Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-01-17
Hunting Antclope. with a Steamboat.

AutcIOpeh Win n SteHmDOOts
The following extraordinary narrative is taken
from recent number of the Sioux City Jour
nal:
zone of the most laughable as well as one of
the most exciting hunts that ever occurred on
the Missouri river was witnessed by those On
board the steamer Peninah, on her last trip up
the river while on her way for Fort Rico, Dakota
territory, loaded with United States troops.
When within sixty miles of Fort Rice herd of
antelopes was discovered quietly feeding on the
bank of the river and within one hundred yards
of the boat, as she rounded bend. Captain
Brady was the first to discover them from his
position in the pilot house, and called for Mr..
Hampton, clerk of the boat, to take shot. He
started forward, Carbinc in hand as did three or
four soldiers who were on deck at the time and
all fired together
"Ihe remainder of the men, being down be-
low and not aware of what was going on were
startled when the shots were fired. In an in
slant all was confusion on board Some in their
alarm believed il to be an Indian attack, think
ing, doubtless, that Spotted Tail & Co. were
taking that means of showing their appreca-
ton of the honors which were so lavshly be-
slowed upon them on the occasion of their re-
cent visit to Washington. Others imagined the
boats to be sinking, and were making frantic
appeals to the pilot to have soundings made, so
that they could calculate their chances for n
wade. But neither of the surmises were correct,
for the innocent cause of all the excitement, as
soon as the first shots were fired, started on
run toward the boat, as in the opposite direction
the bluffs at this point were so high they could
not climb them.
"Now ensued a scene that battles description.
All hands were armed, and popping away.
Here they comet There they goP 'Whoop,
hurrahF and confusion reigned supreme. Away
went the antelopes, taking a backward direC-
ton along the beach. Back went the boat
Bang, bangl went the musketsi Ding, ding
Al ,. I..n 49,
TO back with all speed, so as to keep within
musket shot. 'Hurrahl there goes one is the
shout, and the cook of the boat, who up to this
time had preserved his wOnted digniied equili-
brium, suddenly upset pitcher of hot water on
a lame dog, who, unaware Of the battle without,
was slyly appropriating a piece of his buffalo
steak to his heirs and assigns forever. 1t is
needless to say THAT he lost his appetite by the
warm application administered him.
The aniclopes commenced falling"
Man the yawl,' shouts the captain, and
pick up the dead Away goes the yawl; away
go the remaining antelopes, and on comes the
steamer, putting and blowing as if it were fully
conscious of the intense excitement pervadng
all hands on board.
mo more antelOpes were now seen, and pre-
parations were made to 30 ahead, when the
chatnbermaid Ga newly enfranchised citizeneSS),
who had taken up her position on the top fthe
laundry TO watch events, suddenly discovered
Zone more unfortunate" and the last of his
herd, making bold effort for life by swimming
the river.
"'Yerl yerl Come yer, We sogerSP is heard
and with majestic wave of the hand, and ex-
tended eye-balls, she directs attention to the
game Thur he goesp In an instant a score of
rifles crack, and the poor antelope sinks to rise
no more.
"In the meantime the yawl has not been idle
and several are the reward of their labors. The
yawl returns TO the boat and the hunt is ended,
all congratulating themselves upon its success
full termination.
"The most singular part of the fun lies in the
fact that there were but seven antelopes killed,
and as each man and chambermaid claims to
have killed from three to four each, mathemat-
les were of no use in deciding the figures.
"With whistle of victory the boat is headed
up stream, and here ended the greatest of all
modern MISUNDERSTANDING antelopes with
a steamboat