"I don't know, Hugh," was the answer, "but I guess I did. I got up
on the hill and was looking around, and suddenly I heard some queer
noises off there, and then I heard them again, and then two antelope
ran over the hill and up on the mountain there, and stopped and
looked."
"Well," said Hugh, "I expect you must have let 'em see you. You've
got to be mighty careful when you're crawling up on game."
Jack mounted his horse and rode off beside Hugh. For a little while
he kept still, thinking, and struggling with his disappointment;
then he spoke and said:
"Hugh, I tried to be smart just now, and so I lost those antelope.
Because you have taught me how to do a few things, I thought I could
creep up to those animals alone. I made a mistake and I know it now.
Don't let me make any more like it, please."
Hugh's face lighted up with pleasure as he heard these words, and he
answered, "Son, I'm mighty glad to hear you say this. You talk like
a man, and you're going to make a good one, I know it. I figured
quite a spell to-day before I made up my mind what I'd do about
them antelope, but I was a little mite afraid you was getting the
big-head, and I thought I'd try you the way I did. If you'd asked me
to take you up to the antelope, you'd have got the shot, and likely
now we'd have been butchering, but I expect it is better the way it
is. You've learned a lesson of one kind, and before the day's over
I'll give you a lesson in hunting. Come on, now, let's lope while we
can."
They went on, galloping across the little valleys and going slowly
up the hills. Before very long Jack again saw Hugh bend his head and
back away from the ridge, and then turn and ride a few yards down the
hill and dismount. Jack did the same, and as he drew his rifle from
its scabbard, Hugh said to him, "There's a big buck just over the
hill, and I think we can get him. Is your gun loaded?"
"No," replied Jack.
"That's right, but you'd better load it now and keep it at half-cock,
and then follow me and do just what you see me do."
Hugh walked quietly up the hill and Jack followed him. Again he was
excited, but this time he was not breathing fast, and now he felt
sure that he would get a shot. When Hugh had nearly reached the top
of the hill, he stopped, took off his hat and dropped it on the
ground, and putting his hand behind him motioned Jack to stop. After
a long look he took two or three steps forward and then stopped
again; then two or three more, and then he slowly lowered his head
and walked forward in a stooping position. Then he dropped to his
knees, and turning, beckoned Jack, who had imitated all his motions,
to his side. "The buck is just over there," he whispered, pointing to
the crest before him. "Creep up beside me, and look through the grass
and try to see him. Don't raise your head and don't hurry. There's
plenty of time."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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