The Prongborn Antelope 121 



I would lope off on my own account, while the 

 wagon lumbered slowly across the rough prairie 

 sward straight toward its destination. Some- 

 times I took the spare man with me, and some- 

 times not. It was convenient to have him, for 

 there are continually small emergencies in which 

 it is well to be with a companion. For instance, 

 if one jumps off for a sudden shot, there is always 

 a slight possibility that any but a thoroughly 

 trained horse will get frightened and gallop away. 

 On some of my horses I could absolutely depend, 

 but there were others, and very good ones too, 

 which would on rare occasions fail me ; and few 

 things are more disheartening than a long stern 

 chase after one's steed under such circumstances, 

 with the unpleasant possibility of seeing him 

 leave the country entirely and strike out for the 

 ranch fifty or sixty miles distant. If there is a 

 companion with one, all danger of this is over. 

 Moreover, in galloping at full speed after the 

 game it is impossible now and then to avoid a 

 tumble, as the horse may put his leg into a prairie- 

 dog hole or badger burrow, and on such occasions 

 a companion may come in very handily. On the 

 other hand, there is so great a charm in absolute 

 solitude, in the wild, lonely freedom of the great 

 plains, that often I would make some excuse and 

 go off entirely by myself. 



Such rides had a fascination of their own. 



