376 SPORTING ADVENTURES IN THE FAR WEST. 



the pitiful death -cries of the poor creature. While this 

 run was taking place, the third and youngest dog was pur- 

 suing a fawn, which he captured in a few minutes, after 

 some pretty turnings and good bursts of speed. When 

 the hunters saw the stag overthrown they gave an enthu- 

 siastic cheer, as the chase displayed to good advantage the 

 swiftness and tactics of both the pursuers and the pur- 

 sued ; so, heedless alike of prairie-dog villages and the 

 opportunities presented for shooting some terrified fawns 

 that ran wildly about in every direction, they dashed over 

 the vale, and were in soon after the death of the quarry. 

 The efficacy of the cross-blood in the dogs w r as proved by 

 the fact that they killed the animal themselves, while their 

 training was manifested by the mode in which they hunt- 

 ed; for none but experienced dogs would run in couples 

 and select one quarry from the herd. Did they not adopt 

 these means of pursuit, they would be apt to receive only 

 pains for their labor ; for if an antelope receives more than 

 a few yards of a start it is likely to leave the hounds far 

 in the rear, unless they possess unusual strength, fleetness, 

 and staying powers. Some hunters in that region who 

 live by the fruits of the chase have the finest antelope dogs 

 I ever saw, they being long and strong of limb, lithe of 

 body, and having heads both long and broad. They are 

 not only useful in the field, but also about the house, as 

 they are exceedingly vigilant and, apparently, fierce; for 

 they rush at a stranger with flashing eyes and distended 

 jaws. They are much handsomer than the pure-blooded 

 varieties, as they display both strength and gracefulness of 

 outline, while they are also taller and longer. 



In many cases they scorn to chase a hare, and if trained 

 specially for deer or antelope, will not do it at all; other- 

 wise they would be of little comparative use to their own- 

 er. In running, they hug the ground closely, and keep the 

 head rather low, as if they were prepared to leap at the 

 throat at any moment. 



After watering the dogs, we left the valley, and, moving 

 to the north, trotted across a series of wave -like ridges, 



