292 HUNTING TRIPS 



went down for the other, which at first 

 strongly objected to making another trial, 

 but, after much coaxing and a good deal of 

 abuse, took a start and went up without 

 trouble. 



For some time after reaching the top of 

 the bluffs we rode along without seeing any 

 thing. When it was possible, we kept one on 

 each side of a creek, avoiding the tops of 

 the ridges, because while on them a horse- 

 man can be seen at a very long distance, and 

 going with particular caution whenever we 

 went round a spur or came up over a crest. 

 The country stretched away like an endless, 

 billowy sea of dull-brown soil and barren 

 sage-brush, the valleys making long parallel 

 furrows, and every thing having a look of 

 dreary sameness. At length, as we came out 

 on a rounded ridge, three black-tail bucks 

 started up from a lot of sage-brush some two 

 hundred yards away and below us, and made 

 off down hill. It was a very long shot, es- 

 pecially to try running, but, as game seemed 

 scarce and cartridges were plenty, I leaped 



