64 The Wilderness Hunter. 



of the black muzzle of the rifle which I was gently push- 

 ing through the grass tufts. The fatal curiosity which so 

 often in this species offsets wariness and sharp sight, 

 proved my friend ; evidently the antelope could not quite 

 make me out and wished to know what I was. They 

 moved nervously to and fro, striking the earth with their 

 fore hoofs, and now and then uttering a sudden bleat. 

 At last the big buck stood still broadside to me, and I 

 fired. He went off with the others, but lagged behind as 

 they passed over the hill crest, and when I reached it I 

 saw him standing, not very far off, with his head down. 

 Then he walked backwards a few steps, fell over on his 

 side, and died. 



As he was a big buck I slung him across the saddle, 

 and started for camp afoot, leading the horse. However 

 my hunt was not over, for while still a mile from the 

 wagons, going down a coulie of Dry Creek, a yearling 

 prong-buck walked over the divide to my right and stood 

 still until I sent a bullet into its chest ; so that I made my 

 appearance in camp with three antelope. 



I spoke above of the sweet singing of the western 

 meadow lark and plains skylark ; neither of them kin to 

 the true skylark, by the way, one being a cousin of the 

 grakles and hang-birds, and the other a kind of pipit. To 

 me both of these birds are among the most attractive 

 singers to which I have ever listened ; but with all bird- 

 music much must be allowed for the surroundings, and 

 much for the mood, and the keenness of sense, of the 

 listener. The lilt of the little plains skylark is neither 

 very powerful nor very melodious ; but it is sweet, pure, 



