THE PRAIRIE \VULJ-'. 173 



the dogs there, they gave tongue in the most clamorous 

 manner. This proved that the quarry was there ; and we 

 were beginning to plan how we should get it out, when one 

 of the dogs raised his voice a few yards below us, and, on 

 looking around, we saw a coyote streaming away before 

 him. We dashed after the quarry at our best pace, and as 

 the horses were fresh we were soon leading the hounds. 

 When we got within range of the fugitive we opened fire 

 promptly with our revolvers, and, somebody hitting it in 

 the flanks, tumbled it over, and before it could get away 

 the hounds were upon it and throttling it to death. 



After this kill, we concluded to turn homeward, and take 

 our chances with meeting any coyotes on the way. We 

 had proceeded scarcely three miles before we surprised a 

 vixen out for a " constitutional ;" but she evidently had 

 little fear of us, for she did not attempt to move until she 

 saw the baying hounds heading full for her. She then tore 

 away at a stirring pace, but she was driven so hard that 

 she ran to earth in the first burrow she met. This was a 

 most unusual proceeding for a coyote, and we were rather 

 surprised at it, but we concluded to have her, nevertheless ; 

 so one of our party was sent to a stock-raiser's cabin about 

 a mile away to borrow a spade with which to dig her out. 

 When he returned operations were commenced, and in less 

 than twenty minutes we had her brush, and, a few minutes 

 later, her skin. We were so delighted with our success 

 that we were getting coyote - struck ; but as our horses 

 were badly blown, and were covered with foam, we con- 

 cluded to give up any more hunting for the day; so, when 

 we reached a small country store, where everything, from 

 cloth to whiskey, was sold, we entered, and drank a bumper 

 or two, and after hearty hand-shakes and several " good- 

 byes," each wended his way homeward. I returned with 

 the host and hounds, well pleased with my share of the 

 spoils, as I had two brushes dangling from my horse's 

 mane. When within five miles of the house, we started a 

 splendid male, and the hounds, weary as they were, started 

 after him ; nor would they respond to the peremptory re- 



