216 AN ANTELOPE CHASE. 



thought he saw a pronged head disappearing be- 

 hind a swell in the prairie. His companions were 

 sceptical, and none of them would go with him in 

 chase. He therefore, wheeling out of trail, started 

 alone, leaving his dog in charge of a comrade, lest 

 he should alarm the antelopes. The horse was 

 fresh and willing, and his master knew that, 

 whether successful or no, he would easily be able 

 to overtake the party by camping-time. 



He struck directly toward the spot where he had 

 seen the object of his pursuit. He supposed it to 

 he about half a mile or so from the trail ; it proved 

 more distant a common illusion in the crystal at- 

 mosphere of those upland regions. A curiously 

 formed ridge traversed the plain from east to west, 

 a thicket of cactus covering part of its summit. To- 

 wards this thicket his course was bent, and, arrived 

 at the slope, he dismounted, and leading his horse 

 silently up among the cactus plants, tied him to 

 one of their branches. He then cautiously 'crept 

 toward the spot where he fancied he had seen the 

 game. Nor was he mistaken ; not one antelope, 

 but a brace of those beautiful animals was quietly 

 grazing beyond ; but, alas ! too far off for the carry 

 of a rifle. They were fully 300 yards distant, 

 upon a smooth, grassy slope. There was not even 

 a sage bush near to form a cover. What was to 

 be done ? 



