324 SPORTING ADVENTURES 



to draw closer gradually, until a dozen finally came within 

 range of the riiles. A sharp series of reports followed, and 

 four fine animals were tumbled over. This was as much as 

 we expected to accomplish that evening, so we collected our 

 spoils, and, throwing- them across our horses, wended our way 

 towards camp. 



The system of still-hunting is the one most in vogue among 

 the Indians and pioneers, but it lacks all the spirit and 

 excitement of the chase, and is in reality only fit for pot- 

 hunters. The sons of the forest were the first to make it 

 known to the white hunters, for, with their usual sharpness of 

 observation, they noticed that curiosity was one of the prin- 

 cipal faculties in the Ccrrida, and acting on this knowledge 

 they made that faculty the means of luring them to destruc- 

 tion. Were the pleasures of antelope-coursing more generally 

 known, it would become what hare-coursing is in the British 

 kingdom, and with this greater advantage, that it affords 

 much keener amusement, and gives hounds, horses, quarry, 

 and hunters a better opportunity of testing their speed, power, 

 mettle, and endurance. 



The Scotch deer-hound would, in my estimation, be an 

 invaluable dog for chasing the antelope on the plains of the 

 West, yet that splendid creature is scarcely known there, for I 

 saw only three of the pure-blooded species in the entire region 

 beyond the Rocky Mountains, though mongrels and crosses 

 were not rare. Many of the best hunters in the country know 

 little or nothing about the various breeds of dogs useful in the 

 chase, hence they take no pains about procuring them, and 

 seem to be content with anything in the canine form so long 

 as it will chase an animal. 



In stalking the antelope I have sometimes killed three and 

 four in a few hours, but I have on other occasions been out 

 all day without getting more than a fawn. I have found that 

 it will allow a person on horseback to approach it nearer, 

 without taking alarm, than it will one a loot, and that it will 

 often give a man a good opportunity for an excellent shot if 

 he walks slowly and halts occasionally, provided he is to the 

 leeward, as its curiosity rather than its fears are then aroused. 

 A Sharp's ride of forty-live calibre and carrying one hundred 



