OF A RANCHMAN 193 



often skulk round and round a thicket in- 

 stead of putting out of it when a man en- 

 ters; and even when started it may break 

 back past the driver instead of going to- 

 ward the guns. 



In all these habits white-tail are the very 

 reverse of such game as antelope. Ante- 

 lope care nothing at all about being seen, 

 and indeed rather court observation, while 

 the chief anxiety of a white-tail is to go un- 

 observed. In passing through a country 

 where there are antelope, it is almost impos- 

 sible not to see them; while where there 

 are an equal number of white-tail, the odds 

 are manifold against travellers catching a 

 glimpse of a single individual. The prong- 

 horn is perfectly indifferent as to whether 

 the pursuer sees him, so long as in his turn 

 he is able to see the pursuer ; and he relies 

 entirely upon his speed and wariness for his 

 safety; he never trusts for a moment to 

 eluding observation. White-tail on the con- 

 trary rely almost exclusively either upon 

 lying perfectly still and letting the danger 



