186 SPORTING ADVENTURES IN THE FAR WEST. 



force, which always accompanies the red men, after them. 

 The new pursuers were fresh ; the coyotes were getting 

 tired and scared ; and the consequence was that they were 

 soon overtaken and killed by their own nearest relatives, 

 that follow man in his wanderings. The inglorious ending 

 of our chase was a cause of much regret, as many were 

 panting for the honor of wearing the runaway brushes. 

 Having excommunicated all Indian curs in vigorous anath- 

 emas, our cavalcade returned toward the stream, as several 

 of the party and the best dogs were left there ; but before 

 we had proceeded three miles we saw a dozen coyotes 

 hastening rapidly away to safer quarters. A little farther 

 on we met one at bay, a mongrel greyhound having over- 

 taken it. When we rode up our dogs joined their com- 

 rade at once, and in two or three minutes a brush graced 

 the saddle-bow of one of our party. As our horses were 

 somewhat tired, we did not care to run them for awhile, so 

 we jogged back to cover, and passed the time away by dis- 

 cussing the merits of dogs and horses. Some of the hunts- 

 men were exceedingly angry at their dogs for their bad 

 behavior and slowness of foot, and several, which were the 

 most knowing and famous of their race in the world in the 

 morning, according to the assertions of their owners, lost 

 their character by that run, and were deemed worthless for 

 coyote-hunting at least. 



On approaching the stream, we saw some of our party 

 on the hills above standing around in an attitude of expec- 

 tation, and heard the cries of the two famous hounds an 

 indication that they had something in view. This caused 

 us to scatter, in hopes that we might be fortunate enough 

 to get a shot at anything started. I moved some distance 

 to the leeward, and waited there patiently for half an hour; 

 and my patience was soon rewarded, for a coyote came 

 sweeping by me less than fifty yards away. As mustangs 

 can jump into a gallop from a stand-still, I went in full 

 pursuit at once; and so well did my cayuse ply his legs 

 that I was soon within a distance that enabled me to use 

 a revolver. To hit a small object in rapid flight is no small 



