TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES:
—Obvious print and punctuation errors were corrected.
—Table of Contents and List of Illustration were not in the originalwork; they have been produced and added by Transcriber.
THE
PRAIRIE–BIRD.
Monsieur Perrot is scalped
P. 276
THE
PRAIRIE–BIRD
BY THE
HON. CHARLES AUGUSTUS MURRAY.
WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY J. B. ZWECKER.
LONDON:
GEORGE ROUTLEDGE & SONS,
THE BROADWAY, LUDGATE;
NEW YORK: 416, BROOME STREET.
PREFACE.
“I hate a Preface!” Such will probably be the reader’sexclamation on opening this volume. I will, however,pursue the subject a little further in the form of a dialogue.
Author.—“I entirely agree in your dislike of a Preface;for a good book needs none, and a dull book cannotbe mended by it.”
Reader.—“If then you coincide in my opinion, whywrite a preface? Judging from appearances, your bookis long enough without one!”
A.—“Do not be too severe; it is precisely becausethe road which we propose to travel together is of considerableextent, that I wish to warn you at the outset ofthe nature of the scenery, and the entertainment you arelikely to meet with, in order that you may, if these affordyou no attraction, turn aside and seek better amusementand occupation elsewhere.”
R.—“That seems plausible enough; yet, how can Ibe assured that the result will fulfil your promise? Ionce travelled in a stage coach, wherein was suspended,for the benefit of passengers, a coloured print of thewatering–place which was our destination; it represented[vi]a magnificent hotel, with extensive gardens and shrubberies,through the shady walks of which, gaily attiredparties were promenading on horseback and on foot.When we arrived, I found myself at a large, square, unsightlyinn by the sea–side, where neither flower, shrub,nor tree was to be seen: and on inquiry, I was informedthat the print represented the hotel as the proprietorintended it to be! Suppose I were to meet witha similar disappointment in my journey with you?”
A.—“I can at least offer you this comfort; thatwhereas you could not have got out of the stage half–wayon the road without much inconvenience, you can easilylay down the book whenever you find it becoming tedious:if you seek for amusement only, you probably will bedisappointed, because one of my chief aims has beento afford you correct information respecting the habits,condition, and character of the North American Indiansand those bordering on their territory. I have introducedalso several incidents founded on actual occurrences; andsome of them, as well as of the characters, are sketchedfrom personal observation.”<