326 SPOR TING AD VENTURES 



CHAPTER XIII. 

 THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN GOAT. 



The rocky mountain goat Position in Natural History Its classifi- 

 cation Supposed to be a goat-antelope Its appearance, haunts 

 and habits Character of its hair Vigilance of sentinels Its 

 nimbleness Fear of the lowlands Getting scarce Flocks in flight 

 First introduction to the goat A march with Indians A stalk in 

 the Cascade Range Its result Disappointment A ram killed Skin 

 spoiled by a fall A hunt in Montana Sharp terriers Their use in 

 stalking Trophies and tramping Opinion of an old hunter on goat- 

 shooting A successful stalker's faculties Charging goats The use ot 

 dogs in hunting them. 



THE wild goat indigenous to the United States is one of the 

 most interesting animals on the Continent to either naturalists 

 or sportsmen, for being- the only species of its family found in 

 the country, and making- its home amid the gloomy chasms 

 and rocky fastnesses of the great mountain ranges that traverse 

 the Pacific Coast in every direction, a certain air of mystery 

 clung to it which made it doubly interesting as a trophy of 

 the chase. Many skilled hunters were, therefore, anxious to 

 bag it, but, considering its numbers, few have been slain, 

 owing to the difficulty of reaching its retreats, or surprising 

 it. The Indians have thus far proven to be the most success- 

 ful in its pursuit, as they have a knowledge of its haunts and 

 habits, and are patient and persevering in stalking it. 



Among some tribes in the Far AVest the skin has been 

 largely used for making caps and other articles of wearing 

 apparel, but it seems to be most popular as a lining for other 

 garments. 



This anima has received so many different technical appel- 

 lations that it is difficult to know which to adopt, but 1 should 

 suppose that Apluccrus man tan its- was quite appropriate, 



