890 THE DEER OF AMERICA. 
crackers and cold venison steak. The course for the day is 
agreed upon, and the wagon is taken along and the teamster is 
directed to keep upon the most elevated ground and to observe 
as well as he can the position of the several hunters, to listen for 
the reports of shots, and to look out for signals, which he is to 
answer, and to take the game on board. 
The horsemen separate, according to the nature of the ground, 
generally following the sloughs where the long grass is usually 
left standing, even when the high ground has been burned over. 
Here they usually expect to find the deer concealed in their lairs. 
The dog is taught to follow close to the heels of the horse, and 
on no account to leave that position till he is commanded to go, 
and if he is properly trained he will keep his position, no matter 
how many deer get up around him, or how many shots are fired. 
The horse is kept upon a slow walk through the tall grass, while 
the elevated position of the horseman enables him to command 
the entire view. The bridle-reins usually lay on the pommel of 
the saddle, across which, also, the rifle is carried, or in the angle 
of the left arm, usually cocked, but not always so. For myself, 
I never cock the gun till the game is up, whether it be bird or 
quadruped, always carrying it with my thumb on the hammer, 
at half-cock, and finger on the trigger, and if I have a double 
shot I lower the breech and cock the other lock, and I have al- 
ways found I could shoot right and left as quickly as those who 
carry their guns cocked. I have never hunted with but one man 
whose habit was the same, though I presume there are many 
others. It is all a matter of practice, and, if commenced young, 
the act becomes automatic, and is performed as unconsciously as 
I now form my letters, and more unerringly. It has always 
seemed to me the safest way, though others may think differ- 
ently. 
The deer usually lay till the horseman gets nearly upon them. 
If there be more than one, which is usually the case, they will be 
found lying within a few rods or even feet of each other, but 
never actually together. At the least, a considerable belt of the 
tall grass will be found separating their beds. Usually the near- 
est will be the first to rise, and the first bound he makes will 
arouse all the others. The second bound the deer jumps high, 
as if to survey the situation, and this is the best for the shot, for 
it will likely be within ten or twenty yards. When a double 
shot is offered the hunter it is frequently advisable to take the 
longest shot first, and his own practice will suggest whether to 
open with the ball or the buckshot. 
