PREPARING FOR A DEER-HUNT. 109 
The following experiences in its pursuit will give an idea 
of its habits, and the. localities where the sportsman may 
find. them. Near Vincennes, Indiana, I once knew a man 
who was pretty nearly master of the art of deer-stalking, and 
he could as well discriminate a good day for this purpose 
from an indifferent one as he could a thorough-bred from a 
mustang, “No use going out to-day, Cap,” he would say, 
in answer to an inquiry; “the woodpeckers have got their 
heads up, and the deer are lying: best stop at home;” and 
best it always was. 
It was in the month of December or January, I can not 
precisely state which; but on rising from my bed, to my 
surprise I found the ground covered with a few inches of 
snow, just sufficient, and none to spare, to track a deer with 
a degree of certainty. Now,I was hungry for venison, and 
such a chance was not to be let slip. From a very bad 
habit, which is unaccountable among many when they go 
from home, I had a morning cocktail brewed, and with a 
glass in each hand sought the dormitory of my friend, and 
over this beverage we discussed the prospects and our plan 
of campaign. 
The horses were ordered to be in readiness after break- 
fast; buck-shot and bullets were hunted out, shooting- 
boots greased, and tobacco and pocket-pistols loaded to the 
neck and stuffed in our saddle-bags. A hard day we knew 
to be before us, so ample justice was done to our meal; 
for, sportsmen, rely upon what I say, nothing so material- 
ly assists you to withstand fatigue and cold as an ample 
breakfast. 
A ride of about five miles took us to our ground; but as 
our horses were fresh, and we impatient to be at work, the 
distance was soon traversed, and we dismounted in a grove 
of saplings, well suited to hitch our nags to and shelter them 
from the wintry blast. 
