National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1873-08-08
Chasing the Antel0De.

FROM tne many Knobs WHICH lay III
our path, writes Yellowstone expedi
tlonist, commanding extensive views al
the country, we could frequently watcl
Il chase for antelopes from the star
to the close, and where the view was in
terrupted the temptation to follow a'
full speed with our horses was seldom
resisted when The issue was close. In
dams were entirely forgotten in the rage
for antelope. ! cannot resist the i'm
' preston that for purpose OF sport alone
I IT is Wauton cruelty to hunt down this
beautiful creature Of the plain. But
when one has lived on ham or bacon foi
several days, with only an occasional
relief of though beef, the impression
changes. Antelope becomes neces
sity. The sport is only concomitant.
1t is hard thing to remember when
you are hunting antelope or other game
that you are going to n funeral. Ii one
succeeded in remembering this, an un-
due regard for conventional ceremony
might defeat his purpose. The sport
eally lies in catching the fleet animal. 1t
is only when you have reached him that
YOU think of the knife. There is plenty
of room for pity at the death. And !
do not think that among army officers
this element is regarded as weakness.
1t is assumed when the old bucks are
caught that they have lived long enough,
and the time has come for them 10 serve
their day and generation. But let the
dogs run down some young fawn but
month or two old, and how the father
element comes to the surface. The
other day the dogs caught fawn
scarcely over month old. JUS ls hey
were about to pounce on it, "a icer,
an old hunter, not given to Sc tan entail
ity, who has slain his butfal auI / ante
lope by the score, rode u and saved
the babe from the dogs. 1T bleat so
piteously," he said, sit ma e me think
of my own babes, and / let II co. No
one in the regiment would dispute the
bravery of this officer; but towards
would be the first to laugh at his pity.
/ only tell this and the following Incl
dent to show you that the men that com
mand and compose the expedition are
not all savages, even if they don't be-
Iieve in the Presidents peace policy as
a practical measure. l was riding
yesterday with Gen. Stanley, at the
head of the column just in advance
of the party of scouts. AS we walked
our horses four abreast, we started n
mother grouse from the nest. She flew
over our heads and settled Il short dis
tance off, within easy range. One of
the party dismounted and found the
nest in the trail. 1t was full of eggs |
just ready to hatch. "Poor things; let
them be-" said the commander, and the |
eggs were replaced, the rifles lowered,
and the column of horsemen parted to
save the nest and the frightened |
mother. 1t may seem an unnecessary |
md trihing thing to turn an army from
it's path to spare nest of eggs to a
lowering bird, but anything that gives
the better part of human nature
chance to come to the surface is worth
the trouble it costs.
In accordance with the order Of Gen.
Stanley issued before the starting of
he Expedition, a certain number of
men along the line were allowed to
shoot at . 'e and other game. The
-ieneral was deslrons of giving the men
very opportunity for hunting. But it
vas soon found that the liberty was
II ,atly abused. The men in their ex-
,itement after game were not Mt all par
icular which way they fired so long as
hey aimed at an antelope. Frequently
IN antelope would pass between the
iunter and the column. A ball whiz-
ling over our heads showed us that the
lunter appreciated his situation but did
lot appreciate ours. During the day
,alls came pouring in thick and fast
rom both fanks. l doubt if we shall
eceive many heavier volleys from the
indians than we received the second
md third day of our march from the
hunters. 1t is wonder that no one
vas killed. An erratic ball came within
brief distance of my horse and struck
till nearer to DR.. Kimball's orderly.
Zen. Stanley was finally compelled to
Modify his previous order, and prohibit
my firing whatever except by his own
pecial permission. This modification
will effect great saving in ammunition
md will make no difference in the
mount of antslopes shot