The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1911-05-02

70 oeep purple, ana lnlalQ among tne
deep green Of the pines and cedars.
making a magnificent landscape. As
we assembled the mountains we came
upon a camp of Siwash Indians, and
judging from the number of buck In
dams with them 1t appeared certain
that they would kill all the game in
the hills. or drive 1t 60 far up to the
summit of the mountains that q white
man would not be able to get a shot
We made up our minds to go after
the goats at the earliest moment, after
reaching camp, which we intended to
establish at a high elevation, because
the mountain goat inhabits the least
accessible solitudes,
The North Fork Of the White River
runs through the camp ground, max
Ing a narrow and deep canon Of sew
eral hundred feet with the most exqui-
site scenery. consisting Of waterfalls
dashing over the cliffs, and through a
small meadow Of stream grass and
PUSHES. Looking up through the
canon we could see the glacier peaks
from the foot of which springs the
White river.
Our guides. Bill and John, began
gathering wood for the night, and pre-
pairing supper, while Neil, Ross, and
myself, attended to the erection of
the tents. and a general investigation
Of our surroundings. Ross and
climbed up a dizzy summit that hid
our camp from the main hill, to see II
we could discern any game. On
reaching the top Of the cliff we did not
see the sign Of goat. but stood scan
ming the hills for half an hour. Pres
emily We saw a white spot leap across
narrow opening between two clumps
of bushes. about half a mile from US,
and we'll up on the range to our right.
Then We saw another, and still an
other. and then the fourth goat While
We were watching these. herd Of
eight goats passed the opening. and
made their way leisurely down to a
slide. where they stopped and began
feeding. We saw that 1t was up to US
to plan our strategy to gain a posi-
/ ton above them where We could begin
operations.
The mountain goat is extremely eau.
tious and observing, and when pur-
sued will never go down hill unless
when wounded, when they will often
hide In clump of bushes. or In the
crevfces of rocks. rather than expose
themselves to punishment
have often watched a goat try sew
eral times to get from one clif to an
other. that were separated by q small
chasm, which 1t could easily lear
ACROSS. but rather than take a chance
1t would walk for half a mile out Of Its
safety. When hard pressed by hunt
ers 1t will, Of course. take leaps thai
It would not otherwise do In its mo
ments of leisure. A goat. when pur
sued. will climb along shelves of rocl
on the walls Of precipices, with appar
ent unconcern, walking In places tina
would completely shatter the nerve:
Of any one who attempted to follow 1t
We had breakfast shout four O'Clock
the next morning, and packed oul
lunches. loaded up with ammunition
arranged our gunnysacks and rope!
on our pack straps, and started fo
the hills. We agreed that myself
with Bill. the guide. should work oul
way among the crags on the othel
side of the sheep and secure an ad
vantageous position above them. Will,
Ross. Neil and John should get below
them and drive them up past the posi-
ton l would occupy. Bill and climb
ed to an almost inaccessible position
among the crags. overlooking tn,
canon, where we could see both tn,
herd and our companions.
With John leading the way an,
Ross and Neil following. they made
detour and got below the goats, an,
here they began to shout. The her,
of five broke up into two sections. tw,
Of the animals heading for the canol
that commanded, and the othe
three broke OF in a westerly dires
ton. heading for thicket Of alder an
willow. which offered them for tn
time being complete security.
At this moment Bill, the guide, Wit
Ross, made a bee line for the thicke
the sheep we're heading for. In tn
hope Of intercspting them. while Nei
dred his gun at the two sheep tina
we're rapidly approaching my pos
ton. The animals were soon With
range and, of course had no suspicio
that l was located right above then
Taking careful aim. l singled out tn
| leading goat and fired. l knocked hir
down and he fell on his side. kickin
| furiously. The other goat was wount
ed by Neil. who was in hot pursui
and after falling to the ground. &c
| ON its feet again. and kept on headin
for the top of the canon. Signallin
to Neil to go after the goat that wa
lying on the ground. l took aAothe
shot at my quarry and succeeded !
| keeling him over. AS soon as Ne
got up to the goat had disabled. b
put a bullet through Its head. KILN
the animal completely. 1t require
yhree more shots from my rife to H
the hardy animal that was working II
way into safety. l signalled to NE
n vo hack and rAf0fn Ross and III