SKINNER — THE PRONG-HORN 
89 
effect of the fabled fascination of the rattlesnake. The antelope gazed at the 
mysterious object for some time at a distance, then approached timidly, pausing 
and reconnoitring with increased curiosity; moving round the point of attraction 
in a circle, but still drawing nearer and nearer, until, being within the range of 
the deadly rifle, he fell a victim to his curiosity. 
In ‘^Bonneville/’ Irving gives an interesting description of quite a 
different method of hunting as practiced by the Indians : 
One day, the scouts, who had been ranging the hills, brought news of several 
large herds of antelopes in a small valley at no great distance. This produced 
a sensation among the Indians, for both tribes were in ragged condition, and sadly 
in want of those shirts made of the skin of the antelope. It was determined to 
have a “surround,’’ as the mode of hunting that animal is called. Everything 
now assumed an air of mystic solemnity and importance. The chiefs prepared 
their medicines or charms, each according to his own method, or fancied inspira- 
tion, generally with the compound of certain simples; others consulted the entrails 
of animals which they had sacrificed, and thence drew favorable auguries. After 
much grave smoking and deliberating, it was at length proclaimed, that all who 
were able to lift a club, man, woman, or child, should muster for “the surround.” 
When all had congregated, they moved in rude procession to the nearest point of 
the valley in question, and there halted. Another course of smoking and delib- 
erating, of which the Indians are so fond, took place among the chiefs. Directions 
were then issued for the horsemen to make a circuit of about seven miles, so as to 
encompass the herd. When this was done, the whole mounted force dashed off, 
simultaneously, at full speed, shouting and yelling at the top of their voices. In 
a short space of time, the antelopes, started from their hiding places, came bound- 
ing from all points into the valley. The riders now gradually contracting their 
circle, brought them nearer and nearer to the spot where the senior chief, sur- 
rounded by the elders, male and female, was seated in supervision of the chase. 
The antelopes, nearly exhausted with fatigue and fright, and bewildered by per- 
petual whooping, made no effort to break through the ring of the hunters, but ran 
round in small circles, until man, woman, and child beat them down with blud- 
geons. Such is the nature of that species of antelope hunting, technically called 
“a surround.” 
Audubon on his famous trip up the Missouri - River was intensely 
interested in the prong-horn and wrote: 
Observe now a flock of these beautiful animals; they are not afraid of man — 
they pause in their rapid course to gaze on the hunter, and stand with heads erect, 
their ears as well as eyes directed toward him, and make a loud noise by stamping 
with their forefeet on the hard earth; but suddenly they become aware that he is 
no friend of theirs, and away they bound like a flock of frightened sheep — but far 
more swiftly, even the kids running with extraordinary speed by the side of their 
parents — and now they turn around a steep hill and disappear, then perhaps 
come in view, and once more stand and gaze at the intruder. 
