46 HUNTING TRIPS 



taking it by the forelock and endeavoring to 

 get it to make a plunge; each plunge bring- 

 ing it perhaps a few inches nearer the firm 

 ground. Quicksands are even more danger- 

 ous than these mud-holes, as, if at all deep, 

 a creature that cannot get out immediately is 

 sure to be speedily engulfed. Many parts 

 of the Little Missouri are impassable on ac- 

 count of these quicksands. Always in cross- 

 ing unknown ground that looks dangerous 

 it is best to feel your way very cautiously 

 along and, if possible, to find out some cattle 

 trail or even game trail which can be fol- 

 lowed. 



For some time after leaving the creek 

 nothing was seen ; until, on coming over the 

 crest of the next great divide, I came in sight 

 of a band of six or eight prong-horn about a 

 quarter of a mile off to my right hand. There 

 was a slight breeze from the southeast, which 

 blew diagonally across my path towards the 

 antelopes. The latter, after staring at me 

 a minute, as I rode slowly on, suddenly 

 started at full speed to run directly up wind, 



