CYXOCEPHALUS OX THE RAMPAGE. 189 



This time it proved to be Semi-Colon's. We were a 

 mile from the wagons, and Semi's horse, being con- 

 sidered the most thoroughly broken, was nominated 

 to bear the game to them. To this proceeding Cyno- 

 cephalus seemed in nowise indisposed, quietly sub- 

 mitting to the management of one of the hostlers and 

 our guide, as they lashed the antelope across his 

 back, securing it to the rear of the large Texas saddle 

 with the powerful straps which always hang there 

 for purposes of this kind. This accomplished, Semi 

 climbed into the saddle, gave a click and a kick, and 

 set his steed in motion. That eccentric assemblage 

 of bones made one spasmodic step forward, which 

 brought the bloody, hairy carcass with a swing 

 af>-ainst his loins. 



What a change that touch produced ! Those wasted 

 nostrils emitted a terrific snort, the stiif stump-tail 

 jerked upward like the lever of a locomotive, and 

 with a dart Cynoccphalus was off across the plains. 

 He probably imagined that some beast of prey had 

 coveted his spare-ribs, and was whetting its teeth on 

 the vantage-ground of his backbone. Occasionally 

 the frightened animal would slack up and indulge in 

 a fit of kicking, looking back meanwhile with terror 

 at the object fastened upon his hide, then plunge 

 frantically forward again. The antelope stuck to 

 the saddle for some time, but not so Semi-Colon. 

 The first of these irregular proceedings caused that 

 young man, as Sachem expressed it, " to get off upon 

 his head." Cynoccphalus finally burst his saddle- 

 girths, and we w^ere obliged to furnish other trans- 

 portation for our game. 



