Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-03-25
FOUR OUTLAWS OF THE HILLS.

FOUR OUTLAWS OF THE HILLS.
Ingenious Hunting of a Deer. by a
Pack of Coyotes.
There were three of them, and they
came so swiftly that they looked like
three yellow streaks across the mesa.
Their partially suppressed "yip, yip,"
could be heard as they ran, and the
eagerness with which they made for a
goal somewhere in the distance show
ed plainly that they were not pursued,
but that they were pursuing.
Suddenly, one Of them wheeled about
and sat upon his launches, the while
keeping his eyes on some object that I
could not as yet make out. Then
there were only two yellow streaks
disappearing to the northward. With
my field glass watched them.
Perhaps half mile further on an
other dropped out Of the run and sat
down. The remaining streak of yellow
turned to the east for nearly a half
mile, then ran south until he reached
a point about midway between the
other two coyotes-for that's what they
were. He also sat down.
Nov, what are those prairie sneaks
up to, anyway" I muttered.
So I watched to find out.
To the west heard a tramp Of swift
hoofs and in a moment there thunder
ed by me, within stones throw, a
magnificent buck deer. His antlers
were thrown back, his fine neck was
grandly curved, and he came like a
whirlwind, each bound covering not
less than twelve or fifteen feet.
Drawing the glass on the coyotes, l
observed that they were still at the
same places.
Soon, a soft patter, patter was heard
nearby and fourth coyote passed
swiftly.
20, no! So you are to catch the
deer, are you, Mr.. Skulk? That's
good joke, for you will never sink
your teeth into that carcass"
The idea of coyote catching deer!
On he went. The country was open
and level. There was only smatter-
ing Of cactus and wire grass on the
sandy ground. The coyote gained on
his quarry. He circled to the west,
southwest, then south. He turned the
deer.
The first of the three squatting yell
low fiends lay fiat on the ground and
waited while the deer was being driven
toward him. Was he foolish enough
to think that he could bring down the
big game as it passed?
Without a sound he sprang up to
the chase and the coyote which had
driven the deer to where he lay, drop,
ped out and seated himself exactly
where the other had been. The chase
now to the north, on, on.
Pursued and pursuer neared the Sec
ond willy beast and now he crouched as
close to the ground as he could. Then,
at the proper moment he was up and
away while the one that had driven
the deer to him took up the vigil which
his .comrade of the race had left. To
the north the fleeing buck dashed on;
was slowly turned to the north, north
east, then to the east.
The coyote was at his heels, for the
game was becoming tired. The deer
was on a straight line to the north
ward now, directly toward the third
yellow schemer that watched carefully
the mad flight; and when his turn
came he sprang up fresh and fleet =
the task.
Marveling at the ingenuity Of the
coyotes I gradually realized the trend
Of their scheme.
Again the deer passed me, this time
to the north. He had been chased in
q complete circle, and, in turn, each of
four fresh enemies had done his part
Of the work. Once more he was turn
ed. Again the coyotes fell in in turn,
doing perfect relay work, and this was
kept up until, exhausted, the big buck
could no longer keep out Of the reach
Of the pursuer.
Quickly the four wolves noticed this
and with a series Of wild yelps they
made for the victim in a bunch. One
snapped at the deer's throat, another
at the heels to lame him and another
sprang at the sides. He soon went
down, exhausted.
That's how you get your dinner, is
it, Mr.. Pairie Wolff"
Then I took hand at the game.
Crack, crack" said my rifle.
"Yi, vi, vi, vi! Ou-o-o-o-o!"
Then there was one yellow streak
hopping painfully across the mesa.
Closer ran.
Crack, crack!"
Another, which would never be a
yellow streak again, rolled over in the
sand and the remaining two scramper-
ed away, snarling and yelping at hav-
ing been cheated out Of their meal.
The deer gained his feet. He did not
recognize in me friend; and, putting
and tottering, but, defiant, stood ready
to have 1t out with me should I at
tack him. OF course, he could easily
have been despatched with the rifle,
had made such a gallant race
for his life.
Besides, why should he be wantonly
destroyed?
Far to the north, seated on a little