BOB WHITE. 



169 



through marsh and ooze; the deer-hunter, in the forest, 

 listens for the fierce cry of the savage pack, which he 

 hopes will bring the flying deer to his stand; he who 

 seeks the bear, must follow him through swamps and 

 morass, or through chaparral and canon — but it is not so 

 with those who would bag Bob Whites. There the sur- 

 roundings are fields and farms. Intense excitement may 

 be wanting, but there are unbounded opportunities for 

 great pleasure and enjoyment, provided we but educate 

 ourselves to appreciate them ; and we should endeavor to 

 assist in educating others, especially the rising genera- 

 tion, who, with active limbs and bright, keen eyes, are to 

 take our places when age and infirmity will cause the 

 fields to know us no more. The boy has no hero worship 

 more devout than for the man whom he believes to be a 

 thorough sportsman. Let us try to be worthy of it, and 

 to inculcate, by act as well as by precept, the principles 

 of true sportsmanship in the lads around us. Let us teach 

 them to look for pleasurable excitement to field-sports, 

 rather than to the gambling-hell, the dance-hall, and the 

 saloon. If we do this much, we shall not have lived in 

 vain; and to accomplish this, I know of no better means 

 than the proper pursuit of that gallant gentleman, our 

 little friend Bob White. 



