238 THE OX FAMILY 



One morning I met a small band as I was riding 

 out from our camp, which came forward fearlessly 

 until within range, when I slipped to the ground and 

 shot one before they had decided that I was dan- 

 gerous. 



The best and by far the showiest rifle-shot I ever 

 saw was made by my friend, Major Tillson, from 

 a running horse, at an antelope running at his best gait. 

 We were riding somewhat in advance of the command 

 one day, and met three antelopes which were coming 

 toward us and stopped within long range to inspect us. 

 Slipping off our horses, we fired, and one antelope fell, 

 while the others, with the speed of the wind, went off for 

 the hills, quartering to the right and a little toward us. 

 We mounted our horses to ride to our fallen quarry. 

 The antelope was only wounded, however, and sprang 

 to its feet and ran off, taking the direction taken by the 

 others, since antelopes, like sheep, always follow a lead. 

 The major, putting spurs to his horse, raced off to 

 the right toward the point which he knew the antelope 

 would pass. The swift animal fairly flew over the 

 ground, and as it passed well ahead of my friend he 

 dropped his reins and fired. The antelope, pitching 

 over and over like a rabbit, fell dead at the shot, and 

 the galloping horse immediately brought its rider 

 up to it. 



Upon several occasions I had shots at antelopes in the 

 hills, or bad lands, where they could not see me, and 

 patiently stood for more than one shot; on one occa- 

 sion, while I indulged in some very bad shooting. 

 They, of course, heard the noise, but did not know 

 from what direction it came. I was firing down from the 



