"The poor little things!" murmured Grace. "They won't have a chance
with our ponies."

"Oh, won't they?" laughed Rhoda softly. "I guess you don't know
that the antelope is almost the fastest thing that ever crossed
these plains. Even the iron horse is no match for the antelope."

"Do you mean to say they can outrun a steam engine?" asked Bess in
wonder.

"Surely."

"Then what chance have we to run them down?" demanded Nan.

"Well, there are two ways by which we may get near enough for a
shot," Rhoda explained. "I have been out with the boys hunting
antelope, and they certainly are the most curious creatures."

"Who are? The cowboys?" asked Bess.

"Yes. Sometimes," laughed Rhoda. "But in this case I mean that the
antelopes are curious. I've seen Steve get into a clump of brush
and stand on his head, waving his legs in the air. A bunch of
antelopes would come right up around the waving legs, and as long
as the wind blew toward him instead of toward the antelopes, they
would not run. So all he had to do when he got them close enough
was to turn end for end, pick up his gun, and shoot one."

"I don't suppose you girls would care to try that," Walter said,