I 



THE CHASE. 389 



trj', and the relative position of the timber and the prairie, and 

 acting upon the combined suggestion of all these, he regulates 

 bis course. 



A very enjoyable mode of hunting the deer in the prairie 

 country is for a party of four or six to make the hunt in com- 

 pany. The time selected should be in the autumn, say October. 

 The outfit should consist of two or three tents, with the neces- 

 sary utensils and provisions, a cook, a teamster, and one servant, 

 besides a good pair of horses and large wagon to transport the 

 impedimenta, a well trained strong horse, who should be a good 

 goer, and a good deer-dog for each man. A double-barreled 

 gun, — one barrel a rifle and the other for buckshot, — a few extra 

 guns, ammunition, and a kit of fine tools, blankets, robes, etc. 



Having arrived on the ground, make your camp in some grove 

 or belt of timber near a spring of water, where good grass may 

 be found for the spanceled horses. 



The hunt commences with daylight, and may be around the 

 borders of the timber, each one pursuing his own course, depend- 

 ing on his judgment of the ground. The question is at what 

 points the deer will be likely to make their exit into the prairie. 

 Here the hunters place themselves sometimes on liorseback and 

 sometimes on foot. The sportsman being secreted in a com- 

 manding position favored by the wind, by the time the first rays 

 of light stream up from the east he listens with the deepest at- 

 tention for the rustle of a leaf, the cracking of a twig or other 

 slight noise, to indicate that the game is astir, and to determine 

 the course it is pursuing, and if a change of position is necessary 

 to intercept it. If he has not scented his enemy, the deer 

 emerges from the thicket to the prairie in a leisurely walk, and 

 becomes an easy mark for the rifle, if within a reasonable range. 

 If there should be several deer, as is apt to be the case, and the 

 distance not too great, the buckshot are first discharged and the 

 rifle used at the longer range, or if they are in close range a 

 deadly shot is made with the rifle and the other barrel used for 

 the running shot. 



After the morning hunt the part)^ assemble at camp, where 

 the cook has prepared breakfast, which each one takes as he 

 comes in, if all do not arrive together. The team is sent to 

 bring in the game, and its return is expected by the time break- 

 fast is over, and the pipes smoked. Preparations are now made 

 for the day's hunt in the prairie. Each one takes in his pocket 

 a lunch (they always use the abbreviated word) of bread or 



