STILL -HUNTING THE ANTELOPE. 319 



snake-fashion, it is well to take a good rest before firing, 

 for, although you may think yourself steady, cool, and 

 in good wind, it may only be over-anxiety; so just hold 

 on a few minutes; scan the ground deliberately; calculate 

 your distance; make all due allowances; push your gun 

 forward, and, if a single-shot, place another cartridge in 

 your mouth, bullet-end in; take- good, steady aim, and — 

 pull. 



Reload your gun instantly, whether the game is down or 

 not. Another animal may jump up that you had not 

 seen. Better to be always ready, and accustom yourself to 

 do all the waiting, for an Antelope has not much patience; 

 and if only hit through the paunch, leg, haunch, or in fact 

 anywhere but in a vital spot, he can still outrun any ordi- 

 nary horse — even on three legs. In fact, I have seen some 

 make it quite interesting for a cavalry-horse on two sound 

 legs and a stump. Again, if only wounded, although fatally, 

 he will be sure to go as far as he can, and then all your 

 work may only result in providing a square meal for 

 a Coyote, and no saddles to show for it. So, I repeat, get 

 as close as possible, and make as near a "dead-center" as 

 you know how; and with all these precautions, many a one 

 will get away without a scratch. 



Just behind the shoulder, and a little low, is the best 

 place to hold for. When on the run, shoot well ahead and 

 low, as a bullet that passes over an animal is lost, whereas 

 one that goes low, even if too low, stands a chance of break- 

 ing a leg; besides, the failing is, and always has been, to 

 overshoot, especially when taking quick shots. 



Although trained, since a mere boy of fourteen, to shoot 

 at running and flying game with the rifle, I still find myself, 

 even though trying at all times to guard against it, shoot- 

 ing entirely too high. It is just as natural for. a man to 

 take in half of his front sight above the hind one as it 

 is to get behind on very fast-moving objects. Indeed, it is 

 extremely difficult, unless when shooting through a Lyman 

 rear sight, to know just how much or how little of the 

 sights are taken in; for it all has to be done quickly, and 



