Outdoor pastimes of an American hunterRoosevelt, Theodore
General
Outdoor pastimes of an American hunter
Roosevelt, Theodore
Hunting -- United States; Hunting -- West (U.S.)
Next to Turk were two half-breeds between bull and shepherd, named Tony
and Baldy. They were exceedingly game, knowing-looking little dogs, with
a certain alert swagger that reminded one of the walk of some
light-weight prize-fighters. In fights with cougars, bears, and lynx,
they too had been badly mauled and had lost a good many of their teeth.
Neither of the gallant little fellows survived the trip. Their place was
taken by a white bulldog bitch, Queen, which we picked up at the
Keystone Ranch; a very affectionate and good-humored dog, but, when her
blood was aroused, a dauntless though rather stupid fighter.
Unfortunately she did not seize by the head, taking hold of any part
that was nearest.
The pack had many interesting peculiarities, but none more so than the
fact that four of them climbed trees. Only one of the hounds, little
Jimmie, ever tried the feat; but of the fighters, not only Tony and
Baldy but big Turk climbed every tree that gave them any chance. The
pinyons and cedars were low, multi-forked, and usually sent off branches
from near the ground. In consequence the dogs could, by industrious
effort, work their way almost to the top. The photograph of Turk and the
bobcat in the pinyon (facing p. 12) shows them at an altitude of about
thirty feet above the ground. Now and then a dog would lose his footing
and come down with a whack which sounded as if he must be disabled, but
after a growl and a shake he would start up the tree again. They could
not fight well while in a tree, and were often scratched or knocked to
the ground by a cougar; and when the quarry was shot out of its perch
and seized by the expectant throng below, the dogs in the tree, yelping
with eager excitement, dived headlong down through the branches,
regardless of consequences.
The horses were stout, hardy, sure-footed beasts, not very fast, but
able to climb like goats, and to endure an immense amount of work. Goff
and I each used two for the trip.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account