380 WILD BEASTS AND THEIR WAYS CHAP. 



The game of this mountain range consisted of bears, wapiti, 

 black-tail deer, bison, wild sheep (big-horn), antelopes, wolves, and 

 foxes. Among the game-birds were the blue-tailed grouse and the 

 sage-hen. 



I had heard so much concerning the wanton slaughter of wild 

 animals, that I determined not to leave the character of a 

 " destroyer " behind me ; therefore, although my sport would be 

 limited by showing mercy, I made up my mind to abstain from 

 shooting only for the sake of killing. By adopting this arrange- 

 ment I should have a certain advantage, as I should not alarm 

 the country by firing many shots. 



The black-tail deer were not fit to shoot until the middle of 

 October, as the horns were not yet clean. I regretted this, as 

 their antlers are most peculiar, being curved, with a multitude of 

 points, and although not large, they are exceedingly ornamental. 

 This animal is about the size of a fallow-deer, the colour grayish 

 brown, and the venison excellent. Owing to the disturbance 

 caused by the skin-hunters, we saw no wapiti for several days. I 

 was astonished, as the accounts that I had received had been most 

 glowing. There were plenty of antelopes, all of which were as 

 wild as hawks ; and had wapiti been upon the open, it would have 

 been difficult in some places to have stalked them, as the antelopes 

 scouring over the ground would have given notice of the approach 

 of danger. Bison were very plentiful, but after shooting a fine 

 bull, I only regarded them as ornaments in a natural park, and 

 they were considered sacred. In several places they fed within a 

 few hundred yards of our camp, without apparent notice. This 

 was all very agreeable, but where were the wapiti 1 



There was no party beyond Lady Baker, myself, and our four 

 attendants, with a number of horses and mules. 



I had lent my hunter (Jem Bourne) a Martini-Henry rifle, 

 but he was not supposed to shoot without permission. 



Among our horses was a well-trained animal named Buckskin, 

 who would remain any length of time standing, to await my 

 return, if I dismounted to stalk a deer. This was a remarkably 

 safe beast ; powerful and steady, he never made a false step, either 

 up or down a hill. I could shoot from his back almost as well as 

 though on foot, as he never flinched, but stood like a rock. He 

 was a horse that should endure for many years, as he never over- 

 exerted himself; he preferred to be ridden without spurs. I 

 forgot them once ; but I never did again. On that occasion he 

 was delighted, as he knew that he could arrange his pace according 

 to his natural discrimination; he accordingly declined to go 



