The Prongborn Antelope 119 



the buck or bucks behind the saddle, keeping them 

 in place by passing the lariat diagonally under the 

 horse's belly from the horn of the saddle to the 

 legs of the antelope, running it through slits in 

 the sinews, and passing it back again to the saddle- 

 horn ; afterward repeating the operation with the 

 legs on the other side. This arrangement renders 

 it impossible for the carcass to shift, no matter 

 what antics the horse may perform. 



Usually, however, my pronghorn hunting has 

 been done while I have been off with a wagon on 

 a trip intended primarily for the chase, or else 

 while travelling for some other purpose. 



All life in the wilderness is so pleasant that the 

 temptation is to consider each particular variety, 

 while one is enjoying it, as better than any other. 

 A canoe trip through the great forests, a trip with 

 a pack-train among the mountains, a trip on snow- 

 shoes through the silent, mysterious fairyland of 

 the woods in winter — each has its peculiar charm. 

 To some men the sunny monotony of the great 

 plains is wearisome ; personally there are few 

 things I have enjoyed more than journeying over 

 them where the game was at all plentiful. Some- 

 times I have gone off for three or four days alone 

 on horseback, with a slicker or oilskin coat behind 

 the saddle, and some salt and hardtack as my sole 

 provisions. But for comfort on a trip of any length 

 it was always desirable to have a wagon. My reg- 



