Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1908-09-25


took two as complete somersaults as
ever saw. and landed with a crash at
the bottom of the wash-out, feet upper
most. | thought II was done Tor Out
not bit. After a moment or two II
struggled to its legs. shook itself, ana
looked round In rather a shame-taceu
wav. apparently not in the least the
worse for the fall. We now got my
pony up to the top by vigorous puiIlhs'
and then went down for the other
which at first strongly objected 10
making another trial, but. after much
coaxing and a good deal of abuse TOOK
n start and went up without trouble.
For some time after reaching the top
of the bluffs we rode along without
seeing anything When 1t was posi-
bic, we kept one on each side OF d
creek, avoiding the tops Of the ridges
because while on them horseman can
be seen at very long distance, ana
going with particular caution when
ever we went round spur or came up
over a crest. The country stretched
away ike an endless, billowy sea OF
dull-brown soil and barren sage-brush'
the valleys making long parallel fur
rows, and every thing having look
Of dreary sameness.
At length. as we came out on d
rounded ridge, three black-tan DUCKS
started up from lot Of sage-brush
some two hundred yards away and be
low us. and made off down hill. 1t
was a very long shot. especially to try
running. buA, as game seemed scarce
and cartridges were plenty, l leaped
off the horse, and, kneeling, fired. The
bullet went low, striking in line at the
feet of the hindmost. l was very high
next time making a wild shot above
and ahead OF them, which had the ef'
feet of turning them, and they went
off round a shoulder Of bluff, being
by this time down In tho valley. Hav'
Ing plenty of time elevated the sights
"a thing hardly ever do) to four hun
dred yards and waited for their re-
appearance. Meanwhile they had aAi-
IDENTIFY gotten over their fright, for
pretty soon one walked out from the
other side of the bluff, and came to a
standstill, broadside toward me. He
was too far of for me to see his
horns
AS was raising the rifle another step
ped out and began to walk towards the
6rst. | thought l might as well have
as much Of target as possible to shoot
at, and waited for the second buck to
come out farther, which he did i'm
mediately and stood still just along
side Of the first aimed above his
shoulders and pulled the trigger. Over
went the two bucks! And when
rushed down to where they lay found
had pulled little to one side, and
the bullet had broken the backs Of
both.
While my companion was dress
ing them / went back and paced of
the distance II was just four hundred
and thirty-one long PAGES; over four
hundred yards. Both were large bucks
and very fat, with the velvet hanging
in shreds from their antlers. for It was
late in August The day was waning
and we had long ride back to the
wagon, each with a buck behind his
saddle. When we came back to the
river valley It was pitch dark. and 1t
was rather tickllsh work for our heav-
lily laden horses to pick their way down
the steep bluffs and over the rapid
stream; nor were we sorry when we
saw ahead under blum the gleam OF
the camp fire. as II was reflected back
from the canvas-topped prairie scsoon