Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1920-03-20
TOM MARSHALL

caution. Ever alert and watchful,
it is with great difficulty they are
approached in the open. Their
weak point, open to attack is cur
iosity. In this trait they have the
proverbial woman backed off the
boards from every angle. Hunters
sighting antelope, Immediately drop
from sight before the flock get
their first observation. Slowly a
flag is exposed to view with a quick
disappearance, "a red bandanna
handkerchief is most excellent as
a curiosity excited). The flag once
located, the leader will slowly ap-
proach on a tour of investigation,
followed by his flock. The flag oc-
casionally reappears, they stop,
look and listen. Closer they come
in an effort to unfathom the IN
solved mystery. The sharp whip
like crack Of the hunters rifle is
the final answer, and the pelanty
for curiosity is fully paid.
The Antilocapra Americana once
ranged in large bands on all open
prairies west Of the Mississippi
river from Canada to Mexico. But
few scattering remnants of the
family are now found. Their horns
which are of hollow structure, they
yearly shed. Antelope are now pro,
tected in every western state
Standing about three feet in height
four feet long, head supporting {
set of II inch ebony horns, shapely
ears and delicately moulded legs
they are surpassed by no othel
animal for grace and beauty. The!
depend upon speed for safety. TIVE
kids are usually born in the spring
remaining with the mother unit
fall when the bucks return, and al
seek warmer southern home.
The exhaust and speed of auto
mobiles engenders abnormal cur
iosity in the minds Of antelope
completely enhancing this combi
nation of wisdom, curiosity ant
coiled muscle springs. The ap
proach of a gas wagon is watches
until fear supplants inquisitiveness
at which time the race is on. Tn
most inaccessible trails are thei
selected speedway, frequently run
ming parallel with the machine a
a speed challenge. test of train
ed muscles VS.. gasoline DEVELOPS
power; machine endurance agains
ability to negotiate uneven groun
conditions. On recent tri
through the west I was travelling i,
a high-power car freighted wit
passengers and luggage. From tn
top of a ridge We sighted an oil
buck with his harem of four doe
and family of small kids feeling i
an adjacent valley. They studio
the machine for a moment, flashe
their danger flag and headed for
ridge about $50 yards distant, whic
ran parallel with us, the hog back
gradually converged together at tn
distance Of one mile. We CAV
chase-as we came together in thi
;neck-and-neck race, the old buc
was on the lead, does strung out a
q distance Of about Is feet apar
while the kids or "also rams
brought up the rear. The head {
the family could have made tn
crossing at the intersection of th
ridges, ahead of the machine,
safety. Looking back he saw til
danger to his concubines. stoppe
and doubled back on his trail. An
mails were all worn to a "frazzle
tongues swollen, extended side
were palpitating, the little prom
horns we're all in-they had 10.
the race. During frontier day
many races were staged betwee
cowboys on their trained ponit
and fleet-footed antelope. wherel
many seasoned riders came to grie
lbetnx cataD0lted to earth a. Il