108 HUNTING SPORTS OF THE WEST. 



run like that river, from west to east, and the hills have 

 a peculiar formation. The middle row, or backbone 

 ridge is the highest, and generally on either side are 

 two or three lower ranges of hills, running parallel to 

 the main range, and sloping more and more towards the 

 plain. All the smaller rivers which run into the Arkan- 

 sas from this side, have such hills between them. I rode 

 slowly up and down these hills looking out for game. I 

 had left my hunting-shirt behind, and a sharp north 

 wind began to chill me a little ; but I did not like cover- 

 ing myself with the blanket which lay across my saddle. 

 Suddenly I saw a fox watching me, from the side of a 

 hill beyond a little brook. I raised myself slowly in the 

 saddle, and fired ; but my hand shook so with the cold 

 that I missed him. After the report, when the smoke 

 cleared away, the fox had disappeared ; I jumped off and 

 ran to the place where he had been standing, to see if I 

 could find traces of the ball, finding none, I reloaded, 

 and returned to the horse, which was quietly grazing. 

 With my left foot in the stirrup, and in the act of throw- 

 ing my right leg over the saddle, what was my astonish- 

 ment to see the fox in the same place as before, looking 

 as unconcerned as if nothing had happened ! I had to 

 turn my horse before I could take aim, and the fox 

 turned at the same time. A loud whistle made him stop 

 for a moment to see what it was ; he was off again be- 

 fore I could fire, but not quick enough to escape my 

 ball. The jump he gave showed he was hit ; so, throw- 

 ing myself off the horse, I hastened after him. When 

 he heard the bushes rustling, he stood still to listen. 

 This allowed me to approach him : the shot had broken 



