THE PINNATED GROUSE. 69 
men of a virile nature, and in vigorous health, can look 
upon them with indifference. Sir Thomas More had an 
apology for his love of sport which those who like it for 
its own sake might quote in their favor, for he says: 
“ Manhood I am; therefore I me delight 
To hunt and hawk; to nourish up and feed 
The greyhounds to the course, the hawk to flight, 
And to bestride a good and lusty steed.” 
One of the most interesting days that I spent in pur- 
suit of the pinnated grouse passed in Kansas. I was 
stopping at the time in the house of a man who was a 
fine type of the old Kentucky gentleman. He owned a 
large tract of land and lived in almost baronial style, 
surrounded by his herds and flocks, and respected by his 
neighbors. His family consisted of three daughters, the 
eldest of whom was a tall, graceful, and accomplished 
brunette, who combined in her person the daring of a 
Di Vernon and the artlessness of a child. She knew 
almost as much about hounds and horses and birds and 
guns as her father, and could handle a revolver better 
than many men. She was a Diana in her love of field 
sports, but combined with that was a feeling of delicacy 
.and refinement, and a warm, true heart which soon 
caused persons to forget the idea of masculinity which 
would come into the mind on first becoming ac- 
quainted with her tastes and fearlessness. Having no 
son, the father doted on her, as she frequently drove the 
carriage while he was out after game, and she was sure to 
be among the first in at the death of wolf or fox when 
mounted battues were held, and she took part in them. 
‘While I was at her home I had a good opportunity of 
learning how clever she was with gun or pencil; hence, I 
was not surprised to hear the old General say to me one 
morning: 
‘< By-the-bye, to-morrow is St. Prairie Chicken day, 
and I’ve been thinking how to spend it to the best advan- 
