The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-08-11
NO. s..
Chasing tho AntelOue.

From tho many knolls which lay u
our path, writes a Yellowstone expedt
ZIONIST, commanding extensive views O
the country, we could frequently watch
chase for antelOpes from the STAR
to the close, md where The View was in
tefrupted the temptation to follow ns
full speed With onr horses was seldom
resisted when the isst1e was close. In
tlians were entirely forgotten III the rage
for antelope. cannot resist the I'M
preston that for purpose Of sport alone
il Is wanton cruelty to hunt down this
beautiful creature OF the plain. But
when one Inns lived on ham or bacon for
several days, with only an occasional
relief OF thOuSh beef, the Impression
changes. Antelope becomes u neces'
sity. Tile sport is only a cOucomitlnt.
1t is a hard thing to remember when
you ore hunting antelope or other game
that you ars going to funeral. II one
succeeded in remembering this, mn un.
due regard for conventional ceremony
might defeat his purpose, The sport
eally lies in catching the feet animal. 1t
is only when you have renched him that
you think Of the knife. There is plenty
Of room for pity ut the death. And 1
do not think TINT among army officers
this element is regarded rs n weakness.
1t is assumed when the old bucks nre
caught thatthey have lived long enough,
and the time has come for them to serve
their day and generation. But let the
dogs run down some young fawn but n
month or two old, and how tho father
element comes to the surface. The
other day tho dogs caught n fawr
scarcely over month old. Just ms they
were about to pounce on 1t, IN officer,
m old hunter, not given to sentimental
ity, who has slain his buffalo md ante,
lope by the score, rode up and saved
the babe from the dogs. "It bleat 50
piteously," ho said, "it made me think
Of my own babes, and | let it CO." No
ono In the regiment would dispute the
bravery of this officer; but cowafda
would be tho first to laugh Ht his pity.
I only toll this and tho following Incl
dent TO show you that the men that COM
mand and compose the expedition arc
not all savages, even II they don't be-
lieve in the Presidents peace policy MS
n 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
mother grouse from tile nest. She flew
over our heads and settled q short dis.
tanco of, within easy range. One Of
tue party dismounted and found the
nest in tho trail. It was full Of eggs
Just ready 10 hatch. "Poor things; let
them be, said the commander, and the
eggs wGrc replaced, the rifles lowered,
and tho column OF horsemen parted to
save the nest and the frightened
mother. II may seem mn unnecessary
and triiling thing to turn IN army from
its path to spare q nest OF eggs to a
hovering bird, but anything that gives
tho better part OF human nature a
chance to come 10 the surface is worth
the trouble II costs. u.
In accordance with tho order Of Gen.
Stanley issued before the starting Of
the Expedition, u certain number OF
men along the line were allowed to
shoot at antelope and other game. The
General was desirous Of giving the mel
every opportunity for hunting. But il
was soon found that the liberty was
gr,atly abused. The men in their ex'
citement after game were not at all pur'
ticular which way they fired 80 long at
they aimed at mn antelope. Frequently
an antelope would pass between The
hunter and the column. A ball wliz'
zing over our heads showed us that The
hunter appreciated his situation but did
not appreciate ours. During the day
balls came pouring in thick and fast
from both danks. l doubt il we shall
receive many heavier yolleys from the
indians than We received the second
and third day Of our march from tht
hunters. II is a wonder that no ont
was killed. An erratic ball came within
n brief distance of my horse and strt,cl
still nearer to DR.. Kinball's orderly
Gen. Stanley was finally compelled 7
modify his previous order, and prOlibi
any firing whatever except by his owl
special permission. This modification
will effect great saving in ammunition
and will make no difference in til,
amount Of antalopes shot.