186 
THE CABINET OF NATURAL HISTORY, 
to approach the animal, without being guided by the bit. 
A short light gun is used for the purpose; the rider guides 
his horse at full speed, until he has selected the object of 
his prey; he directs his horse to it, then drops his bridle, 
and the horse at full speed approaches the animal on the 
right side, within eight or ten feet, when the shot is gene- 
rally given with such precision through the vital parts of 
the body, that he seldom runs more than a hundred yards 
before he falls. 
I rode in the midst of several of these scenes rather to 
study than to slay. In one of them, however, finding my 
horse had brought me so fairly alongside of a bull of the 
largest size, I caught, as my horse had the enthusiasm of 
the chase, and with my double-barrelled piece so disabled 
him that he was immediately left by the band. I halted, 
and saw my comrades sweeping over the prairies, mingled 
in the midst of the herd, and leaving at every few rods 
the dying victims on the plains. I was willing to stop the 
pursuit, for I found that I had luckily so disabled my bull 
that he could make none, or but little advance upon me, 
although he was continually rising and swelling himself 
with the most frightful rage, and endeavouring to pitch 
upon me. He was a scene for the painter or the statuary, 
one worthy of the sublime ideas of Michael Angelo. Not 
the tiger nor the black maned lion of Africa could have 
looked half so furious or frightful. I defy the world to 
produce an animal in his looks so furious and frightful as 
the buffalo bull, when he is roused in a rage, with his long 
shaggy mane covering his shoulders and falling to the 
ground. In this condition I drew my sketch book from 
my pocket, and by riding towards and around him, and 
exciting his fury, I was enabled to catch the very attitudes 
and expressions that I wanted. The party returning, at 
length, with some anxiety for my safety, and finding me 
dismounted and busily engaged with the infuriated gen- 
tleman before me, standing for his likeness, were not a 
little surprised and amused. When my series of atti- 
tudes and expressions were finished, a shot through the 
head ended the scene. 
The health and amusements of this delightful country 
render it almost painful for me to leave it. The atmos- 
phere is so light and pure that nothing like fevers or epi- 
demics has ever been known to prevail here — indeed it is 
proverbial here that a man cannot die unless he is killed 
by the Indians. If the cholera should ever cross the At- 
lantic, what a secure, and at the same time, delightful 
refuge this country would be for those who would be able 
to reach it. I shall commence descending the river in a 
few days in a small boat, and shall stop some time at the 
Mandans and Gros-ventres or Minataree villages, 400 
miles below this, which are probably the most interesting 
villages of Indians which I shall see on the river. From 
those villages I shall be able to give you some more inter- 
esting and amusing details of manners and customs of 
these uncivilized and unchristianized sons of the west. 
Until then adieu. Your friend and servant, 
George Catlin. 
Mouth of Yellow Stone, July 1 5th, 1832. 
INSTRUCTIONS TO YOUNG SPORTSMEN. 
No. V. 
In most of my former communications, I have con- 
fined my remarks to the use of the gun, and the manner 
in which the learner should conduct himself in the field. 
In the present, and perhaps one or two future numbers, I 
will endeavour to point out the proper mode of finding 
the various game, and the most likely parts they inhabit; 
this is of much importance to the young sportsman, in 
order to afford him facilities in his excursions. The first 
bird I shall notice is the partridge, it being the primary 
and most common object of pursuit, and more accessible 
than others. 
The most favourable season for hunting partridges is a 
cloudy, damp day, with the wind moderately stirring from 
the east; for, as this weather presages rain, the birds will 
always be found in the fields, feeding; and owing to the 
density of the atmosphere, the effluvium emitted by them, 
instead of ascending, is wafted by the breeze over the sur- 
face of the ground, and enables the dog to wind the birds 
at a very great distance, and the variety of objects which 
cover the ground, such as grass, leaves, stubble, &c. be- 
ing softened by the dampness, less noise is created, and 
the birds consequently not so easily alarmed. It appears 
hardly necessary to remind you, that you should at all 
times enter the field against the wind, as the advantages 
for your dogs are too obvious to require comment. 
Rainy and windy days are alike unfavourable for hunt- 
ing; both having the tendency to drive the birds into 
cover for protection from the weather, but, as it is a com- 
mon occurrence that a favourable morning is often fol- 
lowed by winds and rain, it is proper the young sports- 
man should know how to act in regard to either of the 
two days. I would prefer a moderate rain to a blustering 
north-westerly wind, and would choose rather a wet skin, 
than the ill effects of hunting through the latter; the for- 
mer is only unpleasant for the time, and if you exercise 
constantly you need not fear taking cold; but the latter is 
painfully unpleasant (especially to the eyes,) for the pre- 
sent and the bad effect does not wear off for days; besides, 
