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PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
if
Nh,
SUMMER RETREAT.
PRAIRIE AND FOREST:
A DESCRIPTION OF
THE GAME OF NORTH AMERICA,
WITH
PERSONAL ADVENTURES IN THEIR PURSUIT.
By PARKER GILLMORE,
“UBIQUE,”
AUTHOR OF ‘GUN, ROD, AND SADDLE,” “‘ PRAIRIE FARMS AND PRAIRIE FOLKS,”
“ALL ROUND THE WORLD,” ETO., ETO.
GOR |
NEW YORK.
HARPER & BROTHERS, PUBLISHERS,
FRANKLIN SQUARE.
1874.
W
TO
ARTHUR BURR, ESQ.,
3 dedicate this Book,
IN REMEMBRANCE OF HAPPY DAYS
AND SINCERE FRIENDSHIP.
OHAP.
XII.
xIv.
XXII.
CONTENTS.
INTRODUCTION....... abeewdian ainisiaye
THE BISON, GENERALLY CALLED BUFFALO.......essceseeees
THE MUSK-SHEEP.........cccscessceseceeeeesesescseceesenceseeeeens
MOOSELDIER wi icss vec ietcivcnasovseuessseatuvinstcnscteasasisencendenens
CARIBOU, ..cccessncerccccesenctavccssceacteetsesesenrncrenne seeneerreenes
« WAPITTI DEER, ........cccecceccccnecesseees ona eenneenennece eevenevases
VIRGINIAN DEER......cseseee eee veeererecer eerrrreerree se eerneeenee
THE PRONG-HORNED ANTELOPE....cscccsssscssererecenecseevenes
BIG-HORN AND ROCKY MOUNTAIN SHEEP......... aw eagniiss ri
BEARS, ..scseseseseseces eneene see eeee renee eeenseenteeereneeece satececenee
GROUSE ...csseeeeeeee seen ceaescenenanens saseenes Sees eRET ee se asee sees rer
ORT YX ovesccscesseeceene Ppererrer errr ere reee soeseeccnnee seeeeceneens aoe
» WILD TURKEY.........+....056 siesiabeGiinesa: eer eeererer ere reite see
» WOODCOCK AND SNIPEL.......csseececneecccesereencecens eioteie one
« WADING BIRDS,.......-ceceeeeeeeeeneeeeres sishiewenaireees Peeerererery
SWIMMING BIRDS............5 oheweeeans piveie elaeaieuGNaN deen tienisnedagice
SALMONID AD... ee ce ceeeeeceeeeeeteeneces eoaaaeet rere tes sa neeeeraseee
STRIPED, BLACK, AND COMMON BASS.......... oteseveeuccenees :
MUSRALEONGE 0 cusses acyaevn, dacucuvcenebaveneneitecddsenanceces
106
130
148
148
. 174
182
188
193
218
224,
231
245
249
283
857
367
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE
SUMMER RETREAT........cccccecsssseeeensescssescsesscssseees sees L Ontispiece.
BUFFALO RUNNING .......ceeccccescusesenseeeeeseoseeas Sgdsnuves cnasmaacccines 37
Ay VETB RANG stinsdsieeentichcaneieaesssaes scubeeetejmeansagess Wastennasesouneons ww Al
BUFFALO IN SPRING COAT...........sccceeeee ees sisidleesaasendnd Maweteate. U4O
MUSK-SHEEP .........0eccscseeeeeseeees can dialed tinlee ob euaeeevawialdeouenievindl saweesn OO:
MOOSE) ‘CALLING: i: 0siis sicieosndetcacaveeacbraputeredevedscieeproceagiecwese OD
CARIBOU MIGRATING........0c0cccsccsececssececsecetcesssesessarctssteesseees G4
CARIBOU IN WINTER COAT .......ccgeecscesececeseresscctcssececssssaeetes 87
DIFFERENT TYPE OF CARIBOU HORNS........ccssseseccecceeeevecee wae 92
WAPITTI DEER.......0:cesesseeesereeeeeees swegniveeduissinusiieacsrercneeranieess 90
VIRGINIAN DEER.........c00006 sede bib edie Wa vanaenidawdeadenvasenianccivessctenes: LOT
PASSENGER PIGEONS.........cccseseceeeetenreveesees deissdcleswerca spiaaageeictn 126
BIG-HORN.........e0000 ddsvaahiendvaneeenacels deen vavlrcurateieves aielestvstevenaets .. 144
GRIZZLY BOARS eacitexeseiidelsgecasccesdhiaveasesteeniiectaieteaearvaeensess « LOL
CLOSE’ QUARTERS jvssceses ig ccattsiuisedes sasaceuiasstieasineeavaneseeneaerss LOO
CANADIAN PORCUPINE........cscsccecesserssccsscetscaccecsecsssreresescssess 166
GRAY WOLVES.......... aiseuiaasyaouwatear anda y shictivededuacavts eemsatenenestaue sees 175
PRATRIE-WOLVES «.0.s.essesecesereceeeeseeteratesetaeeeeraes veccasusvsesuvewes LUT
SWAMP HARES vesvicewseves wrseentiee sed oun acme. 189
MUSQUASH, OR AMERICAN MUSE-RATS, ..--....--eeeeeee sateeneaeaaey we 101
RUFFED GROUSE.......... cea enaubeenudeedeceweseetee eNews coe wnateasevecnars LL
PLARMIGAN iss svescsestnnoeensuetseesevensbousea ss ceseueceunedawecsaneeeeeswese B16
WILD TURKEY..........cccecseeeeee duguileweutiecun (ueuislnnhy sue weetneeeienies: 22D
12 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE
WELSON (SNEPB pia ccusicticndvnpicctuniow an volan puadenednsleavevewwened seeewaesteueeue te 236
WOODCOCK-SHOOTING, ........sececeeesecserscacevences eaciene ene 242
ANTE RICAN CUR LE Weics sisscia cicancinunacuiedcptciewetiale uutriativeletveieresueiier Se 246
CANADA (GOOB8B ici sigcseicaiseneciind oe ncvainsarlauasesuniseneimareusiesstedcigntanesinsnn 255
PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
‘ CHAPTER I.
To lay down rules by the observance of which the ma-
jority of bad shots may become experts is sufficiently easy ;
but the trouble is, however great the determination to fol-
low the given precepts, so soon as game is flushed the in-
structions are thrown to the winds, and bang, bang go
both barrels, with the same hurried unsuccessful results as
previously. That more birds are missed by shooting too
quickly, I assert as indisputable; and knowing this to be
the case, why will it continue to be practiced? For this
reason, that many are so fearfully nervous that for the mo-
ment they have no control of their actions, or they are so
timid that although firing off their gun they consider a
duty, they believe the sooner it is got through with the
better: neither of such pupils is ever likely to become a
crack shot. I have a friend who is, without exception, the
most unlucky shot-—I was going to say the worst —that
ever I met. We at one period very frequently shot to-
gether, and each evening, on our tramp home, he was cer-
tain to tell me that he had discovered the reason for his ap-
parent want of skill. How various the causes attributed,
would be beyond possibility of enumeration; however, he
always devised some means of counteracting them—viz.,
by stuffing cotton in his ears, not to hear the spring of the
game! to wear a loose eollar, so that he could the better
14 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
and more rapidly bring the head to the stock; to discard a
waistcoat, for the thickness of clothing militated against
bringing up his gun. However, he was always wounding
birds—at least he said so; for constantly, if near, he would
call out, “Don’t you see the feathers fly ?” which, perhaps
owing to my less keen vision, I never did, save it were the
feathers flying off with the bird. Another peculiarity this
gentleman possessed was, that although he might have dis-
charged the entire contents of his shot-pouch without bag-
ging a single head when separated from me, as soon as we
both shot over the same point, one or other of the birds
knocked down was due to his skill; doubtless companion-
ship re-assured him, or induced him to take more pains. I
would advise such, therefore, always to shoot in company,
only I would rather be excused becoming the company.
Of course occasionally he would knock over a bird, but
when this took place it either was lost or took no end of
trouble to secure. I remember one instance in a marsh
where we were snipe-shooting, a number of mallards flush-
ed within easy range: following the report of his gun, one
of the greenheads left its companions, sailed round several
times, each circle becoming lower and less contracted, till
it dropped. Half-an hour was fruitlessly wasted looking for
it; my-friend would not give up the search, so I went for-
ward alone; some time afterward he joined me, but his per-
severance had not been rewarded. All that day he lament-
ed over this lost bird, for, like many of our fishing friends,
he doubtlessly thought it (because it was not bagged) far
larger and far finer than any obtained. The reason for the
so frequent loss of the few birds he hit was this: the vic-
tims seldom received more than a stray grain outside the
disk described by the shot, and therefore were not serious-
ly wounded. That there are many like my friend I know,
and I fear it will be a hopeless task to endeavor to make
THE STOCKING OF GUNS. 15
them good shots ; at the same time I think there are many
bad shots who might be much improved.
I believe that too much importance can not be attached
to the stocking of guns. Occasionally one will meet with
men who appear to do equal execution with either a crook-
ed, straight, long, or short stock; but such are rare, and
when found you may feel certain that they have possessed
unusual opportunities for practice. The length of man’s
arm, neck, and conformation of shoulder are so various,
that seldom will a gun come up alike to different individ-
uals: the straight, tall figure wants a crooked stock; the
short, stout person, the reverse; and intermediate figures,
the bend between both extremes. I once possessed an excel-
lent gun, with which I invariably acquitted myself credit-
ably. The stock had always been an eye-sore, for it was
composed of objectionable wood, and the previous owner
had chipped and scratched it so badly that, after length-
ened hesitation, I determined to have it re-stocked. How-
ever, when it revertéd from the gun-maker to my hands, I
was surprised how indifferently I shot with it; but, on ex-
amination, I found that the new stock was much straighter
than the old. Again: being in the neighborhood where
game was abundant, when I did not have one of my own
guns with me, I borrowed from a friend, and my execution
was so bad that before the day was over I gave up in dis-
gust. This gun’s stock was so straight that I doubt if any
but its owner could use it. In having a gun made, there
is nothing that should receive from the gun-maker more
careful observance than the figure of the purchaser; for I
feel confident that a very.great deal of bad shooting is
made through want of attention to this point. Again: a
gun should never possess a superfluous ounce of metal that
is not necessary to its safety. When we start in the morn-
ing, fresh and vigorous, after a good night’s rest, the weight
16 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
may appear a trifle; but in the evening, if the day’s work
has been severe—more especially on grouse moor or snipe
bog—you will be surprised how a little extra weight tells,
and will induce you to undershoot your game.
Still another equally important point is the strength that
is required to pull the trigger. After long practice you
may get accustomed to either very fine or very heavy; but
whatever you are used to, that retain. With the tyro it is
different. Through frequent experiment he should find out
what weight of pressure he can give without disconcerting
his aim at the precise moment that he has obtained the line
of sight. By imparting this knowledge to his gunsmith he
will commence shooting under great advantage. A deal,
we all know, depends upon a good start. It is as applica-
ble to shooting as to life. If you begin under advantageous
circumstances success becomes probable. Success begets
confidence, and with confidence we are certain to shoot
well. An habitually bad shot has no confidence. Con-
stant failure makes him doubt his abflity, his gun, in fact,
every portion of his shooting paraphernalia. Nearly all
persons who do not shoot regularly fire their right barrel
first. "When such is the case, your left barrel should shoot
the strongest, as the second shot is generally at longer
range. A good workman, however, will use either indif-
ferently, a practice to be commended, so that one barrel
may not become more worn than the other. A fault which
a great number are addicted to, is using too much shot.
An ounce of No. 5, or any of the smaller sizes, is amply
sufficient for a twelve or even ten bore gun. However,
if you have reason to use a larger grain, a quarter of an
ounce more may be added to the charge. The reason for
this is that the small packs closer, and thus makes a more
formidable resistance to the explosive power. For strong
shooting, and therefore long shots, it is the driving force
HINTS FOR BEGINNERS. 17
that-is required, which you counteract by surplus lead, as
friction is increased and so power wasted.
Old hands may smile after reading the above, and justly
say, “The fellow has told us nothing new;” but remember
we are not all old hands, and that there are many begin-
ners, for whose benefit these hints are given.
The fly-rod, like the gun, can not be too light, as long as
it possesses the requisite strength; for while fishing it is
incessantly at work, the respite for loading not even being
granted; thus if a heavy gun after a hard day’s work will
make you undershoot your game, a heavy rod will have a
greater tendency to make you a sluggard at evening in
striking your fish, and the result will be about similar in
both instances. For the trout fisherman—he, I mean, who
fly-fishes burns and rivers—from twelve to thirteen feet
is quite sufficient length for his rod to be (lake fisher-
men frequently use longer, but what they gain in reach
they lose in quickness, a loss, in my estimation, of most
serious importance), and such a rod should not exceed in
weight eight or nine ounces. I can imagine I see many
cast up their eyes and exclaim that. such is impossible to
procure, but let me say they are mistaken. I have owned
several of that weight, and with them, days in succession,
have taken baskets of fish, of not only all the ordinary sizes,
but on one occasion killed a trout nine pounds in weight.
As I can not help regarding this as a performance to be
proud of, I will relate how it took place. A couple of com-
panions and myself were encamped on the margin of Mad
River, in Oxford County, Maine. Our guns had failed to
provide dinner, so taking a hazel wand I essayed to cap-
ture sufficient chub to make a chowder, a description of
olla podrida stew. Having hooked a small fish, I was
about lifting it into the canoe when a large trout rushed-
from underneath the birch-bark, seized the chub, and al-
18 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
though I gave him both line and time to pouch what had
not been intended for a bait, on taking a pull the chub came
away, and I was free from the larger antagonist. Having
caught sufficient small fry. I went home, brooding over my
misfortune, but keeping the adventure closely locked in my
bosom (selfishness again). About the hour that the sun
began to dip behind the giant pines, I had made up my
mind to the course I would pursue, which was to take my
pet rod, mount a cast of two flies, and carefully whip the
pool from end to end. As if it were but yesterday, I re-
member distinctly the flies. The trail one was ginger-col-
ored cock’s hackle, with light corn-crake wing, tipped with
silver; the dropper a large-sized, moth.
“For work at that hour,” I hear some internally mutter,
“the moth did the business.” No, it did not; cock’s hackles
of all shades may invariably be backed against the field, and
the cock’s hackle on this occasion kept up its reputation.
Down on my knees in the bow of the canoe, the camp-keep-
er holding her back by a pole in the stern, slowly and cau-
tiously I fished the throat, from thence down into the less
angry but wider-spread current, when just as my flies
passed over an eddy that divided the downward flow from
the backwater there was a splash, rapidly responded to by
a nervous quick movement of the wrist, which planted the
hook firmly home. I doubt if I exaggerate, in fact I think
I scarcely state enough, when I say that thirty minutes
elapsed before my trophy could sufficiently endure the sight
of a landing-net to have it placed under him. Thus was
taken the largest river trout (Salmo fontinalis) I ever
caught. But to my rod: it was made out of cedar from
butt to tip, did not exceed nine ounces, and was the most
lively, quick, light casting treasure I ever used. Cedar fly-
rods I have heard objected to, because they are brittle;
doubtless you may find them so, and your casting-line also,
VARIOUS KINDS OF RODS. 19
if you change its use into that of a whip-lash. However
much I admire a cedar rod,I do not think it suited for a
tyro; but when the beginner has gained experience, and is
able to offer an opinion and use a fly-rod as it should be, I
doubt not he will perfectly agree with me. A cedar rod
can seldom be purchased ready made, as tradesmen dislike
the job; so if any reader should wish to possess one, he
had better go to the very best workman he knows of, and
give him an order. Even then I doubt if he will get it.
Next to the cedar rod, but one that will stand any amount
of fair work, is the split bamboo; this, I think, can be pro-
cured even lighter than the former. There is a firm, the
Messrs. Clark, of Maiden Lane, New York, who make this
a spécialité. I have had the fortune to use one, and of their
good qualities I can not say too much; but their price is
necessarily high, from the care with which the cane has to
be selected and put together.
When I was a boy, I believed Flint and Martin Kelly,
both of Dublin, before all other rod-makers. I have used
their manufacture over a great portion of England, Scot-
land, and Ireland, and did not, until I had a‘cedar rod, be-
lieve that any thing was made that could compete with
theirs. Old bluff-blowed lumbering packet-ships sufficed
our fathers to go to India; now we have the P. and O.
Service, with canal and rail across the Isthmus, and it is far
from probable that, this means of transit will always suit
our children. If Joe Manton was to rise among us, I doubt
much if he could hold his own among modern gun-makers.
Some persons, particularly Irish fishermen, are attached
to double-action rods; that is, rods which have so much
elasticity in them that they display two movements, one up
and the other down, when suddenly used. I do not like
them for more than one reason: the movement of the wrist
in striking the fish while raising the butt throws the tip
20 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
down, thus giving quite a contrary motion to what is in-
tended. Again: if you have to fish against the wind, they
will not only be found most difficult to manage, but excess-
ively fatiguing. There is a rod made in Castle Connell
(principally for salmon), after the above pattern; it has
many admirers, who doubtless through experience have
become proficient in its use; still I can speak only from
what I know, and my verdict is, leave them to their pres-
ent advocates. :
A combination-rod has always been my horror. I mean
such as fishing-tackle shop proprietors guarantee to be both -
a perfect fly and bait rod by only altering the tip. If per-
sons will but use their brains they can in a moment see
that such is impossible. The two cases are essentially
different, requiring the spring and elasticity in totally dif-
ferent parts. The act of placing a dull, lumbering tip on
the first three joints of a delicate, pliant trout-rod is really
absurd. However, some may say, you will find a medium
between the two more generally useful. My answer is,
what is worth doing is worth doing well; and if your in-
tent is fly-fishing, the most perfect rod for that purpose
should be selected. If the river is so discolored or swollen
that bait has to be resorted to or you must go supperless
to bed, for goodness’ sake, go and cut a hazel wand, unless
you carry a bait-rod. Hybrids, whether in rod or gun, are
to be carefully avoided. I remember being once entrapped
into using a hybrid gun, in the township of Markham, Up-
per Canada. It was in this way: Going through some
brush I flushed a quantity of woodcock. I stated the cir-
cumstance when I returned to the farm-house where I was
residing. As I had no gun with me the host offered me
the use of his, which from his description was worthy of a
royal duke; I therefore accepted the offer. On production
it proved to be half shot-gun, half rifle—that is, the right.
VARIOUS KINDS OF REELS. 21
-hand barrel was smooth, the left rifled. This was my first
experience of such a weapon, and most probably will be my
last. The game was found, the cover was close, and snap
shooting necessary. It was of no use. The gun would
not come up, or the game come down. The fact was, that
the shot barrel was only half the weight of the rifled, conse-
quently the whole fabric was without balance, and do what
I would my aim was invariably disconcerted.
Of the joints used in fiy-rods the plain sliding’ one is
probably the most convenient. If properly fitted it should
never jam or work loose; but if I lived on a river I should
never make use of any other than the simple splice, for the
lashing affects less the action of the spring; and if a few
additional moments are lost in putting it together, the re-
turn is ample recompense. But I fear the age is too fast
for its adoption.
Having given my opinions of what a rod should be, I
will now go to the reel. Of late years, at least since I was
a boy, all kinds of mechanical inventions and appliances
have been used to produce a more perfect reel: and there
are now to be obtained stop reels, multiplying reels, and
reels with as many internal cog and other wheels as would
start a clock-maker. Of these complicated apparatuses be-
ware, for they are fraught with disappointment and vexa-
tion of spirit; the old simple click reel is the only one that
deserves the honor of being attached toa fly-rod. Still, too
much care and attention can not be devoted to their con-
struction. Every screw and joint should be as perfectly
finished as those of a gun from a first-class manufacturer.
The barrel of the reel ‘should be wide in proportion to its
length, for you thus gain power or give line with greater
freedom ; nothing is more unsightly or more awkward than
a long, narrow - barreled reel. Brass is the metal usually
employed for their construction, but the newly - invented
22 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
aluminium bronze is infinitely to be preferred, for it does
not corrode or discolor with the action of the atmosphere,
and it is less liable to suffer from a blow or fall; mis-
chances that the fiy-fisher’s paraphernalia, more particular-
ly in a rocky, mountainous country, are especially liable to,
when following the course of a trout brook, for stones will
be slippery and fishermen have been known to take too
much grog. Who among our expert salmon trout fisher-
men can not remember having obtained a frightful cropper
when precipitously following up or down stream a heavy
fish he was fast to? I do not require to tax my memory
greatly to recall half a dozen such casualties. There are
various methods of attaching the reel to the rod. Of none
do I approve so highly as that by which the reel is held
fast in a shallow indentation by a movable band. In those
cases where the butt is pierced, or the reel held on the rod
by a brass band attached to it, which closes with a screw,
the nuts are constantly getting lost or loose, through the
thread being worn out; moreover, the hand not unfrequent-
ly gets chafed by coming in contact with the edges or ter-
mination of the screw.
On the subject of fly-lines there is great diversity of
opinion. Of whatever materials they are composed they
should taper. Hair and silk I was at one time much in
favor of; but after a lengthened trial I found one great ob-
jection — the two materials had not the same amount of
elasticity, so that a heavy strain would bear more severely
on one material than on the other, ultimately causing brit-
tleness. A plaited silk line, which has been submitted to a
process of varnishing, rendering it impervious to water,
will, I think, do the greatest amount of work, and throw
the greatest length of line; but for delicate, light, fine fish-
ing, nothing I know of can surpass the old-fashioned line,
composed entirely of horse-hair; for they are possessed of
CASTING LINES. 23
more vitality, elasticity, and quickness. In the selection of
one of these every foot should be carefully examined and
tested, for a careless slop-shop maker will frequently work
in short and worthless hair, possibly in the centre, which
will destroy the whole fabric; for if the line be once broken
it is useless, it matters not how much ingenuity and time
you spent over the splice. For a day or two it may pass
through the rings, but the friction will wear it rough, and
it will catch, sooner or later, not improbably when a large
fish is on, for then the strain is greatest. Can any thing
more disgusting be imagined than taking the last look at
eight or ten yards of your line, perhaps more, rapidly dis-
appearing in the eddying stream with your casting-line and
flies acting as advance guard? The thought of such a catas-
trophe is enough to make a man’s blood run cold.
Casting-lines should also taper, and, provided the gut is
good, can scarcely have too fine a termination. Although
a great many disciples of the rod always purchase these
ready made, every fisherman should be able to knot one up
himself. The process is simple. Select your hairs—coarse
ones for the top, fine ones for the bottom—steep them for
some minutes in water as warm as the hand can convenient-
ly bear, then knot them together, increasing or diminishing
gradually in size according to the end you have commenced
at. Care must be taken that such a knot be used as there
is no slip to. The safest I know of is formed thus: take
the ends to be joined, and place them alongside one anoth-
er, then take one end and make a single hitch by doubling
it back and passing the end through the loop, which pull
tight. Do the same with the reverse end, when by pulling
on the line both will slip together, the strain having the
tenderfty to lock the knot. After cutting off the surplus
ends, take a few turns of very fine silk to whip them down,
and the smallest quantity of varnish will add much to the
24 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
appearance of the line. There is no amusement that I wot
of in which it is so requisite for its lover to know how to
inake use of his hands and ingenuity. Bad luck, or what-
ever you choose to call it, may, before an hour’s fishing be
done, reduce you to the alternative of either ceasing work
or manufacturing out of broken fragments a new casting-
line. Very possibly this is caused by the fish being more
than usually on the feed. How disagreeable to be com-
pelled at such a time to halt !—-better far to spend ten min-
utes with the dry end of gut in your mouth, the more rap-
idly to render the hairs fit for knotting, and to know how
to put them together afterward, than be obliged to cease.
The rings upon your rod should be large and not too nu-
merous; five are sufficient for the lower joints, and about
five more for the tip, supposing it to be a rod thirteen feet
in length, and in three pieces. In America I lately saw
rods ringed on both sides, so that, if after unusual hard
work and constant use, a tendency to warp was evinced,
you altered your reel to the reverse side and thus counter-
acted it. However, the better plan, I should say, would be
to use the reverse sides day about. The only objection to
this double arrangement of rings is additional weight, but
that must be very trifling.
Having now described the rod, the reel, the line, and the
cast, I approach a subject that I hesitate to touch, viz., fly-
tying, for I do not think that any one can become an expert
but through constant practice, after having received nu-
merous elementary lessons from an adept. I believe I can
tie a fair fly; but how long do you suppose it was before
I reached my present excellence? Years; and even now
I discover wrinkles and new methods of which I was not
previously aware; however, one rule may be laid,down:
never to take a turn of the silk round your hook without
purpose, or without giving it sufficient strength to keep it
FLY-TYING. 25
in its place and perform the duty intended. The most im-
portant part is the simplest and first, the securing of the
gut to the shank of the hook. Unless this is attended to,
all your labor is vain and worthless—so much time thrown
away and wasted. Here comes all the strain, and a thought-
less turn or two will cause naught but disappointment.
Some anglers, particularly Irish ones, place the wings on so
that the feather points from the hook, then double them
back and tie them down. In this method much practice is
necessary to form a handsome head; but its advocates
claim for it strength. However, I have so frequently found
the silk slip, and the feathers consequently point in the re-
verse direction, that I unhesitatingly condemn the practice.
To make a handsome and serviceable fiy, I have always fol-
lowed the method of putting the wings on separately, care
being taken not to injure the pile of the feathers; and this
should be done last, the most minute drop of varnish being
used over the silk when the head is finished off. My first
effort to tie a fly turned out a thing like a humming-bird,
my second like a humble-bee, and so on, till I have succeed-
ed in making a good imitation of a gnat. Patience and
perseverance have done this, and none will ever excel in
fly-tying without exercising these qualities, so essentially
useful in every walk in life. As a rule, the bigger the riv-
er, a superabundance of water in a stream, and the more
boisterous the weather, the larger can be the flies used;
but in summer, when the rivulets and burns have become
clear and low, the smallest sizes must be resorted to, thrown
with the lightest line, from the most unobservable and most
sheltered position. -
Three flies, their coloring and component parts, that I
have found successful on almost all waters and at every
portion of the open season, I will describe; in fact, I have
so much faith in them that I invariably use all three in
2
26 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
making my first essay on an unknown ‘river, viz., the red
hackle, hare’s ear and yellow, and black hackle. In Amer-
ica, on the small trout brooks, I found them equally attract-
ive, evidence of a similarity of taste in fish on the Eastern
and Western Continents. Fly No. 1, the red hackle, body
composed of rufous wool, twisted in with tying silk, lower
portions of body to be fine, gradually increasing in thick-
ness till the shoulder is reached. Shoulder of bright red
cock’s hackle, the color that is obtained in a natural state
from the domestic fowl, game-fowls generally producing
the finest; but if those from the East Indian jungle-cock
can be obtained, you will possess the very best. Wings
put on separately, and obtained from the wings of the corn-
crake, shot immediately previous to their autumnal migra-
tion. Fly No. 2, hare’s ear and yellow; this has a tail
composed of two strands from the larger feathers of the
guinea-fowl, body composed of the fine mottled hair off the
ears of a hare, mixed with fine mohair, of any of the inter-
mediate shades from straw color to olive. The mohair
should be cut short, so that it will the better mix with the
hare’s ear. This dubbing must also be tied in with the silk,
and the fly should be large at the shoulder. No hackle in
this specimen is required. The wings from the large wing-
feathers of the fieldfare, each placed on separately. Fly
No. 3, black hackle; body of blue wool or mohair, finished
at termination with a couple of turns of silver tinsel, black
hackle from domestic fowl for shoulder, with the wing
composed of the feather either from tail or wing of the
water-hen. The angler had better be provided with vari-
ous sizes of these, as rivers are not always in the same con-
dition, and weather is variable. For me to say that other
flies will not kill better on some rivers, or at least equally
well, would be absurd; but those described I have found
most generally useful. A handsome and frequently very
FISHING RODS AND FLIES. 27
killing fly at times, particularly in blustering weather, is
made of the following material: Body of two of the long-
est and most rufous strands of a feather from a brown tur-
key ; these strands to have the fingers pulled up them, so
as to cause the fine edges to stand out before being wrap-
ped on. Shoulder of brown cock’s hackle, with brown
grouse feather for wing. In autumn, particularly if the
stream should be clearing after a flood,.I have known this
fly to be most effective. However, it is no bad plan, if you
are a stranger in a neighborhood, to get hold of an honest
disciple of Izaak Walton, who will give you information,
and if he be poor very probably sell you some of the con-
tents of his book. Except for sea-trout fishing, the brill-
iant and many-colored macaw-like compositions are gen-
erally useless’ in American inland streams; so let not love
of gaudy coloring or the advice of inexperienced persons
induce you to spend your time and money on such fabri-
cations.
We will suppose the novice accoutred with all that mon-
ey and judgment can obtain in the shape of tackle and rod
—at the same time hoping that his garments are composed
of those sober, quiet colors that are least observable; for
whether in shooting, deer-stalking, or fishing, attention to
this is all important—to be on the river’s margin, at a spot
free from bush, rock, or other impediment. The rod is
carefully put together (I hope it is a spliced one, for I shall
have more hope for the beginner’s ultimate success from
this choice), the reel attached, the line drawn through the
rings, and the cast and flies are carefully taken off his hat,
round which they have been wrapped (to make them more
subservient and less obstreperous on commencing work),
and made fast to the line. Ere an attempt at the first cast
is made, take one word of advice. Englishmen are so horsey
in their proclivities that they invariably consider a rod,
28 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
when first they handle it, an instrument to be treated and
used in exactly the same manner as a carriage-whip, From
boyhood upward they have been used to the latter, and the
Englishman’s hand has obtained wonderful cunning in crack-
ing the same. Now the uses of whip and rod are essential-
ly different; the one is performed by the quickest possible
jerk, the other by making the widest possible sweep, as
free from angles as the turns on a race-course. Get this in-
formation, whatever your nationality, so grafted into your
brain that you will not forget yourself, for on each occasion
you do, you will pay a penalty by losing.a fly, probably the
trail one. JI have known some persons so skilled in snap-
ping off flies, even although possessed of considerable ex-
perience, that their custom must have been of no small ad-
vantage to the tradesmen who supplied them with tackle.
Supposing the angler is facing a river which he is desir-
ous of throwing across. The rod being held in the right
hand, gradually, but with increasing velocity, raise your
vod from left to right; when the line is straight out from
you, make a sweep, and bring the flies down upon the wa-
ter with a half-circular motion of the hand. This last move-
ment will raise the slack of the line and cause the trail
fly to strike the water first, which should always happen.
When this first lesson is thoroughly learned with the left
hand, it should then be practiced up and down stream:
when, with perseverance and attention, such precision may
be gained that the fisherman can place the flies at every
effort within an inch or two of the desired spot.
After having said this much, it will not be deemed out
of place to mention those tradesmen who supplied me with
the important portions of my outfit; for so much of your
pleasure and comfort depends upon them, that a sportsman
intending to prosecute a distant and lengthened tour through
the American wilds, would be guilty of committing a great
SHOOTING CLOTHES. 29
and serious injustice to himself, if he did not obtain the
very best that the English market could afford. I am not
foolish enough to believe that no others than the individu-
als I mention would have served me equally well; but, of
course, those I know, and have not found wanting, are the
persons I must introduce. For fire-arms, ammunition, etc.,
I would, as formerly, go to J. D. Dougall, of 59 St. James’s
Street, or his late assistant, A. G. Willison, now doing busi-
ness at 9 Railway Approach, London Bridge; a farther ad-
, vantage in dealing with them also deserves notice, viz., that
they are both so well acquainted with North America and
its inhabitants that information of a valuable description to
the sportsman, on nearly all subjects connected with his in-
tended tour, can be obtained from them.
Messrs. Strickland and Son, of 14 Clifford Street, New
Bond Street, I can confidently recommend as perfect in the
production of shooting clothes almost impervious to wear
and tear, at the same time gentlemanly in appearance, and
fitting with such exactness that the figure wiil not suffer
from restraint, but permit the arms and limbs ever to be
free for prompt action. Although armed and clothed, I
must not go farther without alluding to your foot-gear, for
nothing will militate more against your pleasure and pow-
ers of endurance than a blistered heel or pinched instep.
To avoid these inconveniences go to Waukenphast’s, 10
Pall Mall East, and if he does his duty by you, as he has
by me, you will be more than satisfied ; and as loss of time
is not unfreqnently to be regretted, in half an hour from
the time you crossed his threshold you will be in posses-
sion of all you require. As water-proof clothing and ground
sheets are absolutely necessary for camping out, as I have
done in a former work, I recommend Messrs. Woolgar and
Co., of Ludgate Hill; their bark-tanned fishing stockings
are perfection, while their deer-stalking and fishing - coat
30 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
can not be too highly prized for rough and hard service.
Another commodity they furnish, although receiving its
name from me, I would strongly reconmend no person
going in for roughing to be without, viz., the Ubique bag,
for it possesses all the convenience of the ordinary sailor’s
bag, can be turned into a pillow at night, or, if necessity
compels you, if in a canoe or open boat that: leaks, you can
place your feet in it, and thus be thoroughly protected from
damp of every description. Of course there are numerous
other things you may advantageously add to your kit, but
do not forget that every superfluous pound of baggage is
to be avoided, for long marches on tired horses have to be
made, and rough and weary portages to be traversed, across
which every ounce of unnecessary luggage will add to the
fatigue of the bearers, and not unfrequently produce grum-
bling and lack of discipline, two objectionables to be given
a wide berth to, for they destroy much of the pleasure at-
tached to roughing beyond the boundaries of civilization.
CHAPTER II.
THE BISON, GENERALLY CALLED BUFFALO.
Tuer habitat of this powerful and gigantic animal ex-
tended from the Gulf of Mexico on the south to the 62d
degree of north latitude, and from Kentucky and Indiana
on the east to the higher ridges of the Rocky Mountains on
the west: however, this range is now much contracted, and
in a corresponding ratio their numbers diminished. Al-
though buffalo at the present day can be found in the State
of Kansas, yet the wholesale butchery they have there been
lately submitted to has caused the few survivors to be ex-
tremely wild and difficult to approach; therefore I should
advise the sportsman to direct. his steps farther toward the
north-west, to the valley of the Yellowstone or upper forks
of the Missouri, to the Saskatchewan or the large plains lay-
ing to its north. From the increase of settlement and of
travel across the continent, this game, which formerly was
migratory, has comparatively speaking ceased to be so;
thus the sportsman will not now be compelled to follow
them over an extensive range of country, but will probably
be able to enjoy the pleasure of their pursuit aJl the year
in one locality. The legitimate methods for their pursuit
are by running them on horseback, when they are shot
with a very large-bored pistol as the sportsman ranges
alongside, or to stalk them, a rifle of great power and cal-
ibre being then necessary. The shoulder-shot is the best,
unless the animal happen to front you and expose his chest.
Shooting at the head is a useless expenditure of ammunition,
and, unless to turn a charge, should never be attempted.
32 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
When studying on the distant and far-west plains of
America the habits of the buffalo (for though this name is
erroneous, still it is the appellation by which I knew them
and daily heard them called), or pursuing them to supply
our camp with food, I never, in the retrospect of a long
and adventurous life, enjoyed such perfect health, for the
air on these distant plains is the purest I have ever breathed.
Frequently on a knoll I have stood, after some unusually
hard run, inhaling and enjoying its freshness as the thirsty
traveler does a cup of clear cool water drawn from a mount-
ain stream. Each day you perform your allotted work,
and no cares are sufficiently weighty to be dwelt upon or
procrastinated till they return with redoubled force. Your
horses are your companions; hardy and enduring you have
proved them to be; and between master and steed a bond
of sympathy springs up, the animal being all reliance, the
owner determined that the confidence shall not be mis-
placed. With the true-hearted sportsman, who loves hunt-
ing for the pleasure it affords, and the opportunities of
studying nature as it emanates from the Creator’s hands,
carnage when useless is detestable: unnecessarily taxing
the endurance of his steed, or paining it with uncalled-for
punishment, is a crime he would no more be guilty of than
the honest man of despoiling his friend. Again, your gun
or rifle, ever a willing servant when properly taken care of,
requires no small amount of attention; to no other hands
than your own trust it to be cleaned. However high your
birth, delicate your nurturing, or boundless your means, to
do without the assistance of hirelings, and rely entirely on
yourself, is far from derogatory; on the contrary, it is de-
serving of commendation, and the benefit that will result
in after-life from such lessons can not be too highly esti-
mated. I have known a few months of wild Western life
do more good in forming a character than years passed in
PRAIRIE SCENERY. 33
cities or continental tour; for here the fop forgets his folly,
and the timid and nervous becomes self-reliant.
Imagine spread hefore you an immense plain; in what-
ever direction you look, the same expanse of level country
stretches before you. Such is the prairie. The dear old
ocean, as viewed from the deck of a vessel, is the nearest
simile I can think vf. In both an almost level horizon in
each direction is met by the sky. Nothing in either is to
be seen to break the stillness, save it be the animal life that
_.have these elements for their home. Although this may be
applicable, as a general rule to prairie scenery, there are
portions less monotsnous; in places, heavy belts of timber
mark the margin of streams that ultimately help to feed
some of the giant rivers of the American continent; while
as you approach the great vertebra of the country—the
Rocky Mountains —hill after hill rises, overtopping each
other; again frowned down upon by lofty mountains, beau-
tiful in coloring, soft in their distant outlines, and grand in
their irregular and picturesque shape. Moreover, between
these hills, almost impassable at first glance, through cafions
and gulches you can thread your way, perhaps for many,
many miles, when, perchance, a beautiful meadow,* thou-
sands of acres in extent, opens before you, rich and.bright
in the abundance of its grasses, while the slopes that gird
these retired retreats are covered with the densest and love-
liest of indigenous trees. Such spots as these are a natural-
ist’s elysium, for game of every variety select them for re-
treats. The buffalo cow comes to them frequently to calve;
the worn-out fierce-looking bull, over whose head so many
years have passed that he no longer has strength to keep
pace with the migratory herd, and struggle in its dense
phalanx for female favor or choice croppings of pasture,
*In America termed park.
9%
34 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
retires to them to spend in abundance the winter of life;
while the graceful deer, the timid hare, and the sagacious
beaver here pass their lives in peaceful, happy contentment,
except some adventurous white man or snake-visioned red-
skin should pay.it a visit, destroying, as man ever does, the
serenity that reigned around previous to his advent.
But come, the morning has broken clear and invigor-
ating, breakfast has already been discussed, and the horses
have got a rough rub over. The neighborhood is well suit-
ed for a gallop; for, from the slight shower of the previous
evening, the soil is springy, and-fewer of the indefatigable
little burrowers—the prairie-dogs—have undermined our
vicinity. Meat is wanted, and as we start our minds are
made up that, unless successful, the sun must dip the west-
eru horizon ere we return. Each attending to his own
nag, and giving an extra pull upon the girths ere getting
into the saddle, at a sober, steady pace we start. An old
practiced buffalo-runner (for so the Western man terms his
favorite and experienced horse) will quietly settle to his
master’s will, for from experience well he knows that prob-
ably a hard day’s work is before him, and all his strength
will be required; while the youngster or griffin at this
work frets and prances, almost pulling his rider from the
pig-skin. Forbear, rider; curb your annoyance; give and
take a pull upon your snaffle; soon the youngster will set-
tle down, and this day’s work will probably teach him a
lesson that will act advantageously on his future conduct.
Discussing subjects suitable for such occasions, miles are
passed; so far, with the exception of numerous bleached
bones or an occasional deer or antelope track, no indication
of game has been seen. From a knoll a survey is made; a
fresh hole or two is taken up in the girths, and the scarcity
of animal life commented upon. To the Indian, of course,
the blame is laid; war-parties or moving villages of redskins
A BUFFALO DROVE. 35
are always saddled with being the cause of every disap-
pointment and annoyance in wild life. But look there!
What is that? A distant cloud of dust. Buffalo for a
thousand, and advancing toward where the hunters are sta-
tioned. How is the wind? is inquired. One wets his fin-
gers with his saliva, and holds it up. In a few moments
the position is declared untenable, and both, vaulting on
their horses, hurry off to get more to leeward, availing
themselves of a swell in the prairie to keep perdu. Having
marked well the direction in which the herd is advancing,
keeping as much out of sight as possible, scarcely speaking
a word, and then not louder than a whisper, the distance
between the hunters and game is rapidly diminished. From
the nature of the ground, no longer can they remain hid;
so, taking their horses well in hand, forward they dash,
and, in a few strides, what a sight is before them! Cows,
bulls, and calves, all intermingled, forming a straggling
drpve of thousands, heading in the same direction, and
feeding as they progress. Occasionally this harmony of
action is disturbed. Two ragged, clumsy-looking, veteran
bulls approach each other: perhaps they have been former
rivals for some dusky-hided beauty’s favors. ‘With a deep
bellow one throws down the gauntlet, which the other is
not loath to take up; and, with fire flashing from their par-
tially hid eyes, each rushes at the other. But the herd have
become alarmed—a foe equally dreaded by both bulls is at
hand; their rencontre will brook delay to be settled at a
future date; and, with a startled stare and toss of the head,
both turn and rush off after the herd, which is already
making a most hurried stampede. However, when the
hunters are old hands, the bulls might have saved them-
selves the trouble; while young cow-beef is to be obtained,
none but the veriest novice would think of wasting ammu-
nition on their rough and rugged old carcasses. No time
36 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
is now to be lost. These animals, unwieldy as they appear,
for a mile or so are wonderfully swift, and, if they should
gain rough ground, will beat an indifferent horse. Sitting
well down in their saddles, nags in hand, at a grass-country
speed, both push for the sleekest and squarest-looking cows
they can mark. The pace commences to tell; the distance
that separates sportsman from quarry is rapidly diminish-
ing —a few strides more, and one ranges alongside; the
heavy pistol, which has till now been secure in the holster,
is taken in the right hand, its barrel depressed; low down,
and eight or ten inches behind the shoulder, is the spot, if
shooting forward. A puff of smoke is seen, followed by a
report. The coup de grace has been administered by a
master-hand; for the huge animal loses the power of its
fore-feet, comes down on its shoulders and head, and naught
of life is left but a few spasmodic struggles. But where
are the hunters? Look well among the retreating herd,
and you may occasionally catch a glimpse of their hunting-
shirts. A few moments more, and another shot is fired—
this time not so successfully. Again the report of fire-arms;
still the quarry retains her legs, but blood is already pour-
ing from her nose, an indication that surely tells of speedy
demise; so stop, let the poor creature die in peace; aggra-
vate not her last moments.
The scene which I have tried to describe took place
about ten miles to the south side of the Yellowstone Riv-
er, An old and tried friend from Germany was my com-
panion, and on this occasion we each killed two cows.
Double this number, or even more, could have been shot
without trouble; but the requisite amount of beef had been
obtained, and I was jealous of husbanding the strength of
my horse, for then, as now, but little reliance could be
placed on the professed peaceful intentions of the Indians.
The range of the buffalo, I have said, was at one period
BUFFALO RU} "! !G.
THE BUFFALO. 39
much more extensive than at present. The same reasons
that have decreased, and in some instances almost annihi-
lated, other genera, can be safely urged as the cause of this
—the cultivation of wild lands and the unprecedented in-
crease of inhabitants on the American continent. On the
eastern limit of the Grand Prairie, in Illinois, I have fre-
quently found bones of the buffalo, telling too plainly that
this had once been his home. At the present day, at least
twelve hundred miles farther westward must be traversed
before the sportsman can hope for a chance to use his rifle
on this game; and year after year farther distances will re-
quire to be journeyed to accomplish this purpose. Their
southern limits are Northern Texas and New Mexico, while
the intermediate expanse up to sixty-five degrees of north
latitude, according to the season, contains them in more or
less abundance. Of late years their range north has been
increased between three and four degrees, so that Indians
who formerly had to come two hundred or more miles, if
desirous of obtaining a supply of beef for winter use, have
the animals now on their home hunting-grounds. Iam dis-
posed to believe that this is caused from their finding these
northern regions less disturbed — for this is far north of
where the constant tide of emigrants crosses the plains—
and that the poor, persecuted creatures prefer suffering
from the cold of these inhospitable localities to facing the
dangers that always are connected with a rencontre with
the pale-face. Although the buffalo can endure a great
amount of cold, and find food even after a thick covering
of snow lays upon the earth, yet he is not provided like the
musk-sheep for an Arctic winter, and from his greater bulk
requires so much sustenance, that a protracted sojourn in
the northern barrens must ultimately have the result of re-
ducing his strength, and therefore his fitness to copé with
the severity of the climate. Again, he has other enemies
40 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
as well as man. The wolves seldom leave him alone. Day
and night they bestow upon him the most devoted atten-
tion. However, as long as he is in good health he has lit-
tle to fear from the marauder; but the moment that acci-
dent, sickness, or loss of strength from starvation occurs,
the buffalo’s unhappy position is known, and half a dozen
of these robbers will remain night and day watching for an
opportunity to complete the wreck; and should this not oc-
cur as soon as desirable, not unfrequently they will make
a simultaneous assault, one pretending to fly at the victim’s
head, while another attacks in the rear, using every arti-
fice to cut the buffalo’s hamstring, in which they invariably
succeed, unless the presence of man should disturb them.
On one occasion, while hunting, I obtained an excellent
opportunity of witnessing one of these encounters. At the
distance of half a mile I perceived an old bull going through
a variety of eccentric movements, which were at the mo-
ment perfectly incomprehensible. To know what might be
the cause, as well as perhaps to learn something new re-
garding this.race, I left my horse and made a most careful
stalk without once exposing myself, retaining the advan-
tage of wind till within a hundred yards of the old gentle-
man. The ground in the vicinity was much broken, and,
before attempting to obtain a survey of the situation, I en-
sconced myself behind a boulder. I had been eminently
successful, the first glance told me. There was the bull
pretending to feed, while four prairie-wolves were lying
around him on the sparsely covered soil, tongues out, and
evidently short of breath from some excessive exertion.
None of the dramatis persone had seen me,and I chuckled
in my shoes as I grasped more firmly my double barrel,
knowing how soon I could turn the tide of battle. By-the-
way, the prairie-wolf has always been a favorite of mine,
as well as his half-brother, the coyote. Their bark has oft-
‘NVUGLGA V
PRAIRIE-WOLVES ATTACKING A BUFFALO. 43
en recalled pleasant memories, and their services have sev-
eral times recovered a wounded deer. In a few minutes
the apparent ringleader of the quartette got up and shook
himself. This was the signal for the others to get upon
their pins. Prairie-wolf number one walked quietly toward
the bull, occasionally stopping (after the manner of dogs to
pluck grass); then, with a sudden spring, made a feint at
the persecuted buffalo’s head. The buffalo, in his turn, low-
ered his head, and advanced a few steps to meet him; but
this was unnecessary. Now the rest of the fraternity rush-
ed up. Another took the post of teaser, while our friend
number one dropped in the rear; and when a second feint
at the head was made by his comrade, number one, watching
his chance, left a deep scar over the bull’s hock. Again
and again this game was played, the same wolf always re-
taining his rear position. Is not the instinct of animals
most similar to the reason of man? Here each wolf had
his allotted work, doubtless that which was best suited for
his capacity. The rear assault was the most dangerous;
for a kick well directed would unquestionably have caused
instant death to the adventurous assailant; but the most
experienced and expert had selected the post of danger and
honor. The flashing eyes and foaming month of the bull
told plainly the result; so I stepped from my concealment.
However, all were so oceupied that until I awakened the
echoes with a loud “ war-whoop” I was unseen ; but man’s
voice always has its effect in cases of this kind. The ver-
min, with startled stare, plainly asking what the deuce right
T had to interfere, sulkily trotted off as I advanced; while
the persecuted, in return for my kindness, lowered his head,
and pushed rapidly for me, compelling me to seek safety in
flight. Such conduct in the buffalo was scarcely commend-
able, and very unusual. I accounted for it by the harass-
ing his temper had suffered, as well as his feeling how in-
44 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
adequate his strength was for escape by flight. Poor old
creature, his days were numbered ; for as soon as my back
was turned, and a safe distance intervened between us, the
wolves returned, and as I rode homeward, occasionally turn-
ing and halting to watch the gradually more indistinct bel-
ligerents, the victim was still employed in battling for life.
After all, was he not paying the debt of nature, and dying
as his ancestors for generations had died before him? Man
yields his spirit to the source from whence it emanates, on
a luxurious couch or humble straw bed,.after frequently
suffering from protracted and painful illness. The veteran
buffalo, effete from age, after a long and happy life, when
unable to keep with his companions, dies in a gallant and
short struggle, overpowered by his too numerous enemies,
a death worthy of a hero.
The cow calves in spring, although I have, on several oc-
casions, met with a mother as late as the end of July with
a youngster by her side, not over a couple of weeks old.
The attachment shown by the parent for her offspring, and
the solicitude she evinces for its safety, impart a touching
lesson, which even the human family would do well to fol-
low. Iremember on one occasion I had been setting traps
in a small stream with abundant signs that beaver were
numerous in the vicinity. I had waded up this water-
course for upward of a mile, all the time being hidden from
the view of the animals on the prairie by the bluffness of
the banks. Having performed my task, I left the stream
and ascended to the level of the country. The first glance
I took disclosed a beautiful and interesting picture, for a
young cow, with her calf almost between her legs, stood
determinedly facing several wolves. The baby was evi-
dently sick, and the instinct of the party of prowlers told
them so. My sympathies, of course, were not with the ag-
gressors; and, the better to prove it, I picked out the ap-
INHABITANT OF THE PLAINS. 45
parent ringleaders, doubling one up with the first barrel, and
accelerating the retreat of another with a second ; for, al-
though he did not drop, an ominous “thud” gave me the
information that he had received a hint that the neigh-
borhood was dangerous, and that he had better leave it
while he had the power. In September the rutting season
commences, and furious encounters between the bulls take
place; their actions on these occasions remind the specta-
tors very much of domestic cattle. The combatants at first
stand apart, eying each other with flashing orbs, while they
paw up the soil with their feet, throwing it frequently over
their withers; their short tails lash their sides, their horns
are dug into the soil, and the vegetation scattered to the
winds; occasionally bellowing in a low guttural voice, ap-
parently using every effort to work themselves into a fury.
At length they rush at each other; the shock sometimes
brings one or both to their knees; this is repeated again
and again; for over thirty minutes frequently, when well
matched, the struggle will be protracted. At length the
weaker commences to give way, first slowly, always keep-
ing his head to the foe, till with sudden energy he wheels
and leaves the victor triumphant. All this time the cow
has stood by, an inert spectator, waiting for the hero of the
hour to claim her love. These battles seldom or never ter-
minate fatally. They occur at the period when the coat is
in the greatest perfection, and the almost impenetrable mane,
which densely covers the brows and fore - quarters, is un-
questionably of the greatest service as a protection. It is
my belief that, when the sexes thus mate, the male remains
faithful to his spouse, for up to within a month of the
cow’s confinement both keep together. Early in autumn
the bulls are in good condition; but after the rutting sea-
son they gradually lose flesh, and by midwinter become so
poor that they are scarcely fit for food. The cow, on the
46 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
other hand, keeps fat, and even in spring fat may be found
along the vertebrz and lower portion of the carcass an inch
thick. ‘With the advent of the first mild weather, even be-
fore the snow has disappeared, they commence to shed their
rough coat, first from between the fore-legs, then the prom-
inent parts of the body, and later from the forelimbs and
hump. This long hair—or, as it is frequently called, wool
—comes off in patches, trees and rocks being used to rub
A
\ ity.
BUFFALO IN SPRING COAT.
against; the result is, that by March a more ragged, tatter-
ed, weather-beaten creature can scarcely be imagined. The
horns of both bull and cow are about the same length;
those of the former are thick, blunt, and clumsy, those of
the latter sharp, slim, and trim-looking. Both sexes much
resemble each other; at the same time the figure of the fe-
male is more delicately formed, and not within a couple of
hands as high at the shoulder, nor is she clothed with such a
quantity of the rough, coarse covering over the fore-quarters.
BUFFALO SINKING IN QUICKSANDS. 47
When a herd of buffalo are alarmed by the approach of
the hunter, the cows, in a few seconds, head the retreating
herd, closely followed by the yearlings and calves, while
the lumbering old bulls, from incapacity, drop in the rear.
When not disturbed, in lying down or rising, they exactly
resemble others of the Bos family; but if they be come
upon ‘unawares by an object of fear, the velocity with
which they gain their legs and break into a gallop is truly
surprising. They are excellent swimmers, and have no hes-
itation to enter water; nevertheless, annually, great num-
bers are drowned ; but this generally occurs in spring, when
the broken ice is clearing out of the streams.
Throughout the Western country there are numerous
quicksands, and frequently unfortunates get imbedded in
them. It appears in such cases that, without exerting
themselves, they submit to their fate. I have formed this
conclusion from having, unseen, perceived a bull get into
such a scrape. I watched him. Inch by inch he kept sink-
ing; still I felt convinced that a protracted, energetic strug-
gle would take him across to terra firma, yet no such
effort did he make. Thoroughly believing that his earthly
course was run, I advanced to have a closer survey of the
finale. The unfortunate did not see me till within a few
yards ;, but when he did, his habitual fear of man predomi-
nated over all other feelings; again and again he plunged
forward. Dread of my proximity had given him strength
and endurance; for, after a few minutes, his feet got on
soundings, from which the margin was gained, and the
brute was once more free. I think this apathy to death in
certain forms is common to the majority of animals.
The dangers attending the chase of this noble game are
very much overrated. True, a horse may put his foot in
the burrow of a wolf, swift fox, or prairie-dog, and send his
rider sky-rocketing. The result may be a broken neck, or,
48 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
if such a fall took place when in the centre of a large herd,
trampling to death might be possible; but I am convinced,
from long personal experience, that, so long as the game
can keep going, they will seldom or never turn on pursuing
man, At the same time, if you fire at a buffalo as you ride
past him, without much changing the direction they are
pursuing, he or she may slightly deviate toward the pursuer.
However, your bridle-hand should invariably sheer your
steed from the quarry, not only to avoid this deviation, but
to clear the animal if it drop to shot. The majority of
horses accustomed to this work do so of their own accord.
At the same time, I should particularly caution the tyro
that on himself and his own nerve he should invariably rely,
not on that of his dumb companion. To be a good horse-
man, of course, is particularly desirable; and the person
who can ride bareback will often come in for a run when
a saddle may not be at hand. Many of us, of course, can
ride in this primitive manner; but there are very few
Americans or Europeans who can compare in this respect
with the Indians—they appear so perfectly at home on
their horses: anywhere and everywhere they place them-
selves, and but seldom get a fall.
However, the paces of horses are very different; some I
used for running buffalo I preferred riding with blanket
and a surcingle; on others I did not feel sufficiently at
home without the saddle. For some months I had an un-
der-sized chestnut, very little over fourteen hands. My
associates called her a mustang. In some points she much
resembled one; but there was a well-bred look about her
small head, narrow muzzle, broad forehead, and lean neck,
that told of aristocratic lineage. Moreover, she was very
fast and high-couraged, as well as easy in her paces. Her
back, while in my possession, was seldom crossed by a sad-
dle, although she was the favorite mount, and as such was
THE BUFFALO AT BAY. 49
more frequently used. I purchased her for a trifle from a
fellow with “villain” plainly written on his countenance,
and, as might have been expected, she was recognized and
claimed. To part with her was a great trial; but I had the
satisfaction of learning that my surmises of her parentage
were correct, her sire being thorough-bred, and her dam a
mustang.
When buffalo are so severely wounded as to feel in-
capacitated from further flight, they will then occasionally
turn to bay. When this takes place, unless the animal be
an old bull, you may safely conclude the wound mortal,
and that but an hour or two will elapse before death comes
to their relief; but if you be desirous to terminate the
final sufferings, when dismounted, be very cautious how
you approach to deliver the coup, for, with velocity al-
most marvelous, they will dash at their tormentor, gather-
ing all their energy for the occasion. A bullI had disabled
stood at bay, and, judging from appearances, was within a
few moments of expiring; blood flowed profusely from his
nose, and already he had commenced to straddle his legs
to support his towering carcass. Carelessly I approached.
The manner of the rider was infectious on the steed.
When twenty yards distant from me, down went his head,
and at me he sprang. The activity of the horse alone
saved me; and the shave was so close as to be far from
pleasant. It was a cleverly executed charge, and a fitting
finale to life. The impetus of his motion he was unable to
control. The strength of the body was unequal to his
courage of heart; for, ere he could halt, over he rolled to
rise no more. In hunting, as in civilized life, it is danger-
ous to trust in appearances—we know how often they are
deceptive. But there are other dangers to be apprehended
on the buffalo range—viz., the Indians, who are so cunning
and treacherous that the hunter must ever be on his guard.
3
50 PRAIRIE AND FOREST
The following reminiscence will illustrate how even over-
caution might prove dangerous to friends.
For some days I had had a terribly hard time of it. The
ground had drunk its full—and to spare—of snow-water,
game was scarce and wild, and the scanty herbage that my
horse and mule were able to obtain since we entered the
plains was barely sufficient to keep them alive; still good
seventy miles more had to be traversed before I could
reach the friendly shelter of the belt of timber that sur-
rounded the Forks. If it had been autumn, I dare not have
chosen this route, for it is a debatable ground of the Co-
manche and Arrapaho, to whom a solitary white man would
be so tempting a morsel that he could not fail to be caught,
and we will not say what done to; the very conjecture is
disagreeable. The severity of the late weather, therefore,
was my safety; for redskins, no less than white men, dis-
like unnecessary exposure. Still, I was convinced some
stragglers must have lately visited the neighborhood, for
the occasional head of game I saw was so wary that I con-
cluded hunters had lately disturbed them. One thing was
very much in my favor—I was in the lightest of marching
order: no pack of peltries or well-stocked kit had I; for a
few pounds of bullets,a pound of powder, and my buffalo
robe were all my beasts had for a load. How independent
a fellow feels when all his worldly goods can be summed
up in so few words, unless he be in Bond Street or Broad-
way! To keep as much in the nags as possible, in case
speed might be required, ever on the lookout for any thing
suspicious, with cautious, slow steps, I pursued my route to
the eastward. Nothing occurred to increase my watchful
ness; in truth, I commenced to believe that I had unneces-
sarily alarmed myself, when, crossing a small water-course,
on the edge of which was a sandy margin, plainly I saw
prints indicating that three horses had lately passed. The
AFRAID OF INDIANS. 51
fore-feet of one of them was shod—a good sign. Still,
they might have lately been stolen from distant white set-
tlements; so all my previous alarm and caution were again
reverted to.
Half an hour afterward, I heard the report of a rifle;
but, as there was a roll in the prairie between me and the
direction the sound came from, I could not see who had
fired the shot. In ignorance of what was to be seen be-
yond, it would have been madness to have ridden to the
top of the bluff; so, turning off to the right into irregular,
broken ground, the effect of the previous year’s heat, I
hobbled my animals, and started cautiously to stalk my
way to some elevated ground, from whence I might obtain
a view of the surrounding country, taking, at the same time,
care to keep myself between the*suspicious direction and
my beasts. Ihad not traversed over one hundred and fifty
yards, and was halting, the better to notice the most avail-
able cover for future progress, when first the head and
shoulders, then the entire figure of a man, loomed over the
top of the swell. Comanche or Arrapaho I knew at once
he was not — perhaps Osage or Pottawatomie; but what
the deuce would bring them so many hundred miles from
’ their own hunting-lands? - However, as every thing in the
shape of redskins is to be dealt cautiously with, I changed
my caps and got into most convenient and unconspicuous
shooting attitude, determined not to throw away a shot, or,
much less, give my supposed foe a chance of returning the
compliment. That he was alone, being dismounted, I knew
could not be the case; and as he was coming in the very
direction of my fresh trail, which, if he was permitted to
cross, he could not fail to discover, and, with the discovery,
bring his whole party in pursuit of me, there was but one
alternative to adopt. Last year, in this very locality, the
Indians had been unusually active; scarcely a gang of emi-
52 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
grants or traders who had taken the southern route but
had lost members of their party; in several instances nei-
ther sex nor age had been spared by these blood-thirsty
marauders; so what could I expect if alone I fell into the
hands of a party of braves on the war-path? True, my
scalp—for it has long been ignorant of a scalpy lock—
would scarcely be worth lifting; but then I did not want
to knock under yet; and, if so, I preferred making a fight
for it, as, I think, under the excitement, the process of be-
ing wiped out is less painful.
By this time my stalwart apparition had approached
within eighty yards: he was a noble-looking figure, with-
out the slouch of the red man when hunting, with a step as
free and independent as if he had been shooting over a pri-
vate manor. It is the habit of sportsmen and naturalists to praise the
appearance of the moose. My own impression is that there
is no animal more ungainly, awkward-looking, and appar-
ently disproportioned. That he is admirably constructed
for the part he has to play in life, there is no question; but
the very requisites with which he is endowed give him
such an unusual appearance, that prejudice alone can call
him handsome.
The Virginian deer, the fallow deer, the Wapitti, and
the red deer are to me perfect in shape, graceful in their
movements, and ornamental to the landscape; but the
moose, on the other hand, with his short, thick neck, asi-
nine head, protruding eyes, heavy broad ears, tremendous
antlers, long, awkward, powerful legs, and disproportionate
withers, looking even higher than they are from the mane
that surmounts them, can never be considered by an im-
partial judge but an awkward and clumsy-looking brute.
Of all the ruminants on the American continent, the
moose is the tallest. I doubt not that a stall-fed ox can
be made to weigh as heavy, but not to attain the stature;
and on this account, as well as many others, it is really a
duty that the Legislatures of the various States of which
he is an inhabitant owe to the country at large to pass and
enforce such laws as will prevent his ultimate annihilation.
THE HORNS OF THE MOOSE. 67
Probably it may never again be my good fortune to re-
visit these scenes of my youth; but can I ever forget the
happy days and nights I have spent in the dense swamp,
sparsely covered, barren, tangled woodland, or over the
brilliant camp-fire, when, miles and miles away from civil-
ization, I have been on an expedition to hunt moose? No!
Though I have shot in all parts of the world, gone through
scenes exciting, both as soldier and hunter, Northern Maine,
with all its glorious lakes, rivers, and mountains, will stand
paramount: for there my experience of moose-hunting was
gained; there I made my maiden effort, which was a fail-
ure, to return years afterward and awake the echoes with
the war-whoop that proclaims success.
In December moose-deer cast their horns; by April the
successors commence to sprout; by the end of June full
form is developed, but not till many weeks later are they
denuded of velvet; when that takes place, the antlers are
perfectly white; but exposure to the atmosphere soon gives
them a tawny shade, which deepens with the lapse of time.
The cow, of course, never bears these ornaments, but the
young bull-calf at one year throws out a brace of knobs an
inch in length; in the second season these are about six
inches long; the third year they increase to nine or ten
inches, with a fork; in the fourth season palmation is ex-
hibited with several points. From this age there is a grad-
ual increase in the palmation and number of points till the
animal attains its greatest vigor, from which period the
horns decrease in width and weight, at the same time be-
coming more elongated. Twenty-three is the greatest num-
ber of points I have seen on one head, and the weight of the
“horns just exceeded seventy pounds. I doubt if larger has
ever, of late years, been found.
The young moose-deer, that is, those under five years,
frequently do not show their new head-dress till March.
68 ' PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
Instances have been known —still, I have no doubt that
such were great exceptions—of young males bearing the
former year’s horns as late as the calving season, which is
in the end of April, and in Labrador and far northern local-
ities, May.
In September the rutting season commences. Then is
the period to see this great animal in all the magnificence
of his strength. Reckless and furious, he rushes about,
bellowing forth defiance to his own sex, and what is ac-
cepted as notes of love by the other. Woe betide the trav-
eler, the unarmed or inexperienced man who should then
meet him, if no place of safety is at hand, for naught but
their total destruction would be the result! I knew an in-
stance where a French Canadian nearly lost his life by one
of these furious beasts. He had gone with his pony and
sledge to bring a boat across a portage, and on his return,
while threading the intricacies of the bush-path, a moose,
excited with rage and lust, rushed past him. Indiscreetly
he fired a charge of small shot after the retreating terma-
gant, which brought him to the rightabout, and caused
him to charge. Into the boat jumped the Canadian; but
the thin ribs and planks afforded no protection from such
an assailant. The frail craft was soon knocked to pieces,
and our friend took to a tree, when, from his perch, he wit-
nessed his pony gored and trampled to death. Moral:
Don’t fire small shot at moose if you have any regard for
your life.
During the rutting season many bull-moose are annually
killed; for the hunters, taking advantage of their then com-
bative disposition, secrete themselves, and imitate, by means
of a roll of birch-bark, the challenge note of an excited male.
Some gallant lord of the wilderness hears the false, decep-
tive call; and believing that his demesne has been invaded
by a rival, towering with rage, he rushes in the direction
VISIT TO ST. FRANCIS. 71
whence the sound proceeds, intent on repelling the intruder.
Listening to the repeated calls, again and again the bull an-
swers, till at length he is drawn within the range of the
rifle of the secreted hunter. My maiden effort at moose-
shooting was made in such a manner. As if it were but
yesterday, the whole adventure is written plainly on my
memory. I had only been in America a few months. The
attractions of Saratoga I could not avoid, and when there
became acquainted with a family of St. Francis Indians,
earning a precarious subsistence by basket-making. Before
this I had never met any of the aborigines of the American
continent, and hour after hour I passed idling around their
encampment, listening to stories of the chase, and more es-
pecially of moose-hunting. The dark-skinned race got my
spare pocket-money, and J, in return, all their knowledge of
wood-craft that could be theoretically imparted. The spirit
of adventure had become excited within me, and ere I left
Saratoga I had faithfully promised to visit St. Francis in
autumn, to join one of my new acquaintances in a moose-
hunt.
The beautiful tints of an American fall were in their
greatest brilliancy when I reached the termination of a long
and tedious journey to accept the proffered hospitalities.
My reception was not so enthusiastic as I expected ; in fact,
my ardor was a little damped by the marked coolness of
my host. Yet, after coming’ such a distance, I was deter-
mined to carry out my project, and a well-stocked purse en-
abled me to do so. Starting at early morning, on a beauti-
ful, clear day, we descended a tributary stream of the Pe-
nobscot River, for eight or ten hours. The easy motion of
the birch-bark, the grand scenery, and the brilliant-colored
foliage recalled many a vision I had formed of what fairy-
land must resemble. About four o’clock we disembarked,
our birch-bark was shouldered, and a portage of a mile or °
72 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
two traversed, when the margin of a clear, calm lake was
reached, surrounded with beautiful green hills. Again we
launched our canoe on the bosom of the waters, arriving at
a second halting-place as the sun in glorious splendor dip-
ped the western horizon. Hiding our frail birch-bark craft
in some brush, with my attendant leading, we started up an
acclivity; after an hour’s rough and difficult walking, the
Indian stopped, and sounded a note on his calling-horn.
To this there was no response, but my friend assured me,
“ Plenty moose by-by.”
The night was as beautiful as the day preceding it. The
hunter’s moon was at its full, and near objects could be
seen almost as distinctly as when the sun was high in the
heavens. Several efforts with the call had been made; dis-_
appointment and failure began to appear certain, when a
distant and unknown sound struck my ear. At the same
moment the redskin seized my arm and- whispered, “Old
bull.” We both placed ourselves in a hemlock-tree, and
numerous were the injunctions I received of the necessity
of silence. Afraid to move, cramped in an awkward posi-
tion, for near a mortal hour I endured the torments, cer-
tainly not of the blessed; still move I would not, ultimately
could not, as the answering voice of the bull in response to
the Indian’s call told that the giant was rapidly approach-
ing. At length—oh, how glad I was!—the noblest game I
had ever set eyes upon broke into the opening at a cautious
trot, hesitated, stopped, and impatiently stamped his foot.
The distance that the moose was from us could not have
been more than thirty yards. Slowly and imperceptibly
the Indian’s gun was getting into shooting position. I at-
tempted to do the same with mine, when—oh! what ex-
cuse can I offer ?—bang went the right barrel, and, but for
a vigorous effort, I should have fallen from my perch.
I had better draw a veil over the recriminations that en-
A MOOSE IN THE FOREST. 73
sued, for homicide was nearly the result, whether justifia-
ble or not must be for others to decide; but St. Francis
was not long honored with my presence. Of moose-hunt-
ing I had seen enough for one season, and for many a year
not even my bosom friends knew that I had ever made an
attempt to slay the noblest of all the deer family.
Tn the close, warm weather of July and August this game
is much pestered with flies. To avoid these plagues, the
moose almost becomes aquatic in his habits; for hours he
will completely submerge himself, with naught but his head
above the surface. At this season their principal food is
the long, succulent limbs and leaves of the water-lily. In
the tributary streams that help to feed Moosehead Lake it
is no uncommon thing for the fisherman or tourist, on his
aquatic excursions, to come across moose floating, or see
them reach the shore in advance of him, alarmed either by
the voices or wind of the strangers. Such was my fortune
once when fishing in a tributary of Lake Parmacheney.
Trout had all day been on the feed; my gun lay carelessly
at my feet, half buried in blankets and other hunter’s para-
phernalia in the bottom of my canoe, which I had permit-
ted silently to drift with the current. Suddenly I heard a
splash, as if all the fish in the river had collected to make’
a simultaneous rise; but instead of fin, it was fur, and a
splendid. moose, bearing a noble head of antlers, plunged
through the weeds, and soon disappeared in the recesses of
the forest. If I had been prepared, or even had my gun
been obtainable at a minute’s notice, I could almost with
certainty have administered the coup de grace.
When the season advances, and the sparse advent snows
occasionally give warning that winter is at hand, the moose-
deer leave the morass and river banks for higher ground.
Here they collect in families, previous to yarding, which
takes place as soon as the lands of these northern wilds
4
74 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
have received their annual deep and pure white covering.
At this time the moose lives in comparative security, his
length of limb and tremendous power enabling him to defy
all pursuers. Enjoy well thy rest—enjoy it,I say, for it is
but for a short season; for when the sun again warms the
landscape, and a crust becomes formed through the thaw
by day and frost of night, powerful and noble though you
be, you will require more than that superhuman power to
save you from the persevering Indian or venturous white
man. Poor creature! your chance when pursued, after a
heavy crust is formed, is indeed small. I know no denizen
of the forest that, at any period of life, has the odds so fear-
fully against him.
As may be imagined, then, the end of February and
March are the periods when the greatest havoc among
these animals takes place, and I regret to say that frequent.
ly the fiendish love of carnage alone seems to occupy the
mind of the pursuer. I have known instances—I grieve
to say many—when moose have been killed simply for the
sake of killing ; for, with the exception of one or two tid-
bits, the giant carcass has been left to satiate the appetite of
the wild beasts of the forest. If one who has been guilty
of such unjustifiable conduct should read this, let his con-
science reproach him for the past, and the sting of remorse
cause him to resolve never to be again an offender.
The exact position of the scene which I am about to de-
scribe lies within the limits of the State of Maine, about
sixty miles north-east of Moose Head Lake.
The days that had heralded the advent of March had
been extremely warm, the nights clear, with sharp frost;
just such weather as would be pronounced first-class for ”
the collecting of sap to make maple-sugar. Two days’
journey had been required to bring us to the desired local-
ity; for we had both agreed that no search for moose
IN A LOG-HUT. 75
should be made till a favorite neighborhood was reached,
alike beautiful in summer or winter. Moreover, here we
should find a log-hut, erected two seasons previously, and
which we had every reason to believe would be in a thor-
ough state of repair. In due course of time we arrived at
our rendezvous ; the snow was cleared out of the structure,
and, considering all things, the two Penobscot Indians who
accompanied us succeeded in making our temporary resi-
dence look more than inviting. The first night passed in
the usual manner; we each pledged the other’s health more
than once, and again and again requited our pipes with
tobacco. Still we slept soundly, and day had well broken
before either turned out. A burried cup of coffee and a
few morsels of cold meat and biscuit sufficed for breakfast,
so that ere the sun had risen over the neighboring hill we
were en route for the scene of action. The country that
we traversed was covered, but not densely crowded, with
hard wood—so open, in fact, that a fair shot would severe-
ly have punished woodcock which had taken shelter in a
similar locality. After tramping three miles, the Indians
leading, and I causing much amusement by a succession of
catastrophes from one snow-shoe overlapping the other,
a halt was made, and the expression of the guide spoke
plainly of the vicinity of game; without questioning, we
turned off to the left, still following in single file. Stoop-
ing low and slowly advancing for some moments, we came
upon a yard—but, alas! deserted; but such had not been
long the case. Our dark-skinned companions were jubilant ;
visions of moose-meat floated before them, and straight
they directed their steps to the place of exit, for the occu-
pants had winded us earlier than expected. To a novice
but one track appeared, yet the Indians held up four fin-
gers to indicate that number of inmates. Soon we found
their information correct; for, after a pursuit of an hour
76 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
and a half, we perceived our game—a bull, cow, and two
calves—going over a neighboring swell. The reason of the
deceptive appearance of the trail is caused by the cow and
calves stepping as nearly as possible in the footsteps of the
bull, who on such occasions invariably leads.
Just as we supposed ourselves on the verge of success,
the moose passed through a second yard, easily known by
the trampled state of the snow and barked sides of the
trees. The occupants of this retreat had joined those we
were following. This additional force to the pursued add-
ed fresh excitement to the chase, and the distress resulting
from pace was for the time forgotten. In an hour more
we were again in view, and soon afterward among the
game. My companions I will leave to themselves, and con-
fine myself to my own performance. One of the males had
a noble head of horns. These I determined to be possess-
ed of ; so, marking him for mine, resolved not to halt till
successful. Again and again I thought that but a few
minutes would elapse till I could shoot; but either from
the snow being less deep, or the animal making extra
efforts, at least an hour had elapsed before the quarry was
sufficiently close to deliver with precision a fatal shot.
- Soon I was joined by one of the Indians, then by the re-
mainder of onr party. Four moose had been killed ; so my
companion and self agreed that we had reaped enough re-
ward for one day’s work. Next day was equally success-
ful, more game having been seen than on the first essay. I
doubt not, if we had been so minded, for days we might
have continued this slaughter; but, as it was, we had as
much meat as we could transport to the settlement.
A more rapid manner of taking moose when there is a
crust, and one much practiced, is to be accompanied by a
small, active dog, which, if properly trained to his work,
will never lay hold, but only snap at the quarry’s heels.
CHANGES OF THE MOOSE-DEER. 77
The poor moose is thus soon brought to bay; for his active
pursuer, whose weight is so light that he does not break
through the crust, dances in security around the game,
snapping at every exposed point, and so engaging the vic-
tim’s attention that the hunter can approach the quarry
sufficiently close to deliver with certainty an unfailing shot.
The flesh of the moose, although sweet, is very coarse.
Still, many people prefer it. to any other. I can not say
that such is the case with me, good beef being to my idea
infinitely superior. The tongue, last entrail, and especially
the moufile,.or extremity of the upper lip, are great delica-
cies, more particularly when eaten cooked in the primitive
style:of the backwoods. It may be the wood-fire, it may
be the want of seasoning, or, more probably still, the fresh
air and severe exercise of the hunt; but all that I have
eaten when snugly housed about a camp-fire has been rel-
ished with a gusto unknown in city life. A bonne bouche
which must not be forgotten, and which only the moose-
hunter can enjoy, or those who live near the haunts of this
animal, is the marrow from the shank-bones of the legs,
cooked immediately after the animal is killed. This, served
on toast, with a sprinkling of cayenne pepper, would make
the mouth of the most fastidious epicure water that had
previous experience of its excellence.
The moose-deer changes much in appearance with the ro-
tations of the seasons. In summer ‘the coat is short and
fine; in winter, coarse and long. Underneath the hair is
found an abundant crop of soft wool, which doubtless en-
ables them to endure the great severity of the northern
winters. The face hair, different from that of the horse or
cow, grows upward from the mouffle, on the termination of
which there is a triangular bare spot. “The power of the
jaws and teeth of the moose is very great. The facility
with which they strip the bark from those trees that con-
78 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
stitute their favorite food is wonderful. Their pace is
either a walk or trot, the usual bounding gait of other
species being unknown to them. Even if a fallen tree in-
terrupt their progress, instead of rising at it like a horse,
they manage to clamber over in a most effective manner.
Two methods of capturing moose .I have not alluded to
—for why? They appear so antagonistic to all those feel.
ings that should actuate the gentleman—viz., by snaring
and trapping. The minutie of the modes of proceeding
by which the unsuspicious game is induced to enter either
of the above devices, I am certain would not be interesting
to a sportsman.
For many years it was a disputed point whether the
moose-deer of America and the elk of Europe were the
same species; but the most eminent of recent and present
authorities agree that they are identical. Captain Hardy,
of the Royal Artillery, who was stationed many years in
Canada, and devoted much of his time to moose-hunting,
as well as studying this animal’s habits, and who is also
conversant with the European elk, emphatically asserts that
there are not the smallest grounds for any diversity of
opinion on the subject. Audubon, an authority on Amer-
ican natural history second to none, refuses to give a de-
cision, and justly so, for he was not conversant with the
European animal.
The following adventure occurred to me while sojourn-
ing in the habitat of the moose:
For some days my fly-rod had been indefatigably and
most successfully at work, furnishing not only my own -
table, but many of the neighboring families with trout, so
that a change of programme was far from unacceptable.
One morning as I was deliberating in which direction I
would go, my host asked me if I should have any objection
to accompany him to lift some traps he had not visited
AMERICAN SWAMP-HARE. — 79
since spring. The trip promised an acquaintance with a
new beat, and an insight into what I was not as yet conver-
sant with in this section of the American continent—viz.,
the method followed of trapping martens. As the sun was
rising over the eastern hills—for these primitive people are
early risers—we found ourselves about to leave the sur-
veyed road. My friend bore on his back a sack in which
to place his long-neglected traps, while I carried my trusty
ten-bore double gun, loaded by request with ball in one
barrel, and buck-shot in the other. Our route at first was
through a dense cedar swamp, exceedingly irregular on the
surface, while the undergrowth was so close that it was
with difficulty parted; a thick coating of moss was under-
foot, so spongy and full of water that if we remained sta-
tionary for a few seconds we would be over the insteps in
water. Nevertheless, the tracks of the American swamp-
hare were innumerable; an animal, by-the-bye, which is
very similar to the Scotch blue hare, some authorities going
so far as to say they are the same species, slightly changed
by climate and different habits of life, resulting from the
dissimilar localities in which they are found.
A blazed path was all we had for direction; but as both
were in the full vigor of manhood, we steadily progressed.
Several times we flushed the Canadian spruce grouse; but
as my projectiles were not suited to this stamp of game,
and my companion continually kept reminding me that
larger might be expected, I forbore troubling them.
From the swamp we got on drier soil, very rocky, and
densely wooded with pine, the trees increasing in stature
as we ascended, till we were surrounded with such glorious
pines as might one day form, without discredit, the main-
mast of a line-of-battle ship.
Upward, like the youth who shouted “Excelsior,” we
kept ascending; but we had not the maiden to warn us,
80 ‘ PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
whose warning I doubt not, unless she had been unusually
pretty, would have been disregarded. Soon the walking
became climbing, and after an hour’s clambering the sum-
mit of the ridge was reached. Here the first trap was lift-
ed; and at intervals of two hundred yards or so, according
to the nature of the ground, the others were found distrib-
uted. As they had been down for nearly two months,
whatever had been captured by them was now in a de-
composed state. Soon the whole (over a dozen) had been
gathered, when we descended to a stream literally alive
with fish ; trout of all sizes up to a pound appeared to be
actually crowding each other; and so unacquainted were
they with man’s presence that they totally disregarded our
intrusion.
Lunch-time had arrived, and on the margin of the brook
we enjoyed our meal; several of the trout, which my com-
panion had captured with the most primitive line, attached
to a rod cut from the nearest tree, forming no inconsider-
able portion of the meal.
After a smoke and half-hour’s dawdle, we started on our
return, following an entirely different route, equally disad-
vantageous for rapid progression. During our homeward
tramp I learned that martens could only be taken on the
highest ridges, and that the bait used was either a red
squirrel, the beautiful little cedar bird, or the heart or liv-
er of the swamp-hare. I was not a little surprised at the
number of times my companion halted to inquire if my gun
was all right, more especially as so far we had seen no in-
dications of large game, excepting some decayed stumps
and logs, moved where Bruin had been grubbing, or scratch-
ed trees, where his race from time immemorial had been in
the habit of stretching themselves.
As the sun set, we once more regained the path, well
fatigued with our rough and protracted tramp, myself not
A SKULKING PAINTER- 81
a little disgusted that I had seen nothing sufficiently worthy
of being considered fit game for the heavy missiles which
both my barrels contained. . In‘fact, I could not help open-
ly grumbling that I should have been inveigled into such a
useless journey, which elicited the response from my asso-
ciate that I might thank my stars we had got back safe.
With this answer for the time I had to be satisfied; but
that evening the mystery came out, and the selfish motives
that had dictated my companionship being sought. I will
endeavor to state the story as told by the trapper :
“Last April, when the snow was on the ground, I laid out
the traps we have to-day lifted. The traveling was very
bad. at the time, for it was near the break-up of winter. I
got along the ridge all right; but as I thought it better to
return as I had come, I determined to retrace my steps. I
had scarcely faced homeward when I found, to my surprise,
the print of an animal following my old track. I looked
in every direction to see where the follower could be, but
was unable to detect him. However, I knew well that the
skulking villain was no other than a painter (Anglicé,
puma); and as I had only my old single-barrel loaded with
bird-shot, I became justly scared. All of a tremble, I con-
tinued my course, and you may bet I made tracks. The
very evidence of the brute following me showed he was
after no good, and I was right; for as I drew near the out-
side edge of the swamp I saw him right ahead; but I went
out of the way to avoid him; and after I left the wood.I
heard him howl, doubtless in anger because he had missed
- making supper off me.”
At the time I could not help thinking that my host had
been needlessly alarmed, and told him so, when he inform-
ed me that nothing would have induced him to return alone
—in fact, that he would sooner have lost his traps than do
so; that a painter in those regions, more especially in win-
4*
82 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
ter, was much to be dreaded, and in corroboration inform-
ed me of a little tragedy that occurred some years past in
the same neighborhood. Two friends once trapped the
township of Success. They had two beats, running in re-
verse directions, while the shanty in which they both lived
together was situated at the dividing point from which each
radiated. The one who examined the. traps to the north
to-day visited those to the south to-morrow, changing their
routes with each other daily, and always meeting at night at
their common residence... Almost half the season had thus
passed away, when one of the companions who had return-
ed to the sleeping-place became seriously alarmed at the
continued absence of his friend. At length the little cur
dog who constantly accompanied the missing man came
home alone. There is an end to every thing, and so there
is to a long winter night; and with the earliest indications
of day the anxious watcher sallied forth to find the missing
trapper, whom he, after a long and weary search, discover-
ed, dreadfully mangled, and partially eaten. The assassin
had been a painter. The tracks on the tell-tale snow spoke
correctly. About thirty feet above where the corpse lay,
an immense limb ran out at right angles from the parent
tree. From this the skulking coward had doubtless sprung
upon the unsuspecting trapper.
Thus it will be seen that the home of the giant moose is
not without other tenants, some of whom are likely to af-
ford adventurous hunters more excitement than a hot cor-
ner at the side of an English cover.
CARIBOU MIGRATING.
CHAPTER, V.
CARIBOU.
AxtHoues occasionally the caribou is killed within the
limits of the United States, they have ever there been deem-
ed scarce, doubtless from it being the extreme southern lim-
it of their habitat, nor can they be found in such numbers
as to justify the sportsman going in their pursuit till the
northern shores of the great St. Lawrence are gained ; from
whence, as the traveler advances into higher latitudes, daily
indications of their presence will become more abundant.
How far to the north they may be found is doubtful, al-
though it is beyond a question that their range extends to
the Arctic Circle. The almost unknown interior of the
vast island of Newfoundland abounds with them; also the
interior of Labrador; while in the uninhabited waste be-
tween Hudson Bay and Alaska, late Russian America, their
numbers are so great as to form the staple article of food
of the inhabitants of these dismal lands.
Capable of resisting with comparative impunity the great-
est severity of cold, they suffer severely from heat, to avoid
which they make two migrations annually—to the north in
summer, grazing back to the south in winter. During these
journeys the greatest destruction of the species takes place ;
for they almost invariably follow the same line of march,
with which the natives are acquainted, and where they await
for the herd either entering mountain defiles or crossing
rivers, when they are surrounded and _ indiscriminately
slaughtered. ‘They are also hunted on snow-shoes, after
the manner of moose.
86 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
A8 caribou are possessed of great vitality, they require
heavy hitting: so a rifle of large calibre ought to be em-
ployed by the sportsman.
Although there are upon the American continent two
very distinctly marked varieties of the reindeer, I can not
adopt the idea of many travelers that, so conspicuous is
their dissimilarity, they are entitled to be considered dis-
tinct species.
We are all aware that difference of climate, local causes,
and abundance or paucity of food work wonderful altera-
tion on animal life—more especially in regulating their stat-
ure; for instance, the moose-deer of Labrador seldom ex-
ceeds sixteen and a half hands, while that of Nova Scotia
and New Brunswick has been known to attain twenty-one or
even twenty-two hands (vide Audubon). Now the grounds
that are taken for asserting that there are two species of
caribou are exactly the same, and would equally justify the
decision that there are two species of elk. The woodland
caribou leads a life of comparative idleness among the
dense swamps and pine-clad hills, where food is constantly
to be found in abundance. The barren caribou, on the oth-
er hand, inhabits the immense flats or mountain ridges close
to the Arctic Circle, where vegetable growth is sparse, and
little shelter afforded from the biting cold winds and snows
peculiar to so high alatitude. So great often are the straits
the latter variety are submitted to from the inhospitable
nature of their habitat, that in some districts they are com-
pelled to become migratory to obtain the necessaries of life.
Is it, then, to be wondered at that there should be a mark-
ed difference in size between the inhabitant of the shelter-
ed forest and the wanderer upon the barren upland waste ?
Another strange circumstance has often struck me—
viz., that although the reindeer has for ages been domes-.
ticated in Europe and Asia, employed both to draw and
CARIBOU IN WINTER COAT.
Ue
I ! !
i
i /
REINDEER NOT DOMESTICATED IN AMERICA, 89
carry freights, as well as provide milk for the inhabitants
of Lapland and the Siberian wastes, no attempt ever ap-
pears to have been made in the New World to utilize their
capacities. This is the more surprising when we consider
that only a few years back Russia possessed a large por-
tion of the north-west angle of the Continent of America,
a country literally swarming with wild caribou, from the
herds of which no difficulty would be found to make cap-
tives. Still, such has never been done with a view of utiliz-
ing their labor, although in her possessions across the Behr-
ing Sea reindeer are in constant use among the sparse pop-
ulation that inhabits the North Asiatic slopes that margin
the Pacific. Between America and Asia, up in these high
latitudes, for many years an extensive trade has been car-
ried on in furs, so that the inhabitants of the one continent
must have intercourse with, and a knowledge of the ways
of life of the other.
Although the reindeer easily becomes domesticated, and
when in that state is no more difficult to herd than sheep,
still, when in the wild state, particularly if near to the con-
fines of civilization, they are of all game the most difficult
to approach, even to obtain sight of. Their large, heavy
ears enable them to possess most wonderful powers of
hearing, and their olfactory organs and sight are none the
less acute; so that they are able to distinguish the approach
of an intruder upon their demesne long before the sports-
man is aware of their presence. Thus, when hunting car-
ibou, I have often come across the indentations caused by
their tread in the soft, bent moss of the swamp, and so late-
ly made that you might observe the pressed stems revert-
ing to their original position, still no sight of the quarry
could be obtained, although it was impossible they could
be more than a second or two in your advance. However,
the caribou has a way of stealing off, gliding, as it were,
90 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
out of sight, which in so large an animal appears impossi-
ble. To accomplish this, they lower their backs, push their
heads far forward, with the antlers laying close along the
withers, while each foot is raised, and, with very bended
knee, placed far and silently in advance of the other. To
observe this done, the action is so slow and measured, that
you can not help being astonished at the rapidity of pro-
gression that results. The moose, also, will practice this
ruse to avoid observation; but it is far from as great an
adept in it as the caribou. In summer this animal almost
becomes aquatic in its life; for, whether it result from the
pestering annoyance of the legions of mosquitoes or black
flies that constantly hover around them, or its love for the
refreshing influence of the bath, it appears to spend day
after day submerged, with little else than its nose, eyes, and
horns above water. At this season it feeds but little dur-
ing day; but when the sun has set, and the atmosphere be-
comes cooler, it sallies off to the woodland and swamps in
search of its favorite lichens and ground shrubs. The
shooting of one species of deer so much resembles another,
and I have already described so many adventures in pur-
suit of moose and, hereafter, in the pursuit of the more
common Virginian deer, that I will tax the reader’s pa-.
tience no further than to add, that to be successful in pur-
suit of caribou, unless when they are swimming the great
rivers in their annual migrations, the hunter must be cool
and self-possessed, have an extensive knowledge of wood-
craft, and powers of endurance to bear fatigue of no ordi-
nary quality.
The peculiar and varied formations that the horns of the
caribou assume have been the subject of much controversy
among the cognoscenti. Why palmation should occur in
oné antler over the brow and in another at the extremities,
has been accounted for by individuals doubtless to their
DIFFERENT TYPES OF CARIBOU HORNS.
THE CARIBOU. 93
own satisfaction, but I fear not at all so to the general pub-
lic. For myself, when I have formed a theory in reference
to this animal’s antlers, and possibly nursed it for some
time, I have had the misfortune or otherwise to kill a cari-
bou that annihilated the pretty little structure I had built.
Thus the horns here represented, although taken from life,
must not be accepted as a stereotyped pattern of the whole
family.
CHAPTER VI.
WAPITTI DEER.
Wuart I have said in reference to the habitat of the bi-
son may be repeated as regards the Wapitti, with this ex-
ception, that it does not roam so far north by some degrees
of latitude. Thus the visitor to the district I have recom-
mended for buffalo-hunting will have the advantage of en-
joying both descriptions of sport.
I do not consider this noble game swift when you com-
pare it with the other species of the deer family. From
this I am led to believe the statement of a well-known
sportsman, who holds a commission in the United States
regular service, that he and his brother officers have fre-
quently ridden them down. Such sport must be eminently
exciting, if the ground be good that you gallop over to at-
tain such results in such a chase. A heavy pistol or short
carbine would be the weapon I should prefer.
For stalking the Wapitti, the rifle, and that of heavy cal-
ibre, ought to be employed; for so large and powerful an
animal requires no ordinary shock to effectually paralyze
the system, so as to prevent the victim wandering off to
die a lingering death, and ultimately become food for the
carnivore. The habit that sportsmen of the United States
have of using small-bore arms when in pursuit of large
game is much to be deprecated; for the result is, that a
great number of the stricken do not fall till they are entire-
ly lost to the hunter. é
In Scotland the red deer is vaunted, and his praises
sung, for he is truly a noble beast, alike trying the hunt-
4
yey
ay
EMH mon,
lay
nian ee
en,
04 Te
WAPITTI DEER.
WAPITTI DEER. 97
er’s courage and endurance; but if Caledonia’s rocky glens
and heath-covered mountains boast of possessing such a
hero, the far-distant plains and central plateaus of Amer-
ica have a right to glory, for they feed and shelter a nobler
quarry, if size and power constitute such. The New Land
surpasses us in the magnitude of its rivers, mountains,
water-falls, and trees; in her animal creation, also, she is
ahead. Facts are facts; and when such is the case, the
Britishers should surrender with a good grace; for to con-
tradict, even evince skepticism, would only prove our igno-
rance.
But a thought arises in my mind, Will the Western
World long possess those representatives of animal life of
which she has a just right to be proud? I say no, if the
work of destruction continues as now; for every border
ruffian, every squatter, is allowed to slaughter at his will,
and at all seasons, creatures the possession of which any
land has a right to be proud.
To the old mountaineers and Indian traders this animal
was known by one appellation, and that an erroneous one;
and so constant has become its use, that even among the
educated classes this misnomer will be heard; thus the
Wapitti is invariably denominated an elk, the proper name
for a moose; so that the sportsman desirous of devoting
his time to the pursuit of Wapitti deer, in seeking infor-
mation where they are to be found, had better inquire for
the animal under his false sobriquet. It is strange how
many mistakes of this description have crept into the nam-
ing of American quadrupeds, fishes, and birds: thus the
buffalo is a bison; the pheasant, a grouse; the quail or
partridge, an ortix. Dozens of these errors could be enu-
merated, but the previous examples will suffice.
The noble horns which the stag Wapitti bears give him
& most imposing appearance; for they are wide-branching,
5
98 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
ponderous, and covered with numerous points, and not un-
frequently, in the case of very old males, semi-palmated.
In height the stag frequently stands fourteen hands and a
half; and so powerful are their proportions, that the car-
cass is as broad and strongly put together as that of a
draft-cob. Possibly it may be the knowledge of their
strength, but, unlike the majority of their family, they pre-
fer open prairie or sparsely treed river-edges to the dense-
ly covered wet lands. From this circumstance it is easy
to find abundant opportunities to course them with grey-
hounds; but, from the strength of the adversary, your
dogs must be of great size and courage; even then, if the
game be driven to bay, woe betide the aggressor who
should come within reach of his powerful fore-feet, for he
can deal a blow, or, rather, make a thrust with his sharp-
pointed hoofs, that literally would go through the panel of
an ordinary door. Well the wolf knows this; and it is of
rare occurrence that the blood thirsty robber dares to ap-
proach a member of this species, unless he be disabled by
wounds or effete from age. I do not think, from the in-
formation I have been able to obtain, from searching old
authorities who have written on the fauna of North Amer-
ica, that the range of the Wapitti ever extended eastward
to the Atlantic sea-board, but that their habitat commenced
with the prairie country, say Illinois or Indiana. However,
these States have long ceased to know them; for, like oth-
er large game, they have rapidly retired before the tide of
emigration. The upper waters of the Missouri, the plains
around the fork of the North and South Saskatchewan are
where, at the present day, this mammoth stag will be found
most abundant. The adventurer who would follow them
to these fastnesses must be a brave, determined person, for
it is the centre of the hunting-grounds of some of the most
warlike and treacherous of all the Indian tribes; and of late
THE STAG OF CANADA. 99
years so many acts of retaliation—yes, and treachery—have
been practiced by the white man upon the aborigines, that
the aborigines are too apt to regard all pale-faces as their
natural-born enemies. Thus, to shoot Wapitti will proba-
bly entail shooting savages; for if you are not prepared
to do so in self-defense, it is highly improbable that you
will return to the land of your nativity to relate your
knowledge of their habits, or the success you have had in
their pursuit.
The stag of Canada—for by this name the Wapitti is sci-
entifically known—is essentially gregarious, and sometimes
herds amount to hundreds; but as a rule they will be found
assembled in coteries of a dozen or more, the females inva-
riably performing the duties of sentinels; and although they
are less difficult of approach than either the Virginian or
black-tailed deer, still it is necessary for the stalker never
to disregard wind and intervening obstacles if he desires to
get sufficiently close to the game to deal it a certain shot.
In very stormy weather, particularly if it be accompanied
with snow, however, I have known them possess the utmost
indifference to man’s presence, so that even after being
wounded they would scarcely move above a few yards
from the place where they had been stricken. In fact,
under such circumstances, they appear to get confused and
afraid to flee, lest the herd should become separated and
broken up. On such occasions as these the Indians make
great havoc among them; for it is a peculiarity of this race
that they never cease from slaughter while a survivor re-
mains within their reach. One would imagine that expe-
rience would teach them otherwise, for there is scarcely a
year that these aborigines are not reduced to the most des-
perate straits from famine; but their improvidence is in-
herent, and to the end of time they will practice the adage,
“ Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”
100 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
I can not leave the Wapitti deer without recording one
of the numerous adventures that occurred to me while a
resident in the region that they inhabit. As a rule, my con-
tretemps in their pursuit were not very exciting, for they
are a large animal, and, as I have previously said, far from
as wary as many smaller species of the genus; thus, if the
first barrel had not effectually done its work of destruction,
the second seldom failed, for it was a rare occurrence for
me to draw trigger till within fifty yards.
I had met in one of the sequestered valleys of the Rocky.
Mountains, from whence a tributary of the Yellowstone
flowed, a couple of wanderers. Two more objectionable
beings it would be difficult to find. The veriest offscour-
ings of a jail could not excel them in villainy and repulsive-
ness of appearance. Still, they were white men, and, as
such, were welcomed as brothers; so we cast lot together,
and commenced housekeeping in common. The first night
after our meeting a slight amount of disagreeableness oc-
curred, through the elder of my new associates being dis-
covered ransacking my pack, as he said, for tobacco. Now,
tobacco was scarce in these regions; and although I would
willingly have shared with a friend, still, I objected to be
deprived of what was as important to me as my molars by
an individual I knew nothing about, and still more, already
had acquired an intuitive dislike to. Happily, next day we
were joined by a new-comer, or I believe a row would have
taken place, for I could see that an entente cordiale existed
between the duo far from amicable to my interests. How-
ever, the stranger’s advent acted as a sedative, and the most
acute could not have imagined that aught but the most per-
fect comradeship existed among us. Some time after the
sun went down a game of euchre was proposed. Never
having cared particularly about cards, I said nothing; so
the movement was carried without opposition. The stran-
.
A PRETTY CAMPING-GROUND. 101
ger was assigned to me as a partner, and the stakes to be
played for were tobacco, lead, or powder ; in fact, any thing
we possessed. My antagonists were both miners from the
north of England, but a long time residents in the New
Land; my partner a regular down-east Yankee. For some
time all went on straight and fair, but it was not destined
that such should continue. We had been euchred three
times in succession, when both my partner and self detect-
ed our opponents passing cards to each other beneath the
blanket that covered our knees. Hard language immedi-
ately ensued, knives and pistols were drawn; but all thought
better of it, and peace between the belligerents was pro-
claimed for the night.
On the morrow, however, we, partner and self, left’ the
old camp, and started with the intention of founding a set-
tlement of our own.
Half an hour before dark we reached one of the prettiest
camping-grounds that the eye of wearied hunter ever rested
on; and as the night was fine, we satisfied ourselves with a
fire, without taking the trouble to erect a wigwam of boughs.
Thus far I had not studied my new friend; from his man-
ner on the previous evening, he undoubtedly was pluck
to the backbone; not insufficiently educated, but crude—
deucedly crude. I say this from a habit he had, namely, of
expectorating on whatever offered a fair surface for a shot
—the piece of birch-bark that had been pinned up. at the
corner to make a wash-dish; in fact, any thing smooth he
could not resist squirting at. The first time he indulged
in this weakness was to deluge the upper of my cow-skin
boot. On my angrily remonstrating, he protested that he
meant no insult, but simply wished to see what kind of map
he made. “Well, what do you make out of it?” said I,
half indignant, still partially appeased.
“ Why,” returned he, “a map of Asia; and these splashes
102 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
are the Malay Archipelago; don’t you see ?—it is as plain
as a pike-staff—there is Sumatra, Java, Borneo, and the
Celebes; that is the Straits of Malacca, and those Sunda.
Well, I have often thought of going to them parts; for, the
oftener I spit, the more frequently I make the self-same
show, clearly telling that there is an opening in that coun-
try for a man of intellect and energy. You are not listen-
ing; but look here, Britisher, just look how quick the Hin-
doostan peninsula dried up, showing nairey a doubt that
there an’t a show for a Yankee nohow in that benighted
land.”
From my own experience, I knew there was a deal of
truth in what the Massachusetts school-master said; and I
wished Old England would only see the necessity of hold-
ing in her own hands these self-same Straits of Malacca
and Sunda with the same jealous care as she does our In-
dian empire, as through them all our most valuable com-
merce must pass to the populous north-eastern shores of the
Pacific.
Pleasant company, yet a great character, was this Yan-
kee. Here he was evidently on a hunting tour, yet he could
not shoot; and when in search of game, in spite of remon-
strance, would frequently produce his tuning-fork, and strike
up some doleful psalm through his nose, instead of from his
mouth, to let the hills of this heathen land resound, as he
said, to the songs of the Lord.
Mr. School-master—for I found out he was a dominie;
any fool with a grain of sense, except myself, might have
known with half an eye that he was something out of the
ordinary line—never killed any thing; so the duty of sup-
porting two mouths instead of one devolved upon me.
From soon after sunrise to sundown I was invariably from
camp, leaving my new associate to the bent of his fancies,
provided he looked after the horses, and kept sufticient fire-
THE NEW-ENGLAND SCHOOL-MASTER. 103
wood for the coming night’s consumption. The day had
been dark and gloomy; the season, Indian summer; the
hour, as far as I judged, three in the afternoon, when, to
my surprise, I heard the report of a gun in the direction
of camp. As the school-master, from want of success, had
almost given up the use of his gun, the report struck me
as ominous of evil, so I hurried rapidly forward to discover
what could have induced him to shoot, nor was I long kept
in suspense, for in an opening, a few yards in front, I saw
a fine stag Wapitti engaged in a determined battle with
my comrade. The deer was on three legs, one of the fore
ones being smashed below the knee, while my companion,
with his gun clubbed, carefully watched his assailant. For-
tunately for the school-master, the stag’s agility was seri-
ously impeded by the shattered limb, or the contest would
have been ere this finished; as it was, he had to display
his activity, and rivaled in it any French dancing-master I
had ever met. But for the rapid evolutions of assailed and
assailant, I could have easily killed the deer; but twice as
I was about to press the trigger the wrong object was in
the line of fire. The position of this eccentric man was not
without danger; yet when I approached the combatants to
give him assistance, I was almost rendered incapable of the
task by the risibility of the whole affair; for even in his
most adroit movements, even when the foe’s antlers were
within a foot of his body, he kept chanting through his
nasal organ something or other about letting the hills re-
sound, only stopping in his vocal exhibition when he struck
the assailant a blow with the butt of his musket, when the
exclamation, “ One for his knob,” would come from his lips
with much emphasis.
At length my approach was perceived, when he retreat-
ed toward me, expressing his conviction that he had never
doubted that the Lord would send him succor. After the
104 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
gallant stag had subsided to a neat shoulder-shot, I was
graciously awarded a solution of the situation in which I
discovered him.
“T was singing the ‘Old Hundred,’ and I was in prime
voice ; and didn’t the echoes take it up rejoicingly! for
you see it is the first time that this benighted heathen
land has heard the voice of a Christian, when that beast—
the emissary of the evil one, doubtless— without a bit of
provocation, came ramping at me. There was no mistake
in his intentions, for his eyes were bleared, and I could see
he was panting for my blood. So I thinks of my weapon;
but in my hurry to let it off, I forgot to fetch it to my
cheek; so you see it was a merciful interposition of Provi-
dence that caused the charge to go straight;” and, looking
at the carcass, he spoke a soliloquy about the children of
darkness everssuccumbing to the children of light.
If he had got the weapon to his cheek, our worthy friend
would doubtless have missed the stag, which from its ap-
pearance was rutting, and, like all the deer family when in
that state, exceedingly dangerous.
A month’s residence with the New England school-mas-
ter gave a considerable insight into his character. He was
always trying to be good, very good, unless when temptation
came in his way; and one of these, which he could not re-
sist, was to cheat at cards. At it I again and again detected
him, lectured him in consequence, asserting I would not
play further with him if it re-occurred, and in the very
next deal he would be guilty of the same malpractices; so
at length we both agreed, our stakes being nil, to cheat our
darndest; and from that time forth to see how right and
left bowers, aces, and kings, used to be turned up in that
peaceful, sequestered valley, was something awful, and that
often to the tune of the “Old Hundred.”
During the rutting season terrific combats take place be-.
WAPITTI ANTLERS. 105
tween the claimants for the favor of the fair ones ; and these
battles royal are fought with such vim and determination
that they not unfrequently result in the death of one or
both of the belligerents. Again, the antlers of the contest-
ants occasionally get locked together, so that the owners
find it impossible to disengage themselves, when death
overtakes them in the appalling form of starvation. I was
once shown two grand heads of Wapitti horns at Pembena,
which had been picked up on a tributary of the Upper
Missouri, that had become so interlaced that no effort could
disengage them in their entirety.
The fawns are produced late in spring, and at two years
of age the young bucks exhibit knobs, which in six years
become full heads; however, with further years the horns
continue to spread aud increase in weight, the very old
males exhibiting at the top fork a very obvious palmation.
Mr. Hays, a New York animal artist of great repute,
showed me a pair of Wapitti antlers which he had picked
up in a valley of the Rocky Mountains; they were larger
than any I had previously seen, although I have killed a
very great number of specimens. If memory serves me
correctly, they possessed fifteen points, and weighed fifty-
two pounds. What a splendid stag their owner must have
been! And the trouble and expense of a voyage across the
Atlantic, with the additional fatigue of the land journey to
the hunting-grounds of the red men, would not be thrown
away if the sportsman was certain to be rewarded by the
capture of such a quarry.
CHAPTER VII.
VIRGINIAN DEER.
Tuis beautiful animal, in size, shape, and coloring so near-
ly resembles the fallow deer of English demesnes, that the
one might be taken for the other, if it were not for the char-
acteristic formation of the horns in each, the former hav-
ing the tines pointed forward almost in a perpendicular line
above the eye, while the antlers of the latter are palmated.
Its range is most extensive; being from Canada West to
the Gulf of Mexico, and from the Atlantic sea-board to
New Mexico, north of which a different variety takes its
place, viz., the black-tailed deer. Although the Virginian
deer of late years has greatly decreased in numbers, still
they are to be found in tolerable abundance in portions of
the country within easy access of several of the largest
cities: for instance, in the John Brown’s tract, in Eastern
New York; in the country north and west of Ottawa, in
Upper Canada; and in the Alleghany Mountains ; but, as a
rule, in such situations they are very wild and difficult of
access, as they are incessantly harassed by every visitor or
resident who owns or can borrow a gun. However, good
sport with them can be obtained in many of the Southern
and Western States, more especially in Texas, and in the
country traversed by the upper waters of the Brazos, Red,
and Canadian rivers. If driven into open country, they are
easily overtaken and pulled down by a strong greyhound.
Shot or ball are indifferently used in their pursuit, choice
in your projectiles being guided by whether the nature of
the country is open or wooded.
AY
Se
VIRGINIAN DEER.
PREPARING FOR A DEER-HUNT. 109
The following experiences in its pursuit will give an idea
of its habits, and the. localities where the sportsman may
find. them. Near Vincennes, Indiana, I once knew a man
who was pretty nearly master of the art of deer-stalking, and
he could as well discriminate a good day for this purpose
from an indifferent one as he could a thorough-bred from a
mustang, “No use going out to-day, Cap,” he would say,
in answer to an inquiry; “the woodpeckers have got their
heads up, and the deer are lying: best stop at home;” and
best it always was.
It was in the month of December or January, I can not
precisely state which; but on rising from my bed, to my
surprise I found the ground covered with a few inches of
snow, just sufficient, and none to spare, to track a deer with
a degree of certainty. Now,I was hungry for venison, and
such a chance was not to be let slip. From a very bad
habit, which is unaccountable among many when they go
from home, I had a morning cocktail brewed, and with a
glass in each hand sought the dormitory of my friend, and
over this beverage we discussed the prospects and our plan
of campaign.
The horses were ordered to be in readiness after break-
fast; buck-shot and bullets were hunted out, shooting-
boots greased, and tobacco and pocket-pistols loaded to the
neck and stuffed in our saddle-bags. A hard day we knew
to be before us, so ample justice was done to our meal;
for, sportsmen, rely upon what I say, nothing so material-
ly assists you to withstand fatigue and cold as an ample
breakfast.
A ride of about five miles took us to our ground; but as
our horses were fresh, and we impatient to be at work, the
distance was soon traversed, and we dismounted in a grove
of saplings, well suited to hitch our nags to and shelter them
from the wintry blast.
110 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
While we are performing the necessary operation of
loading, a description of our armament will not be inappro-
priate. Will (as I will call him) had an antiquated, un-
couth rifle, with the old-fashioned double trigger, the sec-
ond to set the hair-spring—an invention I had seldom pre-
viously seen and never used, which, although possessed of
no finish, could shoot “ plumb centre ;” while I myself had
my trusty double-barrel ten-bore, which, from long experi-
ence and association, I was aware had only to be held
straight to do correct work.
A large swamp about half a mile off was a favorite resort
for deer, and to it we directed our steps: but before we
had gone half the distance we came across numercus tracks,
so fresh that we kept a sharp lookout in all directions, hop-
ing every moment to be gratified with the sight of some
antlered monarch. Failing in this, we changed our tactics,
friend Will posting me on the margin of a branch of the
swamp, with my back against the butt of a tree, with in-
structions to remain still and keep‘a sharp lookout, while
he would take a détour, and possibly drive some stragglers
across the run which my position commanded. Slowly,
after Will started, the time passed; the forest appeared
perfectly deserted; not a squirrel or bird showed itself to
break the monotony, except an angry, squabbling family of
woodpeckers, who appeared to have some serious disagree-
ment in reference to the possession of a hole in the trunk
of a dead giant tree. Wet feet are never conducive to
comfort, and much less so when you are prevented from
taking exercise; besides, it was bitterly cold. First I
stood on one leg, then on the other, after the manner of
geese, which birds I began to consider I much resembled,
till at last the inaction became so unendurable that I was
very nearly taking up my gun and starting in pursuit of
my supposed recreant friend.
THE ALARMED BUCK. Jil
As I was about to put my resolution in practice, I
thought I heard a voice, and, on looking in the direction
from whence. it proceeded, I was surprised to see a couple
of hunters, with a cur dog, passing my retreat, about a hun-
dred yards off. He who has shot much in the timber well
knows that, if he remains quiet, the possibility is great that
those moving about may make the game start toward his
retreat. And well it was I did so; for ere five minutes
had passed, a grand old turkey, head down, and going like
a race-horse, ran past; but turkey was not deer, so I let him
go, preferring to be without turkey to braving the wrath
of Will for firing at illegitimate game. How often pa-
tience and forbearance receive their reward ! and so it was
in this instance ; for scarcely had the gobbler gone when a
fine large buck hove in sight. From his manner, he was
evidently alarmed; for every now and then he stopped,
snorted, and continued his route. Unfortunately, he was
heading so as to pass farther off than would afford a good
shot, and the ground was too clear to permit me, with any
prospect of success, to better my position. I had almost
made up my mind not to shoot. However, I changed my
resolution ; for so soon as he came abreast of me, he halted,
and looked around. The temptation I could no longer with-
stand; so, pitching my gun with due elevation, I let drive
the first barrel, with no apparent result, for the deer only
threw up his head and trotted off. The second charge I
quickly determined to put in; and holding well in front
and high, had the satisfaction of seeing his lordship make
a tremendous bound and drop his tail—a certain indication
that some of the shot had taken effect; but the distance
was so great that successful results could scarcely be ex-
pected.
Nothing is so difficult as to obtain a gun that throws
buck-shot well. I am inclined to believe that gun-makers
112 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
have not paid the same amount of attention to discovering
the proper internal construction of barrels, so as to obtain
the greatest range and closeness in throwing this descrip-
tion of projectile. Generally, at the distance of one hun-
dred yards, the side of a barn would be none too large a
target to be certain of hitting; and again, occasionally a
barrel will make an unusually good pattern at one dis-
charge, while at the next it will be quite the reverse; so
that hitting a deer at a hundred yards I consider more the
result of luck than good guiding, if charged with buck-shot.
After waiting for nearly a quarter of an hour, I was join-
ed by my friend, who at once inquired what I had shot at;
but when I told him the distance, he only laughed one of
those peculiar, little dry laughs which, as plainly as words,
said, “ You’re a fool if you expect to eat any of that car-
cass.” Nevertheless, we together inspected the track, and
I had not even the gratification to find blood. Well, Will
was for giving it up, but I wished to follow it out; so after
using all his powers of persuasion and argument in favor
of his views, he succumbed, and consented for once to be
dictated to.
For over a mile we followed our game. The line was
straight, and the track distinct; moreover, the gait was
steady, if one could judge from the regularity of the im-
pressions; and there was naught to indicate that we might
not with as great propriety follow any animal in these bot-
tom-lands at which a shot had never been fired. “Will was
going ahead, leading, and your humble‘servant bringing up
the rear, when the former suddenly halted and turned round.
From the expression of his face I knew something was up,
but was scarcely prepared for the information he gave.
“Look here,” said he; “you have hit that deer, Cap, toler-
ably badly, and I suspect we shall get him yet; his foreleg
is disabled, and he can’t travel far without our overhauling
*
FOLLOWING THE TRAIL. 113
him.” On inquiring how he gained his information, he
pointed to the tracks; and, sure enough, the off fore-foot,
instead of making a clean impression, cut the snow for
nearly a foot. whenever raised off the ground. “You see,”
said he, chuckling, “he don’t use both alike, for it’s all he
can do to get this one up.” There was no gainsaying such
conclusive evidence; and with renewed ardor we sharpened
the pace of pursuit, alternately changing places, one being
constantly on the lookout while the other tracked. Once
or twice we got sight of the deer, but too far off, or for
too limited ‘a period, to shoot; but the view was always
cheering. Forward we pressed, exultingly hoping that each
minute would finish the hunt; but the deer thought other-
wise, for he was of a most unaccommodating disposition.
Soon it became apparent that the confounded brute was
traveling the same circle, and that, unless we altered our
plans, we might be kept going till dark; and as we were
not disposed to work harder than necessary, it was agreed:
that I should drop behind and take up my stand in the
most eligible place, while Will continued the pursuit with
the hope of driving our wily foe past my ambush. Though
the plan was well devised, it failed in execution; for, after
an hour’s tedious delay, my companion rejoined me, dis-
gusted and dispirited, heaping anathemas upon the foe,
pronouncing him to be one of the very foxiest brutes he
had ever come across, After all our trouble, it would nev-
er do thus to be defeated ; so I proposed doing the track-
ing while he took a stand, at the same time changing guns
at his request.
Full of hope, and animated with the desire of distin-
guishing myself, I pushed forward with renewed energy.
At first the trail was tolerably clear, but after some time
it led and twisted in every direction through innumerable
hog-paths. Never was I so sorely puzzled to keep correct ;
114 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
but with perseverance and care I managed to carry the
track almost across to clear ground, where I suddenly lost
all signs, and was completely brought to a stand-still. I
was aware that all dodges were practiced, more particular-
ly when deer feel the effects of increasing weakness and
incapacity for further exertion; so, hoping that fortune
would favor me, I determined, like a skillful fox-hunter, to
make a cast completely round the disturbed ground. After
the loss of twenty minutes, I fortunately again struck the
trail, which, to my surprise, led in a reverse direction;
clearly indicating that the deer had retraced his steps
probably in the same track, and thus, by this cunning de-
vice, almost succeeded in eluding his pursuer. The trail of
the animal now became more irregular, and the tell-tale
track of the wounded limb greatly assisted me in distin-
guishing his footsteps from those of his fellows, which on
every opportunity he selected; but ail having failed to
throw me off so far, the deer adopted a new ruse, which
under other circumstances would have been eminently
agreeable to the sportsman, but in this instance made me
so savage that I would have indulged in the amiable weak-
ness of breaking the gun-stock over the nearest tree, if it
had not been that my friend might not see the joke of his
rifle being thus treated.
So intent was I watching the tracks, that I did not ob-
serve the exhausted deer had halted. Becoming alarmed
by my near approach, and deeming it advisable to make
a fresh effort to place distance between us, he again put
forth renewed energy. The brush, unfortunately, was so
remarkably dense, that although I got several glimpses of
his tawny hide, still never for sufficient length of time to
get afair chance to shoot, and I was unwillingly compelled
to keep tracking. About fifty yards from where I stood, a
small river, not over ninety feet across, named the Amba-
AN OBSTINATE TRIGGER. 115
ras, wound its sluggish, peaceful way toward its parent
stream, the Wabash; and direct for the nearest part of
this river the deer had gone. Still I could not bring my-
self to believe that a buck at this season, with plenty of ice
in the water, would hazard an aquatic performance; but
my doubts were soon solved; for, on reaching the margin,
with surprise I saw the deer upon the ledge of ice attached
to the bank struggling violently to keep his footing, the
disabled leg, which appeared to hang powerless, evidently
now causing serious inconvenience to his progress over the
slippery surface. Such an opportunity to finish my work
was not to be neglected; so, cocking the rifle, I pitched it
forward and drew a bead, but still no report followed. All
my power and exertion could not pull the trigger. Again
and again I looked at the lock, and essayed another effort,
but with the same result. At length, in despair, I desisted ;
and the deer, having altered his mind, came ashore and dis-
appeared through the tangled brake. Of course, to exam-
ine the gun and inform myself what was wrong was my
first thought. My surprise may be well imagined when,
with all my endeavors, I could not get the hammer down;
there it would stand; not a particle of compromise was
in the confounded thing. All my skill in mechanism was
called into play, all my past experience put to use; and
* not until my patience was nearly exhausted did I discover
the use of the second trigger. Discouraged I was; but
whether most at my own stupidity or want of luck I know
not. Still hoping for another chance, I followed on in no
very amiable frame of mind.
Time fled, and the long shadows of the trees told of the
rapid approach of night; still not a sight did I further get
of the buck; and to add to my troubles, the tracks a sec-
ond time led through ground that hogs had lately fed over.
Never was I so sorely puzzled. Backward and forward I
116 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
searched, my eyes nearly strained to bursting, till at length
I was compelled to give up the chase. On looking round
to find out as nearly as possible my situation, the better
and more directly to return to my horse, I espied a splen-
did wild turkey busy feeding not over thirty yards off, and
still unaware of my presence. Sheltering myself behind a
fallen log, I took sight along my barrel, determining inward-
ly to have some reward for my labor; but although this
time I worked the trigger correctly, nothing but the explo-
sion of the cap took place; in fact, the rifle had missed fire.
The turkey, frightened at the noise, lowered his head, ran
about twenty yards, then stopped, and looked around, still
ignorant of the cause of his alarm. Substituting a new cap
and again taking sight was but the work of afew moments,
but still the gun refused to explode. I now sprung my
ramrod and placed on the nipple another cap, but the result
was as before; and the turkey having become conscious
that he was in a dangerous neighborhood, sought safety in
flight. How often a day’s shooting is one tissue of blun-
ders from morning till night! and so it was in this case.
First, the game had passed too far from my stand; second-
ly, changing guns had lost me the deer; and, thirdly, the
carelessness of my friend in not sheltering his gun from the
damp was the reason of my not having turkey for a future
day’s dinner.
Tired, hungry, and bad-tempered, I struck off direct for
my horse, expecting to have little more than a milé to walk;
but with surprise, after having traveled that distance, I
found I was turned round and lost. Already it was sunset;
half an hour more would make it dark, and the bottom-land
which I was now wandering through was as intricate, dense-
ly covered a swamp as ever was inhabited by wild-cat. The
season of the year, moreover, was not exactly the one to se-.
lect for making your couch on the surface of mother earth,
A REGISTERED VOW. 117
and visions of a good dinner, comfortable fire, and dry
clothes floated before me. Hark! what is that—a dog
barking? And so it was. ForwardI pushed to the sound,
and, in doing so, came across a road, which, on inspection,
I recognized as one we had traversed in the morning. The
rest of the programme for that day was plain sailing. I
found my pony where he was left, my friend’s horse being
gone; so, concluding Will had made tracks for home, I
mounted my fiery little nag, and with a sufficiently tight
rein to guard against accidents, rattled homie almost at ra-
cing pace. It was nearly two hours afterward that Will
turned up, wet and exhausted—down upon his luck, and
deer in particular — vowing that he would be up with the
sun in the morning, and not return till he could boast of
not having been beaten by a broken-legged deer when there
was enough snow to track. My defeat had similarly oper-
ated on myself,so that we mutually agreed to devote the
morrow, blow or snow, to re-establish our tarnished honor.
The morning was well suited for our task, still and clear,
with just sufficient frost in the atmosphere to give zest to
traveling. The track was easily found, my back track be-
ing taken as the guide.
In ten minutes we again had our game afoot, but with-
out getting a shot, the animal having doubled round before
lying down, and, consequently, rising behind us. The bed
where he had passed the night was soiled with blood, and
other indications were such as to justify us in hoping early
success. Although perseverance is generally rewarded, it
was not so on this occasion. Hour after hour slipped by,
the game appeared to moderate its pace in accordance with
ours—just keeping sufficiently ahead to be out of range.
The badness of the walking (for a thaw had commenced),
the continued disappointment, and the difficulty of follow-
ing through the bush, commenced to operate upon our
118 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
spirits, and, but that we struck a more open range of coun-
try, where the traveling was better, doubtless we would
have given up. However, being in the vicinity of our
ponies, we determined to continue the pursuit on horse-
back, hoping to get a view, in crossing some opening, where
we could give the buck a run of a few minutes, with the
expectation that a sharper gait might break him down;
but luck continued adverse. Time was rapidly gliding by,
a few hours more would bring on night, and, as far as we
could see, the prospect of a termination was as distant as
ever. Want of success or fatigue made us careless, and as
we slowly wended our unthankful way—first one in front,
then the other, talking aloud, deploring our misfortune, and
paying but little attention to the surroundings, unsports-
man-like on such an occasion—my pony (for I was in-front)
suddenly shied, turning almost completely round, and at
the same time brought me excessively near getting a spill.
And what do you imagine was the cause of this want of
propriety in so experienced a steed? Simply this: the deer
had lain down, and we had almost ridden over him. To
wheel round and try to bring my gun to bear was the work
of a few seconds, but all my exertions and rapidity of mo-
tion were thrown away. The pony would not stand still;
he had evidently been frightened, or perhaps was still in
ignorance of what caused the alarm. Moreover, my ma-
neuvring so directly intervened between my friend and
the game that, for fear of peppering me, he dared not fire.
To turn round and look at one another, first sulkily, but
afterward to burst into a roar of laughter at the absurdity
of the whole thing, was the result, each agreeing that the
buck had well earned his safety, and that two such awk-
ward devils had no right to a feast of venison resulting from
that hunt, and therefore we had better acknowledge that we
were beaten handsomely, and that by a buck on three legs.
THE BIG BUCK. 119
- On the following occasion the results were different. In
the autumn of 186-, when traveling across the Grand
Prairie, about one hundred and fifty miles north of where
the last episode occurred, I was caught in the first snow-
storm of the season. The vicinity was but sparsely settled,
and from the thickness of the drift our charioteer lost his
way, and after getting mired times without number, and
enduring one of the most disagreeable nights out-of-doors
it is possible to imagine, we reached the village of Kent.
Under ordinary circumstances it would have presented no
great inducements, but the large wood-fire that blazed in
the bar-room of the diminutive tavern, after our protracted —
night of hardship, possessed such attractions, that I deter-
mined to lay over for a couple of days. The neighborhood
was well stocked with game, I learned the following even-
ing, when I presented myself among the habitués, who
commonly made this public-house their place of rendezvous
after the toils of the day. No small portion of the conver-
sation was in reference to a buck, who for years had con-
stantly been seen, yet none of the heretofore successful
hunters had been able to circumvent him. It was evident
that this animal was of no ordinary size, as he was dubbed
by all with the sobriquet of the Big Buck; and one regular
old Leather-stocking, whose opinion was always listened to
with the reverence due to an authority, ventured to assert
that he believed the bullet would never be moulded that
would tumble him (the buck) in his tracks. This extraor-
dinary deer had almost escaped my memory, and I was
resting over my next morning’s pipe, and beginning to
fear that my visit was longer than necessary, for there was
absolutely nothing to do but to eat and sleep, unless the
prices of pork, corn, or wheat had possessed interest, when
aman from the timber land arrived with a load of wood,
and held the following conversation with the mixer of mint-
120 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
juleps, cocktails, ete. ‘Abe, have you e’er a shooting-iron
that you can loan this coon ?”
Abe having replied in the negative, and inquired the rea-
son, was told that the most alfiatest big buck had crossed
the road about a mile off, and gone into the squire’s corn.
Quietly going to my bedroom, I unpacked my heaviest
gun, a ten-bore, in which I have particular faith, and hav-
ing noted the route that the teamster had come by, I fol-
lowed the back track of his sled, and true enough found
the prints of a very heavy buck. The day was still young,
myself in good walking trim, and with an internal deter-
mination not to be beaten, except night overtook me, and
very probably with the hope to show the neighbors that a
Britisher was good for some purposes, I followed the track
with unusually willing steps and light heart. To get into
the corn-field the buck had jumped the snake-fence, and
afterward doubled back; and as the wind did not suit for
me to enter at the same place, I made a considerable détour.
In my right barrel I had sixteen buck-shot, about the size
that would run one hundred to the pound, and a bullet in
the left. As the corn had not yet been gathered, and the
undergrowth of cuckle-burs and other weeds was tolerably
dense, I had little doubt but that I should get sufficiently
close to make use of the former. An old stager like my
quarry, I knew from experience would be desperately
sharp, so with the utmost caution I advanced up wind, eyes
and ears strained to the utmost tension. I had only got
about a fourth of the field traversed, when I heard some
voices right to windward encouraging a dog to hold a pig.
The noise of the men, dog, and porker I concluded would
start the game off in the reverse direction, so hurriedly re-
tracing my steps, I regained the fence, got over it, and
took my stand at an angle that stretched close to a slough
which was densely covered with a growth of various
WOUNDING THE BIG BUCK. 121
aquatic weeds and bushes. In about five minutes after
gaining my position, I-was greeted by a sight of the beau-
ty, who. hopped the fence where there was a broken rail,
and, gaining the opening, for a moment halted, then toss-
ing up his head, offered me a fair cross-shot nearly eighty
yards distant. Pitching my gun well in front, I pulled the
trigger, and well I knew not fruitlessly, for he gave a
short protracted jump, dropped his white tail close into his
hams, and with an increased pace disappeared in the swamp.
Unless the wound was mortal, or so severe as to serious-
ly incommode him, I was certain he would not be satisfied
to remain in such close propinquity to danger, so, after
reloading, I made a détour to find where he had left this
cover to seek one more retired. My conjecture was cor-
rect, for, after traveling nearly half a mile, I found the fa-
miliar tell-tale track. The-snow was in pretty good order,
both for tracking and walking, and I did not let the grass
grow under my feet. As yet I had seen no signs of blood,
which the more thoroughly impressed me.that my lead had
made more than a skin-wound. In about an hour’s walk-
ing, I found myself on the edge of another slough, which I
was hesitating whether to enter or go round, when I espied
‘my friend, some way beyond range, going over a neighbor-
ing swell of the prairie. Of course.I cut off the angle and
cast forward to where the view was obtained, and as I rose
the swell, in the distance I saw my friend at a stand-still,
evidently anxiously scrutinizing my direction. My cap was
of a very light color, so I concluded he did not see me, and
my supposition was again correct, for after .a few minutes
he relaxed his pace, and turning at right angles, walked into
a small expanse of dense rushes, interspersed with an occa-
sional stunted willow. In deer-shooting, if you suppose an
animal severely wounded, never hurry him; if he once lie
down, and you give him time to stiffen, you will. not have
6
122 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
half the trouble in his ultimate capture that you would
have by constantly keeping him on the move. So I prac-
ticed in this instance; carefully for ten or fifteen minutes
I watched that he did not leave the cover; then, having
concluded that he had laid down, I quietly lighted my pipe,
and dawdled away an hour more. Deeming that I had
granted sufficient law, I renewed operations and pushed
forward; the track was very irregular in length of pace
from where he had reduced his gait to a walk, and several
times, from want of lifting his feet high enough, he had
plowed the surface of the snow with his toes. An old
deer-stalker will know these symptoms; a young one may
without harm remember them. Having cautiously fol-
lowed the trail three parts of the way across the cover, and
almost commenced to think I would have done better by
waiting half an hour longer, the buck jumped up within
twenty yards, heading straight from. me, when I gave him
the contents a second time of the right-hand barrel in the
back of his head.
The distance was too great to remove him home that
day, so, cutting a branch off a willow, I affixed my hand-
kerchief to it, and left this banner waving to denote pos-
session, also to furnish a hint to the prairie-wolves that they
had better steer clear. That night at the tavern bar, in
the most ostentatious manner, in presence of the assembled
crowd, I ordered a team to be got ready in the morning to
bring in the Big Buck; old Leather-stocking, sotto voce, re-
marking that I had not been reared on the right soil to be
able to come that game. However, next morning, when I
arrived with my trophy, the crowd congratulated me, while
Leather-stocking remarked that he knew not what the world
was coming to, by G—4d, when a Britisher, with a bird-gun,
could kill the biggest buck in Illinois. In conclusion, I would
say that in skinning we found that at the first. shot one grain
SNAKE ISLAND. 123
‘had gone through the lungs, while two more had lodged
farther back. The gross weight of this deer was one hun-
dred and eighty-four pounds.
Shooting deer driven to water by hounds is a very com-
mon method adopted in autumn for their destruction.
While visiting in Canada West, I chanced to make the
acquaintance of a young Highlander ardently devoted to
the chase, and who, when he found that I was also a would-
be disciple of the chaste Diana, at once proposed, as the
season was suitable and business affairs did not interfere,
that we should start for the gigantic and then unbroken
woods which covered the township of Oro, lying on the
edge of that placid sheet of water, so well known for its
lovely woodland scenery, Lake Simcoe. After a long, te-
dious walk over the most villainous roads that ever unfor-
tunate was condemned to traverse, we arrived late at night
opposite Snake Island, then inhabited by a remnant of the
once numerous and powerful Chippewa Indians. The dis-
tance across to. this island retreat was too far for our lungs
to inform its denizens that two benighted travelers were
desirous of joining them, and, as there was no boat, a camp-
fire and blanket were required to do duty for roof and
feather-bed. But, alas! our limbs and bones were demoral-
ized from our former life, and absolutely refused to be sat-
isfied, so that both tossed, fumed, and fretted till the sun
thought proper to make his re-appearance. Nor was this
all; a scoundrelly wolf, whose midnight propensities for
serenading had taken hold of his thoughts, kept up a most
objectionable chant, however pleasing it might have been
to his lady-love, till we wished the brute in Jericho, or any
other remote district; not only that, but I will not say
that fear had not a little to do with my feelings, for I can
distinctly remember, as I listened, my blood became exceed-
ingly cold and stagnant, my hands clammy, and my throat
124 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
parched. Moreover, all the stories I had ever read of the
sanguinary propensities of these scourges of the distant set-
tlements, from “Little Red Riding Hood” to “ Robinson
Crusoe,” recurred vividly to my recollection.
However, quiet came with the sun, and, after a few in-
effectual efforts, we succeeded in attracting the attention
of a worthy redskin, who, for a trifling remuneration, land-
ed us in the precincts of his island domicile. Our business
was soon made known, and a hunting-party was organized
in an inexpressibly short time. The inner man was still to
be satisfied, and, on making our wants known, we were
borne off willing captives to the grandest and most capa-
cious log-cabin, no less a worthy than a chief assuming the
responsibility of providing us with breakfast. I can not
help here mentioning a little episode which, although it had
not the appetizing effect of Worcestershire sauce, chutney,
a squeeze of lemon, or other familiar auxiliaries, still had
its influence on our then pleading stomachs. Sun-fish was
destined for the standing dish, and as the good old squaw
had a very small frying-pan and a large stock of the above
finny treasures to operate upon, it behooved her to make
several cookings; and, to prevent the results of her first
efforts getting cold while the second lot were undergoing
culinary operations, the aged matron, with a talent that de-
noted great skill in adapting herself immediately to circum-
stances, snatched a very battered and greasy straw hat off
the head of one of the filthiest youngsters, and made it do
duty for dish-cover. Of course, any squeamishness would
have been a base return for the anxiety displayed that we
should not eat our morning repast cold. An hour after-
ward we were all en route, three buoyant, graceful birch-
barks transferring the party, which was now augmented to
ten, and three half-fed hounds, to the opposite beach.
Well, all that forenoon to midday we tramped, tramped,
PASSENGER PIGEONS. 125
’ tramped; the only alteration in the performance being an
occasional halt, when an acute observation of some sign
would cause comments from all parties, excepting we two
pale-faces. First, it would be a broken twig; next, an in-
dentation of the ground; and, thirdly, what would not have
appeared to the uninitiated a rarity in sheep pastures. Al-
though this was all Greek to us, we determined to look
knowing, say nothing, and possibly, like many another un-
der similar circumstances, get credit for being perfect Nim-
rods. A halt was at length called, and old Chief John, no
small-bug, spoke like an oracle. The deer had gone to the
big swamp, and if we wanted buck we must go there. Off
again we started, I having come to the determination that
the whole thing was a humbug, and that I would slip off
the first available opportunity. The desired chance soon
offered, and after half an hour’s walking I struck the mar-
gin of the lake where the canoes had been left. Another I
found before me at this rendezvous, which helped much to
console me for not being the only deserter. We had not
long been dawdling and attempting to kill time, when some
pigeons came down to drink; so, drawing my buck- shot,
and replacing it with No. 6,I came to the conclusion, as I
could not have venison, I would try and procure some of
them. Nor was I unsuccessful, for soon half a dozen long-
tails (the wild pigeons of America have long tails) swelled
the voluminous proportions of my pockets. There is an
end to all things, and even pigeons got wary of our prox-
imity, and a second period of inaction followed. However,
the scenery was pretty, the foliage brilliant, the tempera-
ture pleasant, and a hunter might be far less comfortably
situated.
Time was passing rapidly, the sun was fast dipping into
the horizon, and consequently our indefatigable friends could
not much longer be absent. Thus I thought, when Master
126 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
Redskin jumped suddenly out of a canoe in which he had
been lolling, clapped his ear to the ground, exciting greatly
my curiosity, and remained in that ludicrous and ungrace-
ful position for some minutes. On asking him for an ex-
planation, naught but a grunt could I get for an answer,
ca
us Aha
PASSENGER PIGEONS.
and a non-describable wave of the hand, as if to invoke si-
lence. After manceuvring thus, my nearly exhausted pa-
tience received the explanation that one of the hounds was
running a deer, and that they were coming this way. Im-
mediately afterward I was bundled into a canoe, and al-
though I had never previously handled a paddle, was forced
AN EXCITING CHASE. 127
to take one of those implements and attempt a trial; but
no tise—the obstinate composition of birch-bark would only *
spin round and make most indisputable signs of objection
to its freight, which were manifested by the gunwale sev-
eral times taking in water, so that my now irate companion
almost got out of his wits with rage. At length I attained
a slight dexterity, and succeeded, assisted by the skillful
steering of the Chippewa, in propelling our frail boat un-
der a cedar that grew on the termination of a promontory.
Whatever might have been my doubts before as to my
friend’s assertion that game was afoot, they were now dis-
sipated ; for, true enough, the deep voice of a hound could
be distinctly heard resounding through the forest, and com-
ing toward us; every bound he spoke, till the echoes and
his voice were blended in one prolonged, deep, musical note.
My pulsation increased as the music approached, my whole .
nervous system was in a state of extreme tension; even
clasping my gun, setting my teeth, only gave me tempo-
rary relief, and never from that day to this has my excite-
ment been so intense. “Look! look!” said the Indian, and,
following the direction of his hand, I saw a splendid doe-
breasting the water and heading for the middle of the lake.
Like all green hands, my first prompting was to start in
pursuit; but my more wily friend put a veto on that prop-
osition, begging me to restrain my impatience till the quar-
ry got well out from land. Long—very long—appeared the
next few moments. But it was evident I was not boss*—
only a deck-hand of very ordinary acquirements. Remon-
strance was, therefore, out of the question; so submission,
with the best possible grace, was adopted. By this time
the doe had got nearly a quarter of a mile oat—for few
‘animals swim so fast as deer—when the signal was given
* American for ‘‘ master.”
128 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
to commence the chase. Never did oarsman more ener-,
getically pull—never did race-horse more gallantly strug-
gle; every thew, every muscle was brought into play, and
what I lacked in skill was made up in vim. It, however, .
took all the dusky gentleman’s skill to keep the craft’s head
straight. For many minutes we did not appear to have
gained an inch; the perspiration ran down my face, and ,
even lodged in my eyes; but there was no time for rest, no
desire for respite; each succeeding stroke equaled its pred-
ecessor in, strength. At length we commenced gaining—
a further inducement to renewed exertion—and the paddle
was dipped deeper, and handled still more swiftly. Inch
by inch we crept up, at first slowly, then more rapidly, till
but twenty yards severed the victim and the destroyer. I
was about to drop my paddle and seize my gun, when’ Mas-
ter Redskin informed me, “Not time yet!” On we ad-
vanced; ten feet at most intervened. Mr. Chippewa gave:
the desired permission, and as I pitched my gun to the
shoulder he veered the canoe a point or two to the right.
A sharp report followed, and the water boiled with the in-
effectual efforts of the stricken animal. Quickly the birch-
bark was shot up, and just as the deer was disappearing it
was grabbed by the ear, and after several ineffectual efforts
lifted-on board. Know you, reader, that a dead deer will
sink; and although I remembered it not at the time of.
drawing the trigger, my double-barrel was loaded with
No. 6, which at that short range, and pointed at the back
of the head, almost instantaneously destroyed vitality; and,
however easy it may be to lift a heavy body into a boat,
it is a different thing to bring a dead deer into a birch;
canoe. : ;
On our way to shore we picked up the hound, which:
was taken. on board, and enjoyed himself by licking the
blood that trickled from the shot-holes. Feeling fatigued
A DELIGHTFUL RETREAT. 129
from my severe exertions, I halted for a few moments, and
commenced handling our trophy, when the confounded dog
flew at me, inflicting a most disagreeable impression of his
ivories on the palm of my hand—a habit, I believe, he had
with all, excepting his owner; which peculiarity, doubtless,
was much approved of by him, but was far from raising
this canine in my estimation.
Close to Lake Champlain, in the State of New York, is
situated an immense range of wild land, called the Adiron-
dacks; here Virginian deer are still numerous. The excel-
lence of the fishing to be obtained there, also the beauty of
scenery, makes it one of the most delightful retreats for
either sportsmen or lovers of nature.
6*
CHAPTER VIII.
THE PRONG-HORNED ANTELOPE.
From the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean, and
from the Gulf of Mexico to about the fiftieth degree of
north latitude, this beautiful animal at one time ranged.
Now, however, from the same causes as have restricted the
habitats of other large American game, the prong-horned
antelope will only be found on the great prairies that lay
on the eastern margin of the Rocky Mountains, and in the
vast plains of Sonora and North-western Mexico; for, from
their wonderful fleetness and extreme watchfulness, horses
and hounds are useless in their pursuit. Frequently, how-
ever, they are brought within range of the sportsman by
waving a colored handkerchief or other unknown object.
This must always be done down wind, care at the same
time being taken to conceal every part of the person. I
can imagine no weapon better suited for killing this game
than the new express rifle. In no description of field-sports
that I know of will the skill of the stalker be better tried
than in pursuit of this handsome indigenous game; and if
your shot should be a running one, and you do your work
in a clean and workman-like manner, you will deserve all
praise, for you have caused to bite the dust the swiftest, in
my belief, of all quadrupeds; in fact, their speed is such
that the eye can scarcely follow the action of their limbs.
Yet their gait is not low and close to the ground, but a
succession of rather lofty bounds, and performed with such
surprising ease, that it causes the beholder to wonder how
the frame of any creature can sustain uninjured such a tre-
mendous strain.
WIDE AWAKE. 131
The prong-horned antelope is the only species of the
genus, and is about the size of Cervus Virginianus, both
graceful and elegant in form and action. Well may the
Americans be proud of possessing the only representative
of the race; for when the antelope is seen on the boundless
prairies of the Far West, untrammeled by limit, free to go
and return as they choose, the impressions caused will nev-
er be effaced, nor a better representation of perfect inde-
pendence and freedom beheld.
In referring to my diary, I find the following narrative
of a day’s shooting:
- “Cap, are you asleep?” Such was the welcome sound
that informed me that some one else was awake besides
myself. Such a night I do not think I had ever previous-
ly passed, and trust shall never have to.again. To ask a
man nurtured in a Christian land whether he was asleep!
—the thing is perfectly preposterous: a gale of wind blow-
ing the entire night, with drops of rain as large and so nu-
merous that a brick wall would scarcely have repelled them,
let alone a flimsy break-wind composed of green boughs,
yet these Western companions of mine slept. Half a doz
en times I determined to rout them out, and as often gave
up the idea: for one was quarrelsome whenever his rest
was disturbed; the other had a disagreeable way of telling
the most doleful stories, and keeping the listeners in a con-
stant state of excitement, for in every shadow, every move-
ment of the horses, every unusual sound, he professed to
see an indication that a whole tribe of Indians, fully decked
with war-paint, and thirsting for scalps, were about to make
an onslaught on our defenseless bivouac. Further, I must
inform my readers that Cap is an abbreviation of captain,
used over the Western portion of the United States for every
man who has borne arms, whether in the militia or regulars ;
whether he has been a full private or only a camp-follower.
132 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
Yes, I was awake, as wide awake as a pool of water un-
der each arm, each knee, and every protuberant portion
of the figure, could make me. With an anathema against
weather, country, and outdoor life, I sprang up, and will-
ingly busied myself in raking together the fragments of.
what had been a fire; long and tedious were the efforts to
coax a blaze, but at length the reward of patience was vouch-
safed, and, in spite of the almost insurmountable obstacles,
a sufficient heat was obtained by which to cook the débris
of last night’s supper, the sole remnants of provisions the
larder could boast of.
At the time to which I allude we were on a branch or
small fork that flowed from the south into the Pawnee Riv-
er. I and my companions had come from the westward,
and had experienced as hard a time as it is possible to con-
ceive; we had been about two weeks together, and although
I am doubtful of the propriety of picking up strange ac-
quaintances when beyond civilization, those squeamish ideas
never enter the heads of Western habitués; a white man
is always a friend until he proves himself to be otherwise,
and then it is your own lookout that he does not get the
upper hand. Wild life makes you wonderfully wide awake,
and although an apparent bonhomie may lay on the sur-
face, a constant guarded caution should never be neglected.
My new pals, however, were really good fellows, a little ec-
centric, for each was in the habit of picking his teeth with
his bowie-knife; but they were honest, plucky, and endur.
ing, ready to face whatever emergency occurred, and pret-
ty certain to get out of it if a bold hand and quick eye
could be of avail. . Breakfast ! what a misnomer for a few
mouthfuls of half-charred, half-cooked pieces of tough
venison! what a contrast with one of our home hunting-
feeds that bear the same sobriquet ; still I doubt much
whether patés de fois gras, game-pies, and spiced round
“BROOMSTICK.” 133
of beef, were ever relished with more gusto than was that
meal.
After the viands had disappeared, over the consoling,
soothing pipe, our course for the day was discussed, and,
as the rain had ceased and clouds lifted, giving every pros-
pect of fine weather, it was decided that we should remain
another night where we were, and in the mean time each
start in different directions to seek for a supply of game,
to prevent our going supperless to rest, and resuming our
journey on the morrow with empty stomachs.
I had a horse. From his wonderful formation and ‘in-
tense ugliness, I dubbed him “ Broomstick ;” he was truly
a doleful beast, to look at; no amount of food seemed to do
him any good; he always looked in the last stage of con-
sumption, although his capacity of stowage of forage was
immense; nor did he ever lose a chance to get a cow-kick
at the unwary, or make his teeth meet in the flesh of the
too confiding. Broomstick, from having lately had an eas-
ier time than my other mount, was selected for the day’s
work, and with expressions of grief that would break the
heart of the most obdurate, he submitted to be saddled; I
returning every few minutes to take an extra‘pull upon the
girths, for the villain would expan himself on such occa-
sions like a pouter-pigeon, so that when you imagined you
had got safely seated, and ready to start, by a succession
of the most mulish and awkward buck-jumps, the saddle
would get forward beyond where his withers ought to have
been, and naught but wonderful skill in the laws of equita-
tion or fortune would prevent the rider from kissing moth-
er earth, Now Broomstick could go, if you knew how to
take it out of him, and that was accomplished by com-
mmencing with a high hand from the start, and giving him
“the brumagems” every pace or two, and twice as often if
you felt his back getting up (which he used to roach after
134 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
the manner of a half-starved sow), or at.any attempt to put
his head down.
After a few ineffectual efforts which my steed made,
showing an inclination to differ from me in opinion, we
jogged on comfortably for several miles along the edge of
prairie and timber, the usual markings of water - courses.
The sun was near midday, and still no game was to be
seen. In quiet, retired situations like this, such is an un-
healthy sign; for game is not in the habit of leaving a
favorite feeding- ground without reason. Discouraged at
want of success, I dismounted, fastening up Bucephalus,
and took my pipe again into confidence. On an old rotten
limb of a partially decayed button-wood a family of red-
headed woodpeckers were busily at work, making the
woods echo with the violence of their tapping. Watching:
the sprightly movements of these active little beauties, I
became totally absorbed in their energetic pursuits, when a
half-snort and uneasy movement on the part of my horse
caused me to look round; and well I did so, for about forty
yards off, leisurely feeding, were about thirty full-grown
wild turkeys. My smooth-bore had ball in each barrel, but
as I had two or three loads of buck-shot. in my pouch, I
determined to substitute it. To the shelter of a log, like a
snake, I glided, to perform the change of missiles, and was
about to draw the last fragment of myself out of sight,
when the confounded warning of a rattlesnake sounded so
close, that I involuntarily gave a jump to avoid the threat-
ening danger, thus exposing myself to the turkeys, who took
wing, without affording me a chance of a shot; so turkey-
less I was compelled to remain; but you may bet that snake
never scared any one afterward. He was one of the largest
and most venomous of his family, being quite five feet long,
as yellow as gold along the abdomen, and possessed of six-
teen rattles. _He belonged to the variety which generally.
DROVES OF ANTELOPES, 135
goes by the name of timber-snake, much larger and ‘totally
different in color from the prairie rattlesnake, or massa-
sauga, which is always black, and never exceeds eighteen or
twenty inches in length.
Having found no game in the timber, I struck out for the
open land, and, riding several miles, I saw two small droves
of antelopes. This beautiful animal is very difficult to
stalk; but as there appeared to be no other means of get-
ting on intimate terms with them, I hobbled my horse, and
taking advantage of all intervening obstacles, managed un-
seen to get within five hundred yards. Farther. approach
now looked impossible, and I had almost relinquished the
idea, when it struck me that, by making a slight détour to
leeward, I could find shelter from a dip that appeared to
lead in the direction of the game. On hands and knees,
slowly I crossed the open, my stomach almost on the ground.
The antelopes still continued feeding; so far they had not
been alarmed. Twenty yards more would again place me
under cover. He who wishes successfully to stalk game
must never deem precaution thrown away. On the care
with which you pass over an open space depends often the
success of your labor. With a feeling of gratification I re-
gained shelter, and such shelter as I was able to take the
“twists and knots out of my legs and arms with the con-
sciousness that I could do so without imperiling success.
A few moments’ inspection of the game sufficed. With
renewed care, slowly but steadily, I made for the shelter of
an unusually high prairie-dog’s earth. From the back of
it I would be within eighty or a hundred yards of my prey.
The antelopes, perfectly ignorant of my presence, were
quietly feeding, while occasionally one or two of the young-
sters, like kids, would shake their heads at each other, rear
up, or stamp with their feet, and make other grotesque
threatenings of attack. The prospect of venison was now
136 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
in the ascendant. I commenced to believe my eggs near
enough hatched to count them chickens, when a confounded
prairie-dog, who doubtless had been watching all my strat-
egy, uttered his shrill, quick whistle, and took a header into.
his burrow. This was enough; the antelopes simultane-
ously closed into a bunch, and with every sense strained,’
looked eagerly around for the cause of alarm. A closer
stalk was impossible—the movement of a mouse could not
escape their notice; so, springing on one knee, I pulled both
triggers almost simultaneously, taking sight for the near-
est of the ruck. As the smoke lifted, with satisfaction I be-:
held two victims, one apparently dead, the other making vio-
lent efforts to get upon his pins; while the remainder of the
drove were scampering across the prairie at such a pace as
these animals only are capable of going. As quickly as
possible I reloaded my gun, and on advancing to bleed my
victims, the wounded buck got his legs under him, and had
I not given him the right barrel—a nice clean shot at fifty
yards tumbling him all of a heap—I should have been left
with only a single prize.
After bleeding my trophies, I went after Broomstick,
who, like all. perverse beasts, had grazed off at as rapid a
pace as possible, in exactly the reverse direction to that
wanted. Oh, Broomstick, you provoking brute! was ever
an unfortunate sportsman so tortured by having to endure
the vagaries of so ugly and obstinate a steed? Venting
my indignation on his sparsely-covered ribs, and giving
him every second stride a reminder that his owner was on
his back, I hurried back to my quarry, in the hope of mak-
ing camp at an early hour, and having a good fire before
my comrades returned. Nor was I too soon, for already a
coyote had scented blood, and was about to whet his sharp:
tusks on the results of my labor. With considerable hoist-'
ing, and not until I had blindfolded my mount, I got both.
SHOOTING ANTELOPES. 137
antelopes on my nag’s back, where I lashed them fast with
the lariat to the cantle of the saddle. Swinging myself into
the pig-skin, congratulating myself on the success of my
stalk, for camp I headed, and already had commenced in im-
agination to enjoy a hearty meal on some of the tidbits.
Humming possibly the old regimental march, and my
thoughts wandering to far-off scenes, I was surprised, on
issuing from a dip in the prairie, to see several antelopes
feeding undisturbed about a hundred and fifty yards off.
Throwing my head forward over the saddle-tree, in a mo-
ment I was on my feet, and, hurriedly hobbling my beast,
I made a cast to the right to obtain a better leeward posi-
tion. Prairie-dog earths were numerous, and apparently.
untenanted, or else the. whole population had turned in for
their afternoon siesta. These irregularities of the surface.
afforded an abundance of shelter. A few minutes’ crawl
ing, and I was within easy range, when, springing to my
feet, the game commenced their succession of buck-jumps,
which they invariably practice before settling to their reg-
ular stride. Pitching my gun to the shoulder, I drew sight
upon the leader 3 over he went; while my second shot, fired
too hurriedly, sent its bullet harmlessly ricochetting, its
course being marked by a puff of dust where the missile
bounded each time it hit the soil, The fall of the leader
turned the remainder of the flock, and with the velocity of
falcons they rushed past Broomstick; up went his tail and
down went his head; half a dozen violent struggles, and
the hobbling broke. For a moment he stood, then threw
his mane recklessly about, turned round and gave his dead
load a sniff, and breaking into a succession of buck-jumps,
finishing’ with a shower of kicks, divested himself of his:
burden, and, in spite of all I could shout, with the most per-
fect disregard for consequences, started for home at a pace
so unusual and corky that I vowed if ever I had leg over
138 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
him again he should give me a specimen of the same gait
for my gratification.
I do not think I ever felt more savage in my life. Twa
or three times I hesitated whether I would try the effect of
a leaden messenger after him. If so long a journey to ciy-
ilization had not been before me, I believe I should, but
finally concluded that cutting off your nose to spite your
face was at the best an unsatisfactory performance. After
spending half an hour in dragging the game together, and
possibly as much longer in ruminating over the awkward-
ness of my position, and the mutability of human and horse
affairs, debating the pros and cons whether to return to
camp or remain where I was, to my intense satisfaction I
saw one of my comrades coming toward me with the now
submissive Broomstick captive, and looking as if any pace
faster than that of a funeral procession was entirely beyond
his powers of exertion. My friend had spied the truant
making straight for camp. After an exciting chase, he had
succeeded in capturing him, when, by taking the direction
from which he was seen to come, he happily tumbled across
me, much to my relief; for, after all, the little shelter afford-
ed by timber, where you can always have a good fire, is in-
finitely preferable to a smouldering smudge of buffalo-chips,
with the wind playing at hide-and-go-seek round your shirt-
tails.
The following will give the reader some idea of the hard-
ship and danger to be run by the sportsman who deter-
mines on visiting the home of the prong-horned antelope.
Circumstances had caused me to attach myself to a trader,
who, with about twenty teamsters, was en route for North-
ern Mexico. My duties were to hunt and supply the party
with game, a pleasant enough occupation, but not without
danger, for the greater portion of the country we traversed -
belonged to the. much-dreaded Comanche, the most reck-:
THE MARE AND. THE MULE. 139.
less race of freebooters and horsemen probably, on the face
of the earth, who are at war with every one, and prize noth-
ing so much as a white man’s scalp. Knowing such to be
the case, it behooved me to keep my weather-eye open when
separated from my newly-formed acquaintances ; but for all
my watchfulness I several times had narrow escapes. Still,
time fled pleasantly onward, and as I write this I look back
with delight to the happy, free, thoughtless hours passed
either in the saddle or watching the movements of the wild
animals that knew no bounds to their demesne. The In-
dians seldom troubled my thoughts, for I had a mare that
I daily rode, handsome as a picture, and as game, flect, and
enduring as any animal I had ever thrown a leg over; thor-
ough-bred, I believe, and as sagacious as a dog; also a bat
mule, between both of which existed a most extraordinary
affection. I had but to go ahead, and the latter was certain
to follow; so if I did not fall into an ambuscade, I knew
full well I could distance most Comanche braves till I re-
gained camp, where,behind the wagons, backed by the stal-
wart Missourian teamsters, who knew well the use of their
rifles, I would be safe. Unfortunately the principal of the
expedition was a most unpleasant and unpopular person, so
that between his bullying and unpleasant manner, a mutiny
arose among his retainers, and the consequence was that
the majority started en masse on their own hook to seek
another employer, or find their way back to their native
State.
My education and antecedents had been such as to give
me a horror of mutiny; moreover, up to this date, I had
nothing to complain of, so I determined to stick to the
wagons, and use every effort in my power to save the
owner from the only alternative that appeared left, desert-
ing his property in the wilderness. Ere long, however, I
was compelled to change my resolution, for no one could
140 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
submit to his irascible temper and constant insulting lan-
guage; so, with no companions but my mare and mule, I
left the camp one bright morning in the month of February,
with the determination of returning eastward alone. The
step was full of danger, but I preferred running the risk
rather than remain to be further insulted, or seek redress
by recourse to weapons, too often done in this lawless por-
tion of the world.
As the teams were being hitched up I started in the re-
verse direction to their route, little aware of the trying or-
deal that was before me. My animals were in good condi-
tion and spirits. For a week I traveled north-east, in the
hope of finding a suitable halting-place to remain in till
spring fairly commenced. At length I came upon a spot
which took my fancy—a small table-land, well sheltered
from the northern wind, underneath which was .a valley
that the snow had partially disappeared from, and where
there was a fair quantity of bunch-grass, the most desirable
food for the quadrupeds. Under a projecting rock I made
my camp, for the spot was so inclosed that I hoped the
lighting of a fire would not attract attention. Weeks roll-
ed by, and the mare and mule lost little of their condition,
although the weather was frequently pinching cold. The
cajions in the neighborhood supplied me with abundance
of game, and each day I expected that a break in the
weather would justify .a start for the Eastern settlements.
Of course one day was only in outline a repetition of the
other, but how widely different in detail! In the morning
the horses were taken to the bottom, breakfast was cooked,
the enjoyable pipe lighted, and the direction settled in which
~*J would hunt, returning earlier or later, according to success.
The afternoon would pass mending moccasins or clothes,
cleaning arms or arranging camp, procuring fire-wood, till
it was time to hunt up the nags, which being accomplished,
PRESENTIMENTS OF EVIL. 141
and the evening meal dispatched, on a bed of leaves I would
smoke myself to sleep, painting, till no longer conscious,
‘pictures of distant home. A hunter’s camp always becomes
a rendezvous for some wolves, and two of these scoundrels
-were seldom beyond sight. Latterly they became so tame
that they would come close enough to pick up a bone if
thrown to them; and one night, when the cold was more
rigorous than usual, on awaking to add fresh fuel to the
fire, I saw one of them sitting beside the warm embers,
nodding his head like a sleepy listener to a prosy sermon.
Every day I expected to be able to set out. The appear-
ance of the sky denoted change as I turned in on the last
evening of my stay in this remote corner of the earth, but
whether it was anticipation of the good things to be ob-
tained when civilization had been reached, I know not, or
an unaccountable consciousness that danger was not far
distant, I could not sleep. First I tried one side and then
the other, but without effect. As it was not cold, the fire
had gradually decayed, till only a few embers remained,
making the surrounding darkness more intense. While I
was hesitating whether the rebuilding of the fire or a fresh
pipe would induce sleep, uneasiness seemed to have taken
possession of my animals. The mule was as watchful as a
dog, and as I knew he would not leave his friend, I invaria-
bly left him untied. Several times he uttered that short,
quick snort so peculiar to the species, and always indicative
of alarm; while the mare kept moving as far as her lariat
rope would permit her. It might be any thing, from a deer
to an Indian; so, as my arms were at hand, I quietly laid
hold of them, and crawled out of my lair, taking special
caution that no momentary flicker from the fire should dis-
close my movements, and by a short détour got beside the
nags, and soon had the soft, silky muzzle of Becky in the
palm of my hand.
142 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
*
The greatest disaster a man can suffer in such a situation
is the loss of either his ammunition or of his horses. If
there were any hostile redskins in the neighborhood, by the
step I had taken a stampede of my animals was now im-
possible. A few of the longest hours I thus sat,my pres-
ence re-assuring the beasts; and when day broke, so still had
all become, that I doubt not I should have been asleep, only
that the hour preceding day is well known to be invariably
the time selected by Indians to carry out their machina-
tions. In the morning, quietly moving about camp, as if
‘pursuing unsuspiciously my usual avocations, I particularly
examined the locality, when, among the remaining scatter-
ed patches of snow, the easily-distinguished moccasin track,
-of. an Indian was discovered, doubtless made by a brave,
who in search for game had got benighted, and chance had
caused to stumble across my hiding-place. My camp was,
therefore, no longer safe; the coming night he, with his
companions, would be back, when woe betide the solitary
white man! My horses in the morning I accompanied to
their feeding-ground, not permitting them to get beyond
control, and as soon as their appetites were sufficiently sat-
isfied, I returned to my little home for the last time. The
few trifles I possessed were soon packed, and nothing re-
mained further to cause delay. Still I waited a quarter of
an hour longer, for the purpose of building a pile of wood,
in which I placed some smouldering embers, in the hope
that it would not blaze up till several hours after dark—an
indication that I doubted not the redskins would construe
into a certain evidence that I was still ignorant of being
discovered. On arrival, my mare had been a little tender
in front, from her hoofs having been worn very close; the
period of rest had rectified this, and, full of hope and an-
ticipation, I pushed my way eastward, the only regret that
passed, like a cloud over my mind, occurring as I took the
last, ay, and long look, at my wilderness home.
CHAPTER IX.
BIG-HORN AND ROCKY MOUNTAIN SHEEP.
Tue big-horn and Rocky Mountain sheep are to the Con-
tinent of North America what the ibex and chamois are to
Europe. However, there is no great similarity of appear-
ance between these representatives of the Eastern and West-
ern world, although the differences are no greater than
can be found between races of sheep and goats. From
what I have said, the reader will be prepared to learn that
both these interesting animals are inhabitants of mountain
districts, searching for their food and enjoying their gam-
bols upon the verge of the precipitous sierras, where mor-
tals’ tread dare not touch, where the slightest false step,
the slightest hesitation, would hurl them down to inevita-
ble destruction.
The elevation of the situations they select for their rest-
ing-places is doubtless governed by temperature: thus they
ascend to greater altitudes in summer than in winter; at
the sume time, if compelled through alarm, they will un-
hesitatingly retire into regions covered with perpetual
snow, and nature seems to have so well provided for such
occasions that they appear to do so without suffering in-
convenience. From my own experience, I have formed the
conclusion that both the above animals are partially noc-
turnal; by this I do not wish it to be understood that they
wander about when it is impenetrably dark, but that when
starlight or moonlight occurs, they avail themselves of its
use to descend from their mountain fastnesses into the
valleys beneath in search of favorite food, a performance
144 : PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
which they never attempt during daylight, except in such
regions as their enemy, inan, seldom or never intrudes.
Although this game is far from scarce, the traveler
through their habitat would imagine that such was the
case, from the few opportunities offered of seeing them
alive; but if attention be paid to all that surrounds his
BIG-HORN.
path —and who that is a hunter does not do so when in
regions where danger ever besets him ?—he will discover
such quantities of skulls, horns, and bones that tell as plain-
ly as words can express, that he is traversing the feeding-
grounds of numerous invisible herds. I have occasionally
been vouchsafed a shot at the big horn when least expect-
ed; but so seldom has this occurred, that such episodes
STALKING THE BIG-HORN. 145
have become ingrafted in my memory. However, if will-
ing to bear fatigue and exposure, the person desirous of
adding them to the list of game that has fallen to his rifle
can easily do so by following the advice I am about to give.
Being satisfied, from tracks and other evidences, that they
frequent a neighborhood, endeavor to discover by their
trail from what portion of the mountain sides they descend
into the valley to make their nocturnal foray. This is not
difficult to find out, for this game always travels in single
file, and generally through the same passes; their path thus
is as easily distinguishable as that of sheep over heather-
clad hills. Hours before break of day—for many may be
» the weary miles of climbing before you make a détour to
leeward, so as not to give the quarry your wind—push silent-
ly for the most elevated ridges. If you possess a keen eye
for locality and tracking, you will find little trouble in dis-
covering where the game you seek most frequently resort.
On this point being satisfied, ensconse yourself in some
sheltered nook and wait for day, for.the sun will have com-
menced to tint with gold the eastern sides of the hills ere
the prey you seek will reach, from the feeding-grounds be-
low; the elevation of your position.
It is strange these children of the mountain only dread
danger from beneath: thus it is that to successfully hunt
them you must ascend into the heights they would fly for
if alarmed; to follow them from beneath would simply be
needless waste of time; to stalk them from above almost
certain to produce success. At length the desired-for time
is come: silently and well secreted, search with keen eye
every ridge that will command a view of the valleys be-
neath.
Your careful survey of the country is at length reward-
ed, for far beneath you, so far off that their outline it is
almost impossible to define, you perceive a family party,
7
146 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
probably a buck, doe, and pair of kids, ascending leisurely
to more elevated ground.
Slowly plucking the tender grass at each step, they graze
upward; but ever on guard against danger, the male or fe-
male pause to watch, or not unfrequently post themselves
on some rocky excrescence to note what may be occurring
in the lower world. At length their slow approach has
brought them within range of your rifle; but be not impa-
tient; rest a little longer if you wish to make certain work,
for the bullet must be well and strongly placed, or else your
labor will be fruitless, for few animals possess greater vi-
tality ; and unless, in Yankee parlance, you tumble the quar-
ry in his track, the wounded game will struggle upward
with speed lent by fear, or fall headlong over the nearest
ravine into some rugged cafion impossible to descend into,
or where, even if successful in reaching its bottom, the car-
cass would be found pounded and torn into a shapeless mass
of flesh, only fit food for the loathsome vultures who proba-
bly have already commenced to congregate, in expectation
of a feed on their beloved carrion.
In the days of De Bonneville, and Lewis and Clark, big-
horns and Rocky Mountain sheep were very abundant in
the mountain ridges that encompass the upper waters of
the turbulent Columbia River; but the tide of emigration
which has flowed into Oregon and British North-western
possessions has had the effect of lessening their numbers,
and driving a large proportion of the survivors from what
at one time must have been one of their chief habitats.
However, both these species are not likely soon to be-
come extinct, for the nature of the country they inhabit
is a safeguard which the poor buffalo unfortunately does
not possess; ay, and what will the undulating prairie be
to the Indian and hunter when you deprive it of the
‘ordly bull, who in times gone by caused each tree, rock,
MORALIZING. 147
and ravine to reverberate with his deep voice or heavy
tread ?
The time may come—I do not wish to see it—when these
broad acres will possess mills and factories, daily disgorg-
ing their inky smoke into the pure azure heavens, or their
thousands of unwashed mortality over what now is a flower-
studded prairie.
Manchester doubtless is charming to the factory owner,
for well is he aware that every throb of its machinery,
every grunt of its boilers, tells the constant tale: money,
money, money. Possibly, not being a recipient of the lucre
these never-tiring engines coin, I prefer the landscape when
free from such evidences of man’s industry.
LOLS
CHAPTER X.
BEARS. .
Grizziy (Ursus ferox).—The ambition of every Ameri-
can sportsman is to shoot a grizzly, and he who has per-
formed the task is justly entitled to wear his spurs, for un-
questionably he is one of the most dangerous antagonists
that man can cope with. Their habitat at the present time
extends from about the twenty-fifth degree of north lati-
tude to Oregon, following along the sierras of the Rocky
Mountains. At one time they were found eastward as
far as Kansas and Missouri, but that is many years ago.
Nearly all the accidents that have occurred while hunting
the grizzly have originated through the assailants being
armed with small-bore rifles—weapons almost as much out
of place with such an antagonist as they Would be in shoot-
ing elephants. The curl upon the chest, the base of the
ear, and the shoulder rather far back and low down, are
the most vital places to aim at. If the ground be suitable
for riding, a steady horse will be found of great service to
the hunter, and materially lessen the danger he would oth-
erwise run.
There are very few—and thank goodness for it!—who
rise from their bed in the morning as unrefreshed as when
they stretched their weary limbs upon it to crave for rest.
It was exactly in this unenviable state I felt when I pulled
myself together to turn out as the sun was breaking on a
misty morning. Dozed I might have—rested I had not;
but day had broken, and I felt thankful; for, although
weary, thirsting for rest, in whatever position I lay, on
A FOREBODING OF MISFORTUNE. 149
whatever side I reclined, sleep obstinately refused to come
to my eyelids. True, twice I had to turn out of my warm
and snug blankets to see what disturbed my mare and
mule, but this was a nightly occurrence; nevertheless, a
load seemed settled upon my spirits—in fact, I had a fore-
boding of misfortune. But daylight at length came. How
blessed is its appearance to the storm-tossed mariner, the
invalid on a sick-couch, ay, and to the wanderer who is far
beyond civilization—a sojourner in a land where savage
brutes and doubly savage man surround him, craving for
the darkness of night to accomplish his destruction! At
the period I speak of, I was among the Black Hills, at that
time, although not many years since, the favorite retreat
of the grizzly bear, and the frequent lurking-place of the
young brave, or war party of Indians, craving for an op-
portunity to shed an enemy’s blood. To win honor they
had left their tribe, and to return with a scalp was to reap
the reward.
When day became sufficiently advanced, and the mists
that wrapped the valley in their impenetrable shroud had
rolled up the hill-sides, I sedulously searched around my
solitary bivouac to find if there were grounds for my un-
easiness. In gradually increasing circles I walked around
the camp, and until I had gained the distance of a hundred
yards from it, no impression on the fast-disappearing snow,
no broken twig, nor disturbed rotten limb, indicated that I
was not far from animal life. By degrees I increased the
diameter of my circling search, and was all but returning,
satisfied that my own excited imagination had been playing
me tricks, when I came across the wide-spread, deep im-
pressions of an immense bear. Whatever others might
think, in such utter desolation and loneliness, it was pleas-
ing to learn that Bruin was my foe instead of a stealthy
redskin.
150 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
After turning my nags loose that they might graze upon
the bunch-grass, which was abundant in the bottom-lands
beneath my encampment, I examined the stock of food in
the larder, and found, as I almost could have foretold if I
had thought upon the matter, that it was reduced to one
rib of venison, and that but poorly provided with meat.
Submitting it with hungry eyes to the smoke and ashes, I
observed with any thing but gratified look that the eatable
portion rapidly diminished under the effects of the fire.
When it was sufficiently cooked to become eatable, there
was not more left than would have satisfied the appetite of
a hungry tabby. Nevertheless, I ate and was thankful, con-
soling myself with the hope that ere the sun reached the
meridian I should shoot something sufficiently substantial
to afford a good meal. But no such fortune was in store
for me. I tramped over fell and valley, through bush and
over open valleys, and naught rewarded my search but in-
numerable tracks, so old and stale that it would have been
madness to follow them up.
Weak from want of food, and anxious to know whether
I was doomed to die of starvation, I returned to camp dis-
satisfied, more than angry with myself that my love for
adventure and wandering had reduced me to such straits.
Of course I could have killed either my mare or mule; but
no, I would not slaughter the good, faithful animals that
had stood by me in all adversity, who had before this saved
my life, and now at the present time returned to me at my
call with the confidence of children in their parent. Fie
upon me! why should I permit such a thought for an in-
stant to hover through my brain?
I had got sufficiently close to my sleeping-place to per-
ceive the white smoke circling from the gradually expiring
. fire, when again I came across the grizzly’s track, and so
fresh that I felt sure its maker had been at the camp dur-
IN A STRAIT. 151
ing my absence. In a moment I came to a resolution: the
intruder must pay the penalty of his rashness, or I perish
“in the attempt. What would that matter ?—only one more
unknown to be added to the thousands whose eyes have
GRIZZLY BEARS.
closed in unknown lands, although their mothers pray un-
ceasingly for them, and day by day look for their return.
Reaching the camp, I found my conjectures had been
correct: the bear had been there during my absence, turn-
152 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
ed over the pack, and tried the flavor of both flaps and
stirrup leathers of my saddle. To obtain water to wash
my gun out with, I melted a quantity of snow in my soli-
‘tary cooking-dish; for the foe I was about to encounter, I
was well aware, would fight me with tooth and claw till
death separated us, and on a miss or hang-fire depended
my life.
I can not say I liked my task. I was not strong or well
enough to court such an encounter, and several times I
thought, as I followed the tell-tale impressions in the snow,
how much rather I would prefer it to be a deer. How-
ever, it appeared to me to be kismet, destiny, or aught else
you choose to call it, that I should meet the grim giant of
the forest in deadly strife.
About a mile and a half from home—so camp is ever
called, however humble its appurtenances—I came to a
place where the grizzly had halted and scratched up the
wild cranberries, which, through all low-lying lands in this
portion of the country, are abundant; but it was evident
that they were not sufficiently numerous or attractive to
detain him long. Again striking the trail, I persistently
followed it till I reached some thick timber, much cov-
ered with windfalls. Through such obstacles progress is
naturally slow, and difficulties to your advance numerous.
Moreover, in such a place one has to be doubly guarded,
for on every side, in front, in rear, the upturned roots or
labyrinth of semi-decayed limbs can be formed into an am-
buscade. But Bruin was not a rifleman, and did not avail
himself of these natural lurking -places, so I reached the
farther side of the belt of timber without seeing a foe, for
which I was heartily thankful; but as I straddled the last
log which intervened between me and the open land, not
twenty yards to my front I perceived the object of my
search reared up to full length against a dead tree, as if
ENCOUNTER WITH A URIZZLY. 1538
endeavoring to ascertain how high he could reach. I had
not a clear shot, for, although my quarry was facing me,
the trunk of the deceased monarch of the woodlands was
between me and him.- From my foe’s manner, I felt con-
vinced that he was unaware of my presence; this I could
have turned to advantage had a vital part been exposed.
Long I stood in my awkward position, hoping that he
would slew himself round; but such a movement seemed
foreign to his intention. At length the grizzly lowered his
hold of the tree till his fore-paws were beneath the level of
his head, when, turning to the left, he rested the jaw upon
his foot, at the same moment obtaining the first view of me.
Not a muscle of the bear’s body moved, while the small
pig-like eyes momentarily increased in the glow of their in-
tensity. In that gaze there was no mistake; it clearly
said, “I will brook no intruder in my demesne, and the life
of him who is guilty of it shall pay the penalty.”
It was a fool-hardy: or precipitous course to pursue. I
would not do it now, no, nor even then, if starvation had
not stared me in the face. I raised my gun and took sight,
hoping the ball would penetrate the neck near the junction
of the head; but my eye and hand failed me; the bullet
glanced off the weather-beaten tree-trunk, smashed a paw,.
ultimately glancing through the thick skin at the base of
the quarry’s ear. My foe fell, but in a moment after was
on his legs, and;-before I had time to think, came at me
with headlong speed. His lower jaw interfered with the
breast-shot, for his mouth was wide open: still I fired, for.
I felt that only an instant existed between my being in
his grasp; but the result was only a momentary recoil. I
raised my gun to save my head; but it was sent flying into
the brush, and I was prostrated. My sheath-knife, how-
ever, was at hand. One, two, three stabs, a spasmodic
gasp and shudder of frame, and the gounded monster, try-
Vie
154 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
ing to encircle me with his paws, sank slowly by my side.
His left fore-foot was smashed to pieces, and his lower jaw
splintered, or I believe I never should have lived to narrate
the death of the grizzly of the Black Hills.
CINNAMON BEAR.
This bear, which is cinnamon in color, and doubtless the
connecting link between the grizzly and Arctic species, has
considerable resemblance to both, but, smaller and slighter
built than the former, still possesses all its vindictiveness
of character and powers of vitality, combined with greater
activity.
Although existing chiefly on vegetable diet, it will greed-
ily avail itself, whenever opportunity offers, to gorge on
flesh; and to so great an extent has it been known to in-
dulge in gluttony, that, on discovery by the hunter, it has
been found alike incapable of defense or escape.
On the first settlement of Oregon and British Columbia,
the farmers suffered such serious losses among their valua-
ble newly-imported herds of horned cattle and sheep that a
war of extermination was declared against the red bears (as
they are frequently there called), which did not terminate
in those neighborhoods till the race had there almost be-
come extinct. In the vicinity of the Caribou gold mines
they now are occasionally to be found, and doubtless will
frequent that locality for many years to come, as the sur-
rounding country is very rugged, covered with dense tim-
ber, and totally unfit for cultivation.
Many and many are the stories I have heard related by
trappers and miners in reference to their adventures with
these savage animals; but as one bear story is so much like
another, I desist here, as my personal knowledge of the
species is limited, only. adding that I have heard it uni-
versally affirmed that the activity of the cinnamon bear
BLACK BEAR. 155
makes it a more dangerous foe than even the much-dreaded
grizzly.
BLACK BEAR.
None of the ferw nature are better known in a state of
captivity than the black bear. What village school-boy,
however remote the hamlet in which he resides, can not
remember poor Bruin being led round by some half-wash-
ed, uncombed foreigner, or his forming a portion of the at-
tractions which drew the gaping crowd to enter the strong-
smelling precincts of the annually-visiting erratic menage-
rie? Alas! hard is the poor bear’s life when he is thus a
prisoner. In summer he is kept om half-diet, and shut up
in a miserable den; in winter he is stowed away in a cellar,
and possibly, at least once a week, baited with curs, that
the blackguard owner may raise enough funds to carry on
his vagrant life. How different this from the life the bear
enjoyed in his native woods, wandering about at pleasure,
enjoying every luxury of nature that the seasons produce,
and, if in a country subject to a severe winter, quietly sleep-
ing through that portion of the year when the winds, load-
ed with frost and snow, whistle round his snug retreat!
The black bear at one period was very widely distributed
over the North American continent. Its range now, on
_ account of the advance and increase of population, has been
much restricted; still, wherever there are large tracts of
uncultivated ground, representatives of this species will be
found, whether in Canada or Labrador, Florida, Georgia, or.
the Far West, until you reach the Rocky Mountains, beyond
which I have never heard of the black bear being seen, the
cinnamon bear and the grizzly bear there supplying his
place. So numerous still are the black bears in some parts
of Arkansas that a portion of each year is set aside by the
squatters and farmers for their capture, and large packs of
curs, specially trained to assist, are kept for this purpose;
156 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
and nuimerous instances are on record of thirty, or even
forty, bears having in a couple of months fallen before one
hunter’s rifle. The flesh, which is with justice much prized,
is either salted down or smoked for future use; while the
pelt furnishes a bed, or is sold to the traders, ultimately to
be made into rugs for sleighs, or the coarser kinds of furs
for women and children.
The different sizes that black bears attain in various sec-
tions of the country are somewhat remarkable; so much so
that I have often been induced to believe them entitled to
be considered different species; but otherwise they are so
similar in habits of life, choice of food, and residence, that
it would only be opening a path that might lead to innu-
merable intricacies without the probability of resulting in
benefit. The black bear of Michigan, Wisconsin, and the
regions bordering on these States, never exceeds two hun-
dred and fifty pounds — these are generally denominated
hog bear; but when you descend the Mississippi and get
into the canebrakes of Arkansas, numbers are annually
killed that reach four hundred-weight. Coming eastward,
you find a still larger animal; and I have heard from un-
doubted sources that in the State of Maine, and along the
edges of New Brunswick, bears have been known to attain
six or even seven hundred pounds’ weight. Doubtless these
differences are occasioned by varieties or abundance of food
that the different regions produce, not temperature or cli-
mate, as Wisconsin and Maine are almost in the same lat-
itude.
Without further preamble, I will attempt a description.
The black bear is short in carcass, with an unusually bag-
gy, slack look; the legs are long and powerful in their sweep,
and the animal can handle them with the skill and profi-
ciency of a professed pugilist; the head is very nearly an
equilateral triangle, with the nose for an apex; the ears are
THE BLACK BEAR TIMOROUS. 157
small and rounded, the same distance in situation behind
the eye that the eye is from the nose; the measurement in
circumference close in front of the shoulder is almost as
great as behind, which gradually increases as it ranges back-
ward till the loftiest point of the spinal vertebra is reach-
ed; while the hind limbs, from their immense muscular
power, as well as abundance of flesh, appear like the ex-
tremities of a man encased in peg-top trowsers. In walk-
ing, the toes of the fore-feet are turned in, while the use of
the nether limbs is so human as to appear like a burlesque
on genus homo; but if a casual observer be thus struck,
the anatomist recognizes in this exaggerated formation the
means supplied the animal by nature to ascend trees, escape
enemies, or earn its support. The color, when the pelt is
ptime, is glossy black; but in early spring a rufous tint is
strongly developed ; this is assisted by the undergrowth of
wool becoming elongated, and showing through the coarser
black hairs that at other seasons are the only visible cover-
ing, unless a close and minute inspection be made. From
the eyes, in a straight line almost at right angles to the
nose, the fur is brown, with a tip of the same color fre-
quently over the eyebrow. At the same time, exceptions,
more particularly among those of the North-western States,
are to be found, which are black to the nostrils.
As a general rule, when this bear is in a state of nature,
he is extremely timorous of man, flying from him with
a stealth and rapidity almost marvelous; but wound him,
hurt him, even insult his dignity, and the huntsman must
be prepared for a conflict that will only terminate in death;
for, once enraged and drawn into hostilities, his combative-
ness increases, never lessening till life is extinct. However,
instances have been known where Bruin has not had these
excuses for becoming aggressor; but generally these belli-
cose individuals have been an old lady engaged. in impart-
158 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
ing to her progeny her extensive knowledge of the world,
some gallant lover worshiping at the shrine of his devotion,
or possibly a half-starved unfortunate desirous of gaining
some retreat where appetite could be gratified.
The first bear I ever shot was doubtless suffering from
the last. I will narrate the circumstance. In the State of
Wisconsin, near Green River, there are situated some beau-
tiful retired sheets of water. These spots had long enchant-
ed me with their attractiveness, for game abounded in their
vicinity ; the scenery was beautiful, and, above all, you were
entirely free from man’s intrusion. Could it be wondered,
then, that seldom a week passed that I did not find time
to visit them? Summer had unconsciously glided into au-
tumn, the dark, dense covering of the trees had changed to
all the gaudy hues of the rainbow, and the enlarged ripples
on the water, and occasional sighings of the wind, predict-
ed that at no distant period another shroud than the green
grasses would cover the surface of the earth. x
On the day in question, when I left my couch, immense
numbers of wild fowl were migrating southward—evident
signs that cold weather had made its appearance north.
So, hyping possibly to kill a swan, or a scarce specimen of
wild duck, I determined to visit my lakes once more ere
they were frozen up. At noon, when J started to fulfill my
purpose, large flakes of snow were noiselessly descending,
but not in sufficient numbers to obliterate the trail. The
water reached, the first glance exposed a sight only seen
by those who reside beyond the verges of civilization,
where the wild denizens of the air or inhabitants of the
land reign supreme. The surface of the lakes was covered
with ducks of every variety—moving room even looked
scarce; still phalanx after phalanx came swooping down
before the wind with the well-known velocity that a wild
duck’s wings command. Quack, quack, quack, went the
AN UNWELCOME VISITOR. 159
ducks on the water; a prolonged note from those in the
air answered. ‘The three notes were an invitation, the one
note a hearty response, as willingly accepting the invitation
as the most hospitable host could desire.
A few shots filled my bag, and I seated myself on a rock,
regardless alike of snow or wind, to admire and learn the
instinct of the animal world. Hour after hour glided on,
and night was near as I returned my pipe to my pocket,
unfolded my covering from around my gun-locks, and rose
to depart. The snow had in the mean time obliterated my
path; still the familiar trees and the ever-true-speaking
mosses told with certainty the direction. Indolently and
self-satisfied I broke into the bush on my homeward route;
the weight of the game told heavily on my shoulders.
When half of the journey (which I had long wished had
been the whole) was reached, I heard a rustling in the
brush, evidently caused by large game. Such a warning
instantly aroused me, and, on the alert for further sport, I
took all the surrounding visible objects in at a glance. In
front was a bear. A monster to my vision he appeared,
for I was uninitiated at that time—and I believe the eye
has a trick of dealing in the marvelous with unaccustomed
objects—and, to my horror, Bruin was coming directly to-
ward me. My first feeling was to fly; next, to ascend a
tree; thirdly, to disappear into my boots. The second
glance gave me more assurance. Mr. Bear was evidently
on urgent private affairs ; his whole manner bespoke this;
and he did not see me; so I determined to stand still, hop-
ing he would remain ignorant of my presence, or, at least,
give me a fair show, if compelled to fight. Onward ad-
vanced Bruin; closer and closer he came, and the nearer
he approached the farther my heart came into my mouth.
Still he was fifty yards off, and had plenty of time to change
his course; but no such change took place; for if he had
160 PRAIRIE AND FOREST
been a ball bowled at a wicket the precision of his course
could not have been truer. Twenty yards could not have
CLOSE QUARTERS.
intervened between us when my presence became known,
and the manner of welcome I received was far from en-
couraging, for he halted, sniffed in the air, and gave an an-
DEATH OF THE BEAR. 161.
gry growl. I wished myself at home in bed, or at the an-
tipodes, or in any place but my present stand-point; for
remember, reader, my gun was only loaded with duck-shot ;
and I was young, and, I fear, very soft. It was evident
_ that my appearance was not intimidating, for my adversary
neither swerved to right nor left, and his wicked eyes blazed
forth flashes of malignant hate. Eight or ten yards more
the distance was diminished, when, whether from fear, cer-
tain that my last moments had arrived, or knowledge of
the animal’s habits, I gave a shout—a feeble one, of no dis-
tinct note, I believe; but the result was fortunate, for the
foe halted, and really seemed uncomfortable, occasionally.
glancing around, as if he believed retreat, if possible, would
be advisable; but second thoughts are not always best.
The irresolution was fatal, and the bear found it so ulti-
mately, for he again advanced toward me. When scarcely
eight yards divided us, a second shout brought him again
to a halt, and, as he sat up, displaying his teeth—symptoms
that too truly said, “I will teach you a lesson ”—I let him
have the contents of the right barrel, aimed for the nose,
well knowing the shortness of range would throw the pro-
jectiles up. And so it did. At so short a distance the
concussion was irresistible; both eyes were destroyed, the
forehead up to the apex of the crown fearfully cut up, and
the poor bear rolled over, clawing the injured parts in life’s
last agony. Without hesitation I delivered the coup de
grace by discharging the second barrel at the butt of Bruin’s
ear, thus surely putting a finishing touch to his earthly ca-
reer. This bear weighed about two hundred and twenty
pounds, and was, in the vicinity where killed, deemed a
very large one.
When in the State of Maine, I was called from my writ-
ing by the landlord of the small road-side hotel at which I
was residing. He informed me that a bear had entered
162 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
the clearing,* evidently with the intention of attacking his
drove of sheep. Seizing my unloaded gun, and hastily
charging both barrels with bullets, I rushed down to join
him, in the state of deshabille I had been sitting. From
an eminence a few yards from the house we took a survey:
no bear could be seen; but the timid sheep were huddled
in a fence corner, evidently having suffered no ordinary
fright.
With anxious gaze we scanned the inclosure; several
times a blackened, charred stump, the memento of some
giant monarch of the forest, was supposed to be the bear.
Again and again our mistake was found out, and a new ob-
ject was metamorphosed into Bruin. Ten minutes were
thus spent, the flock of sheep became, if possible, more un-
easy, when, with sudden energy, they made a simultaneous
dash and crossed to the far side of the field; still no bear
was visible, but that he was close at hand was evident.
Loss of time or prolonged suspense began to make us care-
less; an advance into the field had even been proposed, and
was about to be executed, when the sheep made another
start, evidently intent on returning to the position we found
them in; but as they passed a log out rushed Bruin, and
cut off the retreat of the hindermost. The poor victim
made two or three feeble efforts to regain his fellows, then
turned and looked his enemy in the face, and from that mo-
ment succumbed to fate, at the same time retaining the use
of his legs. Nor did Bruin rush up and seize him. He
only headed him off when inclined to turn out of the prop-
er direction, driving him all the time toward the right side
of the field, which edged on a piece of swamp. Soon the
fence was gained; here the sheep’s fortitude forsook him,
and as both landlord and self had followed as close in rear
* Where the forest has been cut away for cultivation.
A GOOD SHOT. 163
as advisable, we were witnesses of a procecding almost in-
credible. Bruin was evidently in a magnanimous frame
of mind, or was overcome by his natural politeness, for,
without worrying or mauling, never for a moment using
his teeth, he picked up the poor sheep between his paws,
placed it on the top of the rails, then pushed it over, and
with the agility of a greyhound cleared the fence himself.
The shock had roused the victim and re-animated him, for
both walked off into the bush, the one satisfied to be driven,
the other apparently a not overexacting shepherd. Fol-
lowing up the duo as rapidly and silently as circumstances
would permit, We again came on both; but the bear had
been annoyed, or the sheep could or would not do what
was wanted, for Bruin had seized the unfortunate, and
dragged him on a log, and was using both teeth and claws
with animosity and purpose. Making a stalk, I got within
twenty yards of both; the sheep’s head had already been al-
most severed from the body, and the hot and liquid gore
was evidently giving intense satisfaction to the slayer.
With a long, steady aim I covered the white horseshoe on
the bear’s breast; the gun was a large and heavy one, the
necessary pressure of the trigger was given, and without a
moan, almost without a kick, the would-be despoiler and his
prey fell to the earth together. The shot was a good one;
the results, on dissection, proved with what precision and
force a solid bullet can be fired from a common shot-gun.
This bear weighed four hundred pounds, and, from the de-
cayed and worn teeth, must have been an old stager; in
fact, I think age is wanted to give black bears the courage
to attack and kill cattle.
The white shoe on the breast is commonly, in some sec-
tions of the country, the spot which the trapper waits to
be exposed, to shoot at. A ball entering there, and going
either upward or horizontally, always proves fatal. How-
164 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
ever, behind the shoulder, very low down, is the favorite
aim with me. In these cross-shots, if obtainable, you al-
ways have more to shoot at, and the regions of the heart
are reached nearer the surface. The butt of the ear, a lit-
tle backward, if close enough to make certain, is another
deadly point; but the size of this delicate and mortal place
is small, and should never be chosen beyond thirty yards.
The head-shot can, with conical bullets, easily be perform-
ed; but a spherical bullet, especially from a small-bore rifle,
from the wedge-shape of the cranium, is very apt to glance
off without injuring more than the skin.
In hunting bears with dogs, the commonest cur that has
pluck enough to snap at his heels is the best animal for the
purpose. The bear gets worried, then cross, and ultimate-
ly ascends the first tree that his judgment tells him is suit-
able, resting most frequently on the soonest-reached branch,
unless the hunter be seen or heard; if so, then the highest
foot of timber sufficiently strong to support him will be
selected. On such occasions it has been known for him to
ascend too high for the strength of the limb, when, the
bough breaking, both came tumbling to the earth. Al
though such a rapid and lofty descent would certainly de-
stroy a man, Bruin will arise uninjured, shake himself, and
trot off as if nothing had happened.
The vitality of the bear is immense. His powers of de-
struction when wounded are equally so. So, gentle reader,
if it should be your fortune to go bear- hunting, pray be
careful in your approach to them when wounded. A sports-
man’s maxim, that should never be forgotten, is, “Always
load your gun before you move from where it was dis-
charged, and never let the excitement of the moment per-
mit you to hurry when performing this useful duty.”
A great many bears have been killed with the knife only,
but the person who performs so dangerous a feat must
HABITS OF THE BLACK BEAR. 165
truly be fool-hardy and reckless of consequences, and in my
belief such conduct is, except in cases of emergency, most
unjustifiable. For one who returns safe in limb and skin
from such a contest, the majority who attempt it get fear-
fully mauled, or very possibly disabled.
The black bear in a state of captivity is extremely rest-
less, and, when old, bad-tempered and treacherous, more
especially should he have been teased in his youth; but
when he roves the forest, free, he is the laziest and most
luxurious fellow, sleeping the greater portion of his time,
feeding on nuts or luscious fruits, playing in the sun’s heat
with comrades, and seldom quarreling with his brethren.
When passages of arms take place, love is the cause, and
the battle is waged more in words than blows.
Two or three years ago, in the autumn, about midnight,
I was passing through a chain of lakes in the State of
Maine; the night was lighted by an occasional star, strug-
‘ gling through the rapidly fleeting dark clouds for an op-
portunity to show the earth its brilliancy. I was alone,
and, save the splash of my paddle and the occasional un-
earthly call of the loon, all was still as the grave. A nar-
row passage I traversed, to avoid the weeds, made me hug
the land so close that occasionally the limb of a tree would
brush against my birch- bark canoe. With a suddenness
that made my heart’s blood run cold, a yell from some un-
known beast, loud, shrill, and unearthly, so close that I al-
most believed for a2 moment that the cause was within
reach, echoed from tree to tree, and died away, reverbera-
ting in the distance. Again and again it was repeated.
For a while I remained motionless, till the cool breeze re-
called me to myself, and I proceeded homeward. Next
morning I returned to examine the place.. A veteran hunt-
er was my companion, and we found such convincing proot
that bears had been there, that one of them, I feel certain,
166 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
produced the weird-like sound that had caused me so much
alarm, my companion assuring me that at the period the
sexes came together, if rivals are in the way, the call or
note of defiance is quite dissimilar from their general voice.
Early in spring the young are born. At first they are
very small. In six weeks they are able to accompany their
mother, who cares for them with the greatest solicitude
and attention, hauling the logs on one side for the cubs to
alti
CANADIAN PORCUPINE,
obtain the coveted grubs and larve underneath, pulling
down the uppermost branches that: produce fruit ; and if by
accident the young should be placed in a position of danger,
her life is always willingly sacrificed in their defense.
Walking across a portage in Maine, close to the borders
of New Brunswick, in front of the party of which I was a
member, my gun loaded, in the hope of killing a grouse or
two, I perceived a small animal, about the size of a King
Charles spaniel, running along the track a hundred or more
A BEAR’S WINTER RETREAT. 167
yards in front of me. Without troubling myself to look
closely, I concluded it was a porcupine, animals which were
extremely common in the vicinity. Soon after a dog be-
longing to one of my companions passed me; stooping to
the trail he gave tongue, and went in pursuit at his best
possible speed. In a few moments I knew he had brought
something to bay, and, proceeding to his assistance, I found
a young bear, the size of a badger, treed in a six-inch sap-
ling. Where was the mother? Answer says, “Don’t
know ;” for young Bruin, after a vixenish fight, was secured,
and, although half an hour elapsed in the operation, the old
lady still remained non est.
It is very common for bears to be killed after they have
retired to their dormitory for the winter sleep. When liv-
ing near Lake Couchachin, in Canada, I assisted on such an
occasion. An Indian from Rama came to me in great
haste, with the hope I would sell him some ammunition.
From his earnestness and anxiety I knew that he had made
a valuable discovery, which after a little higgling was dis-
closed. He had found a bear’s retreat in a hollow log,
nearly imbedded in snow, and the ammunition was for poor
Bruin’s destruction.
Stipulating that I should have a share of the sport, I sup-
plied the ammunition, and we started. The distance was
short. Mr. Chippewa Indian knocked on the log, and the
writer stood at the entrance. Poor Bruin at length forsook
his snug retreat, yawning and looking stupid as he emerged
into daylight, when a bullet at less than five yards settled
the matter. When a bear is thus housed in a log a heavy
vapor of steam, should the weather be calm, perceptibly
hangs over it.
A friend, in the true sense of the word, and myself heard
of a small lake on the edges of New Hampshire and Maine,
that was reported to swarm with trout, and, as a tramp
168 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
' through the wild timber lands was never objectionable, we
determined to make an effort to find it out. An old lum-
berman, long superannuated, gave us our instructions thus:
“First go through the wood two miles north, then incline a
little to the westward, and after about half an hour’s walk-
ing through a swamp you will strike a small brook, which
follow up, and you will certain sure make the pond.”* To
those who have not wandered through an American for-
est such instructions will be perceived to be far from defi-
nite; to the thorough woodsman, however, they would be
sufficient. Before we left the township road where we
were to branch off, there stood a shanty, at which we halt-
ed to put up the horse and buggy in which we had thus
far traveled. From the head of the establishment we made
inquiries, who, calling to his son who was within, gave the
following directions: “Bub,t take the gents, and show
them the pond.” Now “Bub” was a most communicative
youngster, about fourteen years of age, and, scenting a dol-
lar in the distance, hopefully undertook the job. A cow-
path we, the trio, followed for more than a mile, then we
continued on what is familiarly designated a blaze road—id
est, a path marked out by a tree at every hundred yards,
more or less, having a piece scooped out of its bark. The
walking was as bad as possible, for constantly we were de-
layed by giants of the forest who had been prostrated by
the gales of preceding winters. At length, tired and fright-
fully worried by musquitoes, we reached a brook eight or
ten feet in breadth, but deep and sullen as a canal; down
this we pursued an erratic course till, between two lofty
bluffs, we came upon a beautiful sheet of water of an area
of about forty acres. To fish it from the bank was impos-
* Small lakes in Maine are always called ponds.
+ A Yankee father’s familiar way of addressing his son; daughters, af-
ter the same manner, are called ‘‘ Sis.”
TROUT-FISHING. 169
sible, for the sumac and cedar grew to its margin, so that ’
no other resource was left but to cut a number of cedar
logs and form a raft. An hour or more was lost in this
operation; and when we had launched out, we found that
nothing but the smallest fry could be taken, although these
were in such quantities, that frequently we would have three
or four rises to a cast. For an hour or more we fished in-
defatigably, still nothing over a quarter of a pound reward-
ed our labors; and when we landed for our picnic lunch I
determined to fish the stream with the hope of obtaining
some heavier specimens. My friend, who felt indisposed,
either from the effects of the sun, or some State of Maine
whisky (warranted to kill as far as a six-shooter) which he
had been imbibing, refused to accompany me; so, with the
youth who had acted as Palinurus, I left him to ruminate
over his transgressions or misfortune.
As I had supposed, large fish were to be found in the
stream, and my: basket began to groan under its weight,
when I hooked my flies in the top of a larch that leaned
over the water close in my-rear. With all my efforts I
could not get them free, so, sending the lad aloft, I waited
patiently for him to cast them off. The place where I
stood was hummocky, such lumps as you come across in
the bogs of Ireland when snipe-shooting, only a great deal
larger. With care and precaution the hummocks could be
traversed without wetting a foot, but hurry would certain-
ly get you between them, when over the boot-tops would
be the consequence. I had stood for several minutes for
the youngster to get the line loose, when, across the stream;
but a short distance off, I heard an animal grunt; the spot
whence the sound issued was a large clump of whortleber-
ries, where some fallen timber lay. Not being quite cer-
tain that my ears had not deceived me, I waited, when the
noise was repeated. By this time my line was free, and
8
170 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
my juvenile companion was descending, when I asked him
to listen to the noise, for I felt convinced it emanated from
no other than a bear feeding, enjoying his favorite bonne
bouche, the blue-berries. Young America listened; Bruin
gave another grunt of evident satisfaction, when the for-
mer, exclaiming “ Bear!” slid down the tree with such agil-
ity as would have put in shade the majority of monkeys.
As soon as he reached the ground, off he started down
stream; but the funniest part of all was that my guide, in
the precipitancy of his movements, must have tripped over
the hummocks at least half a dozen times in a dozen strides.
When we had got thirty or forty yards off—for I followed,
though scarcely as rapidly—my amour propre asserted it-
self, and I halted; not so my companion; soon he disap-
peared through the labyrinth of shrubs, and I remained
alone. To my relief I found no bear was in pursuit, so,
placing my rod against a stalwart hemlock, I ascended its
branches to take a survey of the situation: for a long time
I could not discover Bruin, but at length detected a large
mass of black fur, accompanied by two smaller ones, busily
employed feeding. They had quitted the wet ground and
were on the edge of an acclivity, where the mother was
most industriously drawing the broken fragments of shat-
tered logs on one side, while her hopeful progeny feasted
upon the beetles and ants thus exposed. The old lady had
neither winded nor heard us, and she remained sedulously
pursuing her avocation, perfectly ignorant that her indus-
try and strength were forming a subject of admiration to a
‘son of Adam. At length their search for insects took them
out of sight, and I descended to join my companions.
The day by this time was far spent, and neither of us
having arms suitable for an assault upon the happy family,
we determined to seek the settlement and revisit the scene
on the morrow. Next day, at an early hour, with quite a
A BEAR-HUNT. 171
re-enforcement, all armed with most formidable fire-arms,
from the Spencer rifle to the old smooth-bore, and accom-
panied by a well-tried bear-dog, we sallied forth. For miles
we tracked Madam Bruin by the broken fragments of de-
cayed timber and the numerous logs she had disturbed from
their original resting-place. Finally, we thought she could
not be far distant, and the dog was untied; off he went like
a thunderbolt, and in a quarter of an hour we heard him
baying vociferously. Guns were looked to, the men most
energetic previously now dropped behind, doubtless to ex-
amine their trusty rifles, and see that the powder was up in
the nipples; but when we reached Watch, what was our
disgust to find that he had treed a covey of Canadian
grouse? Unwillingly we went to work and decimated
this unhappy and unconscious brood, nor could all our
efforts afterward induce the unfailing bear-dog to take up
the desired track.
The scene of the subsequent narrative was between Lake
St. John and Mud Lake, near the most northern extremity
of Lake Simcoe, Canada West, in which my efforts for
Bruin’s destruction were more successful.
In following a flight of ruffled grouse, which had risen
so far beyond range as to have prevented my getting a shot
at them, I came across a perfect brake of wild grape-vines
loaded with fruit. I could not withstand the temptation
of halting for a feed, for they had been touched with frost,
which changes them from the most unpalatable to the most
delightfully flavored fruit. The day had been warm for
the end of autumn, and I suppose the fatigue of my tramp,
together with the delightful shade afforded, induced me
to lie down, and, as might be expected under the circum-
stances, I fell asleep. How long I might have been in a
state of oblivion I can not say, but I was awaked by my
companion, a mongrel English terrier, barking vociferously
172 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
at some intruder. After a stretch, a yawn, and the usual
awakening actions, I turned in the direction of Prince to
see what on earth had raised his ire and disturbed my si-
esta, when—judge my astonishment !—I beheld a large bear
erect, pulling down the vines, not twenty yards off, ignorant
of my presence, but occasionally casting a furtive glance
back at his angry assailant, who took precious good care
to keep beyond arms-length. Men become cool in such sit-
uations, either from association or the power of controlling
their feelings. My gun lay at my side loaded with No. 6;
if Bruin found me out and became aggressive, at close quar-
ters, say eight or ten yards, I was prepared to risk the is-
sue; if he would only move off a little way, still keeping to
windward, I thought I might improve my opportunity by
substituting a brace of bullets. Under any circumstances °
my gun would be required, so watching the first opportuni-
ty when the bear’s back was turned, I brought my double-
barrel close by my side and cocked each lock. Many may
laugh when I say I did not feel nervous; but I did not, and
remained watching with special pleasure the enjoyment that
my. foe appeared to take in crunching up whole bunches of
the luscious fruit. As he worked farther from me my dog
became less demonstrative, only occasionally giving way to
a suppressed growl, which his feelings were unable to con-
trol.
Deeming myself comparatively safe from the distance
that intervened between us, I uncocked my gun; then first
one barrel was unloaded, and the heavier missile substi-
tuted, then the next underwent the same operation, Bruin
being now out of sight, still within hearing; but the tables
were turned: if formerly I was prepared to leave him alone,
I now felt equal to acting on the aggressive. Giving Prince
‘a little encouragement, he again rushed to the attack, and
it is wonderful with how much more ardor, knowing that
A BALD-HEADED EAGLE. 173
his master’s eye was on him. Soon I knew the dog had
nipped him, for I heard a rush—and dogs will retreat to-
ward their masters—which brought Bruin in full view. As
the distance was greater than I liked,I hesitated to fire, but
the bear had seen me, and disliking my appearance turned
to make off; but the brave little cur was at his heels, and as
T cheered him to the attack, he never lost an opportunity of
pinching Bruin’s stern, who at length treed to avoid the
persecuting little pest which hung in his rear, the most de-
sirable course for me he could have adopted. By the time
I reached the spot the enemy had gained the first fork, not
twenty feet overhead, and is it to be wondered at that at
such a short range, with not a twig to intervene, and with
a clear view of the quarry’s shoulder, one barrel brought
him to the ground with no more action in his carcass than
the usual death struggle? My trophy was not large, but
well fed, and his hams afforded me, for many a subsequent
morning, a bonne bouche worthy of a hunter.
But poor little Prince got into trouble before he reached
home. As I struck the margin of a river which lay in my
route, I observed a large bald-headed eagle sailing about.
_Keeping under the shelter of some brush, I waited for a
chance. My right-hand barrel I had reloaded with heavy
shot, and, as the bird passed about seventy yards off, I gave
him a portion of its contents, which was responded to by
his immediately reaching the ground with a broken wing.
Prince, plucky with the issue of his late engagement, made
a dash at the bird, but caught a Tartar, for he was seized
by both talons, and, but that I came to the rescue, would
have been rendered useless for any other purpose than bait-
ing a wolf-trap. As it was, after I had killed the bird I had
some difficulty in unloosening its claws, and I doubt if my
faithful little mongrel had lived to the age of Methuselah,
he ever would have been induced to tackle another eagle.
CHAPTER XI.
WOLVES.
THERE are certainly three distinct species of wolves on
the American continent, many persons say more, but I am
inclined to believe that from a desire to increase the fauna
of a country, varieties are frequently transferred to the re-
sponsible places of species. My opportunities of studying
the habits and appearance of the wolf have been very great;
still, although my ideas are not in accordance with Audu-
bon and Bacheman, and other accepted naturalists, I have
no hesitation in stating them.
First, on account of the greater size and nearer resem-
blance of the animal to the European race, we will take the
common, familiarly-called gray wolf. At one time it was
scattered all over the North American continent to the Gulf
of Mexico; but now, with few exceptions, is not to be found
until the great prairies of the West or the slopes of the
Rocky Mountains are reached, or the immense timber lands
to the north of Canada entered. But still, although their
habitat has become restricted, owing doubtless to differ-
ence of latitude, great varieties of color are to be found
among this species, but neither in habits, voice, nor shape
are they in the least dissimilar. I am aware that at one
time I possessed a different idea, but farther experience
and study of the subject caused me to change. Thus on
the Rio Grande and in Southern New Mexico and Sonora,
the wolf is most frequently black; as you advance north-
ward red is the preponderating color, gradually changing
into gray as you get into higher latitudes, that changing to
WOLVES. 175
white as you approach the Arctic Circle. The texture of
the hair in the black wolf is coarse, and his covering scant
—that of the red animal similar, but not so much so, while
the gray is well provided with an abundant fur, but not
equal in quality or texture to the Arctic variety. Here, as
ul Eo
aoa
GRAY WOLVES.
in many other races, is to be observed the wonderful pro-
vision of nature to enable the animal kingdom to be suita-
bly clothed for the climate they live in, whether they have
to combat with almost tropical heat or hyperborean win-
ters. Thus what is generally called the gray wolf is one
and the same race with the black, brown, and white, the
change of color being to adapt them to the prevailing tem-
perature of the latitude they live in.
The two other species are the coyote and prairie-wolf,
both much smaller than the aforementioned species, in fact
bearing the same relative position to the New World as
176 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
the jackal does to the Old. They are essentially prairie an-
imals, and invariably live in burrows, while the larger race,
although found in the open country, is partial to forest, and
generally sleeps in a nest or den upon the surface of the
soil or in a crevice of the rocks. The prairie-wolves and
coyotes are timid little fellows, living and hunting in com-
munities, and if captured young are easily tamed, becoming
much attached to their owner, and when in that state not
unfrequently display sagacity worthy of the dog; while the
larger wolf becomes sullen and treacherous with age, ever
evincing an unconquerable dislike to his domesticated re-
lation, the dog, and if at any time able to recover his liber-
ty will at once return to the modes of life of his ancestry.
In courage the gray wolf of America materially differs
from the Old World race, it being of very rare occurrence
for them to attack human beings; still such have happen-
ed, but never, I believe, in the powerful bands trooped to-
gether that scour the steppes of Western Siberia and East-
ern European Russia. It may be that game being more
abundant in North America the animals do not get reduced
to the same straits from hunger; but this I doubt, for tray-
elers of authority generally advance the opinion that finer
hunting-grounds than those that margin the Ural range are
nowhere to be found. No, the ferocity of those of the Old
World is in my belief attributable to this: Europe and Asia
have ever been the scenes of intestine wars, dead and wound-
ed have been deserted and left to perish — naturally, the
wild animals have preyed upon them, and thus become so
familiar with our race as to know their helplessness and
want of powers of resistance. Of course the Indians have
carried on wars among themselves, and the white man has
constantly been in the habit of invading the territories of
the aborigines, but the slaughter in these forays has been
trifling, the victims on either side seldom left without inter-
EXCITEMENT OF A GALLOP. ‘177
ment, thus depriving the carnivora of an intimacy with the
human family; which leads to contempt of our powers of
resistance, or possibly a relish for our flesh.
Few of us have not experienced the excitement of a gal-
lop over a good grass country, with the spotted beauties
Jeading the way, getting over the ground at a racing pace,
while your mount is nearly hauling you out of the saddle
PRALRIE-WOLVES.
with enthusiasm and inclination to make himself on still
more familiar terms with the pack. By Jove, how reckless
such excitement makes you feel! Fear is banished for the
time being—all sense of danger is dispelled to the winds,
and sooner than be thrown out you would ride at a canal,
or charge any height of timber. You may be old—yet for
the time feel young: you may be blasé—yet you feel as
buoyant’as when you made your début. But it is far from
g*
178 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
the grass countries, across three thousand miles of water
and fifteen hundred of land—far beyond the giant Missis-
sippi, to the illimitable prairies of the Far West I wish you,
in thought, to travel. Imagine a boundless expanse of un-
dulating land, covered with grass; here and there a sparse
scattering of brush, with perhaps one or two lines of timber
that mark the margin of tributaries of some mighty river,
and you have the landscape without entering into detail.
What a place for a gallop! what a place for a buffalo run,
or any other kind of run that will give your mettlesome
nag an opportunity of showing his pluck and endurance.
But take care; don’t ride with a slack rein; keep your
eyes open; all may look plain sailing from the distance, but
on closer inspection you may come upon a densely popu-
lated dog town, or collection of coyote earths, each hole of
which is big enough to use a Newfoundland in for a fox
terrier.
Wolves of each species are found numerous all over this
elysium; game is abundant, and the marauder is always on
its track looking out for the feeble or unfortunate. Skulk-
ing scoundrels are these members of the canine fraternity,
and cunning withal; keen and successful hunters if neces-
sary, but addicted to idleness; for if they can obtain their
dinner at others’ expense, they are always ready to sacrifice
their principle, and sponge upon the first acquaintance. If
you go out for pleasure, or with the desire of replenishing
your larder, you are certain to be attended; you can not
get away from camp without their watchful eyes detecting
you. As you rise one knoll you may observe the escort
topping the last, and intently keeping all your movements
under their observation. Full well do they know that if
buffalo or deer fall before your rifle, on the refuse that you
reject they will find a bounteous repast; or if your hands
and eyes forget their cunning, and a wounded unfortunate
THE USE OF GREYHOUNDS. 179
goes off, then the chances are that the whole carcass will
fall to their-share, and a gorgeous feast on tidbits ensue, for
Master Lupus has wonderful scenting powers, and, with the
trail spiced with blood, he grudges no amount of exertion.
Again, the wolf is generally in disgrace; for he steals
your game if deserted by you for a few hours to procure
assistance to transport it to camp;-he eats your lariat
ropes, untying your animals, nibbles the flaps of your sad-
dles, and keeps up an unearthly serenade through those
hours that the tired sportsman is most disposed to rest. Is
it any wonder that he is unpopular, that he has few friends,
and that he is considered a vermin of the first magnitude ?
Tn all shooting excursions you will have idle days, a lay-off
for the more serious duties of the morrow, when guns are
cleaned, bullets cast, powder-flasks replenished, and wet
and dirty clothes dried or washed. The forenoon having
sufficed to perform these labors, a run with a wolf will be
found not a bad appetizer for your evening meal, or re-
mover of your little stiffnesses and ailments, in the same
way as a little exercise is necessary to the hunter the day
after a:long or hard run. To enjoy this pleasure to per-
fection you must be provided with dogs, and there are none
so suitable as the strongest stamp of greyhounds; more
powerful ones that are addicted to grappling with the foe
will get fearfully mauled, for the jaws of a wolf are almost
as powerful as a hyena’s and consequently your limited
establishment would be half the time on the sick-list; with
the greyhound it is different. As soon as you get a view
at him they go, and although the game is swift, still his ad-
versaries are not long in ranging alongside, when a snap in
the hams or loins immediately brings him to bay. De-
termined and numerous are his efforts to catch the nimble
antagonists, who take precious good care to keep beyond
reach. After a few moments. of such skirmishing, the
180 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
closer approach of the sportsman admonishes the wolf to
be moving, and off he goes, best foot foremost; but his
persecutors are in attendance. A hundred or two yards
may be traversed, and again he is brought up standing from
a similar cause; thus the game is played till the wolf is ex-
hausted, and the sportsman gets sufficiently close to end
the episode by a well-directed pistol-bullet through the
grizzly marauder’s cranium.
Spearing the wolf on horseback is also capital sport; but
it takes a great deal out of your nag, for the scoundrel,
while fresh, will double almost as sharply as a hare, and
from his wonderful lasting powers take you over an im-
mense distance, he invariably choosing the roughest ground.
In this mode also you must constantly be on the gui vive,
for if opportunity offers he will make either your horse or
yourself acquainted with his grinders, and a snap from him
will be a memento. In the neighborhood of Fort Riley an
accident of this kind almost occurred to me. A large gray
wolf jumped up before me, and as my horse was fresh and
the afternoon cool I made up my mind for a run. Draw-
ing my revolver, and taking my nag in hand, we were soon
skimming the prairie at a slashing pace. After a mile of
this work I ranged alongside, but on several occasions when
about to press the trigger the wolf wheeled sharply to the
right or left, once very nearly throwing my nag on his head.
More determined to draw blood from the trick practiced
on me, I was soon again at his tail; but the foe tried a
new and quite unexpected ruse, viz., suddenly slackening
his pace, and as I overshot him, making a most wicked
snap at my off foot, which fortunately was protected by a
heavy cow-hide boot; but the indentation showed that a
lighter covering would have caused me to regret my prow-
ess.
If ever you visit the Western prairies you will not re-
THE SCOTCH DOG. 181
gret the trouble of taking with you some good strong grey-
hounds; the rough Scotch dog I should prefer, for you will
not only find them great promoters of your sport, wolf-hunt-
ing, but useful auxiliaries in pulling down wounded deer, as
well as most watchful and trustworthy camp guardians and
companions.
wake
CHAPTER XII.
FOXES.
TuE varieties and even species of foxes are so great on
the North American continent that I doubt much if they
have ever been properly classified by the naturalist. Go
where you will they are to be found. Of the commoner
species, I may safely state that I have killed hundreds.
So in the following I will allude only to the principal of
them. For a long period I had resided in a part of North-
ern Canada that probably supplies as many of those ex-
tremely rare animals—the Black or Silver Fox—as any por-
tion of the American continent, and during the entire length
of my residence was constantly associated with trappers,
fur-traders, et hoc genus omne,; so a few remarks on this
scarce and valuable animal may not be out of place.
The fabulous sum that a prime black fox skin is worth
causes this animal to be universally sought after; the tawny
redskin or the swarthy half-bred hunter, when he discovers
the haunt of one of these beauties, never ceases day or night
to ponder over schemes for his capture; the marten and
mink traps are for a time neglected, and every artifice, ev-
ery trick and ingenuity that ever entered trapper’s brain,
is at once put into practice. Nor is this fox less wary
than his confréres, but quite the reverse; and I believe in
the current opinion that there is no animal more difficult
to circumvent. Often of an evening I have listened to the
broken English of the snake-eyed aborigines, or the curious
patois of the Canadian habitant, recapitulating how they
all but succeeded on such and such an occasion, or were re-
INTRODUCTION OF THE RED FOX. 183
warded with success upon another. By the bright glow of
a wood -fire, illuminating the unhewn long walls, rough
chinking, and shingle roof of a frontier cabin, the cold and
bitter night being made doubly severe by the howling
blasts that impetuously rush with angry noise through the
disturbed trees, these narratives of perseverance and hard-
ship form a pleasant way of passing the long wintry night.
The cup goes round, the pipe is smoked, and the company,
although illiterate and unpolished, possess one great qual-
ity—sincerity. If they quaff your health or shake your
hand, it is not an empty form, but one which emanates
from genuine friendship and unselfish feelings.
There are no distinct differences between the black and
red fox excepting color, save it be that the fur of the for-
mer is much finer; but this can satisfactorily be accounted
for by his residence being always in much colder latitudes ;
in fact, his chief resorts appear to be the intermediate space
between the homes of the red and Arctic representatives.
Nevertheless, I claim that he is of different species from
either of the aforementioned. My reason I will state.
The black fox has been known in North America since
the first settlement of the country. We hear of one of the
Indian chiefs presenting some of the earliest settlers with a
skin of this species, as a mark of the high estimation placed
on the white man’s friendship. Not so with the red fox of
at least the eastern portion of the North American conti-
nent. In searching over some old works among the admi-
rable writings on natural history emanating from the pen
of Postmaster-general Skinner, now dead many years, we
learn that the red fox was introduced into the State of
Maryland from England considerably over one hundred
years ago. The importer was no other than the gallant
and loyal old soldier, Colonel Guy Carlton, whose name so
conspicuously appears associated in all the efforts made by
184 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
the royal troops to suppress the Revolution. This noble
veteran was doubtless a hard-riding and enthusiastic fox-
hunter. The little gray fox indigenous to the country did
not suit his exalted ideas, from having enjoyed the noble
sport at home, and to remedy the evil he went to the trou-
ble, and doubtless, in those days, great expense, to import
the larger, gamer, and more lasting animal. The result
was the success he so eminently deserved. The first arri-
vals were turned down in Maryland, not far from Balti-
more. From there they have gradually extended north,
south, and west, marking their advent by the gradual an-
nihilation of the gray species. I have had the pleasure for
some years of enjoying the friendship of Colonel Skinner,
son of the old postmaster-general; from him I learn that he
frequently heard his father speak on this subject, and that
he has often visited the spot where the first English, or red
foxes, were released. From my own personal experience I
can state a circumstance corroborative of the fact, that with
the entrée of the red fox into any section of country the
gray species either migrates or-perishes. Some years since
I lived in a hilly portion of Southern Illinois. On my ar-
rival the little gray foxes were so numerous that with a
moderate pack of hounds two or three could be killed daily.
I had not been there over a year when, to my surprise, I
jumped up a noble specimen of the red, while deer-shoot-
ing. From that date the gray commenced to diminish,
and I am informed by reliable authority that at the present
time not a single representative of ‘the smaller breed is to
be found in that district. Audubon, an authority on whom
generally the greatest reliance can be placed, regards the
black and red fox as simple varieties of the same species.
Doubtless he never heard of the red fox being a foreigner,
or he would probably have agreed in the decision I have
come to—knowing the truth of the red fox’s introduction
ANXIOUS FOR BLACK FOX. 185
—that the black and red fox are entitled to be regarded as
representatives of different species. Nor has the red fox
belied his ancestry or deteriorated by his emigration. The
keen and persevering fox-hunters of Virginia, Kentucky,
Tennessee, Carolina, and Georgia, give him the credit of
being the most lasting and difficult animal to run down
that the forests produce. From the natural differences be-
tween England and America, fox-hunting is not only a very
dissimilarly conducted sport, but in the latter associated
with more labor and hardship. The woods are so immense
that it generally results in cover-hunting from start to fin-
ish; consequently slower hounds require to be used, and
every advantage of Pug taken. At dawn the field assem-
ble, so as to catch their quarry with a full stomach, and it
is no uncommon thing for the sun to have reached the west-
ern horizon, and the hunters to be thirty miles from home
ere the death wo—whoop be sounded.
But to the black fox. I had often longed to capture one
of these beauties during my boyish residence on the Amer-
ican continent. The price that the pelt would bring was a
supply of pocket-money that I could see no end to; but
once, and only once, during that visit, had I the fortune to
almost realize my wish. I had been hunting all day by the
margin of a distant lake. Tired and unsuccessful, about the
hour of sunset I approached a clearing of a few acres in the
forest, where Indian corn had been grown and just gather-
ed into shocks. My companion was a little half-bred ter-
rier, who had endeared himself to me from his sagacity and
obedience. ‘As I neared the brush fence which surrounded
the opening, with the habitual caution that residents in wild
lands learn, I secreted myself behind a stump, and took a
careful survey; for deer are fond of corn, so are bears, as
well as all the small varieties of game. I had not remained
thus hidden for many minutes when what I had taken for
186 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
a charred stump suddenly became animated, and remarka-
ble were the movements that heralded this transformation.
One more glance told me it was a fox of the long-coveted
species; but what the mischief was he about? mad surely,
and for this reason, no creature in his senses could other-
wise make such a fool of himself. First he took hold of
his tail, and spun round like a kitten; next moment he was
turning somersaults, or struggling on his back, kicking his
legs in the air; then the tail-trick was reverted to again,
and so on. For several minutes I stood transfixed; Pug
was too far off to shoot at, and any attempt at a stalk was
too dangerous to put into practice. But my patience was
not severely taxed. With a sudden spring the,fox dashed
forward ; up flew a dozen spruce grouse, and the black-coat-
ed gentleman, with a bird in his mouth, quietly trotted to-
ward cover, giving me a cross-shot at forty yards’ range—
a chance which I was not slow to avail myself of. With
the report Pug turned head over heels, but quickly picked
himself up, forgetting however his prey, and made for the
timber. Hurriedly I gained the bird—small consolation for
my disappointment; but my hopes were again revived, for
my little cur-dog took up the scent, and waking the echoes
with his insignificant bark, went off as if he intended work.
At the best pace I could command I followed, singing every
few strides a word of encouragement to my trusty compan-
ion. Farther and farther into the woods I advanced, but
soon it was so dark that, at length, with barked shins and
sundry tumbles, I was obliged to give up the pursuit. Sev-
eral times in the chase I came to a stand-still, and as often
as I did so, Prince’s voice appeared as if he had brought
the foe to bay. Halting for the last time the same thing
occurred, and as the dog did not appear to be much over a
hundred yards distant, I determined to make another effort,
which resulted in no better success. This led me to believe
FOX-HUNTING. 187
that my dog came up with the fox, and brought him to bay,
but as the latter was the larger, Prince was afraid to lay
hold, and on my advancing too close to the belligerents
Pug would make off again, to stop when he thought him-
self out of harm’s way.
Next morning I instituted a search, which was unsuc-
cessful; but a week afterward, when shooting wood grouse
in the same vicinity, I accidentally came across the carcass
of a dead black fox, partly immersed in a pool of stagnant
water, which had utterly destroyed what must have been a
most perfect and prime pelt.
Those fond of fox-hunting can have it to repletion in all
parts of the country ; for when the red is not to be found,
the gray fox, kit or cross fox, and swift fox take their
place.
CHAPTER XIII.
HARES.
ALTHOUGH it is common in America to hear different
species of hares designated by the name of rabbit, this is
one of those extraordinary mistakes in nomenclature, in
reference to the fauna of the American continent, of which
T have previously spoken; for no true rabbit is to be found
there, except in a state of domestication. In other words,
they are not indigenous to the land. The little wood hare,
so very abundant on the verge of cultivation that adjoins
prairie land, might well have been confused with the other
rodent, but when we find the Townsend hare and jackass
hare, both remarkable for their size and strongly-marked
characteristics of race, also called rabbits, such obviously
erroneous misnomers appear intentional, and therefore cul-
pable.
The little wood hare is to be found in large numbers in
all those States whose rivers are tributaries of the Missis-
sippi, their favorite haunts being neglected—overgrown old
clearings or uncultivated land that the heavy timber has
been cut off. With beagles they would afford admirable
sport, but for their habit of seeking shelter when pursued
in decayed logs or hollow trees, their claws being so sharp
that they can ascend the cavity in the interior of a perpen-
dicular girdling from ten to twenty feet, and it is no unu-
sual occurrence to find a dozen, or even more, of these pret-
ty little creatures in the same retreat. This species is al-
most unknown in Canada.
The sportsman, wishing to make a bag of them, should
THE LITTLE WOOD HARE. 189
use very small shot, say No. 7, for they require but slight
injury to prevent their escape. The season of the year in
which the greatest reward for his exertions will be obtain-
ed is in early spring, particularly if the ground retains a
covering of snow, with a bright warm sun overhead. In
the valley of the Wabash on such a day I have frequently
killed over fifty in an afternoon. In the State of Missouri,
SWAMP HARES.
near Brookfield, I have been equally successful. In fact,
so great are their numbers in the prairie countries, margin-
ing timber land, that any ordinary shot can do the same in
almost any portion of their habitat. The changeable, or
swamp hare, is also abundant; but does not frequent the
same localities as the last mentioned, being partial to thick,
low-lying woodlands. Its southern range commences about
the fortieth degree of latitude, terminating about the fifty-
190 PRAIRIE, AND FOREST.
fifth, cedar and hemlock swamps being its favorite retreats.
In summer this animal is a beautiful bright chestnut, while
in winter it becomes almost entirely white, rendering it ne
easy object to see when the landscape possesses its snowy
covering. With hounds it affords good sport, for it is
‘fleet and enduring, and invariably prefers being run into,
to taking shelter in tree-stump or rocky fissure. This spe-
cies has frequently been confounded with the blue hare of
Scotland, but both are so essentially dissimilar in their hab-
its of life and in choice of haunts, that there can be no rea-
son to doubt that they belong to separate species. How-
ever, there is another species of American hare found upon
the barren lands about the sixtieth degree of north latitude,
in Labrador and Newfoundland, which I would not be sur-
prised if discovered to be identical with the white hare of
Northern Europe.
The jackass hare and Townsend’s hare are very similar
in appearance and habit, the former being larger than the
latter; the habitat of the first being to the east of the
Rocky Mountains; of the second, to the westward, and
upon the plains, verging on the Apache country, in Lower
California. Where the country is sufficiently clear for
coursing, doubtless good sport could be obtained with
greyhounds, as they are remarkably swift and enduring.
When among the chaparral or wild sage they have so little
dread of man’s presence that they will almost permit them-
selves to be kicked out of their form; from this circum-
stance, for shooting them, small shot, say No. 6, can be used
to the greatest advantage.
The aquatic hare is alone found in America, the savannas
of Georgia and South Carolina being its favorite habitat;
Kentucky, Southern Indiana, Illinois, also Tennessee, pos-
sess them. However, they are nowhere sufficiently numer-
ous to make them a special object of pursuit.
THE AQUATIC HARE. 191
My introduction to this animal I will relate. A little be-
fore sunset, on a fine calm evening in March, I took my
stand upon a bridge crossing a slough in the southern por-
tion of Illinois, with the hope of killing a few wild ducks.
The atmosphere was so clear and still that the birds were
very late in visiting their feeding- ground. While impa-
tiently trying to kill time, I saw something swimming in
the water, and supposing it to be a common American
musk-rat, and being desirous of a new tobacco-pouch, I,
MUSQUASH, OR AMERICAN MUSK-RATS.
well hid in the flags, stealthily stole along the margin of
the water, to endeavor to obtain a closer shot, for the
musk-rat requires a tremendous deal of killing. Having
knocked over my game, in a few minutes my retriever laid
it at my feet; but imaging my surprise when, instead of a
rat, I found it to be a hare. I could scarcely believe my
senses, but seeing is believing. Of course I thought that
the poor creature had been driven to water to avoid a foe,
but before many days I shot several, and all in similar
192 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
situations. The habits of this new variety I now made a
study, and ‘found that they were amphibious, sleeping in
forms on the edge of the morass during the heat of the
day, and feeding before sunrise and after sunset.on the dif-
ferent descriptions of water-plants. Whether this hare
was able to dive or not I did not ascertain, but that he is
a most expert swimmer there can be no doubt. His size
is the same as that of our common wild rabbit, but from
his build being thicker, he may possibly be heavier. His
legs are short, feet large, ears small, and head very full and
round; color dark grayish-brown, with scarcely any white
upon the scut, and the fur exceedingly soft and fine. I fre-
quently tested his qualities on the table, and can speak in
the highest approval of the delicacy and delicious flavor of
his flesh, which is much lighter in shade than that of any
other of the same family with which I am acquainted. The
* skin, remarkable for its thinness, is easily removed from the
carcass; but great care must be taken to prevent it get-
ting torn. On inquiring, I found that this hare was well
known by the residents, and from them learned that it bred
once a year, generally producing two at a birth; and that
the young at a very early age follow their mother in her
sundry aquatic excursions in search of those delicate water-
plants that form their staple food.
CHAPTER XIV.
GROUSE.
THERE are supposed to be upward of twenty species of
grouse upon the continent of North America. However,
they have never been strictly classified, so I will confine my
remarks to those best known, commencing with the pin-
nated grouse, prairie-chicken, or prairie-hen, for by all these
names this noble bird is recognized in different localities.
During my sojourn across the Atlantic I recognized three
distinctly marked varieties of this species—two only differ-
ing in color of plumage and size; the third having a tail
longer by some inches than its con/‘réres, and terminating in
a point. This last has its habitat in higher latitude than
the others, being found in the greatest abundance on the
plains that surround the Saskatchewan River, while the
former are common to all the prairie country of the States
of Indiana, Illinois, lowa, Minnesota, and Michigan, even as
far south as Texas. The flight of all is swift, powerful, .
and prolonged, so that late in autumn, when the young
birds have reached maturity, a mile or even more distance
will be traversed from the place where they are flushed till
they think proper to alight. On the contrary, early in the
shooting season, they will lay with such persistency that
many efforts of both dog and sportsman will be required
before they can be induced to take wing. Their pursuit is
followed in the same manner as that of red grouse upon
Scotch moors, for their time of watering, dusting, and feed-
ing are almost identical. At the commencement of the
shooting season (which I believe is now on the Ist of Sep-
9
194 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
tember), No. 7 shot will be found heavy enough to do ef-
fective work, but later on, when cold nights, accompanied
by rain and wind, have taken place, No. 5 should be used.
The first pheasant I killed in China I thought the noblest
game bird that ever I had pulled a trigger upon, and truly
he was a beauty; the plumage was in the most perfect
state —the neck of the greenest emerald, the ring of the
purest white, the tail the longest, and the different shades
and tints of wings and body the very brightest I-had ever
seen in one of the species; moreover, he weighed nearly
one-half more than any of the same family I had killed at
home, and, to add additional appreciation, the shot that
brought him to the ground was a difficult one, and at long
range. For years the pheasant of the southern portion of
China reigned paramount in my opinion; but a change has
come over my ideas, and now, superlative before all others,
I place two descriptions of American game birds, and this
species is one of them. What days of pleasure have I had
in the pursuit of pinnated grouse! What splendid bags
have I made, and on such ground as gave my darling com-
panion setters the very best opportunities of showing their
sagacity and careful education to the greatest advantage !
In alluding to the ruffed grouse, I have stated that I do
not believe this bird (the pinnated grouse) so worthy of ac-
climatization ; and why? he disregards distance in his late
autumnal flights; and, therefore, where shooting ranges are
limited by bounds, unless the proprietors on every side
would mutually agree for their protection, I fear that the
labors of the introducer in the cause of acclimatization
would be fraught with dissatisfaction. But for all that, the
pinnated grouse is deserving of attention; for he is truly a
most noble bird, and affords the best of sport, till the cold
winds preceding winter cause them to pack, in the same
manner as our red and black game; when their weariness
THE PINNATED GROUSE. 195
becomes so great that naught but quick shooting and Ely’s
green cartridges are likely to help the laborer to produce a
bag remunerative for his toil. That this bird could be ac-
climated here in England there is no doubt, for he is capa-
ble of withstanding great changes of temperature; is not
particular as to choice of ground, as long as it is open, and
a sufficiency of food can be obtained.
Although its range now is confined to the prairie country
of the United States, not being found, with two exceptions,
till the edge of the Grand Prairie is reached, yet formerly
it was equally abundant all over the open lands, on the
edge of the Atlantic sea-board ; still, however, Long Island
and Martha’s Vineyard possess some remnants, who long
since would have disappeared but for the protection and
care of the land-owners, who have endeavored to prevent,
if possible, their extinction. I can not well imagine any
place so bleak in winter as the scrub uplands of the two
aforementioned islands, unless perhaps Mull and Jura on
our Scotch coast. The bird that could with impunity with-
stand the rigors of the cold in the former, could doubtless
do the same in the latter. The pinnated grouse pairs in
March, and generally produces from twelve to fourteen
young at a brood; the chicks very early take to the wing,
but their flight is weak and short until they are more than
half-grown. During the infancy of the family, the courage
and artifice of the parent bird to intimidate or draw off in-
truders is worthy of notice. At first she will fly toward
you as if intent on doing you battle, but when this course
has failed, she will retire, droop her wings, struggle on the
ground, only just keeping beyond your grasp, always mov-
ing in a direction contrary to where her brood are hid
until parent instinct tells her that the children are safe,
when suddenly, on strong wings, she will start for a dis-
tant flight. The facility with which the young secrete
196 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
themselves is most surprising. Frequently have I got un-
expectedly into the centre of a family, when up they would
rise, like a flight of bees, and as rapidly drop again; certain-
ly you see the exact spot on which they have alighted—
that tuft of grass, you believe, most surely contains one,
but search as you will, turn over carefully every blade, look
well about the roots —all is useless, for no fledgeling will
you discover.
At the commencement of the pairing season, particularly
if the weather is calm and cloudy, the male birds call all
day; thei: note resembling the lowing of a cow, which can
be heard distinctly for over a mile. As the spring ad-
vances they confine this habit to evening and morning, but
by the time the brood is hatched, cease it altogether. The
peculiarity of the call of the males of this species is such,
that once heard, it is difficult to forget, particularly when
softened by distance. It is produced by forcing the air out
of two orange-colored receptacles placed on either side of
the throat, and which, when inflated, are as large in cir-
cumference as a man’s finger, perfectly free from feathers
upon their surface, but hid when in a state of quiescence by
fan-shaped bunches of hackles that completely cover them.*
The pinnated grouse is about the size of our pheasant.
However, they differ considerably, those birds that inhabit
Southern Illinois being at least one-fourth larger than those
obtained in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the North-west prai-
ries. They are ofa beautiful mottled brown and fawn color,
frequently with white finger-marks on the upper portion of
the wings and back, are feathered down the legs to the
feet, have beautifully set-on small heads, with a slight crest,
and bright yellow iris. When standing, their attitude is
very erect, but graceful. On being flushed, they invariably
* The most killing hackles for tying trout-flies,
PRAIRIE-CHICKEN SHOOTING. 197
cackle, and the flight, except of young birds, is very long.
In the commencement of the season, and in fact as long as
the weather is bright and mild, they lie remarkably well to
dogs; but severe and cold weather causes them to pack
and become wild. However, late in October, or even in
November, if you should hit upon a warm, summer-like day,
the birds will become so disinclined for exertion between
the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. that marvelous bags can be
made.
As food this bird can favorably compare with any of the
grouse family, but is dissimilar in one respect from all the
others—that the sooner it is cooked after being killed, the
more delicate and savory it will be found. Even the skill
of Delmonico, of New York, the justly-celebrated restaurant
proprietor, with all his knowledge of cuisine, can not impart
the delicate flavor that the same bird would have from the
hands of the most ignorant cook, provided it were served a
few hours after being killed.
This grouse can easily be domesticated. Mr. Audubon,
the naturalist, for some time kept quite a number in a wall-
ed garden, where they became as tame as domestic fowls;
from this circumstance I do not believe there would be any
difficulty in transporting them across the Atlantic. To gen-
tlemen stocking preserves, or desirous of being able to show
a great variety of game upon their estate, this magnificent
member of the grouse genus ought to receive attention.
The best prairie-chicken shooting I have ever had was
in the month of October; and although September had
been both wet and boisterous, yet the birds had not pack-
ed, and lay well. Day after day I killed from twenty brace
upward, and this in the northern portion of Illinois, with a
fourteen-bore, light-made, twenty-six-inch-barreled gun. I
have little hesitation in saying that, if I had had a ten-bore,
which I now always use for general shooting in America,
198 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
my score would have been at least double. As it was I
saved nearly every bird, for in the numerous shipments
which I made to a wide circle of acquaintances I did not
hear of one arriving at its destination unfit for the table.
Now, in September this would have been impossible,
though hours had been spent over each packing-case, and
the expected hamper contained at starting as much ice and
a little more charcoal than game. Some knowing hands
profess that by immediately drawing the fowl upon being
knocked over, and stuffing a wisp of grass in the cavity,
putrefaction will be delayed; but what an agreeable opera-
tion to have to perform! Fancy stopping in the middle of
a covey, with dogs standing, to perform the functions of
the kitchen-maid !—the humanity or refinement of the pro-
ceeding, the afterward loading and handling your handsome
breech-loader with your well-daubed hands! or, perhaps, in
a fit of desperation, caused by the attack of some blood-
thirsty mosquito, giving your nose or forehead the benefit
resulting from your labor! But it is too horrible to think
of. All these drawbacks can be warded off or prevented
by not shooting till the weather is suitable; or, better still,
not permitting shooting till such a date as we have reason
to expect a sufficiently cool temperature; making it action-
able for game-dealers to expose for sale the temporarily for-
bidden treasures before the termination of the close season.
Gentlemen of America, if you wish to keep game abundant,
and near home, and to increase and preserve the fine feel-
ings that should imbue the breast of every true sportsman,
devote a little attention to this important point.
Like the deer, bear, and sundry varieties of American
game, which once were to be found in abundance in almost
every section of the country, so was the prairie-chicken ;
but as civilization and population have increased, in such a
ratio their numbers have diminished. In Kentucky, forty
ERRATIC HABITS OF PRAIRIE-FOWL. 199
years ago, they abounded; it is more than doubtful that
one can now be found in that State. The pinnated grouse
has abandoned its old haunts, like the Indian, and removes
every season farther to the westward, to avoid the society
of the pale-faced interloper. Fortunately, all game does
not thus dread the stranger’s presence, for as civilization
increases so does the partridge, and the familiar call of
“Bob White” will soon entirely supplant the deep, musical,
but strange booing of the prairie-fowl east of the Mis-
sissippi.
To get sport nowadays, the ultimate western edge of In-
diana and the State of Illinois, for the Eastern sportsman,
are undoubtedly the nearest points. Buteven after having
traveled thus far, if you desire results commensurate with
your trouble, rest not near the track of the iron horse, but
pursue, to the right or left, your course till you find people
who still talk of the cars* as seven-day wonders, and re-
port as a marvel, that one still night, 2 month ago, Hans
or Jaques heard them whistle. When such originals have
been found, if heavy bags are desired, till then, and not till
then, call a halt.
The prairie-fowl are very erratic in their habits, and the
situations in which they abound one season may be almost
entirely deserted the next. It has often puzzled me to ac-
count for this strange uncertainty in their choice, and I
have thus far failed to satisfy my mind, unless the burning
of the grass, or inundations, to which the Western country
is particularly subject, can be accepted as a reason. A few
years ago a low prairie close to my dwelling was most am-
ply stocked with prairie-fowl, so much so that I used to
limit my bag to one dozen, and seldom did it take more
than an hour to obtain this number. Next year, on the
* Railroads,
200 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
same land, not one solitary bird was. to be found. Now,
this prairie had not been burned, although others in the
vicinity had undergone the operation. Early in the season,
before the young have attained maturity, and ere the cold
and boisterous winds of autumn have caused them to pack,
the sportsman must indeed be a bad shot who can not tum-
ble them on nearly each discharge, for they are easy of ap-
proach, lying very close, and rising and flying slowly, with-
out making much of that disconcerting disturbance so ap-
parent in the flushing of partridge and of ruffed grouse.
Again, the ground in which they are found is open and
clear from interruptions, affording an abundance of time
for the most precise and formal to take aim; but after the
autumnal equinoctial gales have whistled over the unpro-
tected landscape, and the sharp night-frosts have changed
the verdant leaves to a vermilion or golden hue, rapid and
precise shooting is required, for not only will they rise at
long range, but take hard and fair hitting to bring them
down; and instead of finding the quarry on the sun-
warmed, open, grassy slopes, the dense tall corn will be
more frequently selected as their chosen retreat.
Of course, the farther you proceed West, the nearer you
reach the ultimate extremities of civilization, the greater
will be your prospects of heavy bags, and more particular-
ly so late in the season, as the population being sparse, and
the intrusion of cattle, sheep, and dogs less frequent, the
birds still continue comparatively tamer than in the more
densely settled quarters. However, it is not convenient for
all, nor even would many choose to sacrifice every comfort
for the sake of slaughter, and turn a pleasure into a labor
and a pursuit of discomfort; for living in a squatter’s hut
is scarcely, as an old friend used to say, “ what it’s cracked
up to be;” besides, what can you do with the results, a very -
small portion of which will satisfy your own demands. For
NECESSITY FOR GAME LAWS. 201
my part, give me from eight to ten brace daily, with means
of using them, to the most tremendous bags, if they are to
be thrown away. Not many years since, when traveling
through a remote and unfrequented section of the State of
Illinois, I came across a party of young men who were dai-
ly destroying from twenty to thirty couple per gun; and as
the season was warm, and the connection with the railroad
difficult and uncertain, when asked by the tavern- keeper
what they intended doing with their game, they laughingly
responded, “Throw it in the hog-pen;” and for upward of
a week they continued this dastardly behavior. Can it,
then, be wondered that game rapidly diminishes, when per-
sons are to be found capable of such disgraceful conduct?
The only check that I can see, is the organization of prop-
er game-laws, and putting their enforcement in the hands
of honest, reliable men, who will see them carried out to
the very letter, the violation of which should be punishable
by heavy fines, the greater part to go to the informer.
Pinnated grouse are very capricious in choice of sites on
which to place their nests; solitude and vicinity to favorite
food or other causes, of which an outsider can know but
little, must be accepted as the probable reasons. However,
I have generally observed that a preference is shown for
those places where the prairie is covered with bunch-grass,
particularly if the subsurface is moist, and the neighborhood
not overstocked with cattle. This bird is easily caused to
desert her nest, whether the intrusion be committed by man
or beast. On such occasions a new nursery is chosen, and
a second lot of eggs laid; but if misfortune should deprive
her of her brood after the young have left the egg, all idea
of raising a second family is laid aside, and the chickless
mother joins company with the first similarly situated un-
fortunate she may chance to meet. Odd hen-birds, when
found by the sportsman, are frequently supposed to be
9*
202 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
barren, but in nine instances out of ten, I am satisfied that
some luckless cur-dog, mink, or weasel deserves the onus
for the poor bird’s broodless lot.
About the end of March the large flocks begin to break
up and divide into parties of twenty or thirty, each detach-
ment selecting a knoll on which to exhibit their fascinations
to the fair sex or select partners. On the first glint of dawn
the males utter their war-cry, and either wait to receive their
rivals in love, or swiftly wing their way to accept the chal-
lenge of some distant gallant. The fiercest battles now en-
sue.* Nor is it only between two, for sometimes a dozen may
ba observed engaged in the méée, each fearlessly attacking
his nearest neighbor, rising and striking with the wings and
feet much after the manner of domestic poultry, when feath-
ers fly and severe and numerous injuries are received, till
the weaker, finding their strength inadequate to the trial,
reluctantly retire, and some old veteran alone remains, ex-
hausted and war-stained, to make selection of his future
mate. Often have the birds been found, after these con-
tests, so exhausted that they were scarcely able to rise off
the ground or avoid the traveler’s feet. And well do the
hawks know their enfeebled condition after such tourna-
ments, and are not slow to avail themselves of the advan-
tage, and pounce upon the unfortunate conquerors, who,
but for their now exhausted condition, resulting from their
prowess, could easily have avoided the relentless destroyer.
As soon as the victor has made his choice he retires.
The same scenes are again and again enacted till all are
mated.
Like the turkey-cock and domestic pigeon, when making
* Until a late date I believed these battles were a description of tourna-
ment, in fact, all for show. However, this is not the case, and numbers
of the combatants get severely injured. -
NEST OF THE PINNATED GROUSE. 203
love they ruffle their feathers, drop their wings and tails,
and strut about with more pomposity than ever did city
beau.
The nest, which is generally placed upon the top of a
hillock among the long grass, in shape is irregular, but on
examination it will be found carefully constructed of leaves
and interwoven grasses. The eggs are a trifle smaller than
those of the domestic fowl, and are of a dull, yellowish col-
or, much resembling those of the ruffed grouse. In eight-
een or nineteen days they are hatched, and the chicks leave
their nest immediately afterward. From this period the
female is deserted by her mate, and until severe weather
causes them to pack, the old males and females are not
found again together.
By the first week in August the young are capable of
short flights, although not exceeding our partridge in size;
and if shot thus early, which is too frequently the case, it
is difficult to imagine more delicious food. But they will
not bear keeping, and sooner taint than any other game
bird I am acquainted with.
Although the. pinnated grouse seldom leave the open
country, yet if winter be excessively severe they will fre-
quent the edges of the timber, roosting on the tallest trees,
more particularly girdlings, or those destitute of small limbs.
Under such circumstances they are exceedingly wild, and
the most successful deer or turkey hunter may practice all
his cunning and most cautious methods of approach with
signal failure in getting even within rifle range. However,
in a snow-storm, by putting white clothes on, or a night-
gown over your attire, and tying a towel around your head,
with facility the gunner can get within ten or fifteen yards
of them.
When flushed, prairie-chicken invariably utter several
separate clucks, but after they have succeeded in placing
204 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
a safe distance between themselves and the intruder they
continue their course in silence; nor, if when on the wing
they should chance to fly over a sportsman, do they repeat
their note of alarm.
Their favorite food is buckwheat, corn, oats, wheat, and
grass-seed, the buds of fruit-trees, and the seed of the sumac.
Their size is eighteen inches long by twenty-seven inches
across the wings: bill short, stout, and curved, with the
upper mandible considerably overlapping the lower; legs
feathered to the ankle; feet of ordinary size; toes covered
above with numerous small scales; hind toes very short;
claws moderately long, curved and concave beneath; feath-
ers compact, those of the head and neck long and flexible,
with a continuation tapering to a crest on back of head;
on either side a tuft of fine long hackles, covering a bare
portion, which is orange-colored in the males and dull brown
in the females; the wings short and much rounded; pin-
feathers hard and short; tail short and composed of eight-
een broad feathers; bill dusky ; iris yellow; toes dull yel-
low; claws bluish ; the neck and upper portion of back dark
brown, mixed with gray, getting lighter beneath ; tail dirty
brown, tipped with white, except the middle feathers, which
are mottled with a deep brown; and a dark line from man-
dible to eye, thence back to neck, and a beautiful patch of
soft slate-colored feathers under each wing, invaluable to
the fly-tyer—is a correct description of their appearance.
The following are the events of a day’s shooting on the
Grand Prairie, which occurred a few years since, and may
be considered as a sample of the average sport to be en-
joyed in the month of October: ,
On rising from the breakfast-table we found the team
waiting. But few minutes were necessary to stow our
traps, and get under way. Near the confines of the village
(Kent, Indiana) we found birds; but our driver (who aas
A MERRY CHARIOTEER. 205
a regular Tom Draw) would not allow us to alight, insist-
ing that we must go first to our intended sporting-ground.
About forty minutes took us there, our charioteer beguil-
ing the time with innumerable anecdotes and songs, never
being silent for a moment. One ditty he was particularly
attached to, which I can scarcely forget, he having sung it
at least a dozen times:
‘¢ My health and wealth declining,
The doctor was called in;
He spoke to me so serious—
He spoke to me so plain—
‘You've racked your constitution
By getting drunk again.’”
However, the warning that the medical attendant appears
to have given him seemed to be thrown away, for he drank
more spirits, with more gusto, and that without showing
the effect, than any representative of the genus I ever pre-
viously met.
Arriving on the ground, we determined to hunt Beau
and Belle, and keep Jock and Fan for the afternoon. Leav-
ing our wagon by the side of an Osage orange hedge sepa-
rating the prairie from a large corn-field, and, having insert-
ed cartridges in each barrel, we commenced work. The
ground we intended first beating was rolling prairie, with
a sufficiency of grass on it to make the walking good, and
the cover tolerable. My companions and self stretched
into line and started with the wind in our faces. Before
progressing a’ hundred yards Belle set dead as a statue,
and Beau immediately backed. Steadily we walked up to
the dogs, expecting immediately to commence fire upon a
pack of grouse; but what was our disappointment to find
that the dogs were standing to a covey of partridge scarce-
ly half-grown; so we let the young ones go without mo-
lestation, and continued our range. Our previous forbear-
206 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
ance was soon rewarded, for a hundred yards farther our
setters again drew on game, Beau now having the lead.
Up we went, and although alongside the dogs, nothing
showed. By coaxing they advanced farther, and lay down.
There was no mistake now; this indication I seldom knew
to fail. Short was the period of suspense, for up the grouse
commenced rising, not all together, but by twos and threes.
Each gun killed two birds at the first fire, and not being
delayed in loading, our dogs were soon ordered to retrieve.
Belle had not gone five paces to perform this duty when
she again stood, and bang, bang, from all our guns fol-
lowed; in five minutes we had fifteen birds on the ground,
‘aud more flushing every moment. What luck we were in!
We had evidently got out of bed on the right side that
morning, and were in for a big day’s work. While retriev-
ing the birds two more fell to our aim, making seventeen
out of the covey—a pretty good account; and, better still,
those that had not been shot at did not continue their flight
more than two hundred yards, when they, lit.on the brow
of a sunny bank. Having bagged our game, and handed
them to Hank (for that was our charioteer’s name) we
hunted up the survivors, and soon were at work again; the
dogs struck them off at once, and, save that two escaped,
who were out of bounds, and took a lengthened journey out
prairieward, we bagged all.
* Our charioteer now returned, and gave us the satisfactory
information that there were plenty more, but at the same
time adding, “Look you here, jist leave some to breed.” -
We found that our fat friend was correct, for before ten
minutes we were again enfilading a second covey. I must.
tell you how splendidly Beau found this pack. When rang-
ing two hundred yards off, at his usual swinging gallop, he
stopped, and sticking his old, knowing head perpendicularly
in the air, commenced walking straight forward, with a del-
A BIG DAY'S WORK. 207
icate, careful step, well suited for progression over eggs.
As I had seen him do so previously, I knew what was com-
ing, and called my friends’ attention, so that they might
gradually close up toward the keen-nosed setter. Belle
soon saw what Beau was up to, and followed him with
equally cautious, gingery steps. H. , who was off on my
right, flushed a bird, which he cleverly cut down with his
first barrel, making a very pretty cross-shot. But where
were the dogs? Both down in the grass waiting for us to
come, nor could they be persuaded to leave the game they
were on to find the victim first killed. After looking for a
few moments, we gave it up, I marking the place as near as
I knew by dropping my white pocket-handkerchief, intend-
ing to return as soon as I had learned what the dogs had
found. As we advanced, Beau and Belle rose, and contin-
ued drawing for near a hundred paces more, when they
stood. Oh, that some artist had been there to sketch them
on the spot! Nothing would I grudge for the picture.
The attitude of setter or pointer, when standing, is to me
the personification of grace and beauty; and these were
two of the handsomest of the breed that ever gun was
fired over. Well, the old story: the birds were put up,
so packed that we all had difficulty in singling them; five
more fell to our lot; the others, after going about sixty
rods, dropping, scattered among a thick growth of iron-
weed. The dogs must, on this occasion, have winded their
game at least several hundred yards off, so strong is the ef-
fluvium emitted by this game and noble bird.
The majority of the last brood we killed; so, ere noon
had arrived, our bag consisted of seventy head of prairie-
chicken fairly bagged.
Hank sélected a well-suited place for our meal, and with
otium sine dignitate we passed the meridian hours of the
day, happy and contented, at peace with all men, and con-
208 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
scious of the pleasure of suécessfully following an innocent
pursuit.
We remained under the hedge till after two o'clock, eat-
ing, chatting, and smoking, our irrepressible driver relating,
in the most facetious manner, several most amusing anec-
dotes of his previous career; but, as the western sun com-
menced to elongate its shadows, and the afternoon breeze
‘to cool the atmosphere, a start was agreed upon, and with
one accord each rose.and shouldered his gun, intent on do-
ing good shooting and farther swelling the capacity of our
already distended game-bags. The fresh brace of dogs
were uncoupled, and, amidst the discordant notes and
piteous whining of our discarded morning favorites, we
started for the beat.
The ground we were about to hunt exactly resembled in
appearance and vegetation what we had traversed in the
morning, and our anticipations of sport, from former expe-
rience, were up to the boiling- point. However, we must
have walked quite an hour before either obtained a shot,
although the slut ran up two birds, for which she got a
severe rating. In prairie-chicken shooting I have frequent-
ly observed, and on this occasion it was a corroboration of
the fact, that during the heat of midday, or immediately
afterward, pinnated grouse are seldom or never to be found:
near cultivation; why, I can not say, but they always ap-
pear in an unaccountable manner to have transferred them-
selves to the uninterrupted prairie.
Our lengthened tramp had now brought us to ground
more irregular, with vegetation more rank, and sparsely
sprinkled with dwarf osier and willow, the surface being
damp, and occasionally intersected with rivulets. Our
spirits were all becoming depressed from our want of suc-
cess, and even a new beat had been proposed, and was on
the eve of being accepted, when both dogs stood, not ten
THE RUFFED GROUSE. 209
yards apart, and each, apparently, on different birds. This
pleasing incident revived our drooping spirits, and with
steady, regular stride we approached them. When we got -
up three birds flushed, which were immediately cut down;
still another, and another, met the same fate; and in less
than five minutes nine were on the ground. These were
without difficulty retrieved, and the dogs ordered on to find
more; scarce a hundred yards had they ranged when they
a second time found game, the slut leading and the dog,
just at her shoulder, backing. It was perfectly evident
that we had discovered the retreat of the prairic-chickens.
Water or solitude had undoubtedly caused them to assem-
ble here.
Soon we got to the dogs, and never in the course of my
experience did I see a sharper half-hour’s work. Bird after
bird rose, and was knocked over; scarcely had we time to
thrust into the breeches fresh cartridges before we were
called upon to deliver our fire; not less than a hundred and
fifty birds must have been flushed in that space of time, out
of which number nearly half fell to our guns. At one mo-
ment, over twenty were on the ground, waiting to be pick-
ed up; and, better than all, we did not lose a single cripple,
although one old cock, which had only been pinioned, cost
us some minutes’ labor before being bagged.
RUFFED GROUSE.
Contrary to the last described species, this worthy mem-
ber of a noble family loves the woodland glades and rocky
hill-sides. The verge of the prairie he may occasionally
visit, but let him be disturbed, his fears excited, like arrow
from bow he will wing his way direct to the friendly shel-
ter of the forest.
But all woods do not suit the fastidious taste of this
beauty; for when there exists only the fat, damp, slimy
210 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
bottom -lands that margin so many of the South -western
rivers, he is not to be found. No, rolling country and
hilly spurs are his home, where, deep in the shelter of the
laurel, cedar, hemlock, hazel, and birch, he can laugh at his
pursuers, unless they are the very quickest and best of shots.
But I allude to where he has known man, and learned to
dread his presence as ominous of evil; for when such is not
the case, if flushed, they are often satisfied to settle upon
the first tree in the neighborhood, regarding the intruder
with looks of wonder, and remain gratifying their excited
curiosity till the whole covey have been shot in detail.
Throughout Canada West they are numerous. At the
northern end of. Lake Simcoe I found them very abundant,
also on the hill-sides that cradle in the lovely, ‘peaceful
Lake Umbagog, in Oxford County, Maine; but Western
Maryland and Virginia are also favorite haunts—in fact, it
may be found everywhere where wood, water, and hill-side
combine to form for it a suitable haunt, between thirty-two
and fifty degrees of north latitude. No.6 shot I prefer for
shooting ruffed grouse, as from the nature of the ground
on which they are found, more birds are killed at short
range than at longer distances.
The characteristics of the ruffed grouse make them bet-
ter adapted for a residence in England then the prairie-hen ;
and so strongly am I disposed in their favor, that I believe
if once introduced they would, as soon as known, outrival
the pheasant in popularity, being much hardier, swifter on
the wing, lying better to dogs, disinclined to run before
flushing, requiring the quickest and straightest aim to
bring them to bag: moreover, independent of these sport-
ing perfections, they are not much inferior to the Oriental
favorite in beauty of plumage.
The ruffed grouse a little exceeds the red grouse of Scot-
land in size, being almost eighteen inches in length, is very
HABITS OF THE RUFFED GROUSE. 211
handsome and upright in form, of a beautiful rich chestnut-
brown color, variegated with gray and dark spots, and pen-
cilings on the back, breast, and neck. The tail is gray,
with a black bar across it near its termination, and is gen-
erally carried open, like a fan. On the top of the head
there is a slight crest, and down each side of the neck are
curious fan-shaped tufts of glossy black velvet-looking
RUFFED GROUSE.
feathers, In April these birds pair, but I should imagine,
from the seasons in the northern portion of the United
States and Canada being more backward than ours, if they
were introduced here they would do so a month earlier.
They lay from ten to sixteen eggs, their nest, which is a
very primitive one, being generally secreted in brush or
under the shelter of a fallen log. They are most affection-
ate parents, and use the same artifices as the wild duck to
draw away the intruders from the vicinity of their youth-
ful progeny. This grouse has two distinct calls, one a soft,
212 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
mellow, prolonged note, generally used in gathering after
the covey has been broken up; the other an extraordinary
drumming sound, made by the cocks in the pairing season,
and capable. of being heard in still weather a great dis-
tance. The latter noise is caused by the rapid vibration
of the wings when the male is perched on a fallen tree or
stump. Indiscriminately they live on a great variety of
food—ants, grubs, alder-berries, wild-cherries, and grain be-
ing their favorite diet. Early in autumn, when the weath-
er is fine, particularly in the morning and evening, they will
be found in the open cultivation, more especially if there be
rough ground with brush in the vicinity; but as severe
weather approaches, the woods will become their constant
resort. In shooting the ruffed grouse, great difficulty is
always experienced in marking them. Their flight, as I
have previously said, is wonderfully rapid, and they have
a method of doubling back in the reverse direction to
which they started ; however, as they do not generally go
far (about three or four hundred yards), with patience and
a selection of the nearest irregular ground which has young
timber upon it, or the densest brush that is in the neigh-
borhood, a second opportunity will probably occur of bring-
ing more of the family to bag. In many portions of the
United States and Canada they are known by the misno-
mers of partridge and pheasant. Frequently, when trout-
fishing in the wilds of the State of Maine, I have come sud-
denly upon them, when they would rise into the nearest
tree, and remain with unconcern watching me; from evi-
dent curiosity they would stretch their necks and get into
all kinds of grotesque attitudes; and so little would they
then regard the report of a gun that I have known pot-
hunters kill quite a number of the same family by always
shooting the lowest birds first. But when the ruffed grouse
becomes familiar with man he is perfectly cognizant of the
RUFFED GROUSE AS FOOD. 213
danger of being in his proximity. Although before dogs
they lie close, their color harmonizes so well with that of
the ground, that it is next to impossible to see them before
they are on the wing.
‘In the undergrowth which springs up in that portion of
the country where the timber has been destroyed by fire, I
ever found them very abundant, it being almost impossible
to wander half a mile through such openings without flush-
ing a covey. As these generally occur in the lumber re-
gions, where the winters are particularly long and rigor-
ous, far exceeding in severity those of Scotland, the hardi-
ness of this bird can not be doubted. In the Alleghanies
_and all the southern ranges of hills of the United States it
is also abundant, where, if the winters are less severe, the
heat in summer is sometimes excessive, proving that the
ruffed grouse is capable of enduring great varieties of cli-
mate.
The palate of the most fastidious epicure can not fail to
be gratified with the appearance of this game on the table,
the flesh being extremely delicate, with a strong flavor of
our red grouse. I have eaten it cooked in every conceiva-
ble manner, and whether it be simply roasted over a camp-
fire, or form a portion of an omnium gatherum stew, it will
be found alike acceptable. Although scarcity of food may
compel this grouse to change its beat, still it is not migra-
tory, as stated by some naturalists. This supposition has
arisen from their being found in great numbers during
summer and autumn on the scrub barren land, which they
leave as soon as the more severe weather commences, for
the shelter of the dense timber. A family of these birds I
was acquainted with for a year. On their range there was
an abundance of food and water, and during that period I
could always find them, their home being a little hilly isl-
and in the prairie, covered with timber and brush, and
214 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
detached from any irregular land by several miles of
grass.
Some authorities have placed woodcock-shooting first in
the list, and called it the fox-hunting of those pleasures in
which the dog and gun form the chief accessories. As far
as present British field-sports are concerned, I believe they
are correct, but should the ruffed grouse be introduced, and
Englishmen experience the suddenness of their rise, the ve-
locity and irregularity of their flight, the uncertainty of their
movements, and the beauty and size of this game when bag-
ged, they would assuredly insert a saving clause. I doubt
not many—lI believe all—of the warm admirers of shooting
will agree with me that there is a superior pleasure in mak-
ing a mixed bag—now a mallard, next a woodcock, per-
chance thirdly a partridge, and so forth—loading your dis-
charged barrel, scarcely knowing at what description of
game it will be used: thus a reason for their introduction
to England.
If the inhabitants of the British Islands can boast of
their pheasant and grouse, the Americans can in equal jus-
tice laud their ruffed grouse and Virginian ortyx.
CANADIAN OR SPRUCE GROUSE.
Even to the red iris around the eye, so much does this
bird resemble the red grouse of Scotland that it would be
pardonable for any one who had not well known the lat-
ter to confuse it with the former. Although the Canadian
grouse and ruffed grouse are occasionally found upon the
same range of country, the habitat of the former commences
where that of the latter ceases, and extends up to almost
the sixtieth degree of north latitude. Although occasion-
ally flushed in packs, they are more frequently seen in pairs,
and the denser the cover and more swampy the soil, the
more abundant will they be found. So little do these birds
THE PTARMIGAN. 215
dread a human being, that they will often remain perched
upon a limb till a snare on the end of a rod can be passed
over their heads. This trustfulness of man’s good inten-
tions toward them seriously militates against the amuse-
ment they would otherwise afford the sportsman. By the
residents of the localities this bird inhabits they are not
considered good food, for the reason that their back and
thighs strongly possess that peculiar game flavor for which
epicures value the Scotch bird. No. 6 or 7 shot will be
found the best suited for their destruction.
Sacre Grovuss, or Sacz Hay, is a gross, heavy, awkward,
but handsomely plumaged bird; it is almost unedible from
living upon the buds of the wild sage plant, and can only
be found where this shrub grows, viz., on the vast plains on
the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains, for several de-
grees north and south of the thirty-eighth degree of lati-
tude.
PTARMIGAN.
I remember asking a true representative of the Indian
brave, a member of the Sioux tribe, what he thought the
“happy hunting-ground ” was like that he hoped to go to
when he left this world: his answer was, “ One vast coun-
try without limits, divided into prairie, meadow, and tim-
ber land, where all the wild game teemed, and was so reck-
less of man’s presence that the hunter had but to slay and
eat.” How much more admirable would this description
be, if eating had been considered unnecessary, and that we
could return the confidence of the inferior animal life with
kindness—not death! The Indian, doubtless, had his im-
agination controlled by the memory of some of the choicest
hunting-grounds within the limits of his tribe’s extensive
range of country, for theirs 7s a game country par excel-
lence. But if my informant had been from some of the
tribes that lay far off to the north, where the snows lay
216 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
deep half the year, and the spring flits into summer, and
the summer into winter, as rapidly as the changing scenes
of a drama, he would possibly have described the happy
hunting-ground similar to the great lone land, the home of
the ptarmigan. What eye hath not seen, the mind seldom
can conceive ; and I have no doubt the aborigines of these
far-off, desolate regions, with their cutting north winds and
interminable winter nights, if asked to picture what they
deemed a perfect paradise, would describe their own land;
thus contentment springs out of ignorance.
PTARMIGAN,
But to the country Mr. M‘Donald describes as back of
the north wind, lonely as it is—for it is but sparsely pop-
ulated —if visited at the proper season, is not without its
beauties; for arid mountain, verdant swamp, and rocky
crag mingle together, intersected by innumerable dancing
brooks or grand pellucid rivers, forming a landscape ever
grand and impressive.
Here ‘the ptarmigan is to be found in abundance, even
without the aid of a dog; but should the sportsman be ac-
PTARMIGAN. 217
companied by so useful an auxiliary, I have no doubt that
he could make a bag which for numbers would rival any
formed of the grouse of the more southern prairies, or of
the nut-brown beauties that love our English stubbles.
One drawback exists to ptarmigan-shooting in America:
the country the sportsman is compelled to seek them in is
far beyond the borders of civilization, and freedom from
intrusion has rendered them recklessly tame. Time after
time I have seen them sit upon some bare, exposed piece of
rock and refuse to be flushed, even after hurling stones at
them from less than a dozen yards’ distance.
Again, their flight (in contradistinction to those of Scot-
land) is so short, that if the unfortunate bird have the luck
to be missed, it can again and again be put up, till even the
very worst of shots must ultimately bring it to bag.
They are beautiful birds, either in their summer or
winter plumage, and the confidence which they exhibit in
man’s good intentions toward them can not fail to endear
them to him. Thus, I have never shot the ptarmigan but
with regret, for here you have no crafty game, to accom-
plish whose destruction you must call into play all the cun-
ning of your nature.
They unquestionably rank among the game of America,
or I should have left them unnoticed. So if the sportsman,
through my instructions, should visit their habitat, pray de-
sist from useless slaughter.
10
CHAPTER XV.
ORTYX.
(Ortys.)
Tux Virginian ortyx is to be found from the Gulf of
Mexico to Upper Canada, and from the Atlantic sea-board
to the confines of the Western settlements eastward of the
Rocky Mountains, its vagrant habits occasionally causing
it to stray so far north as to cause thousands to perish
through the severity of the winter; for although so reck-
less of consequences they are far from hardy. They are
sought for in the same manner as partridges are in En-
gland, viz., with setters and pointers; but from their being
a smaller bird, and lying closer, it is desirable, when in
their pursuit, to use smaller shot. If justifiable to envy
your neighbors the possession of any thing, I think the
“sportsman who has killed this game must often have wish-
ed in his heart that it was abundant in England.
Tf all who have traveled abroad or sojourned in foreign
lands had done so with their eyes shut, or if, not keeping
their orbits closed, they had refused to give their country-
men the benefit of their experience, a useless lot they would
have been, and England, as far as progression is concerned,
would have been far behind her present advanced position.
He who first introduced the idea of crossing our native
horse with the foreigner did an immense public service; he
who introduced the old Spanish pointer deserves the grati-
tude of every sportsman, for doubtless our present beauties,
with all their speed and sagacity, have much of the blear-
eyed, bad-tempered, pottering old scoundrels’ blood in their
veins. And still further, to foreign climes we trace the
THE VIRGINIAN ORTYX. 219
pheasant, the turkey, and so many more valuable animals
that to enumerate them would be tedious. However, I be-
lieve that there are quadrupeds, birds, and fishes, still
strangers to England, that require only to be known to be
appreciated ; and by placing their merits before the public,
some one may be found sufliciently patriotic to make the
attempt to naturalize them.
Without more preamble, and to come at once to the
point, let me say that in my humble opinion there is no
bird more worthy of attention, and more deserving of the
honor of introduction to any land, than the American ortyx.
Its numerous good qualities, together with its description,
I will to the best of my knowledge give, hoping it may be
the means of our yet seeing this little beauty ornamenting
European fields, and adding brilliancy and variety to the
game-bags of its numerous enthusiastic sportsmen. The
American ortyx varies in weight from eight to ten ounces,
is erect in his walk, very handsome in plumage, strong
upon the wing, feeds principally upon grain, grass-seed, and
ants, frequents indifferently brush, timber, or open coun-
try, is capable of standing cold, is not quarrelsome with
‘other game, and is very prolific, frequently hatching two
broods in a season. Moreover, an advantage which can
not be too highly estimated, is that it never gets so wild as
to rise so far from your dogs as to be out of gun-shot, a
nuisance that all are so well aware of in our home-bred
bird toward the end of the season. In fact, who that shoots
regularly can not remember instances of our partridge dis-
appearing over the far side of a field as soon as the sports-
man had entered it? Now, in years of experience in
America, I never saw an instance of this kind; up to the
commencement of the close season they would remain al-
most as tame as they were at the termination of the pre-
vious one. A reason for this may be that they seldom
220 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
pack; only once or twice have I seen more than the usual
number of a covey together, and then remarked that the
weather had been unusually severe and stormy.
A peculiarity, however, this bird possesses is that in wet
and slushy weather it will frequently when, disturbed take
shelter on the limbs of trees, from which if flushed they af-
ford the hardest possible shots. In the open it is by no
means easy to hit, for its flight is very strong and swift,
and frequently irregular, but it does not go far, so that a
good marker seldom has much trouble to re-find it. Some
persons are under the impression that this ortyx is migra-
tory; however, this is a mistake, for, although they may
wander from their breeding-place, from constant attention
I am convinced that the change of quarters is caused from
scarcity of food. On the edges of the dry prairies in South-
ern Illinois, in early autumn, this bird abounds; in winter
they disappear into the neighboring thickets and brush—for
why ? the prairies are constantly burned at the end of the
season, and consequently starvation or change of residence
are their alternatives. In one section of the country that I
resided in, a great portion of the prairie-land was too wet
to burn, and many a heavy bag I obtained late in the sea-
son, even when the roots of the grass were submerged in
ice. My dogs, which I invariably broke upon them, seldom
made mistakes, and never do I remember a covey depart-
ing (except the pointer or setter had run into them coming
down wind) without getting at least a barrel into them.
With other varieties of game they appear to agree well,
for I have on several occasions killed the ortyx with one
barrel, and the ruffed grouse with the other over the same
point.
They are universally scattered over the United States
east of the Rocky Mountains, where cultivation exists, al-
though possibly most abundant in Maryland and Virginia.
THE CALIFORNIAN ORTYX. 221
As a table delicacy I know no greater; for weeks I have
constantly had them at both breakfast and dinner, still with-
out becoming satiated, and there are very few varieties of
game could stand a more severe test. Their note or call is
remarkably melodious, and in the spring or pairing time,
when they are numerous, you can hear their sweet voice all
day long, and in every direction. I have always regretted
that no one introduced this little stranger, in sufficient quan-
tities to guarantee the experiment a fair trial.
CALIFORNIAN ORTYX.
This bird is a little smaller than the Virginian. It is
strictly confined to the Pacific slopes, and wherever culti-
vation exists the sportsman may be satisfied that his ex-
ertions in their pursuit will be rewarded. No. 8 will be
found the most suitable sized shot for killing this game.
This bird is particularly one of those that the Americans
have reason to be proud of, for not only is it possessed of
brilliant plumage, but is gifted with a plume remarkable
alike for its beauty and grace. This head-dress is a row
of eight or ten feathers, commencing on the top of the
head and gradually diminishing in size as they grow down
the neck. In cases of excitement, or at the breeding sea-
son, the cocks raise this, the upper portion of the plumes
pointing forward over the forehead after the manner of the
crest of a cockatoo. On the hill-sides that inclose the Val-
ley of Sacramento at one time they were very abundant;
and although their numbers have been greatly diminished
of late years, still they are sufficiently numerous in that lo-
cality to afford abundant amusement to the sportsman.
Unlike the Virginian ortyx, they do not lay well to dogs,
not that they are wild, but from a preference they have for
running instead of taking wing. This peculiarity will oft-
en be found a great source of annoyance when the cover is
222 ; PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
thick, and be most injurious to the well-broken, highly-bred’
dog. However, when flushed, their flight is swift, although
not protracted, and no small amount of skill and practice
is necessary for the shooter to become a certain shot at
this description of game. Like the Virginian bird, they
frequently breed twice in the year, and at each sitting, if
no accident occur, or wet weather supervene, which in their
habitat is unusual, hatch from eight to ten young; thus it
is easily understood how they are so abundant.
Although not migratory, they are very erratic in their
habits; the same cause as in the Virginian ortyx being
doubtless the reason.
From a custom they possess of sunning and dusting
themselves in very exposed and bare situations, immense
numbers fall victims to the birds of prey; in fact, in Cali-
fornia, I believe they form the principal food for the numer-
ous species of Falconide that infest its mountain ranges;
report also states that the snakes have a penchant for them,
and prefer them to all other articles of food. This is scarce-
ly to be wondered at when we consider how defenseless
they are when seized, their excessive tameness, and last,
not least, their delicacy of flesh, if the taste of birds of
prey and snakes is to be judged of by that of the human
family.
In Sonora and the south-western boundary of the Apache
range of country they are captured, with nets and snares,
in immense numbers by the Indians, it being no unusual
thing for hundreds to be taken in a single day.
While residing in China, at Hong Kong, the idea struck
several friends and myself, from the constant communica-
tion there was between the Celestial Land and San Francis-
co by ship, that we might import these little beauties and
acclimate them there. After some delay we received about
twenty couple, eight of which we turned ont in Ty-tan Val-
THE CALIFORNIAN ORTYX. 223
ley, Hong Kong, and the remainder in Shang-moon Valley,
in the opposite main-land.
Although next shooting season they were diligently
searched for, I am unaware that any of them were after-
ward found—climate, soil, or food, individually or collect-
ively, being doubtlessly unsuited to them.
CHAPTER XVI.
WILD TURKEY.
Two species represent this family, viz., the common wild
turkey, so well known in nearly all the States composing
the Union, and the ocellated, common to Honduras and
portions of Central America.
Although this race are not migratory, still they are great
wanderers; thus a locality where they have been abundant
one month, may be entirely deserted by them the next. It
is found in the province of Ontario, in Canada, which I am
led to believe is the most northern range of its habitat:
here it was at one time tolerably abundant, but the cultiva-
tion of the wild lands, and constant persecution by the set-
tlers, have very much reduced their numbers. Pennsyl-
vania and Ohio at one time swarmed with them, but there,
as in Canada, they have suffered much diminution; how-
ever, in the adjoining States of Indiana, Illinois, Michigan,
and Wisconsin they can be found in sufficient numbers to
remunerate the sportsman for the time and labor passed
in their pursuit. All the Southern States possess them in
greater or less abundance, but their range does not extend
westward beyond the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mount-
ains.
The early settlers, when this game was far less wary
than now, were in the habit of shooting them with the
rifle, the head invariably being the object fired at, but
quickness of aim being now a desideratum, the shot-gun
has usurped the place of the other weapon. On damp
hazy moonlight nights in autumn, if the roosting-place be
THE WILD TURKEY. 225
discovered, several in succession may frequently be killed,
before the others become sufficiently alarmed to seek safe-
ty in flight.
WILD TURKEY.
This noble bird, the parent stock from which our domes-
tic race has-sprung, should be seen in the free untrammeled
state of nature, unsubdued by domestication, to have a just
10*
226 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
conception of his grandeur and consequence. No pasha
with many tails, no Mongol mandarin with obsequious fol-
lowers, struts about with greater consequence, while the la-
dies of his harem gaze with meek and submissive admira-
tion on all their liege lord does. In his domestic arrange-
ments he is truly an autocrat of the first water, caressing
one, sharing his food with another, or punishing a third;
however, he is not a brave gallant, for let a note suspicious
of alarm be heard, down will go his head, and, forgetful of
all his family ties, he will seek safety in the most precipit-
ous flight, not with wings, unless compelled, but on foot,
and at a gait that would astonish an ostrich. When hu-
man inhabitants are scarce and brush abundant where wild
turkeys inhabit, they are not remarkable for their cunning;
but if an old bird should remain sole survivor of his race
in the neighborhood of land newly settled, I doubt much if
a more crafty, suspicious animal can be found in the world;
for his whole life seems to be spent in a state of uneasiness,
seeing and dreading danger in every breath of wind or
moving object. Not unfrequently this very watchfulness
leads to his destruction, for to avoid an imaginary danger
he runs into a real one. Again, although this bird may be
accredited with an unusual amount of cunning, some of his
actions are so extremely stupid, that it causes astonishment
in the mind of a reasoning being how qualities so dissimilar
can be found to exist together.
As an instance, in some portions of the United States
where settlements are becoming daily more numerous, wild
turkeys still exist in considerable numbers, but the sports-
man who would go in their pursuit with the hope of ob-
taining a shot, will find his efforts fruitless and his labor
thrown away; but the settler—more probably one of his
young children—will go into the uncleared land, search till
he discovers evidence where turkeys frequent, and then
MODE OF CAPTURING. 227
commence his plans for their capture. His first proceed-
ing is to make a circle, on the margin of which he scatters
a few grains of Indian corn; this being accomplished, he
sprinkles from the ring to its centre more grain. Here
is erected a small edifice of poles, laying sufficiently close
upon each other not to obstruct the light, at the same time
to prevent the prey from escaping when inside. Under-
neath the foundation of this structure a passage is cut, with
a gradual incline of sufficient size for the game to force it-
self into the cage, the incline and interior of the trap being
abundantly supplied with grain. This generally wary bird,
in his wanderings through the woods in search of food, dis-
covers the corn laid along the outer circle: feeding along
he follows it, till the line is reached which leads to the
trap; this he also pursues, and ultimately squeezes him-
self inside the cage, whence, as long as any thing remains
to eat, he never thinks of retiring. At length all is con-
sumed, when the captive raises his head for an examination
of his prison; after a time he endeavors to force his way
through between the poles, but this is impossible, for they
are firmly pinned together. Restraint now makes the pris-
oner reckless; headlong he dashes against the bars, till ex
hausted, frightened, and with disordered plumage, he re-
signs himself to his fate, never for an instant thinking of
lowering his head to seek for the spot that afforded him
admission. As many as a dozen wild turkeys have been
caught by this means at one time. Curiosity is another of
their besetting failings, and a knowledge of this weakness
in their character is often employed to bring the noble bird
within gunshot. While residing in Southern Illinois, I had
a, favorite kitten, which, unless I shut it up, would invaria-
bly follow me into the woods when shooting. On one oc-
casion, with this strange shooting companion at my heels,
I came across deer-tracks so fresh and regular that I felt
228 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
convinced their producers were not far off. What to do with
Pussy first occurred to me, and, as I neither wished to lose
my pet or have her company, a thought struck me—why
not tie her up with a long piece of string I had in my
game-bag? Very few of us have not tied up a dog, and
found he had slipped his collar on their return; a little ex-
perience and care will obviate this as far as the canine race
go, but to tie up a cat is quite another kettle of fish. At
length, however, I succeeded, by not only placing a collar
round her neck, but also around her shoulders, at the back
of the fore-legs, which, connected by an inch of cord, retain-
ed each in its place without Puss having the power to slip
them. To this connecting link I attached six feet of string,
which I made fast to a long horizontal branch, about five
feet from the ground. Thus the cat could lie down or
stand up, but not go sufficiently far to lay hold of any
thing with her claws to assist her to tear from her moor-
ings. Pussy soon found that escape was impossible, so sat-
isfied herself by expressing her feelings of disappointment
by giving vent to low, piteous cries.
Off I went after the deer. From the woodland they had
crossed a small inclosure of tobacco, proceeded through a
belt of brush-wood, and entered my corn-field. Making a
circle to get the wind, I carefully entered the maize, and
after half an hour’s diligent search, during the greater part
of which I was crawling on my hands and knees, I viewed
the dusky hide of a well-fed doe, which I brought down at
the first shot.
Having secured my prey I returned for Pussy, and, as
chance would have it, I approached up wind the place where
she was tied. If I had forgotten her exact position, I could
easily have found it by her piteous mewings. When with-
in fifty yards of where she was, on looking to my front, to
my surprise, I saw nine full-grown wild turkeys around her,
AMUSING INCIDENT. 229
and so remarkable was their conduct that I halted to wit-
ness it.
The ringleader of this coterie was a very large old cock-
bird, his companions young males and hens. In a circle of
a few yards in diameter they stood around my pet, their
necks either stretched forward to their greatest length, or
their heads hoisted knowingly on one side. The leader,
who seemed the bravest of the party, slowly would advance
till he was almost within pecking distance of the cat, then
Puss would make a struggle, and the intruding bird would
precipitately retreat several paces. Being ambitious to fol-
low the example of their leader, a younger bird would now
advance, to be frightened off in the same manner as his
predecessor. The turkeys seemed to regard this as great
fun, for as soon as one would retire, all would commence
gobbling together, as if chafling the coward, immediately
after which all would bristle up their feathers and com-
mence a mimic attack upon each other. Half an hour I
spent watching the strange vagaries of these noble birds,
till-I considered I had learned all their performance by
heart, or witnessed all the tricks that the mountebanks in-
tended putting into practice; so, waiting my chance when
the turkeys were aligned, I killed two with my left barrel
and one with my right. Pussy’s release now called for my
attention; with the aid of my knife in a moment she was
free, but true to her tiger instincts, the first use she made
of her liberty was to fly upon one of the dead birds, and
attempt to rend it in pieces with teeth and claw. In fact,
five minutes of her vindictive wrath would have soon mu-
tilated my game to such an extent as to render it unfit for
human food. I afterward made trial of this discovery, but
never with the same success, although it invariably afford-
ed me a shot.
If domestic turkeys are kept where wild ones abound,
230 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
they constantly associate together, although apparently al-
‘ways engaged in quarreling. This may be caused through
jealousy, for report states that the tame hen-birds much
prefer the attentions of the wild cocks, and that if they are
not carefully watched they will stray off with their para-
mour, regardless of the ties that connect them to their le-
gitimate protector.
A half-bred Frenchman residing on the banks of the Em-
baras told me that whenever he wanted a wild turkey, he
tied a piece of scarlet cloth around the neck of his domes-
tic male bird and turned him loose, when every unreclaim-
ed turkey in the neighborhood was certain to come and at-
tack him, fearlessly affording the easiest shots.
I have occasionally shot them over setters, but in each in-
stance the victims were not full grown. When hounds are
running deer in a neighborhood this description of game
frequents, they appear to lose their habitual caution, and ex-
pose themselves to the hunter in the most reckless manner.
CHAPTER XVII.
WOODCOCK AND S8NIPE.
TuEsr woodcocks are undoubtedly migratory, passing
the winter in the genial South, and the summer in the
North; they are also nocturnal, doing all their traveling by
night. From the peculiar formation of the eye, their sight
is much better after the sun has declined. Strong light is
their detestation, for, judging from their conduct when
flushed in the noonday glare, their optics are then of little
use; hence the idea that is so frequently. current that this
bird is stupid. Such is not the case, but quite the reverse,
experience having taught me that they are as capable as
any other of availing themselves of artifices and hiding-
places that are likely to throw out the dog, or shelter them
from molestation. This bird, although undoubtedly of the
same family, must not be confounded with the European,
which is colored differently in plumage and much larger in
size. The woodcock killed in England generally measure
about fourteen and a half inches in length, and weigh from
fourteen to seventeen ounces, although one is reported to
have been killed at Narborough of the enormous weight of
twenty-seven ounces. I do not here give all the minutiz of
the English bird, for it is not of it that I wish to speak,
but only sufficiently to show that there is a marked differ-
ence between it and its namesake of the American conti-
nent, whose peculiarities I will, so far as memory serves me,
attempt to describe, for the benefit of the young sports-
man. Length, from point of bill to end of tail, eleven to
twelve inches; across the wings, nine and a half inches;
232 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
weight from six to seven ounces. The females generally
exceed these measurements by about one in ten. In shape
they much resemble the Wilson snipe (Scolopax Wiilsoni),
only they are more round and compact, the eye larger and
more prominent, and wings shorter but fuller. In color the
bill is a yellowish brown; legs and feet of a pinkish flesh
color; claws, dark olive or brown; iris, brown; forehead,
dirty yellow, with two black bars across the back of the
head, and two narrow ones in front on the neck, a finely-
penciled dark line running the whole length of the head, the
eye dividing it into two parts, with another similar line un-
derneath, and marking the termination of the lower mandi-
ble. Three broad bands of brownish black pass lengthways
and parallel from the shoulder to the tail, divided from one
another by a narrow line of bluish gray. The stomach and
breast are of a warm fawn color, becoming deeper in shade
as it approaches the tail and termination of the wings.
This description, I am aware, is far from perfect, or such
as the naturalist would demand; still, I think it is suffi-
ciently clear to enable the novice to distinguish what he
has got when the first American woodcock falls to his com-
panionable gun. Although this bird resembles, in many
respects, the snipe, in point of character it is essentially
different. For instance, snipe will, in the middle of the
day, without any perceptible reason, be seen taking long
and erratic flights, ascending so high that the keenest sight
fails to trace their course, and again wheeling about in the
heavens, as if they were creatures of extraordinary moment-
ary impulses; one instant with speed dashing off to the
right, and in the next moment returning with equal veloc-
ity. Not so with woodcock; they very seldom take flight
during the glare of daylight unless disturbed, and then it
is short, and only sufficient to avoid, if possible, the in-
truder a second time disturbing their privacy. When on
THE AMERICAN WOODCOCK. 233
the wing unalarmed they rarely elevate themselves above
the tops of the neighboring trees, and are seldom seen be-
fore sunset or after sunrise, unless driven from their bow-
ery, shady retreats. The descriptions of ground which
they prefer are moist bottoms, close covered woods of
second-growth timber and evergreen shrubs, or dry ridges
of maple, oak, and beech, where they turn over the decay-
ing leaves in search of insects. Although, as I have stated,
these birds have a strong dislike to taking flight in the”
glaring light of day, yet, in searching for them, you will al-
ways find more success attend your pursuit upon those
declivities that receive the warm, genial rays of the sun.
In spring, when the woodcock are on their migratory jour-
ney north from their winter residence, they travel singly,
but are followed in rapid succession by others; consequent-
ly, where one day not a single specimen could be seen, the
day after they will abound. This has given rise to the
erroneous impression that they go in flocks; but during
many years’ experience I never saw over two or three on
the wing at the same time, and then it occurred through
the birds having paired, or two or more being flushed from
a favorite haunt. From what I can learn, I am led to be-
lieve that Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Maine are
their principal breeding-places, although annually numbers
take up their temporary quarters in the Middle States of
the Union. I have even heard of their nests being found
in Georgia, North Carolina, and Alabama; but these are
only stragglers, and unimportant, numerically, when you
compare them with those that are to be found in their more
northern retreats.
The nest of the woodcock is very primitive, composed
of grasses and leaves, placed in some secluded spot near the
root of a:bush, or under the shelter of a fallen log. They
commence to lay early in April in the State of New York,
234 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
and sooner or later as they happen to be farther south or
north; four eggs are the usual number, although occa-
sionally five may be found. These are about the size of
the domestic pigeon’s, smooth, of a yellow clay color, and
prettily marked with irregular patches of puce or brown.
The young, as soon as hatched, run about like the plover,
snipe, and the majority of waders, and at the age of four
weeks are able to fly. The mother-bird, during the infancy
* of her progeny, is a most attached and solicitous parent,
frequently permitting herself to be captured rather than
desert her offspring. What a beautiful example the human
family may frequently learn from the insignificant inferior
animals !
For shooting woodcock, a sport that nearly all are par-
tial to, I prefer the setter to the pointer, for the reason that
the former are better protected by their thick coats from
the thorns of the briers; again, I have found them less
liable to become footsore, with a stronger relish for hunt-
ing through damp and sometimes wet ground; besides,
they are more easily taught to retrieve, and are, in my be-
lief, more intelligent. A gentleman who has frequently
shot with me across the Atlantic, uses with great success a
pair of cocking spaniels, which answer admirably, and make
an extremely lively and pretty team, but they are rather too
quick for a veteran; ten years ago, I should have enjoyed
nothing better than such companions. One thing I would
recommend, that for woodcock-shooting your dogs have
plenty of white in their color, for unless such is the case,
you will frequently lose a point and shot by walking past
them, an annoyance to yourself and a disappointment to
your setter.
Before concluding, I would call the attention of all good
and true lovers of the dog and gun to a practice that exists
in Louisiana, and doubtless elsewhere, of killing woodcock
THE WILSON SNIPE. 235
with poles at night in the corn-fields, with the assistance of
a brilliant torch. Like the noble salmon, the woodcock be-
comes fascinated or stupefied by the brilliancy of the glare,
and falls a ready victim to the club of the midnight prowl-
er. America is now coming to that age that it is absolute-
ly necessary to insist on the laws being enforced for the
protection of game and fish. If not, half a century hence,
the haunts which now abound with game will be as thor-
oughly divested of it as the Hudson or Connecticut rivers —
are of the princely salmon. Once extermination takes place,
it will be too late to do aught but repine.
SyirE abound throughout the prairies of Western Amer-
ica, far outdoing all other game in their abundance. The
Wilson snipe, for such is its proper name, is truly a splen-
did bird, so nearly similar to our own home beauty that the
skillful naturalist is alone able to distinguish the one from
the other; in size, habits, flight, and even call, they are es-
sentially alike.
Spending the winter months in the Southern States, prin-
cipally in those that border the Gulf of Mexico, as spring
advances they follow up northward the line of demarkation
between frost and thaw, ultimately arriving in that bound-
less expanse which stretches northward from the great
lakes to the Arctic Ocean. Up in this remote haunt is
their principal breeding-ground, although occasionally a
nest may be found much farther to the south ; but in such
instances I have been induced to believe that either the
male or the female bird had met with an accident, and thus
been prevented following the migration of his or her com-
panions. What a beautiful lesson all may learn from this!
How it should speak home to the human heart, this attach-
ment of the mate, who, sooner than desert a companion,
forsakes for the time being his whole race, save one, and
236 PRAIRIE AND FOREST.
foregoes even following the journey almost necessary to
life !
In Southern Illinois, where I had the greatest amount of
experience in killing this game, the advance heralds of mi-
gration generally arrived about the 10th of March. Much,
WILSON SNIPE.
of course, depended upon whether the winter was late or
otherwise; but if a thaw had taken place, and a moist
southerly wind had been blowing overnight, the ground
that yesterday you had tramped over in pursuit of wild
duck without seeing a single snipe, on the morrow would
harbor thousands. Their journey being a continuation of
short flights, they are seldom out of condition on arrival;
and as they do not take up a permanent residence, little
compunction is felt in shooting them. Out of the large
number that I have brought to bag, I do not remember a
single instance of an egg, or other indication that pairing
AMERICANS EXCELLENT SHOTS. 237
had taken place. The prairies of this State (Illinois) are
generally burned late in the fall or early in spring, to im-
prove the succeeding year’s grazing, leaving the surface of
the soil entirely denuded of grass, except where moisture
has prevented the burning taking effect. Over this, espec-
ially in the vicinity of sloughs, dwarf persimmon-bushes
abound, and there the snipe much frequent. A dog is not
necessary here, for the game is so abundant, unless, per-
haps, a good retriever, who must be under such control as
never to attempt to leave heel, except when ordered by his
master to recover a cripple.