greater captures, must soon lose 

 favor in the camj). He it is who will shirk some little 

 duty which at times is liable to fall ui)on any member of 

 the party. If he discovers a favorable pool for fish, he will 

 sneak off by himself, in the hope of capturing a big string, 

 and of boastfully triumphing over those who may have 

 been less fortunate. If he happen to make a good shot in 

 the course of the day, he will come rushing into camp with 

 a loud whoop, fairly swaggering over his success, and 

 insisting that nobody ever made such a shot before, or ever 

 will again. He will boast of it for the rest of his life, with- 

 out noticing the smile of contempt which his auditors can 

 not repress. 



The true sportsman enjoys and commends the success of 

 his companions as much as his own achievements. Selfish- 



