A PORCUPINE. 
47 
they showed any signs of disturbance from her 
presence, she would lie perfectly still, close to 
the ground, for a time, and then creep forward. 
When within good range, she waited until one 
shot would cover two or more of the birds ; then, 
still reclining, fired one barrel of her gun, and, as 
the birds rose, discharged the other. 
Two plover and an avocet were killed. The 
plover, victims of her last shot, had fallen not far 
apart, a few feet from the water ; but the avocet 
had not been so accommodating. It had fluttered 
forward, and lay floating several feet beyond the 
reach of her ramrod. 
It was too desirable a specimen to be lost. 
Pier experience of the night before had not in- 
vested wading with any new charm ; still, that 
avocet must be obtained. He was ! 
NE evening, just as they were preparing to 
camp on the side of one of the mountains 
that lie between Laramie valley and the eastern 
plains, a porcupine was discovered. ' 
Seeing them, he made all haste to get out of 
their way ; and an exciting chase ensued. Gun 
in hand, they followed him over the steep, un- 
even ground, catching sight of him, one moment 
under a blackened log, the next just disappearing 
