42 HUNTING TRIPS 



bank, or take advantage of a small, dry 

 watercourse; and toward the end work my 

 way flat on my face, wriggling like a ser- 

 pent, using every stunted sagebrush or patch 

 of cactus as a cover, bare-headed under the 

 blazing sun. In each case, after nearly an 

 hour's irksome, thirsty work, the stalk failed. 

 One band simply ran off without a second's 

 warning, alarmed at some awkward move- 

 ment on my part, and without giving a 

 chance for a shot. In the other instance, 

 while still at very long and uncertain range, I 

 heard the sharp barking alarm-note of one 

 of the prong-horn ; the whole band instantly 

 raising their heads and gazing intently at 

 their would-be destroyer. They were a very 

 long way off; but, seeing it was hopeless to 

 try to get nearer I rested my rifle over a little 

 mound of earth and fired. The dust came 

 up in a puff to one side of the nearest ante- 

 lope; the whole band took a few jumps and 

 turned again; the second shot struck at 

 their feet, and they went off like so many 

 race-horses, being missed again as they ran. 



