CHAPTER VI. 



A TRIP ON THE PRAIRIE. 



O antelope are found, except 

 rarely, immediately round 

 my ranch-house, where the 

 ground is much too broken 

 to suit them ; but on the 

 great prairies, ten or fifteen 

 miles ofT, they are plen- 

 tiful, though far from as abun- 

 dant as they were a few years ago when the cattle 

 were first driven into the land. By plainsmen they 

 are called either prong-horn or antelope, but are most 

 often known by the latter and much less descriptive 

 title. Where they are found they are always very 

 conspicuous figures in the landscape ; for, far from at- 

 tempting to conceal itself, an antelope really seems 

 anxious to take up a prominent position, caring only 

 to be able to itself see its foes. It is the smallest in size of 

 the plains game, even smaller than a white-tail deer ; and its 

 hide is valueless, being thin and porous, and making very 



180 



