EARLY DAY STORIES. 121 



forage plants as a pasture for stock forms a very interest- 

 ing subject, and possibly may furnish material for a special 

 article at some future time, but not now, this is a hunt- 

 ing story. 



Almost every year in the early days, we made a trip 

 just before harvest time to get fresh meat enough to last 

 at least a part of the time through harvesting and stacking. 

 Upon the present occasion, S. S. King, generally known as 

 Sol. King, of the Cedar creek settlement, went along to look 

 after the camp. All the old settlers will well remember S. S. 

 King. He was a veteran of the civil war, having lost a leg 

 in the service of his country. While he could do little or 

 no hunting, he was a good cook, a good camp keeper, a good 

 smoker, and one of the most entertaining of story tellers ; 

 all desirable qualities in a camping companion. It may be 

 also that D. E. Beckwith was along I am not sure. He 

 was out with me on several occasions but whether at this 

 time or not is uncertain. 



We started from Cedar creek going almost directly west 

 and passing about a mile north of where Elgin now stands. 

 While in the low sandy knolls, between Elgin and Clay Ridge 

 we drove near a little band of antelope, that stood watch- 

 ing us, not seeming to be at all alarmed. We were riding 

 in the wagon, and it often happens that both deer and ante- 

 lope will stand and look, without showing alarm, when driv- 

 ing by with a team, and yet they would run at first sight of 

 anyone on foot. It was a long shot to make, and little chance 

 to hit, except by accident. The team was stopped, and drop- 

 ping from the wagon on the side opposite the game, rest- 

 ing the rifle against the hind wheel, aim was taken at a single 

 antelope standing in full view on top of a little knoll. 



The rear sight was not raised, but instead aim was 

 taken at a point a little above the shoulders of the antelope, 

 with the thought, that the ball might fall enough to strike 



