The Black-Tail Deer 153 



tail has much curiosity, which often proves fatal to 

 it; but which with it is after all by no means the 

 ungovernable passion that it is with antelope. The 

 white-tail and the big-horn are neither over-afflicted 

 with morbid curiosity, nor subject to panics or fits 

 of stupidity; and both these animals, as well as the 

 black-tail, seem to care very little for the death of 

 the leader of the band, going their own ways with 

 small regard for the fate of the chief, while elk will 

 huddle together in a confused group, and remain 

 almost motionless when their leader is struck down. 

 Antelope and more especially elk are subject to per 

 fect panics of unreasoning terror, during which 

 they will often put themselves completely in the 

 power of the hunter; while buffalo will frequently 

 show a downright stupidity almost unequaled. 



The black-tail suffers from no such peculiarities. 

 His eyes are good ; his nose and ears excellent. He 

 is ever alert and wary; his only failing is his occa 

 sional over-curiosity; and his pursuit taxes to the 

 utmost the skill and resources of the still-hunter. 



By all means the best coverings for the feet when 

 still-hunting are moccasins, as with them a man 

 can go noiselessly through ground where hobnailed 

 boots would clatter like the hoofs of a horse; but 

 in hunting in winter over the icy buttes and cliffs 

 it is best to have stout shoes, with nails in the soles, 

 and if the main work is done on horseback it is 

 best to wear high boots, as they keep the trousers 

 down. Indeed in the Bad Lands boots have other 

 advantages, for rattlesnakes abound, and against 



