328 BIG GAME OP NORTH AMERICA. 



fellow, found that he had been shot through the neck by 

 one of the many balls that were continually flying in my 

 vicinity. The jagged key-hole showed plainly that this 

 ball had. not come end-on, but had been capsized in its 

 flight, retaining, however, sufficient speed and force to cut 

 through the well-rounded throat of my erstwhile timid but 

 lovely companion. 



Strange to say, my horse escaped unscathed, and put in 

 his time grazing peacefully, proving again that where igno- 

 rance is bliss, 'twere folly to be wise. 



On riding over the ground, we found some forty or fifty 

 dead Antelope — enough to provide the entire command 

 with meat for many days. Many others were, of course, 

 wounded and lost, which fact we sadly regretted, but. in 

 the excitement of the moment it could not be avoided. 

 Some of these, however, were afterward killed by the 

 scouts, and brought in with the wagon-train. 



I don't think I failed to kill over a single one that I hit. 

 Many came scampering by me with blood-stains showing 

 plainly on their sides. These were the ones I shot at, prin- 

 cipally, and when fortunate enough to hit them with my 

 hollow-pointed bullets, their doom was instantly sealed. 



In the matter of clothing best adapted for prairie use, 

 corduroy or mole-skin trousers are about the most suitable; 

 while a good flannel shirt, of some neutral color, is the 

 best. For the coat, I am inclined to think that a dog-skin 

 jacket is the best. It is wind and water proof, extremely 

 light, durable, is not cumbersome or warm when worn 

 open, and is a grand protection against cold when buttoned 

 up to the neck. A buck-skin shirt, although good in cer- 

 tain places, is not so good as a flannel one for prairie use, 

 as in wet weather it is a nuisance. In the brush, however, 

 they are grand, as they are noiseless, of good color, and 

 are soft and comfortable. 



Nothing that I have ever seen can compare, as foot-gear, 

 to the old Thompson & Son's moccasins, with moderately 

 light soles, say single soles, with hobnails on the heels, and 

 a few under the ball of the foot; in fact, a couple of spikes 



