and the time of the intervals between them.

CHAPTER VII.

Hunting. Its Benefits to the Soldier. Buffalo. Deer. Antelope. Bear.
Big-horn, or Mountain Sheep. Their Habits, and Hints upon the best
Methods of hunting them.

HUNTING.

I know of no better school of practice for perfecting men in
target-firing, and the use of firearms generally, than that in which
the frontier hunter receives his education. One of the first and most
important lessons that he is taught impresses him with the conviction
that, unless his gun is in good order and steadily directed upon the
game, he must go without his supper; and if ambition does not stimulate
his efforts, his appetite will, and ultimately lead to success and
confidence in his own powers.

The man who is afraid to place the butt of his piece firmly against his
shoulder, or who turns away his head at the instant of pulling trigger
(as soldiers often do before they have been drilled at target-practice),
will not be likely to bag much game or to contribute materially toward
the result of a battle. The successful hunter, as a general rule, is a
good shot, will always charge his gun properly, and may be relied upon
in action. I would, therefore, when in garrison or at permanent camps,
encourage officers and soldiers in field-sports. If permitted, men very
readily cultivate a fondness for these innocent and healthy exercises,
and occupy their leisure time in their pursuit; whereas, if confined to
the narrow limits of a frontier camp or garrison, having no amusements
within their reach, they are prone to indulge in practices which are
highly detrimental to their physical and moral condition.

By making short excursions about the country they acquire a knowledge
of it, become inured to fatigue, learn the art of bivouacking,
trailing, etc., etc., all of which will be found serviceable in border
warfare; and, even if they should perchance now and then miss some of
the minor routine duties of the garrison, the benefits they would
derive from hunting would, in my opinion, more than counterbalance its
effects. Under the old regime it was thought that drills,
dress-parades, and guard-mountings comprehended the sum total of the
soldier's education, but the experience of the last ten years has
taught us that these are only the rudiments, and that to combat
successfully with Indians we must receive instruction from them, study
their tactics, and, where they suit our purposes, copy