The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1867-04-09


and full of 3 sand bars, but
rapid in its channels, showing
comparatively steep descent. Its
parent and mountain streams, OF
which the Laramie is one, may yet be
diverted from their original course and
conducted by artificial channels along
higher levels, for the purpose OF irri-
eating this region. When by that,
some similar, or other and different
means, irrigation is introduced, this
entire immense district will be mag
nifcent country, populous, and in
habited by a people uncommonly
healthy and vigorous.
Several parties have been out
buffalo hunting, and four or five
have been brought down each
day; but the distance is rather
too far for the sport to be I'M
dertaken often, during the severe
weather we have commonly had, or.
had to expect within few hours.
Very little of the flesh is brought in,
as it is generally at this season-so
far as I have had chance of ascer-
taining-tough, very dry and tasteless.
Probably in the Summer or Fall, when
in good condition and fattened quick
ly, as must then be the case, food be-
ing so abundant, the meat may be
something superior; but, so far, [ do
not know that any of our expeditions
have even disrobed the animals. Want
of means of carriage. and the cold,
accounts in some measure for these
omissions. The hunters ride right up
to them and blaze away. They must
be shot in a vital part, or through
some of the big blood-vessels, to have
them fall; if not, you must plug them
until they do. When one turns at
bay. he is easily avoided by the hunter
on horseback, or by some one inter-
posing and turning his attentions
away from the object threatened.
Several ladies accompanied the hunt
one day, and one of them ventured a
shot at wounded bull. - II
Not many days ago more profitable
game showed itself within a mile or
so of camp, approaching the river in
the shape of an immense number of
antelopesi They produced an imme-
diate excitement, but soon qretreated
behind the sandy bluffs which run all |
along, parallel to the stream, and
within mile more or less of it. They |
continue, though, within few miles |
distance, conveniently for our Off
GERS, who mount and manage to |
kill some half dozen every day.
The drove is thousands, perhaps |.
many thousands, in number. The
flesh is much like venison, but think
tenderer and better In other sea-
sons, OF in the Fall, it is no doubt fat
and richer to the taste. As it is, ic is
excellent food. They are intermedi- |
ate between the goa and deer, double |
the size of one. and half, perhaps |
more than half, the size of the other. !
1 need not say that the antelope is
graceful. feet and beautiful The
General Oieutenant Colonel COM
handing, brought in fine buck the
first day. The hide was covered with
streight hair, at this season two inches
long, but disposed as smooth and
level as the skin itself, so much so, as
to surprise you with the knowledge |
of the fact which close examination
discovers. The color was purest
white about the haunch and light
reddish brown over most of the body. |
Perhaps because it was near shedding
time, it. pulled out by handfuls quite
unexpectedly. The horns were SUI
perb-the most graceful [ ever saw.
They are black as ebony and hard as
horn. When the head, which. though
large. is ike a sleeps when. the head
is held nose downwards, the horns
extend forward, but Sinclining out
ward, aud then turn with a
pretty curve upwards and inwards.
so that with the head stopped, a rise |
would impale an antagonist on the |
finely turned and tapered curve. They
are the .est offensive looking instru-
ments of the horn kind / ever saw,
as we'll as the most graceful and light,
and most suitably placed for their |
.l..-.- -. q - kxool-r or dofonco nh;c |