"Bell is one of my historical heroes and one of the greatest "Gentlemen Adventurors" of all time for me"

I have to agree, John, and same here. Its the reason I started this thread...not that it makes a difference really in the grand scheme of things. More for my own interest.

I just keep running into people calling him down, and wondered if there was any basis for the negativity, in reading I haven't done. I know there are some well-read people here.

I suppose technically, its all poaching. Some of it seems a little more "moral" than others, if that makes sense, but I guess it just depends on what side of the river you're on, or who claims they own the deer in the King's forest. They lacked the information we have today, obviously.