PRONG-HORNS 



in no other way. The graceful doe and beauti- 

 ful fawns leaped over the divide and joined a 

 small band of antelope that frequented the plains 

 for miles around. The grass had been burned 

 late in the fall and, in consequence, early the fol- 

 lowing spring it had sprung up thick, with juicy, 

 tender blades, making this strip of prairie a very 

 attractive feeding ground for the prong-horns. 



During the next week I noticed footprints 

 of the antelope down by the spring and decided 

 that the " wingless birds of the plains," as they 

 are sometimes called, were using the pool near 

 the spring for a drinking place. Early the fol- 

 lowing morning I concealed myself behind a 

 willow tree in the hope of again seeing the little 

 fawns and the doe with the injured ear. 



I was finally repaid by seeing the head of the 

 doe appear over the hill and by her side were 

 the two little fawns. The doe stopped on the 

 top of the hill, raised her head and looked 

 around. Seeing nothing that seemed strange 

 or harmful she came down the hill against the 

 wind with the fawns and drank from the pool 

 only a few feet away from where I sat. Ante- 

 lope are accustomed to go to water against the 

 [43] 



