Stevens County tribune. (Morris, Minn.) 1877-1880, 1880-04-01

nOtMng anu we pressed FORWARD.
We had an abundance OF dried meat |
which, no doubt, would last us all the
time necessary. Now and then we caught |
sight OF an antelope, but they were very |
shy, and kept at distance which placed |
them beyond all danger of our guns.
AS we were riding aIong,and had come
to the conclusion that it would be im-
possible to secure any game, was sure
! discerned pair Of antlers beyond a
swell in the prairie, and declared as much
to my companions, but they only laughed
at me, and told me to give up the foolish
thought. I was certain however, that
had really seen the animal, and as there
was chance to secure something palat-
able for supper, assured them that /
would do SO. They told me to 60 ahead
while they reined their animals down to
walk and pursued their way more leis-
urely. @
may here remark that hunters often
separate for an entire day, first agreeing
upon the guides by which they shall
meet again, and l had no hesitation in
doing the same. My horse was fresh, and
snufed the air as though anxious. to
stretch his limbs: SO, without useless hes
itation, waived them playful good-by
and started away.
| aimed directly toward the spot where
1 had discovered the object; I judged it
to oe half mile distant, but when l had
reached the place, it proved to be double
that distance, an illusion which often
misleads hunters and travellers.
A singularly formed ridge crossed the
plain from east to west. A thicket OF
cactus grew upon Its summit, and towards
the thicket I directed my course. I dis
mounted before ascending the hill, and,
cautiously leading my horse among the
cactus bushes tied him to one of the
limbs. 1 tied him with slight security,
for the noble animal did not need any
thing more. This done. stealthily made
my way through the bushes towards the
point where was sure | had seen the
game.
What was my surprise and pleasure to
see not one antelope, hut halt a-dozen
grazing beyond! This was a surprise
and pleasure in more than one sense Of
the word; for while we had set this sec.
ton Of the country down as barren waste
here was the evidence of our mistake
Where there was vegetation, / argued
there must be water.
However. the antelopes were thou
sand feet distant, upon smooth, grassy
slope. There was not the slightest GOV,
) ering to protect an approach, and I be.
gan to debate with myself about the best
course to pursue. Should initiate the
cry OF one of their number in distress
There was something so inhuman in tina,
that revolted at the thought, and took
consolation that no true hunter would
descend to such meanness. Should I tie
my red silk handkerchief to my ramlod
and take advantage Of their curiosity
They were too shy.
All! an idea struck me. My eye sud
denly rested upon blush line running
across the prairie, beyond where the ami
mails were feeding. 1t was either buf
falo road or the channel of an arroyo
but whichever it was, 1t was the very GOV
:. er wanted, and determined to TAX
immediate advantage eff 1t.
. Retreating as stealthily from the thick
ct as had entered it, hurried along tn
side of the slope toward point where
had observed that the ridge was depress
s ed to the level of the plain. Reachin,
this, to my still greater surprise toun'
myself on the banks OF a broad arroyo
whose water slowly meandered over
:, bed Of sand gypsum. The banks wer
e two or three feet above the surface of th
stream, except where the ridge cam
= down upon the stream. Here there wa
d quite nigh bluff, and, hurrying aroun
its base, stepped into the channel an
h commenced wadlng upward.
:, This was quite difficult feat, as tn
10 bed of the creek was soft and yielding
and was obliged to tread very caution:
n ly and slowly, lest l should alarm til
game. The antelope is one of the mos
. timld of animals, and has wonderful
d acute sense of hearing-so much so, tina
none but the most experienced hunter
can approach him.
+, After creeping along IN this wearisom
d manner for several hundred yards,
reached small clump of wormwoo
N bushes growing of the bank. Thinkin
this might be high enough to answer fo
e cover, I concluded to take advantage c
it. 1 slowly raised myself up and peer
is ed the leaves. I had Just the right plac,
% and, sighting at the heart of the buck,
pulled the trigger. The brute sprang u
t, and dropped dead. was on the poin
lie of running forward to claim the prlzt
= when 1 saw the doe run up to its talle
: mate and snuff at it, as if bewildered s
the occurrence. Suddenly she SCENE
is to comprehend gthe sad truth, anc
:, throwing back her head, began utterin
the most plaintive and plteous erie!
is while she occasionally ran around tn
body, as if totally unable to control he
Is grief.
IS At first it was not my intention to ki
the doe, and had dreamed of witnessin
is such painful scene, should not hav
done so. How often do we hunters, i
~ the excitement of the chase, comm
deeds which, in our calmer moments, "
can see as heartless and cruel! But til
deed was done past recall, and WHERE
fore regret9
AS watched the mournful actions
,e the doe, and heard its piteous cries,
n saw that it would be mercy to kill
e and end its misery. Actuated by wins
e perhaps was questionable humanity,
e took careful ann, pulled the trigge
= and as the smoke cleared away, disco1
e cred the doe lying dead with its hea
If resting upon its departed mate.
'Both are out of DISTRESS" was m
II comforting reflection, sand / have secu
Y ed rare supper, with which will tick
n the palates of my two friends, and COZ
/. vince them that they are not the only one
d who have knowledge of hunting-br
:. | what 10 tho ,,,oon;nr Of thic2,