THE HOUND OF THE PLAINS. 363 



thirty miles in diameter, and it took an early start and rapid travel- 

 ing to close up in time. The captains, on horseback, ride back and 

 forth, keeping the line in order, watchful that everything is driven 

 before it. After marching for a few miles, the different parties begin 

 to come in sight of one another, all converging toward the central 

 point. Glimpses of fleeing game, very likely including deer, or a 

 wolf or two, are seen, and the orders " Hurry up ! hurry up ! " are 

 more frequently heard. Finally the flag can be seen, and a little later 

 the line of the opposite side of the circle comes into view. Now all 

 nerves are strung to the highest pitch. There is a constant fusillade 

 of shots as the thickening grouse soar up and backward over the line, 

 or foxes and hares scud away from the shouting and yelling gunners. 

 The captains, suddenly riding at top-speed to one side, shout : " Close 

 up ! close up ! The deer will break ! " Before it can be well done, 

 a small band, following their leader like sheep, dart toward a vacant 

 space in the rank of men. Half the deer get away in safety, but a few 

 fall under the ready rifles, and one, stabbed by a bayonet, carries it 

 and the gun twenty rods before dropping dead. 



Soon word is passed to stop firing, for the circle is becoming dan- 

 gerously contracted. Already one man has a bullet in his leg, and a 

 captain's horse has been shot under him. Thus, in silence, the ring 

 concentrates toward the flag-staff, which stands on the edge of a bowl- 

 like depression. As the rim is attained, what a sight greets the eyes 

 of the eager circle ! With lolling tongues and staring eyes, a dozen 

 tawny wolves are rushing up and down the shallow pit, seeking some 

 chance of escape. But no mercy exists for the sneaking lamb -stealers. 

 " Give it to them ! " comes the order, and a hundred rifles pour instant 

 death among the corraled victims. Then follow target-matches, trials 

 of strength, races, and plentiful gingerbread, apple-turnovers, cider, 

 and metheglin. 



Tactics similar to those of coursing a stag on the ice, already men- 

 tioned, are furnished by the coyote when he fixes his heart upon a 

 jack-rabbit. Alone, he could neither overtake nor surprise this vigi- 

 lant and fleet-footed hare. Two wolves assist one another, therefore, 

 one giving instant chase when a hare is started, while the other squats 

 on his haunches. The runner turns the hare in a circle that brings it 

 back near to the point of starting, where the second wolf is ready to 

 keep it going, while the first rests. A few rounds use up the panting 

 bunny. Then the wolf in chase bowls him over, and seeks to appro- 

 priate the whole of his not over-big carcass before the resting partner 

 can claim his share, whereupon a row is very likely to result. 



To capture the sage-hen and grouse, the coyote roughly quarters 

 the ground, somewhat like a trained bird-dog, but with frequent 

 crouching pauses, all the time wending his way toward the quarry. 

 At the right moment he will drop flat in the grass and creep stealthily 

 forward, as a oat would do, until near enough to make a fatal spring. 



