WESTERN INCIDENTS. 43

lected upon an eminence, some of the escort started up
an antelope at some distance from us, which, from the
shouts and firing of its pursuers, became almost fran-
tic with fright ; and, after circling partly round the hill,
actually approached so near to where we stood that we
could distinctly see its wild, staring eyes, and panting
chest. Stopping for a moment immediately in front of us,
it seemed to take in the situation at a glance, when it
turned and left us like the wind. Several shots were fired
at the beautiful animal, but it seemed to have a charmed
life.
NARROW ESCAPE OF A HERD OF ELE.

Still further on we espied, at a distance of about a
quarter of a mile in advance, a herd of some thirty elk,
quietly reposing in the valley. Gen. Dodge, Mr. Evans,
and myself immediately dismounted, and endeavored to
make our way to the shelter of an intervening ledge
before they should discover us; but what was our cha-
grin upon reaching the desired spot, which was within
easy range of our carbines, to find that some of the
escort, in hurrying over a hill to our right, had alarmed
the herd ; and that they were flying from us at full speed.
These, with an occasional shot at a sage hen, or far-off
antelope, comprised the only sporting recreations of the
day. We made our camp in the valley of Lone Tree
Creek at four P. M., having travelled eighteen miles from
our camp of the previous night. |

After partaking of our frugal dinner, and arranging
matters for the night, Mr. Evans and myself strolled a few
miles up the creek, in the faint hope of meeting again
with the herd of elk which had fled in this direction; but
they were nowhere to be seen.

The next day being Sunday; and. as