ArchibaldRoger’scowhandshaveinthismannercaughtseveralbears，onornearhisranchontheGrayBull，whichflowsintotheBighorn；
andthoseofMr。G。B。Grinnellhavealsooccasionallydoneso。Anysetofmoderatelygoodropersandriders，whoareaccustomedtobackoneanotherupandacttogether，canaccomplishthefeatiftheyhavesmoothgroundandplentyofroom。Itis，however，indeedafeatofskillanddaringforasingleman；andyetIhaveknownofmorethanoneinstanceinwhichithasbeenaccomplishedbysomerecklessknightoftheropeandthesaddle。Onesuchoccurredin1887ontheFlatheadReservation，theherobeingahalf-breed；andanotherin1890atthemouthoftheBighorn，whereacowboyroped，bound，andkilledalargebearsingle-handed。
MyfriendGeneral\"Red\"Jackson，ofBellemeade，inthepleasantmid-
countyofTennessee，oncedidafeatwhichcastsintotheshadeeventhefeatsofthemenofthelariat。GeneralJackson，whoafterwardsbecameoneoftheablestandmostrenownedoftheConfederatecavalryleaders，wasatthetimeayoungofficerintheMountedRifleRegiment，nowknownasthe3rdUnitedStatesCavalry。ItwassomeyearsbeforetheCivilWar，andtheregimentwasondutyintheSouthwest，thenthedebatablelandofComancheandApache。WhileonascoutafterhostileIndians，thetroopsintheirmarchrousedalargegrislywhichspedoffacrosstheplaininfrontofthem。Strictordershadbeenissuedagainstfiringatgame，becauseofthenearnessoftheIndians。YoungJacksonwasamanofgreatstrength，akeenswordsman，whoalwayskeptthefinestedgeonhisblade，andhewasonaswiftandmettledKentuckyhorse，whichluckilyhadbutoneeye。Ridingatfullspeedhesoonovertookthequarry。Asthehorsehoofssoundednearer，thegrimbearceaseditsflight，andwhirlingroundstoodatbay，raisingitselfonitshind-legsandthreateningitspursuerwithbaredfangsandspreadclaws。Carefullyridinghishorsesothatitsblindsideshouldbetowardsthemonster，thecavalrymansweptbyatarun，handlinghissteedwithsuchdaringskillthathejustclearedtheblowofthedreadedfore-paw，whilewithonemightysabrestrokehecleftthebear’sskull，slayingthegrinningbeastasitstoodupright。
CHAPTERV。
THECOUGAR。
Noanimalofthechaseissodifficulttokillbyfairstill-huntingasthecougar——thatbeastofmanynames，knownintheEastaspantherandpainter，intheWestasmountainlion，intheSouthwestasMexicanlion，andinthesoutherncontinentaslionandpuma。
Withouthoundsitspursuitissouncertainthatfromthestill-
hunter’sstandpointithardlydeservestorankasgameatall——though，bytheway，itisitselfamoreskilfulstill-hunterthananyhumanrival。Itpreferstomoveabroadbynightoratdusk；andinthedaytimeusuallylieshidinsomecaveortangledthicketwhereitisabsolutelyimpossibleeventostumbleonitbychance。Itisabeastofstealthandrapine；itsgreat，velvetpawsnevermakeasound，anditisalwaysonthewatchwhetherforpreyorforenemies，whileitrarelyleavesshelterevenwhenitthinksitselfsafe。Itssoft，leisurelymovementsanduniformityofcolormakeitdifficulttodiscoveratbest，anditsextremewatchfulnesshelpsit；butitisthecougar’sreluctancetoleavecoveratanytime，itshabitofslinkingoffthroughthebrush，insteadofrunningintheopen，whenstartled，andthewayinwhichitliesmotionlessinitslairevenwhenamaniswithintwentyyards，thatrenderitsodifficulttostill-hunt。
Infactitisnexttoimpossiblewithanyhopeofsuccessregularlytohuntthecougarwithoutdogsorbait。Mostcougarsthatarekilledbystill-huntersareshotbyaccidentwhilethemanisafterothergame。
Thishasbeenmyownexperience。Althoughnotcommon，cougarsarefoundnearmyranch，wherethegroundispeculiarlyfavorableforthesolitaryrifleman；andfortenyearsIhave，offandon，devotedadayortwototheirpursuit；butneversuccessfully。OneDecemberalargecougartookuphisabodeonadenselywoodedbottomtwomilesabovetheranchhouse。IdidnotdiscoverhisexistenceuntilIwentthereoneeveningtokilladeer，andfoundthathehaddrivenallthedeeroffthebottom，havingkilledseveral，aswellasayoungheifer。Snowwasfallingatthetime，butthestormwasevidentlyalmostover；theleaveswerealloffthetreesandbushes；andIfeltthatnextdaytherewouldbesuchachancetofollowthecougarasfaterarelyoffered。InthemorningbydawnIwasatthebottom，andspeedilyfoundhistrail。FollowingitIcameacrosshisbed，amongsomecedarsinadark，steepgorge，wherethebuttesborderedthebottom。Hehadevidentlyjustleftit，andIfollowedhistracksallday。ButInevercaughtaglimpseofhim，andlateintheafternoonItrudgedwearilyhomewards。WhenIwentoutnextmorningIfoundthatassoonasI
abandonedthechase，myquarry，accordingtotheuncannyhabitsometimesdisplayedbyhiskind，coollyturnedlikewise，anddeliberatelydoggedmyfootstepstowithinamileoftheranchhouse；
hisroundfootprintsbeingasclearaswritinginthesnow。
ThiswasthebestchanceofthekindthatIeverhad；butagainandagainIhavefoundfreshsignsofcougar，suchasalairwhichtheyhadjustleft，gametheyhadkilled，oroneofourvenisoncacheswhichtheyhadrobbed，andhavehuntedforthemalldaywithoutsuccess。Myfailuresweredoubtlessdueinparttovariousshortcomingsinhunter’s-craftonmyownpart；butequallywithoutdoubttheyweremainlyduetothequarry’swarinessanditssneakingways。
Ihaveseenawildcougaralivebuttwice，andbothtimesbychance。
Ononeoccasiononeofmymen，Merrifield，andIsurprisedoneeatingaskunkinabull-berrypatch；andbyourownbunglingfrighteneditawayfromitsunsavoryrepastwithoutgettingashot。
Ontheotheroccasionluckbefriendedme。IwaswithapacktrainintheRockies，andoneday，feelinglazy，andaswehadnomeatincamp，Ideterminedtotryfordeerbylyinginwaitbesidearecentlytravelledgametrail。ThespotIchosewasasteep，pine-cladslopeleadingdowntoalittlemountainlake。Ihidbehindabreastworkofrottenlogs，withafewyoungevergreensinfront——anexcellentambush。Abroadgametrailslanteddownthehilldirectlypastme。I
layperfectlyquietforaboutanhour，listeningtothemurmurofthepineforests，andtheoccasionalcallofajayorwoodpecker，andgazingeagerlyalongthetrailinthewaninglightofthelateafternoon。Suddenly，withoutnoiseorwarningofanykind，acougarstoodinthetrailbeforeme。Theunlooked-forandunheraldedapproachofthebeastwasfairlyghost-like。Withitsheadlowerthanitsshoulders，anditslongtailtwitching，itsloucheddownthepath，treadingassoftlyasakitten。Iwaiteduntilithadpassedandthenfiredintotheshortribs，thebulletrangingforward。Throwingitstailupintheair，andgivingabound，thecougargallopedoffoveraslightridge。Butitdidnotgofar；withinahundredyardsIfounditstretchedonitsside，itsjawsstillworkingconvulsively。
Thetruewaytohuntthecougaristofollowitwithdogs。Ifthechaseisconductedinthisfashion，itisveryexciting，andresemblesonalargerscaletheordinarymethodofhuntingthewildcatorsmalllynx，aspractisedbythesport-lovingplantersofthesouthernStates。Withaverylittletraining，houndsreadilyandeagerlypursuethecougar，showinginthiskindofchasenoneofthefearanddisgusttheyaresopronetoexhibitwhenputonthetrailofthecertainlynomoredangerouswolf。Thecougar，whenthehoundsareonitstrack，atfirstruns，butwhenhard-pressedtakestoatree，orpossiblycomestobayinthickcover。Itsattentionisthensotakenupwiththehoundsthatitcanusuallybeapproachedandshotwithoutmuchdifficulty；thoughsomecougarsbreakbaywhenthehunterscomenear，andagainmakeoff，whentheycanonlybestoppedbymanylargeandfiercehounds。Houndsareoftenkilledinthesefights；andifhungryacougarwillpounceonanydogforfood；yet，asIhaveelsewhererelated，Iknowofoneinstanceinwhichasmallpackofbig，savagehoundskilledacougarunassisted。GeneralWadeHampton，whowithhorseandhoundhasbeenthemightiesthunterAmericahaseverseen，informsmethathehaskilledwithhispacksomesixteencougars，duringthefiftyyearshehashuntedinSouthCarolinaandMississippi。IbelievetheywereallkilledinthelatterState。
GeneralHampton’shuntinghasbeenchieflyforbearanddeer，thoughhispackalsofollowsthelynxandthegrayfox；and，ofcourse，ifgoodfortunethrowseitherawolforacougarinhiswayitisfollowedasthegameofallothers。Allthecougarshekilledwereeithertreedorbroughttobayinacanebrakebythehounds；andtheyoftenhandledthepackveryroughlyinthedeathstruggle。Hefoundthemmuchmoredangerousantagoniststhantheblackbearwhenassailedwiththehuntingknife，aweaponofwhichhewasveryfond。However，ifhispackhadheldafewverylarge，savage，dogs，putinpurelyforfightingwhenthequarrywasatbay，Ithinkthedangerwouldhavebeenminimized。
GeneralHamptonfollowedhisgameonhorseback；butinfollowingthecougarwithdogsthisisbynomeansalwaysnecessary。ThusCol。CecilClay，ofWashington，killedacougarinWestVirginia，onfootwithonlythreeorfourhounds。Thedogstookthecoldtrail，andhehadtorunmanymilesovertherough，forest-cladmountainsafterthem。
Finallytheydrovethecougarupatree；wherehefoundit，standingamongthebranches，inahalf-erectposition，itshind-feetononelimbanditsfore-feetonanother，whileitglareddownatthedogs，andswitcheditstailfromsidetoside。Heshotitthroughbothshoulders，anddownitcameinaheap，whereuponthedogsjumpedinandworriedit，foritsfore-legswereuseless，thoughitmanagedtocatchonedoginitsjawsandbitehimseverely。
AwhollyexceptionalinstanceofthekindwasrelatedtomebymyoldhuntingfriendWillis。Inhisyouth，insouthwestMissouri，heknewahalf-witted\"poorwhite\"whowasveryfondofhuntingcoons。Hehuntedatnight，armedwithanaxe，andaccompaniedbyhisdogPenny，alarge，savage，half-starvedcur。Onedarknightthedogtreedananimalwhichhecouldnotsee；sohecutdownthetree，andimmediatelyPennyjumpedinandgrabbedthebeast。Themansungout\"Holdon，Penny，\"seeingthatthedoghadseizedsomelarge，wildanimal；thenextmomentthebruteknockedthedogendways，andatthesameinstantthemansplitopenitsheadwiththeaxe。Greatwashisastonishment，andgreaterstilltheastonishmentoftheneighborsnextdaywhenitwasfoundthathehadactuallykilledacougar。Thesegreatcatsoftentaketotreesinaperfectlyfoolishmanner。Myfriend，thehunterWoody，inallhisthirtyyears’experienceinthewildsneverkilledbutonecougar。Hewaslyingoutincampwithtwodogsatthetime；itwasaboutmidnight，thefirewasout，andthenightwaspitch-black。Hewasrousedbythefuriousbarkingofhistwodogs，whohadchargedintothegloom，andwereapparentlybayingatsomethinginatreecloseby。Hekindledthefire，andtohisastonishmentfoundthethinginthetreetobeacougar。Comingcloseunderneathheshotitwithhisrevolver；thereuponitleapeddown，ransomefortyyards，andclimbedupanothertree，whereitdiedamongthebranches。
Ifcowboyscomeacrossacougarinopengroundtheyinvariablychaseandtrytoropeit——asindeedtheydowithanywildanimal。Ihaveknownseveralinstancesofcougarsbeingropedinthisway；inonetheanimalwasbroughtintocampalivebytwostrappingcowpunchers。
Thecougarsometimesstalksitsprey，andsometimesliesinwaitforitbesideagame-trailordrinkingpool——veryrarelyindeeddoesitcrouchonthelimbofatree。Whenexcitedbythepresenceofgameitissometimesverybold。Willisoncefiredatsomebighornsheep，onasteepmountain-side；hemissed，andimmediatelyafterhisshot，acougarmadeadashintothemidstoftheflyingband，inhopestosecureavictim。Thecougarroamsoverlongdistances，andoftenchangesitshuntingground，perhapsremaininginoneplacetwoorthreemonths，untilthegameisexhausted，andthenshiftingtoanother。Whenitdoesnotlieinwaititusuallyspendsmostofthenight，winterandsummer，inprowlingrestlesslyaroundtheplaceswhereitthinksitmaycomeacrossprey，anditwillpatientlyfollowananimal’strail。Thereisnokindofgame，savethefull-growngrislyandbuffalo，whichitdoesnotattimesassailandmaster。Itreadilysnapsupgrislycubsorbuffalocalves；andinatleastoneinstance，Ihaveknowofitspringingon，slaying，andeatingafull-
grownwolf。Ipresumethelatterwastakenbysurprise。Ontheotherhand，thecougaritselfhastofearthebigtimberwolveswhenmaddenedbythewinterhungerandgatheredinsmallparties；whilealargegrislywouldofcoursebeanovermatchforittwiceover，thoughitssuperioragilityputsitbeyondthegrisly’spowertoharmit，unlessbysomeunluckychancetakeninacave。Norcouldacougarovercomeabullmoose，orabullelkeither，ifthelatter’shornsweregrown，savebytakingitunawares。Bychoice，withsuchbiggame，itsvictimsarethecowsandyoung。Theprong-hornrarelycomeswithinreachofitsspring；butitisthedreadedenemyofbighorn，whitegoat，andeverykindofdeer，whileitalsopreysonallthesmallerbeasts，suchasfoxes，coons，rabbits，beavers，andevengophers，rats，andmice。Itsometimesmakesathornymealoftheporcupine，andifsufficientlyhungryattacksandeatsitssmallercousinthelynx。
Itisnotabraveanimal；nordoesitrunitspreydowninopenchase。
Italwaysmakesitsattacksbystealth，andifpossiblefrombehind，andreliesontwoorthreetremendousspringstobringitonthedoomedcreature’sback。Itusesitsclawsaswellasitsteethinholdingandkillingtheprey。Ifpossibleitalwaysseizesalargeanimalbythethroat，whereasthewolf’spointofattackismoreoftenthehaunchorflank。Smalldeerorsheepitwilloftenknockoverandkill，merelyusingitsbigpaws；sometimesitbreakstheirnecks。Ithasasmallheadcomparedtothejaguar，anditsbiteismuchlessdangerous。Hence，ascomparedtoitslargerandbolderrelative，itplacesmoretrustinitsclawsandlessinitsteeth。
Thoughthecougarpreferswoodland，itisnotnecessarilyabeastofthedenseforestsonly；foritisfoundinalltheplainscountry，livinginthescantytimberbeltswhichfringethestreams，oramongthepatchesofbrushintheBadLands。Thepersecutionofhuntershoweveralwaystendstodriveitintothemostthicklywoodedandbrokenfastnessesofthemountains。Theshehasfromonetothreekittens，broughtforthinacaveorasecludedlair，underadeadlogorinverythickbrush。Itissaidthattheoldhe’skillthesmallmalekittenswhentheygetachance。Theycertainlyattimesduringthebreedingseasonfightdesperatelyamongthemselves。Cougarsareverysolitarybeasts；itisraretoseemorethanoneatatime，andthenonlyamotherandyoung，oramatedmaleandfemale。Whileshehaskittens，themotherisdoublydestructivetogame。Theyoungbegintokillforthemselvesveryearly。Thefirstfall，aftertheyareborn，theyattacklargegame，andfromignorancearebolderinmakingtheirattacksthantheirparents；buttheyareclumsyandoftenletthepreyescape。Likeallcats，cougarsarecomparativelyeasytotrap，muchmoresothanbeastsofthedogkind，suchasthefoxandwolf。
Theyaresilentanimals；butoldhunterssaythatatmatingtimethemalescallloudly，whilethefemaleshaveaverydistinctanswer。Theyarealsosometimesnoisyatotherseasons。IamnotsurethatIhaveeverheardone；butonenight，whilecampedinaheavilytimberedcoulienearKildeerMountains，where，astheirfootprintsshowed，thebeastswereplentiful，Itwiceheardaloud，wailingscreamringingthroughtheimpenetrablegloomwhichshroudedthehillsaroundus。Mycompanion，anoldplainsman，saidthatthiswasthecryofthecougarprowlingforitsprey。Certainlynomancouldwelllistentoastrangerandwildersound。
Ordinarilytheriflemanisinnodangerfromahuntedcougar；thebeast’soneideaseemstobeflight，andevenifitsassailantisveryclose，itrarelychargesifthereisanychanceforescape。Yetthereareoccasionswhenitwillshowfight。Inthespringof1890，amanwithwhomIhadmorethanonceworkedontheround-up——thoughIneverknewhisname——wasbadlymauledbyacougarnearmyranch。Hewashuntingwithacompanionandtheyunexpectedlycameonthecougaronashelfofsandstoneabovetheirherds，onlysometenfeetoff。Itsprangdownontheman，mangledhimwithteethandclawsforamoment，andthenranaway。AnothermanIknew，ahunternamedEd。Smith，whohadasmallranchnearHelena，wasoncechargedbyawoundedcougar；
hereceivedacoupleofdeepscratches，butwasnotseriouslyhurt。
Manyoldfrontiersmentelltalesofthecougar’soccasionallyitselfmakingtheattack，anddoggingtohisdeathsomeunfortunatewayfarer。
Manyotherslaughsuchtalestoscorn。Itiscertainthatifsuchattacksoccurtheyarealtogetherexceptional，beingindeedofsuchextremeraritythattheymaybeentirelydisregardedinpractice。I
shouldhavenomorehesitationinsleepingoutinawoodwheretherewerecougars，orwalkingthroughitafternightfall，thanIshouldhaveifthecougarsweretomcats。
Yetitisfoolishtodenythatinexceptionalinstancesattacksmayoccur。Cougarsvarywonderfullyinsize，andnolessintemper。IndeedIthinkthatbynaturetheyareasferociousandbloodthirstyastheyarecowardly；andthattheirhabitofsometimesdoggingwayfarersformilesisduetoadesireforbloodshedwhichtheylackthecouragetorealize。Intheolddays，whenallwildbeastswerelessshythanatpresent，therewasmoredangerfromthecougar；andthiswasespeciallytrueinthedarkcanebrakesofsomeofthesouthernStateswherethemanacougarwasmostlikelytoencounterwasanearlynakedandunarmednegro。GeneralHamptontellsmethatnearhisMississippiplantation，manyyearsago，anegrowhowasoneofagangengagedinbuildingarailroadthroughlowandwetgroundwaswaylaidandkilledbyacougarlateonenightashewaswalkingalonethroughtheswamp。
IknewtwomeninMissoulawhowereonceattackedbycougarsinaverycuriousmanner。ItwasinJanuary，andtheywerewalkinghomethroughthesnowafterahunt，eachcarryingonhisbackthesaddle，haunches，andhideofadeerhehadslain。Justatdusk，astheywerepassingthroughanarrowravine，themaninfrontheardhispartnerutterasuddenloudcallforhelp。Turning，hewasdumbfoundedtoseethemanlyingonhisfaceinthesnow，withacougarwhichhadevidentlyjustknockedhimdownstandingoverhim，graspingthedeermeat；whileanothercougarwasgallopinguptoassist。Swinginghisrifleroundheshotthefirstoneinthebrain，anditdroppedmotionless，whereatthesecondhalted，wheeled，andboundedintothewoods。Hiscompanionwasnotintheleasthurtorevenfrightened，thoughgreatlyamazed。
Thecougarswerenotfullgrown，butyoungoftheyear。
NowinthiscaseIdonotbelievethebeastshadanyrealintentionofattackingthemen。Theywereyounganimals，bold，stupid，andveryhungry。Thesmelloftherawmeatexcitedthembeyondcontrol，andtheyprobablycouldnotmakeoutclearlywhatthemenwere，astheywalkedbentundertheirburdens，withthedeerskinsontheirbacks。
Evidentlythecougarswereonlytryingtogetatthevenison。
In1886acougarkilledanIndiannearFlatheadLake。TwoIndianswerehuntingtogetheronhorsebackwhentheycameonthecougar。Itfellatoncetotheirshots，andtheydismountedandrantowardsit。Justastheyreachedititcameto，andseizedone，killinghiminstantlywithacoupleofsavagebitesinthethroatandchest；itthenracedaftertheother，and，ashesprungonhishorse，struckhimacrossthebuttocks，inflictingadeepbutnotdangerousscratch。Isawthissurvivorayearlater。Heevincedgreatreluctancetotalkoftheevent，andinsistedthatthethingwhichhadslainhiscompanionwasnotreallyacougaratall，butadevil。
Ashe-cougardoesnotoftenattempttoavengethelossofheryoung，butsometimesshedoes。Aremarkableinstanceofthekindhappenedtomyfriend，ProfessorJohnBacheMcMaster，in1875。HewascampedneartheheadofGreenRiver，Wyoming。Oneafternoonhefoundacoupleofcougarkittens，andtookthemintocamp；theywereclumsy，playful，friendlylittlecreatures。Thenextafternoonheremainedincampwiththecook。Happeningtolookupsuddenlyhespiedthemothercougarrunningnoiselesslydownonthem，hereyesglaringandtailtwitching。
Snatchinguphisrifle，hekilledherwhenshewasbarelytwentyyardsdistant。
Aranchman，namedTrescott，whowasatonetimemyneighbor，toldmethatwhilehewaslivingonasheep-farmintheArgentine，hefoundpumasverycommon，andkilledmany。Theywereverydestructivetosheepandcolts，butweresingularlycowardlywhendealingwithmen。
Notonlydidtheyneverattackhumanbeings，underanystressofhunger，buttheymadenoeffectiveresistancewhenbroughttobay，merelyscratchingandcuffinglikeabigcat；sothatiffoundinacave，itwassafetocreepinandshootthemwitharevolver。Jaguars，onthecontrary，wereverydangerousantagonists。
CHAPTERVI。
APECCARYHUNTONTHENUECES。
IntheUnitedStatesthepeccaryisonlyfoundinthesouthernmostcornerofTexas。InApril1892，Imadeaflyingvisittotheranchcountryofthisregion，startingfromthetownofUvaldewithaTexanfriend，Mr。JohnMoore。Mytripbeingveryhurried，Ihadbutacoupleofdaystodevotetohunting。
Ourfirsthalting-placewasataranchontheFrio；alow，woodenbuilding，ofmanyrooms，withopengalleriesbetweenthem，andverandasroundabout。Thecountrywasinsomerespectslike，inothersstrangelyunlike，thenorthernplainswithwhichIwassowellacquainted。Itwasforthemostpartcoveredwithascatteredgrowthoftough，stuntedmesquitetrees，notdenseenoughtobecalledaforest，andyetsufficientlyclosetocutofftheview。Itwasverydry，evenascomparedwiththenorthernplains。ThebedoftheFriowasfilledwithcoarsegravel，andforthemostpartdryasaboneonthesurface，thewaterseepingthroughunderneath，andonlyappearinginoccasionaldeepholes。Thesedeepholesorpondsneverfail，evenafterayear’sdrought；theywerefilledwithfish。Onelayquiteneartheranchhouse，underaboldrockybluff；atitsedgegrewgiantcypresstrees。Inthehollowsandbythewatercourseswereoccasionalgrovesofpecans，live-oaks，andelms。Strangebirdshoppedamongthebushes；thechaparralcock——abig，handsomeground-cuckooofremarkablehabits，muchgiventopreyingonsmallsnakesandlizards——
ranoverthegroundwithextraordinaryrapidity。Beautifulswallow-
tailedking-birdswithrosyplumageperchedonthetopsofthesmalltrees，andsoaredandflittedingracefulcurvesabovethem。
Blackbirdsofmanykindsscuttledinflocksaboutthecorralsandoutbuildingsaroundtheranches。Mocking-birdsabounded，andwereverynoisy，singingalmostallthedaytime，butwiththeirusualirritatinginequalityofperformance，wonderfullymusicalandpowerfulsnatchesofsongbeinginterspersedwithimitationsofotherbirdnotesanddisagreeablesqualling。ThroughoutthetripIdidnothearoneofthemutterthebeautifullovesonginwhichtheysometimesindulgeatnight。
Thecountrywasallunderwirefence，unlikethenorthernregions，thepastureshoweverbeingsometimesmanymilesacross。WhenwereachedtheFrioranchaherdofathousandcattlehadjustbeengathered，andtwoorthreehundredbeevesandyoungstockwerebeingcutouttobedrivennorthwardoverthetrail。ThecattlewereworkedinpensmuchmorethanintheNorth，andonalltheranchestherewerechuteswithsteeringgates，bymeansofwhichindividualsofaherdcouldbedexterouslyshiftedintovariouscorrals。Thebrandingofthecalveswasdoneordinarilyinoneofthesecorralsandonfoot，thecalfbeingalwaysropedbybothforelegs；otherwisetheworkofthecowpuncherswasmuchlikethatoftheirbrothersintheNorth。Asawhole，however，theyweredistinctlymoreproficientwiththerope，andatleasthalfofthemwereMexicans。
Thereweresomebandsofwildcattlelivingonlyinthedensesttimberoftheriverbottomswhichwereliterallyaswildasdeer，andmoreoververyfierceanddangerous。Thepursuitofthesewasexcitingandhazardousintheextreme。Themenwhotookpartinitshowednotonlytheutmostdaringbutthemostconsummatehorsemanshipandwonderfulskillintheuseoftherope，thecoilbeinghurledwiththeforceandprecisionofanironquiot；asinglemanspeedilyovertaking，roping，throwing，andbindingdownthefierceststeerorbull。
Therehadbeenmanypeccaries，or，astheMexicansandcowpunchersoftheborderusuallycallthem，javalinas，roundthisranchafewyearsbeforethedateofmyvisit。Until1886，orthereabouts，theselittlewildhogswerenotmuchmolested，andaboundedinthedensechaparralaroundthelowerRioGrande。Inthatyear，however，itwassuddenlydiscoveredthattheirhideshadamarketvalue，beingworthfourbits——thatis，halfadollar——apiece；andmanyMexicansandnotafewshiftlessTexanswentintothebusinessofhuntingthemasameansoflivelihood。Theyweremoreeasilykilledthandeer，and，asaresult，theywerespeedilyexterminatedinmanylocalitieswheretheyhadformerlybeennumerous，andevenwheretheywereleftweretobefoundonlyingreatlydiminishednumbers。OnthisparticularFrioranchthelastlittlebandhadbeenkillednearlyayearbefore。Therewerethreeofthem，aboarandtwosows，andacoupleofthecowboysstumbledonthemearlyonemorningwhileoutwithadog。Afterhalfamile’schasethethreepeccariesranintoahollowpecantree，andoneofthecowboys，dismounting，improvisedalancebytyinghisknifetotheendofapole，andkilledthemall。
Manyanecdoteswererelatedtomeofwhattheyhaddoneintheolddayswhentheywereplentifulontheranch。Theywerethenusuallyfoundinpartiesoffromtwentytothirty，feedinginthedensechaparral，thesowsrejoiningtheherdwiththeyoungverysoonafterthebirthofthelitter，eachsowusuallyhavingbutoneortwoatalitter。Atnighttheysometimeslayinthethickestcover，butalways，wherepossible，preferredtohouseinacaveorbighollowlog，oneinvariablyremainingasasentinelclosetothemouth，lookingout。Ifthissentinelwereshot，anotherwouldalmostcertainlytakehisplace。Theyweresubjecttofreaksofstupidity，andwerepugnacioustoadegree。Notonlywouldtheyfightifmolested，buttheywouldoftenattackentirelywithoutprovocation。
OncemyfriendMoorehimself，whileoutwithanothercowboyonhorseback，wasattackedinsheerwantonnessbyadroveoftheselittlewildhogs。Thetwomenwereridingbyagroveoflive-oaksalongawoodcutter’scarttrack，andwereassailedwithoutamoment’swarning。
Thelittlecreaturescompletelysurroundedthem，cuttingfiercelyatthehorses’legsandjumpingupattheriders’feet。Themen，drawingtheirrevolvers，dashedthroughandwerecloselyfollowedbytheirpursuersforthreeorfourhundredyards，althoughtheyfiredrightandleftwithgoodeffect。Bothofthehorseswerebadlycut。Onanotheroccasionthebookkeeperoftheranchwalkedofftoawaterholebutaquarterofamiledistant，andcamefacetofacewithapeccaryonacattletrail，wherethebrushwasthick。Insteadofgettingoutofhiswaythecreaturechargedhiminstantly，drovehimupasmallmesquitetree，andkepthimtherefornearlytwohours，lookingupathimandchampingitstusks。
Ispenttwodayshuntingroundthisranchbutsawnopeccarysignwhatever，althoughdeerwerequiteplentiful。Partiesofwildgeeseandsandhillcranesoccasionallyflewoverhead。Atnightfallthepoor-
willswailedeverywherethroughthewoods，andcoyotesyelpedandyelled，whileintheearlymorningthewildturkeysgobbledloudlyfromtheirroostsinthetopsofthepecantrees。
HavingsatisfiedmyselfthattherewerenojavalinasleftontheFrioranch，andbeingnearlyattheendofmyholiday，Iwasabouttoabandontheefforttogetany，whenapassingcowmanhappenedtomentionthefactthatsomewerestilltobefoundontheNuecesRiverthirtymilesorthereaboutstothesouthward。ThitherIdeterminedtogo，andnextmorningMooreandIstartedinabuggydrawnbyaredoubtablehorse，namedJimSwinger，whichwewereallowedtousebecausehebuckedsounderthesaddlethatnobodyontheranchcouldridehim。Wedrovesixorsevenhoursacrossthedry，waterlessplains。Therehadbeenaheavyfrostafewdaysbefore，whichhadblackenedthebuddingmesquitetrees，andtheirtwigsstillshowednosignsofsprouting。Occasionallywecameacrossopenspacewheretherewasnothingbutshortbrowngrass。Inmostplaces，however，theleafless，sprawlingmesquiteswerescatteredratherthinlyovertheground，cuttingoffanextensiveviewandmerelyaddingtothemelancholybarrennessofthelandscape。Theroadwasnothingbutacoupleofdustywheel-tracks；thegroundwasparched，andthegrasscroppedclosebythegaunt，starvedcattle。Aswedrovealongbuzzardsandgreathawksoccasionallysoaredoverhead。Nowandthenwepassedlinesofwild-looking，long-hornedsteers，andoncewecameonthegrazinghorsesofacow-outfit，justpreparingtostartnorthwardoverthetrailtothefatteningpasture。Occasionallyweencounteredoneortwocowpunchers：eitherTexans，habitedexactlyliketheirbrethrenintheNorth，withbroad-brimmedgrayhats，blueshirts，silkneckerchiefs，andleatherleggings；orelseMexicans，moregaudilydressed，andwearingpeculiarlystiff，verybroad-brimmedhatswithconicaltops。
Towardtheendofourridewegotwherethegroundwasmorefertile，andtherehadrecentlybeenasprinklingofrain。Herewecameacrosswonderfulflowerprairies。InonespotIkeptcatchingglimpsesthroughthemesquitetreesoflilacstretcheswhichIhadfirstthoughtmustbepondsofwater。Oncomingnearertheyprovedtobeacresonacresthicklycoveredwithbeautifullilac-coloredflowers。
Fartheronwecametowherebroadbandsofredflowerscoveredthegroundformanyfurlongs；thentheirplacesweretakenbyyellowblossoms，elsewherebywhite。Generallyeachbandorpatchofgroundwascovereddenselybyflowersofthesamecolor，makingagreatvividstreakacrossthelandscape；butinplacestheyweremixedtogether，red，yellow，andpurple，interspersedinpatchesandcurvingbands，carpetingtheprairieinastrange，brightpattern。
Finally，towardeveningwereachedtheNueces。Wherewestruckitfirstthebedwasdry，exceptinoccasionaldeep，malarial-lookingpools，butashortdistancebelowtherebegantobearunningcurrent。
Greatblueheronswerestalkingbesidethesepools，andfromoneweflushedawhiteibis。Inthewoodswerereddishcardinalbirds，muchlessbrilliantinplumagethanthetruecardinalsandthescarlettanagers；andyellow-headedtitmicewhichhadalreadybuiltlargedomednests。
InthevalleyoftheNuecesitself，thebrushgrewthick。Thereweregreatgrovesofpecantrees，andever-greenlive-oaksstoodinmanyplaces，long，wind-shakentuftsofgraymosshangingfromtheirlimbs。
Manyofthetreesinthewetspotswereofgiantsize，andthewholelandscapewassemi-tropicalincharacter。Highonabluffshoulderoverlookingthecourseoftheriverwasperchedtheranchhouse，towardwhichwewerebendingoursteps；andherewewerereceivedwiththeheartyhospitalitycharacteristicoftheranchcountryeverywhere。
Thesonoftheranchman，atall，well-builtyoungfellow，toldmeatoncethattherewerepeccariesintheneighborhood，andthathehadhimselfshotonebuttwoorthreedaysbefore，andvolunteeredtolendushorsesandpilotustothegameonthemorrow，withthehelpofhistwodogs。Thelastwerebigblackcurswith，aswewereassured，\"considerablehound\"inthem。Onewasatthetimestayingattheranchhouse，theotherwasfourorfivemilesoffwithaMexicangoat-
herder，anditwasarrangedthatearlyinthemorningweshouldridedowntothelatterplace，takingthefirstdogwithusandprocuringhiscompanionwhenwereachedthegoat-herder’shouse。
Westartedafterbreakfast，ridingpowerfulcow-ponies，welltrainedtogallopatfullspeedthroughthedensechaparral。Thebigblackhoundslouchedatourheels。WerodedownthebanksoftheNueces，crossingandrecrossingthestream。Hereandtherewerelong，deeppoolsinthebedoftheriver，whererushesandliliesgrewandhugemailedgarfishswamslowlyjustbeneaththesurfaceofthewater。Oncemytwocompanionsstoppedtopullamiredcowoutofaslough，haulingwithropesfromtheirsaddlehorns。Inplacestherewerehalf-drypools，outoftheregularcurrentoftheriver，thewatergreenandfetid。Thetreeswereverytallandlarge。Thestreamersofpalegraymosshungthicklyfromthebranchesofthelive-oaks，andwhenmanytreesthusdrapedstoodclosetogethertheyboreastrangelymournfulanddesolatelook。
WefinallyfoundthequeerlittlehutoftheMexicangoat-herderinthemidstofagroveofgiantpecans。Onthewallswerenailedtheskinsofdifferentbeasts，raccoons，wild-cats，andthetree-civet，withitsringedtail。TheMexican’sbrownwifeandchildrenwereinthehut，butthemanhimselfandthegoatswereoffintheforest，andittookusthreeorfourhours’searchbeforewefoundhim。Thenitwasnearlynoon，andwelunchedinhishut，asquarebuildingofsplitlogs，withbareearthfloor，androofofclap-boardsandbark。Ourlunchconsistedofgoat’smeatand/pandemais/。TheMexican，abroad-chestedmanwithastolidIndianface，wasevidentlyquiteasportsman，andhadtwoorthreehalf-starvedhounds，besidesthefunny，hairlesslittlehousedogs，ofwhichMexicansseemsofond。
Havingborrowedthejavalinahoundofwhichwewereinsearch，werodeoffinquestofourgame，thetwodogstrottinggaylyahead。Theonewhichhadbeenlivingattheranchhadevidentlyfaredwell，andwasveryfat；theotherwaslittleelsebutskinandbone，butasalertandknowingasanyNewYorkstreet-boy，withthesameairofdisreputablecapacity。Itwasthishoundwhichalwaysdidmostinfindingthejavalinasandbringingthemtobay，hiscompanion’schiefusebeingtomakeanoiseandlendthemoralsupportofhispresence。
Werodeawayfromtheriveronthedryuplands，wherethetimber，thoughthick，wassmall，consistingalmostexclusivelyofthethornymesquites。Mixedamongthemwerepricklypears，standingashighasourheadsonhorseback，andSpanishbayonets，lookinginthedistancelikesmallpalms；andthereweremanyotherkindsofcactus，allwithpoisonousthorns。Twoorthreetimesthedogsgotonanoldtrailandrushedoffgivingtongue，whereatwegallopedmadlyafterthem，duckinganddodgingthroughandamongtheclustersofspine-bearingtressandcactus，notwithoutgettingaconsiderablenumberofthornsinourhandsandlegs。Itwasverydryandhot。Wherethejavalinasliveindrovesintheriverbottomstheyoftendrinkatthepools；butwhensomedistancefromwatertheyseemtolivequitecomfortablyonthepricklypear，slakingtheirthirstbyeatingitshard，juicyfibre。
Atlast，afterseveralfalsealarms，andgallopswhichledtonothing，whenitlackedbutanhourofsundownwestruckabandoffiveofthelittlewildhogs。Theywererunningoffthroughthemesquiteswithapeculiarhoppingorboundingmotion，andweall，dogsandmen，toreaftertheminstantly。
Peccariesareveryfastforafewhundredyards，butspeedilytire，losetheirwind，andcometobay。Almostimmediatelyoneofthese，asow，asitturnedout，wheeledandchargedatMooreashepassed，Mooreneverseeingherbutkeepingonafteranother。Thesowthenstoppedandstoodstill，chatteringherteethsavagely，andIjumpedoffmyhorseanddroppedherdeadwithashotinthespine，overtheshoulders。Mooremeanwhilehaddashedoffafterhispiginonedirection，andkilledthelittlebeastwithashotfromthesaddlewhenithadcometobay，turningandgoingstraightathim。Twoofthepeccariesgotoff；theremainingone，aratherlargeboar，wasfollowedbythetwodogs，andassoonasIhadkilledthesowIleapedagainonmyhorseandmadeafterthem，guidedbytheyelpingandbaying。Inlessthanaquarterofamiletheywereonhishaunches，andhewheeledandstoodunderabush，chargingatthemwhentheycamenearhim，andoncecatchingone，inflictinganuglycut。Allthewhilehisteethkeptgoinglikecastanets，witharapidchampingsound。I
ranupcloseandkilledhimbyashotthroughthebackbonewhereitjoinedtheneck。Histuskswerefine。
Thefewminutes’chaseonhorsebackwasgreatfun，andtherewasacertainexcitementinseeingthefiercelittlecreaturescometobay；
butthetruewaytokillthesepeccarieswouldbewiththespear。Theycouldoftenbespearedonhorseback，andwherethiswasimpossible，byusingdogstobringthemtobaytheycouldreadilybekilledonfoot；
though，astheyareveryactive，absolutelyfearless，andinflictamostformidablebite，itwouldusuallybesafesttohavetwomengoatonetogether。Peccariesarenotdifficultbeaststokill，becausetheirshortwindandtheirpugnacitymakethemcometobaybeforehoundssoquickly。Twoorthreegooddogscanbringtoahaltaherdofconsiderablesize。Theythenallstandinabunch，orelsewiththeirsternsagainstabank，chatteringtheirteethattheirantagonist。Whenangryandatbay，theygettheirlegsclosetogether，theirshouldershigh，andtheirbristlesallruffledandlooktheveryincarnationofanger，andtheyfightwithrecklessindifferencetotheverylast。Huntersusuallytreatthemwithacertainamountofcaution；but，asamatterofact，Iknowofbutonecasewhereamanwashurtbythem。Hehadshotatandwoundedone，waschargedbothbyitandbyitstwocompanions，andstartedtoclimbatree；butashedrewhimselffromtheground，onesprangathimandbithimthroughthecalf，inflictingaveryseverewound。Ihaveknownofseveralcasesofhorsesbeingcut，however，andthedogsareverycommonlykilled。Indeed，adognewtothebusinessisalmostcertaintogetverybadlyscarred，andnodogthathuntssteadilycanescapewithoutsomeinjury。Ifitrunsinrightattheheadsoftheanimals，theprobabilitiesarethatitwillgetkilled；and，asarule，eventwogood-sizedhoundscannotkillapeccary，thoughitisnolargerthaneitherofthem。However，awary，resolute，hard-bitingdogofgoodsizespeedilygetsaccustomedtothechase，andcankillapeccarysingle-handed，seizingitfrombehindandworryingittodeath，orwatchingitschanceandgrabbingitbythebackoftheneckwhereitjoinsthehead。
Peccarieshavedelicatelymouldedshortlegs，andtheirfeetaresmall，thetrackslookingpeculiarlydaintyinconsequence。Hence，theydonotswimwell，thoughtheytaketothewaterifnecessary。
Theyfeedonroots，pricklypears，nuts，insects，lizards，etc。Theyusuallykeepentirelyseparatefromthedrovesofhalf-wildswinethataresooftenfoundinthesameneighborhoods；butinonecase，onthisveryranchwhereIwasstayingapeccarydeliberatelyjoinedapartyofninepigsandassociatedwiththem。Whentheownerofthepigscameuptothemonedaythepeccarymanifestedgreatsuspicionathispresence，andfinallysidledcloseupandthreatenedtoattackhim，sothathehadtoshootit。Theranchman’ssontoldmethathehadneverbutoncehadapeccaryassailhimunprovoked，andeveninthiscaseitwashisdogthatwastheobjectofattack，thepeccaryrushingoutatitasitfollowedhimhomeoneeveningthroughthechaparral。Evenaroundthisranchthepeccarieshadverygreatlydecreasedinnumbers，andthesurvivorswerelearningsomecaution。Intheolddaysithadbeennouncommonthingforabigbandtoattackentirelyoftheirownaccord，andkeepahunterupatreeforhoursatatime。
CHAPTERVII。
HUNTINGWITHHOUNDS。
InhuntingAmericanbiggamewithhounds，severalentirelydistinctmethodsarepursued。Thetruewildernesshunters，themenwhointheearlydayslivedalonein，ormovedinpartiesthrough，theIndian-
hauntedsolitudes，liketheirsuccessorsofto-day，rarelymadeuseofapackofhounds，and，asarule，didnotusedogsatall。Intheeasternforestsoccasionallyanoldtimehunterwouldownoneortwotrack-hounds，slow，withagoodnose，intelligentandobedient，ofusemainlyinfollowingwoundedgame。SomeRockyMountainhuntersnowadaysemploythesamekindofadog，buttheoldtimetrappersofthegreatplainsandtheRockiesledsuchwanderinglivesofperilandhardshipthattheycouldnotreadilytakedogswiththem。ThehuntersoftheAlleghaniesandtheAdirondackshave，however，alwaysusedhoundstodrivedeer，killingtheanimalinthewateroratarunaway。
Assoon，however，astheoldwildernesshuntertypepassesaway，houndscomeintouseamonghissuccessors，theroughbordersettlersofthebackwoodsandtheplains。Everysuchsettlerisapttohavefourorfivelargemongreldogswithhoundbloodinthem，whichservetodriveoffbeastsofpreyfromthesheepfoldandcattle-shed，andarealsoused，whentheoccasionsuits，inregularhunting，whetherafterbearordeer。
Manyofthesouthernplantershavealwayskeptpacksoffox-hounds，whichareusedinthechase，notonlyofthegrayandtheredfox，butalsoofthedeer，theblackbear，andthewildcat。Thefoxthedogsthemselvesrundownandkill，butasaruleinthiskindofhunting，whenafterdeer，bear，orevenwildcat，thehunterscarrygunswiththemontheirhorses，andendeavoreithertogetashotatthefleeinganimalbyhardanddexterousriding，orelsetokillthecatwhentreed，orthebearwhenitcomestobay。Suchhuntingisgreatsport。
Killingdrivengamebylyinginwaitforittopassistheverypoorestkindofsportthatcanbecalledlegitimate。ThisisthewaythedeerisusuallykilledwithhoundsintheEast。IntheNorththeredfoxisoftenkilledinsomewhatthesamemanner，beingfollowedbyaslowhoundandshotatashecirclesbeforethedog。Althoughthiskindoffoxhuntingisinferiortohuntingonhorseback，itneverthelesshasitsmerits，asthemanmustwalkandrunwell，shootwithsomeaccuracy，andshowconsiderableknowledgebothofthecountryandofthehabitsofthegame。
Duringthelastscoreofyearsanentirelydifferenttypeofdogfromthefox-houndhasfirmlyestablisheditselfinthefieldofAmericansport。Thisisthegreyhound，whetherthesmooth-haired，ortherough-
coatedScotchdeer-hound。ForhalfacenturythearmyofficerspostedinthefarWesthaveoccasionallyhadgreyhoundswiththem，usingthedogstocoursejack-rabbit，coyote，andsometimesdeer，antelope，andgraywolf。Manyofthemweredevotedtothissport，——GeneralCuster，forinstance。IhavemyselfhuntedwithmanyofthedescendantsofCuster’shounds。Intheearly70’stheranchmenofthegreatplainsthemselvesbegantokeepgreyhoundsforcoursing（asindeedtheyhadalreadybeenusedforaconsiderabletimeinCalifornia，afterthePacificcoastjack-rabbit），andthesportspeedilyassumedlargeproportionsandapermanentform。Nowadaystheranchmenofthecattlecountrynotonlyusetheirgreyhoundsafterthejack-rabbit，butalsoaftereveryotherkindofgameanimaltobefoundthere，theantelopeandcoyotebeingespecialfavorites。Manyranchmensoongrewtoownfinepacks，coursingbeingthesportofallsportsfortheplains。InTexasthewildturkeywasfrequentlyanobjectofthechase，andwhereverthelocalityenableddeertobefollowedintheopen，asforinstanceintheIndianterritory，andinmanyplacesintheneighborhoodofthelargeplainsrivers，thewhitetailwasafavoritequarry，thehuntersstrivingtosurpriseitintheearlymorningwhenfeedingontheprairie。
Ihavemyselfgenerallycoursedwithscratchpacks，includingperhapsacoupleofgreyhounds，awire-haireddeer-hound，andtwoorthreelongleggedmongrels。However，wegenerallyhadatleastoneveryfastandsavagedog——astrikedog——ineachpack，andtheotherswereofassistanceinturningthegame，sometimesintiringit，andusuallyinhelpingtofinishitattheworry。WithsuchpacksIhavehadmanyawildlyexcitingrideoverthegreatgrassyplainslyingneartheLittleMissouriandtheKnifeandHeartRivers。Usuallyourproceedingsonsuchahuntwereperfectlysimple。Westartedonhorsebackandwhenreachingfavorablegroundbeatacrossitinalongscatteredlineofmenanddogs。Anythingthatweputup，fromafoxtoacoyoteoraprong-buck，wasfairgame，andwasinstantlyfollowedatfullspeed。Theanimalswemostfrequentlykilledwerejack-rabbits。
Theyalwaysgavegoodruns，thoughlikeothergametheydifferedmuchindividuallyinspeed。Thefoxesdidnotrunsowell，andwhethertheywerethelittleswift，orthebigredprairiefox，theywerespeedilysnappedupifthedogshadafairshowing。Onceourdogsrousedablacktailbuckcloseupoutofthebrushcouliewherethegroundwasmoderatelysmooth，andafteraheadlongchaseofamiletheyranintohim，threwhim，andkilledhimbeforehecouldrise。（Hisstiff-leggedboundssenthimalongatatremendouspaceatfirst，butheseemedtotirerathereasily。）Ontwoorthreeoccasionswekilledwhitetaildeer，andseveraltimesantelope。Usually，however，theantelopesescaped。Thebuckssometimesmadeagoodfight，butgenerallytheywereseizedwhilerunning，somedogscatchingbythethroat，othersbytheshoulders，andothersagainbytheflankjustinfrontofthehind-leg。Wherevertheholdwasobtained，ifthedogmadehisspringcleverly，thebuckwassuretocomedownwithacrash，andiftheotherdogswereanywherenearhewasprobablykilledbeforehecouldrise，althoughnotinfrequentlythedogsthemselvesweremoreorlessscratchedinthecontests。Somegreyhounds，evenofhighbreeding，provedabsolutelyuselessfromtimidity，beingafraidtotakehold；
butiftheygotaccustomedtothechase，beingworkedwitholddogs，andhadanypluckatall，theyprovedsingularlyfearless。Abigninety-poundgreyhoundorScotchdeer-houndisaveryformidablefightingdog；Isawonewhipabigmastiffinshortorder，hiswonderfulagilitybeingofmoreaccountthanhisadversary’ssuperiorweight。
Theproperwaytocourse，however，istotakethedogsoutinawagonanddrivethemthusuntilthegameisseen。Thispreventstheirbeingtiredout。Inmyownhunting，mostoftheantelopearousedgotaway，thedogsbeingjadedwhenthechasebegan。Butreallyfinegreyhounds，accustomedtoworktogetherandtohuntthisspeciesofgame，willusuallyrenderagoodaccountofaprong-buckiftwoorthreeareslippedatonce，fresh，andwithinamoderatedistance。
AlthoughmostWesternerstakemorekindlytotherifle，nowandthenoneisfoundwhoisadevoteeofthehound。SuchaonewasanoldMissourian，whomaybecalledMr。Cowley，whomIknewwhenhewaslivingonaranchinNorthDakota，westoftheMissouri。Mr。Cowleywasaprimitiveperson，ofmuchnerve，whichheshowednotonlyinthehuntingfieldbutinthestartlingpoliticalconventionsoftheplaceandperiod。Hewasquitewelloff，buthewasabovethenicetiesofpersonalvanity。Hishuntinggarbwasthatinwhichhealsopaidhisrareformalcalls——callsthroughoutwhichhealwayspreservedthegravityofanIndian，thoughhavingadisconcertingwayofsuddenlytip-toeingacrosstheroomtosomeunfamiliarobject，suchasapeacockscreenoravase，feelingitgentlywithoneforefinger，andreturningwithnoiselessgaittohischair，unmoved，andmakingnocomment。Onthemorningofahunthewouldalwaysappearonastouthorse，cladinalonglinenduster，ahugeclubinhishand，andhistrousersworkinghalf-wayuphislegs。Hehuntedeverythingonallpossibleoccasions；andheneverunderanycircumstancesshotananimalthatthedogscouldkill。Oncewhenaskunkgotintohishouse，withthedirefulstupidityofitsperversekind，heturnedthehoundsonit；amanifestationofsportingspiritwhichrousedtheireofevenhislong-sufferingwife。Asforhisdogs，providedtheycouldrunandfight，hecarednomorefortheirlooksthanforhisown；hepreferredtheanimaltobehalfgreyhound，buttheotherhalfcouldbefox-
hound，colley，orsetter，itmatterednothingtohim。Theywereawicked，hardbitingcrewforallthat，andMr。Cowley，inhisflappinglinenduster，wasafirst-classhunterandagoodrider。Hewentalmostmadwithexcitementineverychase。Hispackusuallyhuntedcoyote，fox，jack-rabbit，anddeer；andIhavehadmorethanonegoodrunwithit。
Myownexperienceistoolimitedtoallowmetopassjudgmentwithcertaintyastotherelativespeedofthedifferentbeastsofthechase，especiallyasthereissomuchindividualvariation。Iconsidertheantelopethefleetestofallhowever；andinthisopinionIamsustainedbyCol。RogerD。Williams，ofLexington，Kentucky，who，morethananyotherAmerican，isentitledtospeakuponcoursing，andespeciallyuponcoursinglargegame。Col。Williams，likeatruesonofKentucky，hasbredhisownthoroughbredhorsesandthoroughbredhoundsformanyyears；andduringaseriesoflonghuntingtripsextendingovernearlyaquarterofacenturyhehastriedhispackonalmosteverygameanimaltobefoundamongthefoot-hillsoftheRockiesandonthegreatplains。Hisdogs，bothsmooth-hairedgreyhoundsandrough-coateddeer-hounds，havebeenbredbyhimforgenerationswithaspecialviewtothechaseofbiggame——notmerelyofhares；theyarelargeanimals，excellingnotonlyinspeedbutinstrength，endurance，andferociouscourage。Thesurvivorsofhisoldpackareliterallyseamedalloverwiththescarsofinnumerablebattles。Whenseveraldogsweretogethertheywouldstopabull-elk，andfearlesslyassailabearorcougar。Thispackscoredmanyatriumphoverblacktail，whitetail，andprong-buck。Forafewhundredyardsthedeerwereveryfast；butinarunofanydurationtheantelopeshowedmuchgreaterspeed，andgavethedogsfarmoretrouble，althoughalwaysovertakenintheend，ifagoodstarthadbeenobtained。Col。Williamsisafirmbelieverinthepowerofthethoroughbredhorsetooutturnanyanimalthatbreathes，inalongchase；hehasnotinfrequentlyrundowndeer，whentheywerejumpedsomemilesfromcover；andontwoorthreeoccasionsherandownuninjuredantelope，butineachcaseonlyafteradesperaterideofmiles，whichinoneinstanceresultedinthedeathofhisgallanthorse。
Thiscoursingontheprairie，especiallyafterbiggame，isanexceedinglymanlyandattractivesport；thefuriousgalloping，oftenoverroughgroundwithanoccasionaldeepwashoutorgully，thesightofthegallanthoundsrunningandtackling，andtheexhilarationofthepureairandwildsurrounding，allcombinetogiveitapeculiarzest。Butthereisreallylessneedofboldandskilfulhorsemanshipthanintheotherwiselessattractiveandmoreartificialsportoffox-hunting，orridingtohounds，inaclosedandlong-settledcountry。
Thoseofuswhoareinpartofsouthernbloodhaveahereditaryrighttobefondofcross-countryriding；forourforefathersinVirginia，Georgia，ortheCarolinas，haveforsixgenerationsfollowedthefoxwithhorse，horn，andhound。Inthelong-settledNorthernStatesthesporthasbeenlesspopular，thoughmuchmoresonowthanformerly；
yetithasalwaysexisted，hereandthere，andincertainplaceshasbeenfollowedquitesteadily。
InnoplaceintheNortheastishuntingthewildredfoxputonamoregenuineandhealthybasisthanintheGeneseoValley，incentralNewYork。Therehasalwaysbeenfox-huntinginthisvalley，thefarmershavinggoodhorsesandbeingfondofsport；butitwasconductedinaveryirregular，primitivemanner，untilsometwentyyearsagoMr。
AustinWadsworthturnedhisattentiontoit。Hehasbeenmasteroffox-houndseversince，andnopackinthecountryhasyieldedbettersportthanhis，orhasbroughtoutharderridersamongthemenandstrongerjumpersamongthehorses。Mr。Wadsworthbeganhishuntingbypickingupsomeofthevarioustrencher-fedhoundsoftheneighborhood，thehuntingofthatperiodbeingmanagedontheprincipleofeachfarmerbringingtothemeetthehoundorhoundshehappenedtopossess，andappearingonfootorhorsebackashisfancydictated。Havinggottentogethersomeofthesenativehoundsandstartedfox-huntinginlocalitieswherethegroundwassoopenastonecessitatefollowingthechaseonhorseback，Mr。WadsworthimportedanumberofdogsfromthebestEnglishkennels。HefoundthesetobemuchfasterthantheAmericandogsandmoreaccustomedtoworktogether，butlessenduring，andwithoutsuchgoodnoses。TheAmericanhoundswereveryobstinateandself-willed。Eachwishedtoworkoutthetrailforhimself。Butoncefound，theywouldpuzzleitout，nomatterhowcold，andwouldfollowitifnecessaryforadayandnight。
ByajudiciouscrossingofthetwoMr。Wadsworthfinallygothispresentfinepack，whichforitsownparticularworkonitsowngroundwouldbehardtobeat。Thecountryriddenoveriswellwooded，andtherearemanyfoxes。Theabundanceofcover，however，naturallydecreasesthenumberofkills。Itisaveryfertileland，andtherearefewfarmingregionsmorebeautiful，foritispreventedfrombeingtootameinaspectbythenumberofboldhillsanddeepravines。Mostofthefencesarehighposts-and-railsor\"snake\"fences，althoughthereisanoccasionalstonewall，haha，orwater-jump。Thesteepnessoftheravinesandthedensityofthetimbermakeitnecessaryforahorsetobesure-footedandabletoscrambleanywhere，andthefencesaresohighthatnonebutverygoodjumperscanpossiblyfollowthepack。Mostofthehorsesusedarebredbythefarmersintheneighborhood，orarefromCanada，andtheyusuallyhavethoroughbredortrotting-stockbloodinthem。
OneofthepleasantestdaysIeverpassedinthesaddlewasafterMr。
Wadsworth’shounds。Iwasstayingwithhimatthetime，incompanywithmyfriendSenatorCabotLodge，ofBoston。Themeetwasabouttwelvemilesdistantfromthehouse。Itwasonlyasmallfieldofsometwenty-fiveriders，buttherewasnotonewhodidnotmeangoing。I
wasmountedonayounghorse，apowerful，big-bonedblack，agreatjumper，thoughperhapsatriflehot-headed。Lodgewasonafinebay，whichcouldbothrunandjump。ThereweretwoorthreeotherNewYorkersandBostonianspresent，severalmenwhohadcomeupfromBuffalofortherun，acoupleofretiredarmyofficers，anumberoffarmersfromtheneighborhood；andfinallyseveralmembersofanotedlocalfamilyofhardriders，whoformedaclassbythemselves，allhavingtakennaturallytoeveryvarietyofhorsemanshipfromearliestinfancy。
Itwasathoroughlydemocraticassemblage；everyonewasthereforsport，andnobodycaredanouncehowheoranybodyelsewasdressed。
Slouchhats，browncoats，corduroybreeches，andleggings，orboots，weretheorderoftheday。Wecastoffinathickwood。Thedogsstruckatrailalmostimmediatelyandwereoffwithclamorousyelping，whilethehuntthunderedafterthemlikeaherdofbuffaloes。Wewentheadlongdownthehill-sideintoandacrossabrook。Herethetrailledstraightupasheerbank。Mostoftheridersstruckofftotheleftforaneasierplace，whichwasunfortunateforthem，fortheeightofuswhowentstraightuptheside（oneman’shorsefallingbackwithhim）weretheonlyoneswhokeptontermswiththehounds。