90 The Hunting ^ield With Horse and Hound 



most important to start them on the best possible terms with 

 their game. Thus equipped and ready, we all moved slowly 

 on over the great plain. 



Presently, in a depression of ground that had once been 

 a buffalo wallow, Mr. Coyote was sighted. The wagon was 

 headed that way at the time, and Mr. Petrie directed it to the 

 right as if moving on past the coyote, and then to continue 

 on in a circular course, always drawing in a little nearer, as 

 already described in a former chapter. The riders, meanwhile, 

 rode side by side on the opposite side of the wagon. Presently, 

 this scavenger of the plains ran slowly on to a rise of ground 

 that gave liim a more commanding view. On went the wagon, 

 ever headed as if passing, but all the time drawing in towards 

 the pivot of attraction. The plan was, the instant the coyote 

 started to run, as he was ultimately sure to do, to liberate the 

 hounds, while the riders rushed on with whip and spur to gain 

 the elevation. Thus far the hounds would, of course, be led 

 on by the riders, but the instant they reached the highest point 

 of ground, they were expected to sight the game and go on 

 with the chase, the riders following on as fast as their horses 

 could be made to go, for no horse could be expected to keep 

 pace with the hounds. 



Nearer and nearer we approach our game, which stands 

 all absorbed in curiosity at the moving wagon and riders, that 

 from his point of view seem always moving past him. Finally, 

 when we are within one hundred yards of liim, he turns and 

 runs. "Hounds!" shouts Mr. Petrie. The cage door drops — 

 out rush the hounds. Meanwhile the riders have sent their 

 horses after the coyote with all possible speed. The hounds 

 soon overtake and pass us just as we reach the highest point of 

 ground. But what a sight! Away went the coyote towards a 

 herd of some fifteen or twenty antelopes, which in turn began 

 to run. The antelopes being the principal moving object to 

 attract the eye of the hounds, they took after them, and I 



