STILL-HUNTING THE ANTELOPE. 317 



cartridge. In certain localities remote from the haunts of 

 man, they are comparatively tame, and may at first appear 

 stupid and dull at "catching on." But just try them 

 where they have been hunted, and then report. My word 

 for it, they will be found quite sharp enough to make it 

 interesting. 



During the summers and falls of 1878 and 1879 I did 

 nothing but shoot, and Antelope received the greater part 

 of my attention. Having killed over two hundred and forty 

 by actual count, I think that, at any rate, I gained some 

 valuable experience, some of which I will try to impart. 

 The principal thing is to keep out of sight. Don't delude 

 yourself with the idea that because a band is a couple of 

 miles away, apparently feeding, and all with their heads 

 down, none are on the lookout, and that you may ride up a 

 little closer and then keep out of sight. That won't do; I 

 know it to my sorrow. The chances are ten to one that 

 they will see you long before you see them, and although 

 they may not move at first, still they are on the qiu vive, 

 and if you get a close shot after having shown yourself, 

 why, just score it down as luck. 



My advice is to always hunt over broken ground and 

 undulating prairie, for although you don' t see as many Ante- 

 lope there as on level ground, still the chances are about 

 twenty to one in your favor, as against the level country, 

 when you do come across a band. Again, remember that 

 when you reach the summit of the hill your horse's head 

 is in plain sight before you can look in the hollow beyond; 

 so, if you are too lazy to dismount, alwajt s skirt along the 

 ridge for a few yards, stand well up in your stirrups, and 

 take a good look. But this is the lazy and unprofitable style, 

 and generally before you can check your horse the Antelope 

 have seen you; and that settles it. So the best way is to 

 dismount; lead your horse, with a good long lariat, so he 

 will be some yards behind you; take off your hat (which, 

 by the way, is also visible before you can see, your eyes 

 being lower than the crown), and go slo-wly up until you can 

 just see well into the ravines and on the hill-sides beyond. 



