in the
surface of the plain, a buffalo road, or the channel of an arroyo; in
either case the very cover I wanted, for the animals were not a hundred
yards from it, and were getting still nearer to it as they fed.

Creeping back out of the thicket, I ran along the side of the slope
towards a point where I had noticed that the ridge was depressed to the
prairie level. Here, to my surprise, I found myself on the banks of a
broad arroyo, whose water, clear and shallow, ran slowly over a bed of
sand and gypsum.

The banks were low, not over three feet above the surface of the water,
except where the ridge impinged upon the stream. Here there was a high
bluff; and, hurrying round its base, I entered the channel, and
commenced wading upward.

As I had anticipated, I soon came to a bend where the stream, after
running parallel to the ridge, swept round and canoned through it. At
this place I stopped, and looked cautiously over the bank. The
antelopes had approached within less than rifle range of the arroyo; but
they were yet far above my position. They were still quietly feeding
and unconscious of danger. I again bent down and waded on.

It was a difficult task proceeding in this way. The bed of the creek
was soft and yielding, and I was compelled to tread slowly and silently
lest I should alarm the game; but I was cheered in my exertions by the
prospect of fresh venison for my supper.

After a weary drag of several hundred yards, I came opposite to a small
clump of wormwood bushes growing out of the bank. "I may be high
enough," thought I; "these will serve for cover."

I raised my body gradually until I could see through the leaves. I was
in the right spot.

I brought my rifle to a level, sighted for the heart of the buck, and
fired. The animal leaped from the ground, and fell back lifeless.

I was about to rush forward and secure my prize, when I observed the
doe, instead of running off as I had expected, go up to her fallen
partner and press her tapering nose to his body. She was not more than
twenty yards from me; and I could plainly see that her look was one of
inquiry and bewilderment. All at once she seemed to comprehend the
fatal truth; and throwing back her head, commenced uttering the most
piteous cries, at the same time running in circles around the body.

I stood wavering between two minds. My first impulse had been to reload
and kill the doe; but her plaintive voice entered my heart, disarm