Skip to main content

Full text of "Prairie and forest: a description of the game of North America, with personal adventures in their pursuit"

See other formats 


Cornell University Library 
Ithaca, New York 


BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME OF THE 


FISKE ENDOWMENT FUND 


THE BEQUEST OF 


WILLARD FISKE 


LIBRARIAN OF THE UNIVERSITY 1868-1883 
1905 


Cornell Uni 
intl Ornell Unive, 
ai 


olin,anx 


Cornell University 


Library 


The original of this book is in 
the Cornell University Library. 


There are no known copyright restrictions in 
the United States on the use of the text. 


http:/Awww.archive.org/details/cu31924031229556 


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. <A big bug*he evidently was, conscious of his 
own divinity ; still, no eagle’s feather or characteristic mark 
-of a chief distinguished him. Presently he halted, and 
threw his large gun across his arm; from this movement 
I perceived at once that he was a white man. Great was 
his surprise when he saw me leave my ambush; quick as 
thought his rifle was cocked and brought to the port, but 
I prevented him from further hostile demonstrations by a 
salute in mother-tongue. Our meeting was strange; both 
took a pretty good stare, and then mutually mentioned each 
other’s name, for we had met before, and where? In no 
less distant a portion of the earth than in the realms of the 
Tycoon. A restless spirit, a crack shot, and passionately 
fond of field sports, the world was his demesne; and where 
game was abundant, there he would be found, whatever 
were the dangers that surrounded it, laughing at hardship 
and privation—the bitters that make the sweets of life the 
more enjoyable by contrast. Securing my animals, I ac- 
companied him to the party to which he had attached him- 
self. They had only lately left civilization, and, through 


THE HUNTING-SADDLE. 53 


his interest, my equine companions got several feeds of 
corn, to which they had long been unaccustomed. The 
night passed discussing old friends, a flask of brandy, and a 
package of kinnikinic tobacco; and when, on the morrow, 
I shook his sterling hand at parting, before recommencing 
my journey, he presented me with a few more feeds of 
grain, which, without doubt, materially assisted my four- 
footed friends in rapidly traversing the balance of the de- 
batable ground. 

The visitor to the plains desirous of hunting buffalo, and 
doing so comfortably and under the most advantageous cir- 
cumstances, should always take his saddlery with him. ‘A 
hunting-saddle from Peat, or Wilkinson and Kidd, made 
of the best pig-skin, would be my choice, remembering al- 
ways to be provided with spare girths. The high-peaked 
saddle generally used in the West has advantages for front- 
ier use; but for a firm seat, hard and rough riding, give me 
our English production. A double-reined snaftle I would 
take in preference to all bridles. At the same time, much 
depends on how a horse’s mouth has been made. If the 
nag in his youth had his jaws dislocated with a barbarous 
Mexican bit, a snaffle will have no more power of control 
over his actions than officers over a panic-stricken regiment. 
I once possessed such a beast. The rider with a snafile 
might as well have pulled at a stalwart oak as at this crea- 
ture’s mouth. He was a light-necked, star-gazing, hot-tem- 
pered beast. The scrapes he got me in were so numerous, 
that to this day I wonder he did not break my néck. Of 
the arms most suitable for buffalo-shooting from horseback, 
I believe the large-bore breech-loading revolver the best. - 
They are easily loaded while on the gallop; for the muzzle 
can be placed between your thigh and the flap of the sad- 
dle, and thus held. For my part, I used a double-barreled 
shot-gun, with the barrels reduced to twenty-two inches in 


54 PRAIRIE AND FOREST 


length. The stock, however, was always inconvenient, par- 
ticularly when loading while the horse was going at speed. 
Small-bored. arms are to be avoided. The trappers and 
professional hunters use them; but the reason is, that they 
require much less ammunition than those of larger calibre; 
and at the same time, in killing fur-bearing animals, the pelt 
does not become so much torn. A small bullet, when prop- 
erly placed, will do its work instantaneously; but deviation 
of a few inches is so frequent in this, which may be called 
snap-shooting, that the more severe shock and larger wound 
of the big projectile are eminently more effective. 


4 


| & 
: 
oe 
| en 
i HN Be es SE 
q : A Gye “ae : 
i aH { 
! if i. ee 
it i 
HEH 
Hie i 
4 
ie 
Ait 
eit | 
T 
i, 
Ae H 
q | 
ln il 
! ill 
f 
i ll 
. 
A; | 
i ni | 
y Ht 
Mt 
I ! 
4 
| | ith, ‘ 
) 
' : 
: . 
1 i 
ill | ‘ 
Hiv \ 
t 
i 
A ay! wi i | 
HE Maar - | 


q 


i F iM \ ve 


CHAPTER III. 
THE MUSK-SHEEP. 


On the vast steppes of barren land that stretch from the 
sixtieth degree of north latitude to the Arctic Circle, this 
little-known animal is to be found; however, I have never 
been able with certainty to learn that it has ever been seen 
to the eastward of Hudson Bay. Its favorite haunts are 
about Great Bear and Great Slave Lake, and along the up- 
per tributaries of the Mackenzie River. 

From musk-sheep being extremely shy, and the rough- 
ness of the nature of the country they inhabit, there is but 
one method for the sportsman to adopt in their pursuit, 
viz., stalking ; and although a small-bore rifle might on such 
an occasion be employed,I should advise a calibre which 
shoots a bullet of not under twelve to the pound. 

Any gentleman visiting these regions should endeavor to 
propitiate the Hudson Bay Fur Company, and, if possible, 
obtain letters of introduction to the factors of the various 
forts that extend along his route; for it will insure him a 
hearty welcome, shelter in time of necessity,a supply of 
provisions if stores should run low, and information where 
the game will be found, with very possibly the assistance 
of a guide and hunter who is thoroughly conversant with 
all the surrounding country. 

English and American sportsmen of the present day are 
possessed of such courage and perseverance that the rigor 
of the Arctic regions does not intimidate them; or I would 
not introduce my readers to this animal. 

Why the musk-sheep should be designated ox by some 

3* 


58 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


persons is to me a mystery. Plainly do its appearance, 
habits, etc., designate it as a member of the Ovis family, 
instead of the Bos. However, Blainville, a naturalist of 
good reputation, to avoid censure, boldly seizes both, and 
designates it Qvibos, thereby claiming a distinct standing 
and title to the honor of representing a new genus by adopt- 
ing the sobriquet of two old ones. Audubon does likewise, 
and heads his chapters on these animals with the title of 
“Genus Ovibos.” As an authority on American natural 
history, the latter is entitled to the highest consideration. 
At the same time, I can not help feeling that the name 
adopted is a shuffling pretext to prevent controversy, and 
the possibility of making a mistake that in future years 
would require to be corrected. 

Among the numerous lakes of North America that are 
situated on the extreme edge of the Rocky Mountains and 
the barren lands in sixty-four or sixty-five degrees north 
latitude, the musk-sheep (for I must call it so) is occasion- 
ally found, but when the traveler progresses farther to the 
north-west it is no uncommon occurrence in a day’s march 
to see several herds; in fact, they were so numerous that 
the camp of a friend of mine was always well supplied with 
them for food. Their flesh is excellent and nutritious when 
fat, but quite the reverse when, by a long-protracted win- 
ter, they become thin and attenuated. The flavor is much 
the same as that of venison, although much coarser in the 
grain, and is entirely free from any musky odor, except in 
very old males during the rutting season. The ground 
which they principally frequent is the same on which is 
found the small caribou—two species of this genus being 
accredited to the North American continent — immense 
gtretches of rolling, rocky steppes, most sparsely supplied 
with vegetation, except where an occasional brook winds 
its solitary course toward some giant river, rapidly hurry- 


MUSK-SHEEP. : 59 


ing on its northern course to the Arctic Ocean. Their 
principal food is the various mosses, the leaves of stunted 
brush, and the fine velvety grasses that sparsely crop up in 
wet localities. 

For animals so unwieldy in shape and appearance musk- 
sheep are wonderfully nimble, making always for the rough- 
est grounds when pursued, leaping with agility from rock 
to rock, and scaling the faces of slopes so perpendicular, 
that the hunter, with hands and feet brought into play, finds 
it almost impossible to follow. Their hearing and sight are 
very acute; at the same time, so suspicious and cautious 
are they, that, although always assembled in little parties of 
from ten to twenty, sentinels are regularly told off for duty, 
which place themselves in the most commanding positions, 
ready to whistle the signal of alarm on the.slightest sus- 
picion of danger, accompanied by the usual sheep-like stamp 
of displeasure, which summons the herd to assist in inspect- 
ing the supposed intruder before they shift their feeding- 
grounds for haunts that previous experience has taught 
them are more secure. 

From the high latitudes in which they have their habitat, 
Captain Parry, the celebrated voyager, classes them among 
the dwellers north of the Arctic Circle; and well might he 
or others do so, for so well are they protected by nature 
from the inclement weather of the inhospitable regions 
which they inhabit, that the most severe snow and frost 
little interfere with the routine of their life. Their wool is 
remarkably soft, long, and densely close; so that at a small 
distance, if they are walking over irregular-surfaced soil, 
their feet are scarcely seen, the body of surrounding fringe 
giving the observer the impression which would arise if you 
saw an animal surrounded with a petticoat. Their color is 
much the same as that of the buffaloes of the plains, possi- 
bly a little darker, and at a distance they might easily be 


60 : PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


mistaken for them; but, on closer inspection, the delusion 
can not continue, for their outline of form, sheep-like move- 
ment and figure, at once correct the error. In height they 
stand from eleven and a half to twelve and a half hands, the 
males being the largest and most cumbersome in appear- 
ance. Their legs are excessively short, and gifted with 
great muscular power, while the track of their hoof is about 
the size of a two-year-old steer’s, but straighter and less 
pointed. The head is ornamented with handsome horns 
which almost unite at the base, and taper off with graceful, 
handsome sweeps to sharp points, which are generally with 
the mature animal on a level with the eyes, The nose is 
covered with soft, downy hair, and the eye, which is large 
and full, gives the physiognomy an intelligent look, which 
would induce the belief that no great difficulty would occur 
to prevent their domestication. If such could be effected, 
great benefit might result from the introduction of their 
wool into our markets, as, from its length, elasticity, and 
fineness, it could be manufactured into the most superior 
class of cloths. 

Their rutting season occurs at the breaking up of the 
autumn, when the cold and fitful winds of October com- 
mence to warn us that warmth is gone, and snow and ice 
are coming. The male, who generally is very inoffensive, 
unless he chance to receive a wound incapacitating him 
from escape, becomes now most quarrelsome and vindictive, 
attacking with the greatest fury whatever provokes his dis- 
pleasure; and woe be to the white man or Indian who then 
meets him, if away from a place of escape or unprovided 
with firearms. At this time furious engagements take 
place among the males, which sometimes continue till one 
or both of the contestants are so much exhausted that they 
fall an easy prey to the Indian’s arrows or the tusks of the 
large northern gray wolf. 


WILD DUCK. 61 


In May the female produces a single lamb, over whose 
welfare the mother shows great solicitude. The young, 
until three or four weeks old, are unable to follow the par- 
ent, but are hid away in the manner usual with deer; the 
old lady, however, on such occasions never wanders far from 
her offspring’s hiding-place, and on the least suspicion of 
danger rushes to her offspring, prepared to do battle with 
all intruders, whatever may be their size or appearance. 
The droppings of these animals, with the exception of their 
size, exactly resemble those of sheep. 

I will relate two anecdotes illustrative of the chances of 
accident that will occasionally occur to the sportsman, even 
when in pursuit of animals which are generally deemed 
harmless; and clearly proving how necessary presence of 
mind and decision of character are to the person who 
adopts wild life, or hopes to return safely from a trip to 
the comparatively unknown tracks of the great north-west- 
ern portion of the American continent. 

“The ice had just disappeared from the rivers; the wild 
duck had already arrived in immense numbers, so that our 
table daily had been graced with the choicest varieties, 
when a thought struck me that an alteration of fish for 
fowl would be most acceptable to the palates of the en- 
campment. About a couple of miles distant, where the. 
river, contracted to one-fourth its usual breadth, rushed 
into a noble pool, I had on the previous year been most 
successful ; moreover, it was a pleasant place to fish—no 
overhanging bushes, but gently sloping, gravelly banks 
nearly the entire length of its margin. In an hour I had se- 
cured more trout than I felt disposed to carry; so, work be- 
ing over, I treated myself to a pipe. While enjoying my to- 
bacco, a wading bird, of a description I never before saw, lit 
close to me. It was so tame that I threw several stones at 
it, almost with success, for the distance was not oyer ten or 


62 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


fifteen yards, before it took to wing, and went farther down 
the stream. Anxious to procure a new specimen, I follow- 
ed till almost a mile lay between me and my fish. To save 
distance in returning, I determined to cut across the angle 
formed by the bend of the river, and had progressed about 
half-way when I saw a female musk-sheep coming after 
me. When a lad in the Highlands, I had got dreadfully 
punished by a tup, and the remembrances of the event had 
not yet been forgotten. A mountain ram is a small beast 
compared to my present pursuer, and he was able to do 
enough mischief. The ground was very roughly sprinkled 
with boulders, some of great size, and for the most inac- 
cessible of those I made the best speed I could muster, and 
only succeeded in gaining a place of safety when the ewe’s 
horns were within a foot or two of my hurdies. For over 
an hour she kept w&tch on me; and, worse than all, when I 
got back to my fish, some vermin or other had carried all 
the best ones off, and it was getting too late to catch a new 
mess. When at the fort, the Indians soon explained the 
reasons of this unprovoked attack, and proved the correct- 
ness of their assertion by shooting the mother next morn- 
ing and bringing the lamb home, which we were unable to 
keep alive for over three days, much to the regret of all.” 
The second adventure is a repetition of the inexcusable 
folly of not inimediately loading your gun before approach- 
ing wounded game. “In stalking some barren caribou, 
eight musk-sheep crossed directly between me and the 
deer. I was well hid at the time, so that they came un- 
suspiciously within thirty yards. In a moment I gave them 
both barrels. To the first shot an old buck dropped, and 
rolled into a ravine; the second barrel crippled a three- 
quarter grown sheep so badly that I knew less than a mile 
would lay her up. In my hurry to secure the old one, with- 
out loading I hurried to the ravine. There he was, as I 


STALKING CARIBOU. 63 


thought, in the last struggle. Down I jumped into the 
hollow, which was about ten feet deep; but no sooner did 
he see me than up he got, and, head down, charged. I 
turned tail, and fortunately scrambled out a wiser man; 
for, deil tak’ me, if ever I gang near ony o” them without 
baith powther and lead in my gun.” 

The average weight of the full-grown male is about four 
hundred and fifty pounds, while the female is generally 
from fifty to seventy-five pounds less. The Indians state 
that they live to an immense age, which belief is probably 
caused by their venerable and ragged appearance at the 
time they cast their coats. 


CHAPTER IV. 
MOOSE-DEER. 


Tuts giant of the deer tribe, although at one time abun- 
dant in all the North-eastern States, at the present time 
holds only a precarious and short-leased existence in the 
northern portion of the State of Maine. However, when 
the Canadian frontier is crossed they become more abun- 
dant, increasing in number till about the fifty-seventh de- 
gree of latitude is reached, above which they are seldom 
found. In Nova Scotia and New Brunswick the sports- 
man in pursuit of moose would still find a reward for his 
labor; but in that section of country lying to the south of 
James Bay, and stretching westward to Lake Winnipeg, 
this giant deer can be obtained in greater abundance than 
in any other portion of the American continent. 

For their capture two methods are usually adopted: 
first, by calling them up to where the sportsman is con- 
cealed, by imitating the voice of the female, or call of the 
male, through the assistance of a horn of birch-bark; this 
device can only be employed in the still evenings of autumn, 
during the rutting season. So acute is the sense of hear- 
ing in this animal, that the slightest false note on the call 
will send the quarry flying in the reverse direction; thus 
Indian companions are almost necessary to the white hunt- 
er, they, from greater experience, having become adepts in 
its use. The second is to pursue them on snow-shoes after 
a heavy crust has been formed on the snow, through the 
heat of the spring sun by day and the sharp frosts by night. 
As long shots at this quarry are seldom fired, the sports- 


HEIGHT OF THE MOOSE-DEER. * 65 


man will find the ordinary smooth-bore gun quite as effi- 
cient as the rifle. A weapon of heavy calibre is here also 
of great importance. 

I never think of the State of Maine without the most in- 
tense feelings of pleasure, for among its pine-clad hills and 
wood-imbosomed lakes I enjoyed many, many weeks and 
months so.free from care, so productive of pleasure, that 
the recollection can never pass away. 

This region of country is characterized by numerous 
labyrinths of lakes that are scattered over it in every di- 
rection, divided from each other by mountainous ridges,’ 
clothed to their summits with giant pine-trees and the 
many varieties of hard woods peculiar to these latitudes, 
alike giving beauty to the landscape and affording food 
and shelter for every kind of northern game. On the ex- 
tensive flat meadows that edge these lakes, or form the 
margin of many of the numerous noble rivers, in the hol- 
lows, ravines, and hill-sides, was the moose-deer’s home to 
be found, his choice of quarters being regulated by the 
changes of the seasons. Portions of New Brunswick and 
Nova Scotia are now favorite resorts of this giant deer; 
but in Northern New Hampshire, Vermont, and North- 
eastern New York, where a quarter of a century since 
moose were plentiful, I doubt if at the present date a sin- 
gle specimen can be found. Such is the result of civiliza- 
tion and the influx of the white man. 

The size to which the moose-deer grows has been vari- 
ously stated. Audubon says over twenty hands; Mr. Hays, 
an animal artist of great talent, and who has spent many 
years studying his profession in the native haunts of all the 
subjects he has used his brush upon, informs me that he - 
has known animals to grow much larger. From this gen- 
tleman’s experience as a hunter and naturalist, I have not 
the slightest doubt that he is correct. However, I believe 


66 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


about sixteen and a half hands to be the average height of 
a full-grown male; but that certain localities — possibly 
where greater abundance of the most suitable food is to be 
found—produce much larger animals. All the moose that 
I have heard of being killed in Labrador—where the win- 
ters are particularly severe and vegetation sparse—have 
been smaller than those shot in the State of Maine; nor 
can I see any reason to doubt such being the case. We 
know how other genera are affected by such local pecul- 
iarities, and why should this animal be an exception? 

> 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. <A further attraction. to this 
sport is, that few days pass on which numbers of teal, pin- 
tailed duck, or mallard do not assist to swell the size of 
your game-bag.- From the advent of the first flight till the 
middle of May additional arrivals take place; but after 
that date all disappear till the fall of the leaf, and gusty, 
changeable weather foretells the near approach of winter. 
But the autumnal flight is never numerically equal to that 
of spring; still, if twenty: brace will satisfy the sportsman, 
he can have that reward for his labor, provided he be a fair 
shot. 

Americans, as a rule, are excellent shots. By them the 
arrival of snipe is looked forward to with much pleasure ; 
but to the pot-hunter—the fellow who will shoot pinnated 
grouse on the ground, the duck upon the water, or crawl 
all day through brush to have a standing chance at a wild 
turkey—this branch of shooting presents little attraction. 
How satisfactory it is that there is at least one game bird 
who can laugh with derision at such pursuers! At first, 
when snipe make their appearance, especially if the weather 
be wet and blustering, they are inclined to be wild; but 
much depends upon the amount of cover afforded by the 
locality ; but when the genial sun of spring shines with in- 
vigorating warmth, they will frequently lie so close that 


238 2RAIRIE AND FOREST. 


many will flush almost at your feet. When wild, their 
flights are long and rapid; when not so, they droop their 
wings, and frequently alight before a hundred yards have 
been traversed. However, this does not apply to the whole 
day; for toward sunset, possibly from having by that time 
digested their last night’s meal—for they feed principally 
by night—they invariably become wild, and more difficult 
of approach. To be successful in making a heavy bag of 
snipe, there is a rule which may be beneficial to the tyro to 
remember, viz., always to hunt down wind, or as much so 
as possible, provided always that dogs are not used. The 
stronger the breeze, the more necessity for doing so; the 
reason being, that invariably snipe fly against the wind, and 
being flushed by your advancing on them from windward, 
the birds will wheel round to the right or left, and present. 
an easy cross-shot, in their determination to pursue the de- 
sired direction. 

The migration of this snipe, as well as of the American 
woodcock, is peculiar: all appear to act independently of 
the other. Dozens may be seen to pass or light near you 
in the space of a few minutes, yet each bird is alone. Many 
an evening, after sunset, have I watched their coming, yet 
never saw two or more together. These journeys take 
place before sunrise and after sunset. This scattered mode 
of traveling, and the hour at which it takes place, are 
doubtless the reasons that none but close observers of na- 
ture witness their arrival. By the end of May the migra- 
tion of this snipe has ceased, and their summer-quarters 
are reached, which are, as previously stated, principally 
north of the great lakes and the St. Lawrence; although 
not a few spend the summer in Nova Scotia, New Bruns- 
wick, and Maine. Early in June they commence laying 
their eggs, four in number, in a nest of the most primitive 
construction, it being simply an indentation in some trifling 


SNIPE: BREEDING SEASON. 239 


excrescence of the surface. The eggs, which are of a yel- 
lowish-brown color, blotched with dark markings, taper 
very much toward the small end; they are always placed 
in the nest with the larger end outward. As soon as the 
young are hatched, they leave the nest, and in six weeks 
afterward.are almost full grown. At this age it is impos- 
sible to tell the Wilson snipe from our home variety ; how- 
ever, at any period the only difference that exists is that 
one species has two more feathers in the wing than the 
other. ; 

Last year but one I shot snipe day after day, till a sur- 
feit might have been expected, and only desisted when the 
advancement of the season proclaimed the approach of the 
period for breeding; and, though some might imagine such 
a lengthened campaign would have sufficed for coming 
years, before twelve months had slipped past I stretched 
my arms, looked at the sky, observed the wind, all three 
of which being favorable, anathematized, perhaps, the des- 
tiny or fate that compelled me to accept more sedentary 
town occupation. 

With that intuitive feeling that tells the swallow when 
to migrate, the fish a change of weather, or the cattle the 
portended storm, we feel certain that all the southern prai- 
ries of Illinois are now alive (March) with snipe, that they 
are lying well to the gun, and that heavy bags are being 
made. We can even shut our eyes and imagine that we 
are just approaching some favorite spot either bordering 
on a slough or stream, or rich-loamed dip between swelling 
slopes, and that the game is flushing right and left, as we 
cautiously pursue our course down wind, while our trusty 
and well-tried gun rapidly responds to our aim. Again 
and again we fill and empty our blood-stained pockets, till 
the body from fatigue calls “ Hold, enough!” or we re- 
turn, with waning day, to our little bald-faced pony, ever 


240 ' PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


ready with a neigh to welcome his master’s re-appearance. 
Though to revisit these secluded haunts, to re-enact these 
scenes may not be my lot, why should they not be the 
reader’s? If you are a proficient in the art, you will make 
such a bag of snipe as an English sportsman scarcely ever 
dreamed of. Go, by all means—do not stop to hesitate— 
and I will guarantee you an amount of sport that will in- 
duce many a future return. 

Those gentlemen who live in the cities that surround 
these sporting localities are well aware of the excellence of 
the shooting at this season upon the prairies, and make up 
large parties to have a week or so at the Wilson snipe. In 
the course of a day’s shooting on the Grand Prairie, I have 
met visitors from Louisville, Cincinnati, and St. Louis, 
marching like companies in skirmishing order, and keep- 
ing up a regular fusillade. But so great is the extent of 
hunting-ground, and so numerous the game, that in each 
day, over the same beat, no visible diminution can be ob- 
served. We do not mean to say that no English sports- 
man ever made a trial of these Western haunts, but we are 
thoroughly impressed that the excellence of these grounds 
is far from as widely known as it deserves; and that many 
persons, possessed both with means and inclination, are un- 
aware that within thirty-six hours’ journey of New York 
they can have such snipe-shooting as is to be enjoyed in no 
other portion of the globe. 

As to all the haunts of snipe, the visitors must go well 
prepared with a good supply of water-proof boots, for the 
walking is always damp, sometimes wet. Also, a good stock 
of flannel clothing will be found indispensable; for at this 
season the weather is frequently so variable, that although 
noon may be oppressively warm, sunset and the hour of the 
tramp home, especially if your feet are wet, may be found 
sufficiently cold to chill the warmest blood. 


A GOOD DAY'S SPORT. 243 


In our opinion, there is no kind of field-sport in which 
the breech-loader so plainly shows its superiority over the 
old muzzle-gun as in snipe-shooting. The rapidity with 
which they can both be loaded and cleaned, dispensing 
with the ramrod, which is always difficult to handle in cold 
weather, being able to load without placing the butt on the 
ground or in the mud, and the non-necessity of using caps, 
are advantages in all sporting, but in none more decided 
than in snipe-shooting. 

As an estimate of what may be considered a good day’s 
sport in the spring of the year on these grounds, we will 
recur to our own experiences, and state them. An acquaint- 
ance, who was a good shot, killed, to my certain knowledge, 
nine dozen snipe in seven hours, and I myself have frequent- 
ly killed from seven to eight dozen in the same time. The 
first day’s shooting of my last season, over indifferent ground, 
and very difficult to walk upon from its inequality of sur- 
face, in five hours I, to my own gun, bagged four dozen, 
and but that the birds were extremely wild would possibly 
have knocked over fifty per cent. more. 

Where we should advise the sportsman to commence 
snipe-shooting in spring would be at Vincennes, on the 
Ohio and Mississippi Railroad. From here you can have 
sport in every direction; and when you feel desirous of 
change of scene, the prairies, which begin here, and con- 
tinue north almost uninterruptedly to the great lakes, will 
be found abundantly stocked from the date of the arrival 
of the first flight of the migratory hordes. Of one thing 
we should like to caution the novice, viz., the using of too 
large shot. No.9 will be found the best. A snipe requires 
but little hitting to bring him down; and then his body is 
so small, that. at the distance of forty yards, although your 
aim may be correct, if you shoot large shot, it is far from 
improbable that the game may fly through it. 


244 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


If your frame be cast in that iron mould which nature 
has bestowed on some, and you are consequently capable 
of bearing without inconvenience fatigue and exposure, and 
are, at the same time, desirous of making as heavy a bag 
as possible while shooting over your snipe-beat, pay partic- 
ular attention to the water-courses and sloughs; and when 
you become satisfied that you have found a spot where the 
ducks are in the habit of spending their evenings, which 
may be ascertained by the down-trodden weeds and muddy 
appearance of the water, mark the place; for when it be- 
comes too late to continue peppering the snipe, you can re- 
turn and lie in ambush for the web-footed gentry. Duck, 
from flying high when on the move, can be seen much later 
than small game, more particularly if, watching for them, 
you can frequently get them against some clear spot in the 
sky. Frequently I have killed in thirty minutes half a doz 
en of that prince of birds and epicurean dainties, the mal- 
lard, in this manner, when it was so dark that, after they 
had dropped, but for the sagacity of my retriever I was 
scarcely aware whether I had correctly aimed. If the even- 
ing should be dark and gloomy, with indications of change 
to cold weather, and a high wind blowing, it will be unnec- 
essary to wait as late as sunset before visiting the feeding- 
ground of the duck; for, under such circumstances, they 
come in fearlessly early in the afternoon. However, you 
can not practice this work successfully without some kind 
of screen, which will require to be larger and thicker if 
your clothes do not in color closely approximate the hue of 
the ground. 

Brother sportsmen, let me once more advise you to visit 
the Western snipe-grounds, and on your return I know I 
shall receive your thanks for being the means of introduc. 
ing you to sport that can not fail to rejoice the heart of 
every true lover of the dog and gun. 


CHAPTER XVIII. 
WADING BIRDS. 


THERE is no portion of the world with which I am ac 
quainted where this family is so largely represented as in 
America, both in numbers and varieties of species. Along 
the Atlantic sea-board of the United States, both in spring 
and autumn they abound; the interior and coast of New- 
foundland and Labrador, their principal breeding-grounds, 
fairly swarm with them, while the prairies at the breaking 
up of winter, especially on such portions as have been flood- 
ed or the grass lately burned off, are populated with differ- 
ent species in such phalanxes as almost to cause the surface 
of the soil to appear moving as they rush about in search of 
the various insects that form their principal food. 

On the coast they afford abundant amusement to those 
partial to this description of shooting, for they are easily 
induced to alight among decoys placed within range of 
screens or blinds, behind which the gunners are secreted ; 
and so great is the slaughter sometimes made among the 
unsuspicious hordes, that but that they form a delicious 
article of food, and are eagerly sought for in the markets 
by all classes of people, it would be deemed a most culpa- 
ble amusement. 

For this family I confess to have a great love; for they 
are always graceful in form and beautiful in plumage, buoy- 
ant in flight, and active and untiring on the ground. Then 
their movements appear to be guided entirely by impulse, 
while many of the species evince a love for their compan- 
ions so powerful that, sooner than forsake their dead and 


246 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


wounded comrades, they will remain hovering over the spot 
where they have fallen, till the irresistible shot has decimated 
in the most wholesale manner their well-organized ranks. 
Cobb Island, near the entrance to Chesapeake Bay, is 
one of their most favored haunts; in fact, all the islands 
and beaches along the coast of New Jersey were little less 
frequented, but, from being easier of access to the dwellers 
in the neighboring large cities, the birds of late years have 
betaken themselves to the less-frequented resting-place. 


She we 


AMERICAN CURLEW. 


However, they are soon threatened with expulsion from 
Cobb Island; for a hotel for the accommodation of sports- 
men has been built upon its sterile shores, and the Atlantic 
breakers that guard its surf-beaten coast listen, with mur- 
muring dissatisfaction, to the constant repeated echoes of 
the report of fire-arms, which are decimating the graceful 
beauties that in years gone by were permitted in peace to 
glide over the bosom of old Father Ocean. 


o 


A RETRIEVER NECESSARY. 247 


Strictly migratory, what an enjoyable life they must 
lead! here to-day, gone to-morrow; one week skimming 
the waters that skirt the sunny shores of Florida, the next 
seeking their food on the spongy, verdant uplands of Lab- 
rador; in the former wakened from their reveries or slum-_ 
bers by the approach of the stealthy alligator or clumsy 
turtle, in the latter by the deep growl of the Arctic bear, 
or the sudden dash into their ranks of the stealthy blue fox. 
Then the scenes they see, traversing the ocean—the over- 
freighted ship toiling in the surging storm, the taut-rigged 
coaster or pilot vessel laying-to, to wait for the war of the 
elements to cease; the giant steamboat, regardless of wind 
or weather, cleaving with scorn the mountain billows that 
oppose her course, or, more to my taste still, the white 
wings of numerous crafts lazily flapping against their spars, 
while the anxious skipper earnestly looks for the semblance 
of a breeze, or superstitiously whistles with the hope of 
producing one. 

If the doctrine of the transmigration of souls were true, 
when our earthly course in the present form was run, who 
would not wish to be transformed into one of these migra- 
tory darlings, especially if those he or she loved passed 
through the same change! 

But to leave dear dream-land, and return to cruel reality. 
A large-bore gun, say a 10, with the lightest shot, is the 
best weapon to use for the destruction of this family, unless 
curlew be the principal object of your pursuit, when heav- 
ier shot—I should prefer No. 5—should be employed. 

A retriever will be found absolutely necessary in this de- 
scription of sport, for the greater portion of the game kill 
ed, from being shot on the margin of the sea, fall in the 
water. Your dog, however, should not be large, for these 
birds, although only crippled, are easily captured, and a 
small retriever is always preferable to a large one in a boat. 


248 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


As sharks are numerous all along the Atlantic sea-board of 
the United States, particularly from New Jersey southward, 
any stray bird that should drop a long way out had better 
be lost, for your dog would run a great risk of being seized 
by these marine savages if he went out into the deep water. 
I can imagine novices and old men attached to this de- 
scription of shooting; but for the keen sportsman who 
values his bag in proportion to the amount of labor and 
skill which has been called in practice to obtain it, such 
wholesale slaughter of confiding flocks of birds must be far 
too tame work to meet his approval. 


LOSS 


CHAPTER XIX. 
SWIMMING BIRDS. 


Swans, in my lengthened experience, I have never seen 
in lower latitudes than the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, 
and it requires very severe weather indeed to force them 
farther southward; however, they are occasionally’ found 
on the coast of Georgia. Last season I spent the winter 
upon a large arm of the sea in Maryland, and as the frosts 
were unusually protracted, swans were abundant. Their 
ordinary habitat may, therefore, be considered to stretch 
from Virginia to the Arctic regions; in the latter they 
spend their summer. As they are of little use for the 
table, but seldom commit damage to the crops, and are ex- 
tremely ornamental, it is a great pity to destroy them, and, 
thanks to their extreme wariness, this is seldom ac¢om- 
plished. Moreover, they are so powerful on the wing, and 
their covering of down so dense, that they must be within 
easy range for the gunner to bring them to bag. As a 
rule, I confidently believe that half these birds that are 
shot, escape to die a miserable death from hemorrhage or 
starvation. 

Although I have obtained shots at swans, they were 
more frequently the result of chance than intention. How- 
ever, last. winter, I determined to obtain a specimen for 
myself, and two others for friends, on which the taxi- 
dermist should exercise his skill, so that I might retain a 
memento of my sojourn on the Maryland swamp-washed 
shores of the Chesapeake. The weather had been very 
variable, jumping, with those sudden changes peculiar to 

11* 


250 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


America, from intense cold to almost Gulf Stream tempera- 
ture: the result was that for one or two days all sheltered 
portions of the bay would be ice-bound, and the succeed- 
ing days the surface of the water covered with little bergs 
and sheet-ice, like an Arctic floe. 

The 12th of February had been as balmy as an English 
spring day, and the rays of the sun were reflected in innu- 
merable colors off the prismatic surface of the blocks and 
cakes of ice floating seaward with the retiring tide. The 
pungies and canoes employed in oyster-dredging floated 
listlessly on the bosom of the calm water, for not a breath 
of wind fanned their snow-white cotton sails; even so still 
was the atmosphere that their crews’ voices could be heard 
distinctly at distances really surprising; while the low land 
of Turtle-egg Island, Holland and Hooper’s Island, from the 
rarefied state of the atmosphere, appeared to hang suspend- 
ed in the air. I had passed the afternoon lounging on the 
beach in front of the principal store on Devil’s Island, a 
spot which was the favorite resort of old and young, who 
had-time to spare for gossip. Rising from a leaning posi- 
tion against the stern of a boat, which I had assumed the 
better to enjoy the perfect peacefulness of the scene sur- 
rounding me, I was about to retire to my lodgings, when 
I casually remarked, addressing my language to no one in 
particular, that if this weather continued, as I believed it 
would, there was an end to duck-shooting in this locality 
for the season. An old weather-beaten fellow, who, from 
his appearance, had seen over sixty winters with very few 
summers, put in an oar in the way of conversation, and 
vouchsafed me the information that, “ if he knew any thing 
of the looks of the sky and water, with the next run of the 
‘tide we would have a gale, and cold enough to take a fel- 
low’s nose off.” This prophecy I thought little of at the’ 
time, but an hour or two before midnight it was verified. 


WILD-FOWL SHOOTING. 251 


Sudden squalls of wind and rain commenced soon after 
dark, and continued, with gradually increasing violence, till 
it blew a full gale of wind; then the thermometer fell con- 
siderably below freezing- point, and the breeze suddenly 
chopped round from south-west to north-west. 

All was commotion now in the little settlement; for ev- 
ery available hand was summoned to beach the smaller 
crafts in the roadstead, or make the larger ones secure 
with additional moorings and anchors. Of course, I turned 
out with the others to assist in saving property, and a wild- 
er scene could scarcely be imagined. On the shores broke 
the white rollers, hissing out with compressed breath their 
wrath at being deprived of their expected pleasure of de- 
struction; the wild boatmen pulled, hauled, and swore at 
every obstacle that increased their labor; while the pitch- 
pine torch blazed up, or partially died out, as the gale in- 
creased or diminished in violence. After a couple of hours’ 
work the various crafts were deemed safe, and the crowd 
retired to their respective domiciles, leaving me to enjoy 
the grandeur of the scene alone. 

The bustle, confusion, and noise that had previously sur- 
rounded me had at the time absorbed all my attention; 
now, however, all was still, save the raging of the elements; 
and above its great voice I could hear one incessant sound, 
niost dear to the sportsman’s ear, the hum of innumerable 
wild fowl calling to each other. I retired with a light step 
and happy anticipations, for I looked forward to the mor- 
row as certain to afford me abundant employment for my 
gun. 

Next morning I was not disappointed, for every bay and 
inlet was covered with game, even the open water in front 
of the village, within gunshot of the shore; and intermin- 
gled among the fleet of oyster-boats were numerous flocks 
of wild fowl to be seen. Leaving the birds near home for 


252 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


the village juveniles to practice at, I started for a favorite 
stand, which, with the present wind, was certain to be 
abundantly frequented. So I found it, and soon had a 
bag sufficiently large to satisfy the most greedy sportsman. 
While shooting, the incessant calling of wild swans had 
attracted my attention, and thus, directed by sound about 
half a mile off, upon the edge of the floe ice, I could distin- 
guish several flocks of these noble birds, each of them com- 
posed of about twenty members. Anxious as I was to ob- 
tain a few specimens, I was not sufficiently sanguine to be- 
lieve that I had the slightest prospect of success, for, from 
the continued fusillade I had kept up, they must have be- 
come well aware of my hiding-place. Still I could not re- 
sist admiring the scene, one not often seen by British 
sportsmen: a vast expanse of frozen salt-water, here and 
there opened by air-holes, and the distant tidal current cov- 
ered with bergs of every shape, nearly all affording resting- 
places for the noble game. The Chesapeake never looked 
more attractive to me than that day; for, although the cold 
was intense, the atmosphere was clear, so that the sharp 
points and rugged outlines of each berg stood out clearly 
defined, while the distant swamp - pines, with their dark- 
green foliage, formed a charming contrast to the other por- 
tions of the snow-and-ice-covered landscape. With my 
field-glass—by-the-way, a most important part of all sports- 
men’s outfit—long and patiently I watched the habits of the 
pure white beauties; and with what pleasure they appeared 
to enjoy their ablutions in the frigid water, one moment 
splashing and throwing it far and wide, at another pursu- 
ing rivals of whom they were jealous, or cooing notes of 
love or admiration over mates in whose favor they wished 
to establish themselves. Again, they would rise and flap 
their broad pinions, as if to test that their exertions had 
not deprived them of the powers of flight; or, struggling 


SHOOTING WILD SWANS. 253 


on to some floating berg, rest from exertions, with their 
graceful necks and heads buried in their abundant snowy 
down. 

The place in which I was secreted was an isthmus dense- 
covered with dwarf water-alder, and connecting a peninsu- 
la, almost an island, with a narrow, long promontory from 
the main-land. Under ordinary circumstances, it would 
have been as wet as a well saturated sponge; but frost had 
placed its iron hand upon the moisture, and rendered the 
use of my water-proof sheet almost superfluous—a circum- 
stance that advantageously contrasted with what it might 
have been. About midday, certainly not later, it bécame 
apparent that some important change was about to take 
place among the swans, for their voices became louder and 
more frequent, and the before scattered groups concen- 
trated themselves into closely - packed coteries. This I 
noted, and thought it foretold change in the weather. My 
surmises soon proved correct, for the north wind, which 
had subsided into a calm, was soon after replaced by a 
southerly breeze, whose influence I had scarcely felt when 
the swans in succession stretched their wings, and, with 
heavy, measured stroke, raised themselves in the air, first 
circling round in gradually increasing circles; ultimately, 
with outstretched neck, shaping their course right over my 
ambuscade. The moments of suspense, though few, were 
sufficient to make the heart beat faster; but my hopes were 
not disappointed or long delayed. At length I could see dis-- 
tinctly the eye of the leader, then of the followers; next mo- 
ment I was on my knees, and with each barrel killed a bird. 

With intervals of ten or twelve minutes, a second and 
third flock came within range, and were treated similarly ; 
but here I ceased, for I had enough, and to spare. Had I 
desired, I could, without doubt, have killed three times the 
number. 


254 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


Although it be two years since the events above narrated 
occurred, the impression on my memory is so distinct and 
pleasurable, that I feel convinced it never will be forgotten. 
In fact, I regard it as one of those episodes that give an 
ample reward to the sportsman for weeks, yes, months, of 
lack of success and wasted toil. 


CANADA GOOSE. 


The Canada goose is a magnificent bird, and although 
smaller than that of Europe, occupies the same place to the 
New World that the common wild goose does to the Old. 
The plumage is of a dark slate-color along the neck, breast, 
and stomach, gradually becoming black toward the back 
and wing coverts; the head, also, is black, with a clear 
white ring around the throat, immediately behind the junc- 
tion with the head. Its average weight is about twelve 
pounds. 

From thirty-five degrees of north latitude the Canada 
goose is found in greater or less numbers, according to 
season and the closeness of settlements, to beyond the Arc- 
tic Circle, their favorite breeding - places being upon the 
‘marshes and lakes from whence flow the rivers that enter 
the Polar Seas. Consequently they are not to be found 
upon the popular shooting-grounds or waters of the United 
States and Canada until severe weather has set in over the 
Hudson Bay territory, when they migrate in thousands 
south, either following the coast-line or the course of rivers 
flowing from north to south. 

On the Chesapeake Bay and the various inlets along the 
coast of Virginia and North Carolina, I have seen them in 
great numbers; still the wet prairies of the West exceed 
all other localities in the immensity of hordes that visit 
them. 

During the middle of the day, unless the weather has 


CANADA GOOSE. 255 


suddenly changed from mild to severe cold, their pursuit 
will be found comparatively useless; but in the afternoon 
and morning in early winter, or at the commencement of 
spring, if the sportsman secrete himself in some lonely, out- 
of-the-way corn-field, he is almost certain to obtain numer- 
ous shots. Still it is very rare for a day to be passed on 
the prairies wild fowl shooting without an opportunity oc- 
curring to fire into a flock of wild geese. 


SS 


CANADA GOOSE, 


If maimed birds are kept, or the young reared in captiv- 
ity, they answer magnificently as decoys; for not a flock 
of wild geese or wild duck will pass within seeing or hear- 
ing of them without leaving their course to join their ranks. 

An old gander, as may be expected, is tough and hard; 
but the young bird, on the contrary, is a great delicacy, 
and well worth any amount of labor it may have cost to 
obtain. 

In November, ’65, in an afternoon and morning shooting, 
a friend and self killed eighty-five wild geese, as well as a 
large number of duck. The scene of this performance was 
a corn-field, the weather bitterly cold, with snow flying, al- 


256 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


though the previous week had been warm enough for sum- 
mer clothing. 

As I am about to say so much on mallard-shooting, and 
the advice I will give the sportsman in reference to their 
pursuit being equally applicable to the Canada goose, I 
trust the reader will pardon my not farther extending my 
remarks. 

Brent Geese are well known in the United Kingdom, 
yet they are comparatively scarce among us in numbers, 
when compared to the immense flocks that are to be found 
in autumn and spring scattered all over the Western prairies, 
or in winter and early spring along the Atlantic sea-board of 
the United States. From their size the novice will fre- 
quently mistake them for wild geese, but a little experience 
will soon teach him that there is a marked difference in their 
flap of wing, and in the figures they form while in flight. 
Again, the large white marking on the lower portion of the 
breast and along the stomach, conspicuous for a great dis- 
tance, soon tells the tale that oe are not the more coveted 
larger species. 

Another characteristic of elite species is, that they are far 
less wary than geese, and appear to be gifted with such an 
amount of curiosity, that even when they are almost out of 
sight of the sportsman they may frequently be recalled 
within gunshot by waving a pocket - handkerchief, or in- 
ducing your retriever to run about after sticks, provided 
always that the shooter is out of sight. 

I remember such a circumstance occurring to me while 
on the lower portion of the Chesapeake Bay, State of Mary- 
land. In the society of a veteran wild-fow! shooter, I start- 
ed one bitterly cold morning to shoot wild fowl at a place 
most appropriately designated the Mussel-hole. From sun- 
rise till two hours afterward we enjoyed most excellent 


AN “OLD DODGE.” 257 


sport, but soon a thaw commenced, accompanied by a soft, 
balmy, southerly wind, which appeared to have the im- 
mediate effect on all the wild fowl, with the exception of 
an enormous flock of brent, of sending them off seaward. 
For over an hour we patiently waited for a change in the 
atmosphere, but no such occurred; and we were commen- 
cing to chew the cud of disappointment, when evidences be- 
came conspicuous that the brent also intended making a 
flitting. After a deal of conversation in their ranks, much 
pluming of feathers, and a great amount of flapping of 
wings, the whole phalanx rose together, circled round 
twice, and departed seaward. My never loquacious com- 
 panion silently watched them from behind our hiding-place, 
and muttered to himself an oath. At length he exclaimed, 
with some excitement, “T’ll try the old dodge!” So, pull- 
ing out the dirtiest remnant of a scarlét pocket - handker- 
chief, he commenced waving it overhead. I must acknowl- 
edge that I was rather surprised, for I had never seen wild 
fowl called up in such a remarkable manner. But the ex- 
perienced veteran was right: the now distant flock slowly 
but gradually turned, and, after several times shifting their 
course, ultimately headed directly for our hiding-place. 
Closer and closer we cowered behind our screen; nearer 
and nearer the game came within reach of our destructive 
weapons. Our breath was held, and our impatience curb- 
ed, till the leaders of the host were but forty yards off, 
when both simultaneously rose and poured in four barrels. 
In a moment after seven birds were struggling or lying 
dead upon the water, while the remainder, instead of in- 
stantly leaving, hovered over their stricken comrades till 
both of us had obtained a second double shot. Ihave long 
known plover to be guilty of such foolish want of regard 
to their safety; never previously brent. 


258 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


THE MALLARD. 


In my protracted rambles about the world, I know no 
portion where the mallard can not be found. I have al- 
ways been passionately fond of wild-fowl shooting, and the 
bags that I have made in the United States and Canada of 
this noble bird far exceeded those obtained elsewhere. As 
wild fowl are nearly all migratory by inclination, or are com- 
pelled to be so from the changes of the seasons, it is of great 
importance that you should visit the various haunts at the 
proper periods of the year. However, the rule is, for suc- 
cessfully carrying on war against the web-footed families, 
go north in summer and south in winter. In June, July, 
and August, the wild-rice fields of the numerous laby- 
rinths of lakes of Minnesota and the North-west territo- 
ry, perfectly swarm with wild fowl; while in December and 
January, they will be found equally numerous on the large 
bayous and lagoons that surround the mouth of the Missis- 
sippi. Of course, in the intermediate portion of country 
between Minnesota and the Gulf of Mexico, during the sea- 
sons of migration, splendid days’ shooting can be obtained ; 
but the stay of the birds is so short that it might not com- 
pensate for a special visit. Where thousands are to be 
secn to-day, not a dozen will be met to-morrow; but if you 
‘should happen in the spring and autumn to be in either of 
the States of Illinois, Iowa, or Indiana, when the frost and 
ice are breaking up in spring, or when winter makes its 
first appearance, you may with safety calculate on having 
some of the finest sport. A year or two since, when in 
Illinois in November, a sudden change took place in the 
weather, and although the morning was ushered in mild 
and warm, by noon it was snowing, with a gale of wind 
blowing from the north. From experience I knew that 
such a day was not to be wasted over the fire. I got on 


DUCKS IN THOUSANDS. 259 


my shooting-ground with a very large supply of ammuni- 
tion, and in two or three hours I had to cease, as my stock 
was exhausted. My stand was in a field of Indian corn 
that had been gathered into shocks, from the back of one 
of which I took shelter from the blast as well as conceal- 
ment. Never shall I forget the scene. The ducks came in 
thousands, all flying before the wind, and if a dozen guns 
had been there instead of one, abundant work would have 
been found for all. On another occasion, in the same local- 
ity, two friends of mine killed in two or three hours in the 


evening, and in an hour and a half the succeeding morning, 
eighty-four brace of mallard duck. In the spring of 1866, 
when in Iowa, the first day of thaw, I went for a stroll, 
scarcely expecting to find game; but when I got on the 
prairie land, I was perfectly astonished at the clouds of 
wild fowl arriving from the south, some of the ponds being 
so densely covered with duck that the surface could scarce- 
ly be seen. These birds were all coming from the south, 
where they had passed the winter. If any of our readers 
intend to go in for work, and do not object to roughing it, 


260 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


I should most decidedly say that the wild-fow! shooting is 
good enough to justify a visit. But let him not be induced 
to keep in the vicinity of settlements; rather let him and his 
attendants commence housekeeping on the margin of one of 
the northern Minnesota lakes, if in summer (remember one 
that produces an abundance of wild rice) ; butif the reverse 
season should be selected, the southern lagoons of the Mis- 
sissippi will afford him abundant sport, and any of the hos- 
pitable planters will deem it a favor if he will do them the 
honor of making their home his. 

‘When living on the-upper portion of Lake Couchachin, 
Simcoe district, from the beauty of an afternoon and the 
coolness of the weather, I was induced to shoulder my gun, 
and start cross country to Lake St. John, with the hope of 
killing some ducks to add to the fare of our already sumpt- 
uous table. I had never visited this place before, and as I 
left the clearing, the last words of H were, “ Take care 
you do not get lost.” With an amount of confidence, “ usu- 
ally denoting ignorance,” I responded that I was too old to 
be guilty of such a green proceeding. With little trouble 
I found my destination. Game was abundant and tame, 
they being overcome with that langour which makes them 
perfectly indifferent, and which is so frequently the pre- 
cursor of bad and stormy weather. In a little time my 
bag was heavy, too much so to be agreeable, and, consider- 
ing that I had committed havoc enough, I determined to 
retrace my steps. Another and yet another duck would 
come in my way, and present such fascinating shots that 
I could not resist, so that by the time I had returned to 
the place where I first struck the water I was completely 
loaded. 

Have any of my readers ever walked two or three miles, 
with from eight to a dozen mallard ducks in the skirt of his 
shooting-coat? If so,they undoubtedly have vivid recol- 


“LOST IN A FOREST. 261 


lections of their weight. If still a tyro, I advise you to 
make a trial, as a new sensation will be experienced, partic- 
‘ularly if the ground is soft and muddy. I had scarcely re- 
entered the sombre forest, when my spaniel found some 
ruffed grouse, and treed them a short way off on the left. 
A brace of these delicate birds would be a most acceptable 
addition to a future dinner; so, without hesitation, I struck 
off to the right, to cultivate their more intimate acquaint- 
ance. Advancing upon them unwarily, the covey flushed, 
but flew only a short distance. I thought my chances so 
remarkably good that I would make another try, but again 
the watchfulness of my feathered friend foiled me. "With 
a malediction on my lips, I turned to retrace my steps, but 
for my life I could not tell in which direction my route lay. 
To be lost, pooh, pooh! what nonsense! I was not still a 
school-boy, and had been too long cut loose from my moth- 
er’s apron-strings. The whole thing appeared too absurd 
and ridiculous. Off I went, as I thought, straight back to 
the place I had left. I must cross my own path in a few 
minutes—only a few steps farther! I am certainly close 
now! and thus arguing and consoling, I proceeded. By 
degrees it began to dawn upon me, though much against 
my inclination, that I was “certain sure out of my reckon- 
ing.” The more convinced I became of the uncertainty of 
my position, the more I became excited. At first I walked 
faster, talked to myself, and tried, though I fear very indif- 
ferently, to treat the whole affair as an admirable joke. 
But soon my countenance became elongated, and a very 
gloomy expression usurped the place of my previous smile. 
For change, I shouted, with the hope some one might hear 
me—a very improbable thing—except, perchance, some sol- 
itary Indian should be out in attendance on his bear or oth- 
er traps. At last I became fairly desperate, and broke into 
a headlong run: the pace was too fast to keep up; fairly 


262 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


blown, wearied, and exhausted, I sat. down on the trunk of 
a fallen tree. The depression I felt will never be forgotten. 
The terrible loneliness, the perfect solitude and monotony, 
with the certainty of having to pass the night al fresco, 
made my frame of mind any thing but enviable. The mos- 
quitoes, which previously I had scarcely noticed, now put 
in a claim for attention,my wretched plight seeming to 
give them confidence, for they attacked me front, rear, and 
flanks, in columns. It was useless to attempt to drive them 
off ; their confidence would have been most commendable, 
if engaged in a better cause. Night was rapidly approach- 
ing, and the giant shadows had become indistinct in their 
outline, mingling together in one dark gloom. Distant 
rumbling of thunder portended a coming storm, reminding 
me that I had better make all snug, as a dirty night was at 
hand. 

I soon found a prostrate monarch of the forest, under 
whose side I expected to find comparative shelter. In a 
short space I had gathered sufficient débris and inflamma- 
ble matter to make a fire, determining to sacrifice one of 
my ducks to the implacable tormentor, hunger. Out of 
the few matches I had four missed, or would not light; 
but two more remained. With what care and anxiety did 
I try the others! Alas! the head of No. 5 flew off, and 
but one remained to save me from Erebus, and the incur- 
sions of some erratic midnight prowler. With the utmost 
care I undertook the trying ordeal of squeezing myself into 
a corner, sheltering my hands with my cap, and sacrificing 
a portion of the last letter from my lady-love for tinder. 
Success rewarded me, and soon the surroundings were 
brought out in deep relief by the brilliant glow, remind- 
ing me of the deep contrast of light and shadow in one of 
the much-admired pictures by Rembrandt. The rain was 
not long delayed, and after a few premonitory drops came 


A THUNDER-STORM. 263 


down as if the flood-gates of heaven had been opened, ac- 
companied by the loudest thunder and most dazzling light- 
ning. There is nothing that more powerfully impresses 
man with the omnipotent power of the Creator, or with his 
own utter insignificance, than being placed alone, unpro- 
tected from the warring elements, listening to the dismem- 
berment of limbs from the parent tree-trunks by the fury 
of the blast, or the scathing power of the electric fluid. All 
my efforts to keep a good fire were futile—sleep was out of 
the question—while the incessant attacks of the mosquitoes 
made me restless and irritable. No sick man or storm- 
tossed mariner ever more ardently longed for break of day. 
The night appeared endless, and doubts of whether the sun 
had not been delayed in his course, or taken his departure 
to gladden with his rays the inhabitants of other planets, 
intruded themselves. At last, faint lines of light glimmered 
in the east, foretelling the departure of darkness, and with 
greater satisfaction than I ever previously experienced, I 
rose from my wet and uncomfortable resting-place. To 
seek my lost route was my first endeavor, and for more 
than an hour I wandered without success. At last, when 
almost yielding to despair, I struck the margin of the lake 
I had been shooting on the evening before; and what a 
beautiful, enthralling scene lay before me! The placid wa- 
ter only rippled where the wild duck sported, or the vora- 
cious fish pursued to the surface their destined prey; while 
the shadow of each tree that grew near the margin was so 
distinctly reflected that the minutest limb or twig could be 
traced with perfect precision. 

I stood entranced, and so great was my admiration, that 
nothing could have induced me to disturb the harmony 
of the picture by destroying the life, or disturbing the re- 
treat, of the beautiful creatures which formed its promi- 
nent features. To the left were several deer and fawns, 


264 PRAIRIN AND FOREST. 


knee-deep, feeding upon the tender, succulent leaves of the 
water-lily, the youngsters occasionally chasing one another 
in sport, and unknowingly practicing and developing those 
muscles which Nature intends to be their protection in the 
hour of danger; their beautiful, graceful mothers frequent- 
ly raising their eyes from their morning repast with ma- 
ternal solicitude for their progenies’ safety. What sports- 
man could witness such a scene without feelings of the 
greatest pleasure? and, in my opinion, unless hunger could 
be pleaded, he would be unworthy of the name who could 
desecrate the hallowedness and peacefulness of the view by 
wantonly shedding blood. Long I gazed with feelings of 
rapfire, congratulating myself in having at last discovered 
a hunter’s elysium. Uncertainty in reference to my posi- 
tion had vanished, as without trouble, by following the 
margin of the water, I could find my back track. At last 
hunger told me it was time to think of home and breakfast. 
An hour after found me in my bedroom undergoing the 
luxury of a good wash, preparatory to an ample meal. My 
friend, who was rejoiced to see me, having dreaded the in- 
convenience of hunting me up, listened with great pleasure 
to my glowing, and perhaps, unintentionally exaggerated 
description of al! I had seen and endured. On one point, 
however, we were resolved—an immediate visit to the 
beautiful locality I had so lately left. Before a month had 
elapsed many visits had been paid, and heavy game-bags, 
or still heavier fish-baskets, were the result. Game is still 
abundant near the region where my night adventure took 
place, but like every locality, the hunter will have to pro- 
ceed a little farther beyond the bounds of civilization; for 
as certain as the red man vanishes before the stream of 
emigration, or the morning mists before the gladdening 
rays of the rising sun, game flies from the sound of the 
squatter’s axe, or the sharp report of the deadly rifle. 


WET, WEARY, AND FATIQGUED. 265 


In Central Illinois, a thousand miles or more from the 
scene of my last mishap, I have had wonderful mallard- 
shooting, so will attempt to describe one of my fortunate 
essays on a November evening. -The wind was eminently 
suited for the purpose of exhibiting a large show of birds; 
it being dark, stormy, and threatening, with a rapid de- 
crease in the temperature, strongly indicative of frost or 
snow. In truth, if I had made a selection, I could scarcely 
have chosen better adapted weather. After a tiresome and 
unprofitable day, we found ourselves back at the requisite 
station, wet, weary, and fatigued, and not by any means in 
the best of spirits; still, I did not wish to be the proposer 
of an adjournment of my promised exhibition, and my 
friend felt placed upon his mettle, lest he should appear to 
suffer more from his long tramp than myself, or indicate 
less capacity for enduring the fatigues of the hunting-field. 
How often, if we could read one another’s internal feelings, 
should we find that external appearances are only assumed, 
and that the companion who ostensibly looks as fresh and 
capable of traveling for hours as he was at the time of 
starting, is suffering from extreme lassitude and disinclina- 
tion to more exertion, only he is restrained from confessing 
his weakness by a certain amour propre, and repugnance 
to acknowledge himself beaten; at least, I speak from my 
own experience, and I believe that the majority of men are 
similarly constituted. If men would but give the same at- 
tention, the same pertinacious assiduity to business affairs 
that are bestowed by its devotees on field-sports, it can not 
be doubted that their fortune in amassing wealth would be 
equal to their success in filling game-bags. 

As the sun dipped in the western horizon, or as near 
as possible to that time—murky, dark, threatening clouds 
preventing the sun from being seen—we entered the wet, 
marshy margin which bounded our future scene of opera- 

12 


266 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


tions. With much difficulty, and the energetic use of all. 
the vim left in us, we progressed slowly and steadily, till we 
reached the edge of the water, where, ensconcing ourselves 
in the centre of some of. the scattered water-loving brush 
which vegetated in the vicinity, we awaited the result. 
Permit me, kind reader, to deviate from my narrative, 
and give a hint to all who love the gun that.they may find 
useful in their future essays against all descriptions of game. 
I have heard sportsmen and those gentlemen of experience 
condemn Colonel Hawker for impressing upon his pupils 
the necessity of particular attention to their costume, many 
thinking he devoted too much time and pains to what ap- 
peared to them a very unnecessary desideratum. If any 
one who peruses these lines should be of that impression, 
allow me, with all kindly feeling, to take an opposite stand, 
and assert that there is nothing which will more certainly 
guarantee your success than paying due attention to wear- 
ing clothes that at all times harmonize with the coloring of 
the ground over which you are about to shoot. I have so 
many times had convincing proofs of the efficacy of attend- 
ing to this important point, that I consider it scarcely pos- 
sible to impress it too. strongly upon the minds ofall. An 
instance I will state, out of many others I could tell of, 
which I think will prove that the grounds I take are strong, 
and beyond opposition. While sojourning West I made 
the acquaintance of a good-hearted, kind gentleman and 
thorough sportsman, whom the uncertainty of worldly af- 
fairs had reduced much in pecuniary circumstances. In 
those days, although I had experience, still, as now, I had 
much to learn: my friend was, if any thing, my superior as 
a shot, more particularly on wild fowl. On. the breaking 
up of winter in the spring of ’65—in fact, the morning 
after a decided thaw had set in—he arrived at my house 
at an early hour, and invited me to accompany him on the 


SUITABLE COSTUME. 267 


prairie to kill duck. .For some time previously all the wa- 
ter that was stagnant, or had but slight current, had been 
frozen, and there being in consequence no feeding-ground 
for the broad-bills, they had taken their departure for more 
hospitable regions. My want of success a few days before 
caused me to doubt if better results could be obtained on 
this occasion, but being aware that H was better post- 
ed on these matters than any man in the vicinity, I shoul- 
dered my ten-bore, straddled my Indian pony, and started: 
for what he considered the most appropriate place for do- 
ing. havoc. On reaching the confines of the prairie, we 
found that duck had come in, and in myriads. In no di- 
rection could we gaze without seeing flights in those strange 
mathematical figures which they always-assume when on 
the wing. We at once held a council of war, and deter- 
mined to leave our steeds (having first spread a horse-blank- 
et on each to protect them from the bitter blast; for every 
true votary of Diana is humane, though the virgin goddess 
herself displayed but little of this virtue to the unfortunate 
Actzon), and after striking the wet land, to separate, one 
to take the right side and the other the left. My clothes, 
through chance, were admirably suited for our work, being | 
composed of that common colored velveteen which so much 
resembles withered grass, while H ’s were dark and con- 
spicuous; without doubt, his inattention to color being 
caused by the lightness of his pocket and inability to pro- 
cure more suitable raiment. After four hours’ shooting, 
on comparing results, my proceeds were more than double 
his, while two wild geese—the most wary of all game—were 
among my victims, he having failed to get a shot at this 
noble quarry. I was at a loss to account for this superior 
fortune, and might have remained long without satisfactory 
reasons, but my comrade’s experience taught him that the 
difference of color in our costume was the cause. 


268 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


But to return to our work. As soon as we were at our 
stands, we divested ourselves of shot-pouches and powder- 
horns, hanging them on the bushes that we might the easier 
use them when required—for, once the game commences to 
arrive, every. moment is of value. Before we had been sta- 
tionary many minutes a few stragglers made their appear- 
ance, the advance-guard, doubtless, of the main body; some 
old and experienced veterans, I should think, are generally 
chosen for this duty, as these forerunners are wary in the 
extreme, and seldom or never come within gunshot. How- 
ever, we were not detained idle; a bunch of mallard passed 
within range, and a salute welcomed their visit; another 
and another party rapidly followed in such quick succes- 
sion that it was impossible to shoot at all. These birds, so 
far, had only flown past, and as night approached their 
numbers increased, and we being probably less conspicuous 
from decreasing light, the open water at our side was chos- 
en for their resting-place. Down they would come on the 
water, almost imperiling our heads, with the rustling sound 
of the eagle in the act of swooping upon his prey, while 
. some of their companions, less certain of the security of 
this halting-place, would sweep round and round our locale 
before they finally selected it. As soon as the birds struck 
the water they would commence bathing themselves, flap- 
ping their bodies with their wings, diving with short 
plunges, and cutting so many capers that one might imagine 
them stark, staring mad. The fact, however, is, that all 
this apparent eccentricity is caused by the necessity the 
ducks feel of cleaning themselves of the insects about their 
plumage, as well as the pleasure they experience in finding 
themselves again in a milder climate, with abundance of 
food around them, after enduring a hard journey from the 
stormy North, protracted possibly through a day and 
night. 


DUCK SHOOTING. 269 


On arrival, therefore, they wash themselves and arrange 
their dress before commencing their meal—an example oth- 
er travelers would do well to imitate. But,as the night 
advanced, some strangers are mixed with the throng. The 
dusky duck, the bald-pate, the pin-tail, the blue and green 
winged teal, shoot past like arrows from a bow, the latter 
inaking, with the rapid motion of their wings, a sound not 
unlike an ungreased wheel or hinge. When the travelers 
are satisfied with the neighborhood, they dash down upon 
the water, causing it to fly in spray for yards around, while 
the first arrivals welcome the new-comers with innumera- 
ble quacks. The report of a gun then will scarcely alarm 
them, and, if they should rise, in a moment they will re-set- 
tle, doubtlessly feeling security in their numbers. 

Tarry a little longer, friend ; it may be too dark to shoot, 
but a better sight than all is yet before ‘you; be not im- 
patient—don’t you hear that strange voice? The geese are 
coming —ay, and brant, too—can’t you hear their noisy 
chattering? Move not an inch; these fellows have two eyes, 
equal in excellence to the whole hundred of Arguses placed 
together. Soon a dark line is seen against the sky advan- 
cing directly to us. Honk! honk! honk! comes from its 
different sections, doubtlessly inquiries from the leader as 
to the propriety of calling a halt. Keep close—stir not, 
nor think of shooting, till they are over you. You can not, 
perhaps, see them fall, but the splash they will make tells 
the tale. Another and another regiment of these worthies 
came in, till perfect Erebus inclosed us, and further shoot- 
ing became impossible. Our dogs had been busy gather- 
ing the slain, and a noble bag we had. The thermometer 
continuing to fall, and the appearance of a snow-storm be- 
coming momentarily more marked, we mutually determined 
to desist, well satisfied with our night’s recreation. 

It took time and trouble satisfactorily and securely to 


270 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


sling our booty; and if any of our friends could have seen 
our noble selves and nags strung around with the fruit of 
our labor, they could not have suppressed a smile. 

While resting for a day or two at MacComb’s, Grand 
Prairie, Northern Illinois, when on a tour, cattle purchas- 
ing, at the commencement of winter, one of the hands, on 
returning to dinner, informed me'that both ducks and geese 
were arriving in immense numbers. Soon my No. 10 gun 
was brought out, and with seven pounds of shot; and my 
large powder-flask full, I started in the direction indicated. 
The weather since morning had undergone a complete 
change, for, instead of a damp, mild atmosphere, snow was 
falling in large but few flakes, with the thermometer below 
freezing-point. 

On reaching the sloughs, I found birds abundant, but too 
wary for great success; so, after firing a few long shots 
with indifferent success, I determined to change my beat. 
I had remarked the day before a field of a few acres of in- 
different Indian corn which had not yet been gathered, and 
which was excessively wet and soft from the dampness of 
the soil; thither I determined to turn my footsteps, and 
well it was I did so, for a finer afternoon’s sport I have 
seldom enjoyed. Before I got within a quarter of a mile 
of my destination, I could see duck in numerous large flights 
hovering over the place in question, giving hopes of ‘sharp 
work. On gaining the edge of the field and taking a sur- 
vey, I found the ground in many places perfectly covered 
with birds, and strings of fresh arrivals coming in moment- 
arily—mallard, butter-duck, teal, and winter-duck all mak- 
ing the best use of their bills to further destroy an indiffer- 
ent crop. After a survey of the situation, I selected a stand, 
forming a screen of corn stems and iron-weed, and scarce- 
ly was I ensconced, when the honk! honk! honk! of a dis- 
tant flock of wild geese told me that the wary scoundrels 


A NOBLE BAG. 271 


were en avant. However, so many duck came within easy 
shooting distance that I could not resist opening fire, and I 
commenced skirmishing forthwith. The birds appeared 
totally devoid of fear, either of the report of my gun or my 
presence, and flew frequently within fifteen or twenty yards 
in the most leisurely and business-like manner. Again and 
again I loaded and shot, till my barrels got agreeably warm. 
Old Nep, my retriever, soon had the ground around my 
feet thickly strewn with slain, and when an unfortunate 
duck, less severely peppered than others, or only broken- 
winged, would attempt to hobble off, Master Nep would 
give him a pinch about the regions of the cranium that im- 
mediately reduced the most obstreperous to submission. 
Geese commenced to arrive after I had been at work about 
half an hour; first a solitary gander, whose coat I dusted 
and secured, next two or three, and ultimately half-dozens 
and dozens, while the duck whistled by with all the velocity 
of sky-rockets. By 4 p.m. my powder-flask commenced to 
show signs of giving out, and with sickly, hollow rattle pro- 
claimed that the remaining charges were few. To prolong 
the sport, I reduced my charges ; but still the end was draw- 
ing near, and could only be delayed a few minutes, for with 
regret, though the snow was now falling fast and the 
weather any thing but enjoyable, I was brought to a halt. 
On collecting the spoil, I had nineteen geese and forty-one 
ducks, a load sufficient for a Canadian pony. However, I 
managed to stow them all in a fence corner, there to remain 
till sent for, and most unwillingly I turned toward home. 
My last view of the field was of broad-bills, in ever increas- 
ing regiments, rushing on to the devoted crop, and I have 
little doubt, if my ammunition had lasted, that I could 
have shown a score that had seldom previously been 
made. 


272 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


BLACK DUCK. 


The black duck is of all wild fowl, scarcely even except- 
ing geese and swans, the wildest and most difficult to in- 
duce to come within gunshot. All who have shot upon 
the low sedgy shores of the Chesapeake Bay will confirm 
this assertion, for well and frequently must he remem- 
ber to have watched with anxious and impatient eye this 
dusky beauty wheeling, and wheeling in gradually con- 
tracting flights, toward the well-guarded decoys, only to 
leave them in disgust before the impatient gunner was 


BLACK DUCK. 


rewarded with a shot. Moreover, this species seems to 
be regarded by all others of its family as a most reliable 
advance-guard in whom to place confidence, for often have 
I seen both red-heads and canvas-backs retire precipitous- 
ly from the blind to which they were coming direct, when 
a black duck has been observed giving a wide berth to the 
decoys. 

Mr. Copper and Mr. Macready, both commanding vessels 
in the Maryland police force, than whom no better sports- 
men and duck shots are to be found, have often assured me 
that the black duck was the most difficult of all the water- 
fowl on the Chesapeake to kill; this I feel assured of from 
another circumstance than their wariness, for, being very 


WARINESS OF THE BLACK DUCK. 273 


large (more so than mallard) and very powerfully built, 
they can carry away an enormous deal of shot. , 

I can well remember a circumstance illustrative of this. 
There was a marsh close to my head-quarters last year. 
- To while away the afternoon, I took my gun, and, with my 
landlord, started to explore some open water reported about 
a mile from home; for the late frosts had been severe, and all 
places that did not possess a rapid current were ice-locked. 

The early portion of our tramp had been extremely un- 
profitable, but as we were crossing a narrow creek on the 
most unstable of bridges, temporarily constructed of fence- 
rails purloined from the arable land of a neighboring farm- 
er,a brace of black duck flushed within twenty yards of us. 
My companion, as he was holding on by the skin of his 
teeth to escape a ducking, could not shoot. I, who was 
situated in a less precarious position, could; so, making a 
violent effort to pull myself together, I put in both barrels; 
the first shot told its execution by cutting out a handful of 
feathers, the second by dropping the object at which I aim- 
ed it stone-dead. However, the wounded bird went off 
with such velocity and power, that but little hope was en- 
tertained of recovering it; and as its retreating form grad- 
ually diminished in the distance, remarks to that effect 
passed between us, although both continued to gaze after 
it as long as its retreating form was in view. My friend’s 
sight being better than mine, some seconds after I had 
turned my attention to other matters, informed me that 
my bird was down, and he thought he could find it. After 
a long and troublesome détour we reached the place, and 
the retriever recovered it in a few minutes. On examina- 
tion, there was not a shot in the head, but the body was 
riddled to such an extent as to induce one to surmise how 
it was possible for the machinery of the body to work un- 
der such circumstances. 

12* 


274 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


To every rule there are exceptions, so I will give one—a 
very rare one, I believe —in reference to black duck. It 
was the last day of the Indian summer, and consequently 
that preceding the commencement of winter. The atmos- 
phere was so wonderfully still, that not a cat’s-paw marked 
the surface of Lake Couchachin, in Upper Canada. In the 
morning I had crossed to the village of Orillia in a light 
skiff, with the intention of returning as soon as possible 
with some provisions required by the laborers employed 
clearing land. Circumstances delayed me till almost mid- 
day before I took up my sculls to commence my ‘return 
journey, and as I had some distance to go, and my craft 
was light, small, and crank, I took a good survey of the 
horizon to see that no squalls were brewing. No, not a 
cloud hung on the horizon, not a breath of wind disturbed 
the wonderful repose of the scene, and the two islands which 
formed either side of a strait through which I had to steer 
stood up exaggerated to double their size from the refrac- 
tion of the atmosphere. A strong pull and a long pull dis- 
posed rapidly of space, and about half my journey was ac- 
complished, when to my surprise I saw about a dozen black 
duck not twenty yards from my port-oar. I did not have 
a gun with me, so lost a chance which I should have much 
liked to avail myself of. From curiosity to learn how near 
I could possibly get to these generally very timid birds, I 
altered my course, and actually for ten minutes, if not more, 
pulled after them, and although I frequently came within a 
few yards, could not force them to take the wing. To ex- 
plain this unusual circumstance, I have but one elucidation 
to offer, viz., that they had just arrived from a long migra- 
tory journey from the North, and the fatigue they had suf- 
fered temporarily incapacitated them from flight. 


THE CANVAS-BACK DUCK. 275 


CANVAS-BACK DUCK. 


The canvas-back duck, considered. by many to be the 
greatest delicacy of all American game, is a magnificent 
bird about the size of the mallard, and not unlike, in plum- 
age, the English widgeon. However, there is a marked char- 
acteristic by which they never can be mistaken, namely, a 
dip in the centre of the bill, while the upper portion of it 
runs very far over the forehead. 

Rearing their young during summer upon the edge of 
the Arctic Circle, no sooner do indications of approaching 
winter occur, than on rapid and powerful wing they sweep 
down the line of coast, seldom ceasing their flight till the 
estuary of the Delaware or Chesapeake Bay are reachéd, 
many continuing their course southward even to the marshes 
of Louisiana, and the swamps on the sea-boundary of Texas. 

On the Pacific coast they also swarm within the same de- 
grees of latitude as on the Atlantic. Thus it may be seen, 
from their not being found in the interior of the continent, 
that they are essentially a sea-duck. <A curious circum- 
stance connected with them is, that until they have fed on 
the vallisneria, familiarly known as water-celery, the flesh 
of the canvas-back is insipid and fishy; and as this plant 
grows in the greatest abundance on the Chesapeake, espe- 
cially on a portion called the Susquehanna Flats, the duck 
that are killed there are of far more value than when shot 
elsewhere. 

As these birds are exceedingly strong, tremendous divers, 
and covered with a very close coating of feathers, they re- 
quire a large-bore gun. My selection should be, after the 
experiences of last season, a single-barrel No. 6, with No. 
3 shot for flight shooting; a No.10 or 8 double-barrel, 
with No.5 shot for point shooting. 

Immediately after their arrival from the North, they are 


276 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


very easily decoyed, becoming more wary, however, when 
much shot at; but if severe weather, with ice and snow, 
set in, they soon forget the caution gained by previous ex- 
perience. 

The number of these ducks that are annually killed is 
surprising, the greatest slaughter among them being made 
from sink-boats, a species of box, which is sunk in the wa- 
ter till within a few inches of its level. To prevent the 
splash coming on board it has immense wings on either 
side, which lay on the surface of the water, and which are 
studded over with innumerable decoys. Of course it must 
be understood that this infernal machine is anchored, the 
gunner lying on his back and shooting upward as the game 
hovers over his head. Such experts have many of these 
Chesapeake wild-fowl shooters become, that they seldom 
put their gun to the shoulder. 

Over decoys, which are placed off points in the line of 
their flight, large numbers can be killed. Many repudiate 
this shooting, even condemn it; in this I can not agree, for 
quick shooting and great skill in management are required. 

Again: they are killed flying over dips in the land, when 
moving from 6ne feeding-ground to another; the large 
gun’s utility then shows itself (for detailed account, see 
* Afloat and Ashore,” published last year). 

The hospitality of Marylanders is proverbial ; the shoot- 
ing in their State is excellent; so a sojourn there is certain 
to be conducive of much pleasure to the sportsman. 


PIN-TAILED DUCK. , 
Sprig-tailed, pheasant, long-tailed, and pin-tailed duck are 
the names by which these handsome birds are known in 
different portions of the North American continent. Al- 
though not unfrequently found upon the coast, they are 
much more numerous on the swamp and sloughs of the in- 


THE WOOD-DUCK. , 277 


terior. Strictly migratory in their habits, they are invaria- 
bly the earliest visitors of the duck family that denote the 
termination of winter, and the last to tell that autumn is 
about to give place to the season of snow and ice. They 
‘breed away up in the far North among the innumerable lakes 
and rivulets of the Hudson Bay territory, and pass their 
-winter in the swamps and lagoons scattered over the sea- 
board of Texas and other Southern States. 

They are very swift and powerful upon the wing, and 
require as much hitting, if not more, than any bird of their 
size; therefore No. 3 shot and a ten-bore gun should be 
used. They are also very wary, and unless in a snow- 
storm, when they appear to become bewildered, great pa- 
tience and skill are necessary to make a successful stalk 
upon them. In seeking for them, the sportsman must be 
guided entirely by not only the season of the year but by 
its severity, if on the Western prairies, where I have seen 
them in immense numbers. The day or two preceding the 
freezing up of the sloughs they are certain to be found in 
abundance; again, in spring, immediately after thaw has 
commenced. 

From their delicacy of flavor, they are much sought af- 
ter; but their destruction is inconsiderable from the reason 
I have above stated. However, drainage and agriculture 
are certain ultimately to drive them from what are now 
their favorite haunts, 


THE WOOD-DUCK. 


This bird, which rivals in beauty of plumage the far- 
famed mandarin duck of China, is seldom or never found 
upon the sea-board of the United States, even in such se- 
vere weather as freezes up the rivers, for on such occasions, 
being migratory, it betakes itself southward to more hos- 
pitable latitudes, However, during: summer and open win- 


278 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


ters, it will be found, not in large flocks, but in little fam- 
ily parties of from four to eight, on all the streams that 
have wooded margins south of the forty-fifth degree of lat- 
itude. Nowhere have I found them sufficiently abundant 
to make them for the day the sole object of pursuit, yet 
few excursions will be made in the vicinity of their retreats 
that several shots will not be obtained at them. Although 
not essentially a wild bird, still they have the instinct, un- 
less stalked upon unperceived, to flush just beyond gun 
range, and appear invariably to endeavor to keep either 
some giant tree,or immense limb between the intruder 
and themselves. As their favorite perching-places are 
upon limbs of trees, it is useless to search for them on the 
stream after being alarmed, for they invariably make into 
the timber, and alight near the summit of such trees as 
possess the densest foliage. Their nest is always built in 
a tree, generally such a one as is overgrown with ivy and 
leans over a pond or water-course, the young being carried 
in the bill of the parent bird from its nursery to the water 
when it has arrived at sufficient maturity to endure such 
treatment. Their flight is very swift and powerful, so, al- 
though the bird is small—little larger than a teal—it re- 
quires hard hitting to bring down; thus No. 6 shot will be 
found most useful for their pursuit. 


SMALLER VARIETIES. 


Independent of Chesapeake Bay being visited by such 
immense swarms of canvas-back ducks, there are thousands 
of red-heads and black-heads, all excellent birds for the ta- 
ble, and larger than English widgeon, besides quantities of 
bald-pates, teal, and many smaller species of wild fowl, de- 
nominated by the inhabitants of the neighborhood respect- 
ively dipper ducks, Southerlies, and whistlers—all of which 
are remarkable for their beautiful plumage, and their ac- 
tivity whether swimming or on the wing. 


DIPPERS AND DECOY-DUCKS. 279 


It is very seldom in winter; during any weather, that 
sport is not to a certain extent marred by these little beau- 
ties, more especially by the dippers, for they are such little 
rogues, thieves, and impudent: withal, that whenever they 
see decoy-ducks set out they are bound to visit them. The 
reason they do so is this: they imagine that the imitation 
birds are a veritable flock of canvas-backs feeding, and they 
themselves being indifferent divers, wait upon the surface 
for the larger species to bring up the much-prized water- 
celery, when, before the lately submerged bird has got the 
water out of his eyes or recovered his breath, the little 


BALD PATES, 


pilferer has purloined the fruits of his labor. This is no 
idle fancy; Audubon vouches for its truth, and I have 
many times heard it confirmed by persons who spend their 
lives upon the Chesapeake supplying Baltimore with wild 
fowl. A cock-dipper, for such is the name the male bird 
receives, in the parlance of that locality, is truly a beautiful 
bird, almost rivaling the wood-duck in the brilliancy of his 
plumage. When he raises his handsome crest he is par- 
ticularly attractive. 

For the table dippers are superior to teal, and that is pay- 
ing them no mean compliment; for who that is an epicure 
can be ignorant of the delicacy of flavor of the latter? 


280 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


The SouruERLy, as well as the dipper, are essentially sea- 
ducks, neither being found inland. The former doubtless 
derives its name from the notes it utters when calling to 
each other or when alarmed. In stormy weather they are 
particularly garrulous, and the notes “ Sou-southerly ” may 
be heard in every direction, as distinctly uttered as if by 
a human being, and the intonation is particularly musical. 
They also possess great beauty of plumage, the preponder- 
ating coloring being rich brown interspersed with white. 


They are a little larger than our teal; however, they are: 
tough and fishy, consequently little used for the table when’ 
other varieties can be obtained, so that, except in cases of 
necessity, the sportsman ought always to spare them. 

The WuistTLeEr is about the size of the former, but fuller 
in form. It is a dark, sombre bird, with a beautiful white. 
bar on each wing. They derive their name from a sharp. 
whistling sound emanating from each wing when in flight. 
Unlike the former species, they frequent the rapids and 
air-holes of rivers in severe frost; consequently are not, ' 
strictly speaking, sea-ducks. When in such haunts, they 


‘ 


A FAVORITE SPOT. 281 


are extremely wary and difficult of approach, and, being 
very powerful of wing and extremely tenacious of life, will 
fly a long distance after they have been severely wounded. 
Although my experience would cause me to say otherwise, 
they are not much appreciated as an article of food. 

For general duck-shooting, that is, for killing a great va- 
riety of this appreciated race, I know few places I can more 
strongly recommend than a beautifully - timbered, placid 
stream, called the Iroquois, flowing through the northern 
part of the State of Illinois. Autumn was the season when 
first I visited it, and so charmed was I with its suitableness 
for this description of sport, that I tarried by its banks not 
only the two weeks originally intended, but many weeks 
more. , 

For a water-course situated in a settled State it was won- 
derfully free from intrusion; so much so, that my friend 
and self have frequently gone from morning till night with- 
out seeing the face of a stranger. 

The appearance of this river is easily described, for there 
was no grand cascade or boiling rapid to make it remark- 
able; no, it was only a commonplace prairie stream, about 
sixty yards wide, margined at the edge with lilies and 
sedge, which was again bounded on the drier ground by 
dwarf hazel and alder-bushes in sparsely-scattered clumps, 
the whole framed in with thin, widely-scattered, diminutive 
trees. Thus the reader will perceive that there was enough 
cover to get within range of your game, not sufficient to in- 
terfere with your aim, and the walking was excellent on 
both sides, free from quagmire or cedar swamp. 

I can recall with pleasure the rich golden mellow of the 
American autumn glinting over this retired scene, and al- 
most every variety of duck passing with strong and rapid 
pinion, unconscious of danger, along the centre of the 
stream, and within such easy gunshot that we invariably 


282 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


picked up each other’s birds; for we took reverse sides of 
the river, such a proceeding saving our faithful, patient, 
ever-willing retrievers. Nor would our forenoot bag be 
better than the afternoon one, although toward night we re- 
turned over the same route we had pursued in the morning; 
for if we killed a couple of dozen going with the stream, 
the number bagged would be about the same returning 
in the reverse direction. And day after day no apparent 
diminution in our sport occurred, for the vast sloughs in 
the surrounding prairie immediately supplied the deficit 
occasioned by our labors. There were other pleasures at- 
tached to this delightful locality that never could fail to 
delight the naturalist or sportsman; for the fleet, timid, 
watchful-eared deer, the fussy, pompous wild turkey, and 
graceful, swift- winged ruffed grouse were also partial to 
this retreat, and few were the days that we did not seé 
several of each, rushing off on rapid feet or wing to hide 
themselves from the dangerous intruders on their demesne. 
This spot can not be much changed, for it is only seven 
years or so since I was there, and it is some distance from 
railroads; but even supposing the game be reduced one- 
half, then there would be ample left to induce me to go 
many a long and weary mile to revisit it. My old shoot- 
ing companion and very dear friend, Nathaniel West, a 
year or two since was still residing at Kent, Indiana, not 
many miles from the Iroquois. If the reader be of the right 
sort, id est, willing to do a fair day’s work for a fair day’s 
sport, and acknowledge that there are as good countries in 
the world as our own, let him call upon him, and he will 
return satisfied that America can and does produce as good 
shots and sportsmen as England. 


CHAPTER XX, 
SALMONID&. 
(Salmo salar.) 


ALTHOUGH at one time salmon were found abundant in 
all the tributaries of the St. Lawrence, even in Lake On- 
tario, now the fisherman on the Atlantic sea-board of Ameri: 
ca, if he desires commensurate reward for the trouble and 
expense he has been put to, that he may enjoy his favorite 
pleasure, must visit some of the streams along the coast of 
Labrador, unless he feel disposed to rent a fishery, which 
will be found almost as expensive in Canada as in Norway, 
Scotland, or Ireland. However, if you are able and willing 
to pay for the enjoyment of your hobby, this advantage 
is gained, that when the season terminates you are nearer 
home and civilization; advantages that can not often’ be 
over-appreciated if accidents or sickness have overtaken 
yourself or companions. 

On the Pacific coast salmon are also most abundant in 
all the streams that flow into it above the forty-second 
degree of north latitude. In fact, a few years ago, the 
Columbia and Fraser rivers abounded with this fish in such 
numbers as often to pollute the air with the decomposition 
of the countless thousands of dead that were washed up on 
their margins. 

At the present date those of Fraser River are justly 
famous. There are five species, and they make their way 
up the river for one thousand miles. The silver salmon be- 
gins to arrive in March or early in April, and lasts till the 
end of June. Their weight is from four to twenty - five 


284 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


pounds, but they have been caught weighing over seventy. 
The second kind are caught from June to August, and 
are considered the finest. Their average size is only five or 
six pounds. The third, coming in August, average seven 
pounds, and are an excellent fish. The noan, or humpback 
salmon, comes every second year, lasting from August till 
winter, weighing from six to fourteen pounds. The hook- 
bill arrives in September, and remains till winter, weighing 
from twelve to fifteen and even forty-five pounds. Salmon 
is sold at Victoria at five cents a pound, and there appears 
to be no limit to the supply. 

However, one thing I must not forget to mention is that, 
although the trout of British Columbia, Oregon, and Cali- 
fornia rise freely to the fly, the salmon of the Pacific do 
not—a circumstance to be regretted by all lovers of the 
lithesome rod. 

Halifax—reader, have you ever been in Halifax? Many 
places are less to be admired and less agreeable to live in, 
although I have heard sailors quote the saying, in Old En- 
gland, “ Deliver us from Hell, Hull, and Halifax.” Why 
this condemnation I know not. For my part, I have been 
in many towns less pleasant; the inhabitants are hospitable 
and genial, the society is good, and the ladies have no small 
pretensions to being considered beautiful. Having spent a 
couple of weeks lounging about Halifax with nothing to do, 
at length I decided to go in search of adventure, and, if pos- 
sible, get a few days’ salmon-fishing. 

Having come to this conclusion, on examining the local 
papers, I found that the good schooner Alert, registered 
Al, would sail on the morrow for the Straits of Belle Isle, 
to collect salt fish from the coast, weather permitting ; Xa) 
without delay I hastened to the designated wharf to exam- 
ine the craft, and strike a bargain with the skippet. The 
captain was below, in the cabin, one of the deck-hands in- 


A RAPID DESCENT. 285 


formed me, as I passed the gangway, indicating the position 
of the companion-ladder with a jerk of his finger over the 
left shoulder. On getting at the bottom of that most in- 
convenient piece of mechanism in every small craft a little 
faster than expected, having slipped my foot on the second 
or third step, and slid the rest of the way to the bottom, 
only saving my neck by the hold I had of the banisters, and 
making a tremendous racket by my rapid descent, I was sa- 
luted with, “ Jock, you careless lubber, can’t you mind your 
feet? This is the second time you have made that infer- 
nal clatter this day!” And what more would have come I 
know not, for I interrupted the speaker in his invective 
by knocking with considerable energy at the door which 
appeared to stand between us. On being desired to enter, 
I turned the handle, when Captain MacGregor was present- 
ed to my view, lathered all over, and in the act of giving 
the finishing touch on the strap to his razor. He was a 
big man, powerful, raw-boned, but kindly-looking, and with 
great courtesy he apologized for his undress and the rough 
salute he had given me. The companion-ladder he con- 
demned in no measured terms, but at the same time he 
could make no allowance for a young callant like Jock be- 
ing not spry enough with his feet to keep a grip of aucht 
that he could get his heel or toe on. I saw that the skip- 
per was a bit of a character, and, with all his external rough- 
ness, had a good, warm, kind heart underneath. I deter- 
mined, therefore, to trust myself to his seamanship, if suit- 
able terms could be made. At once the subject of my visit 
was broached, and his charge for the trip ascertained. After 
thinking a minute or two, he asked my name, and whether 
or no I was from the States. On being answered in the 
negative, and my cognomen given, he took a good look at 
me, and laying down his razor, the lather being still on his 
face, he delivered himself in these words: “The passage* 


286 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


Tll just charge you -five pund sterling for. I’m thinking 
you'll na deem that ower muckle; but if I didna like your 
cut, twenty pund, let alone five, wouldna hae let you aboard. 
And I suppose it’s a’ right; and gin you'll jist wait till I 
get scraped, I can gie you a glass of real Islay that nare 
was gauged by exciseman.” Soon the scraping operation 
was performed to his satisfaction, and a black bottle was 
produced, the contents of which fully reached the proper 
standard of excellence, if strength is considered to consti- 
tute it. In the mean time the captain had: got: ready to 
go on shore, and Jock was summoned for final instructions; 
but the deck-hands stated that he was not on board, but fish- 
ing off the end of the dock. A stentorian shout summoned 
the truant. With line in hand, and a string of flounders, 
he made his appearance. “How dar’st you gang ashore 
wiout my permission? You’re mair bother than the whole 
ship’s company, you de’il’s buckey, you! Yinst we get hame, 
your mither maun keep you to hersel’; for though she be 
my ain sister, I’ll no be langer fashed wi’ the likes 0’ you. 
Now listen to me: hae dinner sharp at two; see that the 
cook dinna boil the haggis ower muckle; and set twa 
plates. You'll tak your dinner wi’ me, sir; I hae got a 
real Scotch haggis, and the likes. you maybe nare tasted 
afore. Ill tak no refusal, mon, unless you’re promised to 
a friend.” With pleasure I accepted the invitation, and, 
much pleased with both captain and schooner, returned to 
the hotel to pack my traps and make final arrangements 
before sailing. Sharp at two I was again on board, and the 
agreeable odor which pervaded the craft, if it rose from the 
haggis, was a guarantee of future excellence. The captain 
welcomed me with great warmth, and expressed. hopes that 
we should have a rapid and pleasant passage, but at the 
same time informed me that there was no more kittlish 
. navigation in the world, excepting it be on his own native 


A PROSPEROUS VOYAGE. 287 


coast. Our meal passed pleasantly; and while performing 
the office of host, his brusqueness disappeared, and with it 
a good deal of the broad dialect.. The haggis was excellent, 
the bacon and chickens were as good, and the West Indian 
preserves which formed the dessert were of the best qual- 
ity. .As I stretched my limbs under his table in the snug 
little cabin, after the cloth had been removed, and a kettle 
of boiling water flanked with lemons had made its appear- 
ance, I felt satisfied that there were worse lots in the world 
than commanding a clipper schooner in the West Indian 
trade. s 

_As the toddy circulated our companionship increased ; 
and to a question I asked in reference to. his success in the 
last voyage, he made the following statement: “ Well, sir, 
you see a man that commenced the world without a baw- 
sbee. My faither and mither were baith poor; and when I 
thought I had enough schooling, our family being big, I 
bound myself as an apprentice on board a bark, called the 
Kilmors, that: traded out of Clyde to the West Indies. 
She was one of the old-fashioned sort, and would make as 
much on a wind as a hay-stack. Still, she was a snug little 
boat, strong as oak, and dry.as could be. On the last run I 
made in her the captain took sick and died, most before we 
lost sight of Cantire. This made me second mate, and the 
former first mate took charge. Our voyage was prosper- 
ous, and we dropped anchor off Demerara in near the short- 
est time that then ever had been made. One thing only 
disturbed the harmony. of the passage, viz., the acting first 
officer was so puffed up with his new post that hé neither 
performed his duty nor would let others do theirs. The 
temporary captain was, after a deal of forbearance, compel- 
led. to place him under arrest, and prefer charges against 
him on dropping anchor. The result was, he was dis- 
charged; and as the bark was to go to sea immediately, 


288 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


and a first mate could not be a I was advanced to 
act in that capacity. 

“When we got back to Clyde, the very day we sighted 
old Ailsa Craig, my time was out,and as we ran up the 
river with a fair wind astern and all our stunsails set, I 
would have given most aucht if my mither and faither, who 
lived at Saltcoats, close by, could have seen their boy in his 
new and advanced berth. The owners of the old Ailmors 
launched a new ship next year, and, much to my unexpect- 
ed satisfaction, I got the berth of first officer in her. A 
year or two after, when at Jamaica, I was offered the com- 
mand of a brig in the Honduras trade, and here I saved 
some money; in three years I purchased a share, and in 
two years more was half owner. The world prospered wi’ 
me, and every few years or so I see the auld folks and gie 
them a little comfort in théir auld age. When young,’ 
many’s the trout I had tane, and when I would make my 
fleeing visits to the old hearth-stone, I would generally get 
a day or two to try the salmon in Doon, for I was aye fond 
0’ fishing, so was my faither, and his faither afore him, an’ 
somehow I ne’er kent a fisher who was na an honest man” 
(as he warmed with the subject, he resumed his native dia- 
lect) ; “and when I looked at you, and heard you say you 
were going for a bit o’ fishing, my heart warmed to you, 
and though I ha’ been so fashed wi’ passengers, and had maist 
made up my mind nare to take anither, I jist thought I'd 
drap my rule on your account.” 

The afternoon passed pleasantly; the captain had been 
everywhere, and discoursed with great good sense and 
knowledge upon different countries, and he was destitute 
of the disagreeable egotism that so frequently stamps our 
uneducated countrymen.’ Moreover, he was a loyal and 
true subject of his Queen and country, which made me the 
more appreciate him. Next morning we got to sea with a 


A PLEASANT AFTERNOON. 289 


fair wind, and every prospect of a short run. The schoon- 
er was a remarkably fast sailer, built after the model of 
one of our modern yachts, low and close to the water, with 
plenty of beam, and long, tapering, rakish spars. 

Her decks were without hamper, and showed from their 
whiteness that holystone was not spared; while the crew, 
which consisted of six men, the redoubtable Jock, and a 
sturdy negro, were as efficient, clean, and smart as could 
well have been found. The captain took a deal of pleasure 
in his craft, and handled her as none but a man of experience 
could; besides, he was half owner, and this made him have 
an interest in all the details that one employed by the month 
or cruise would be unlikely to possess. In talking to the 
skipper, reading, and looking over my tackle, the day pass- 
ed rapidly, and as night closed in and the breeze lessened, 
I concluded that I had seldom passed a pleasanter day. 

After supper, MacGregor produced his rods and fly-book 
for my inspection, and a long and careful examination we 
had of these common subjects of interest. His rods were 
remarkably heavy, longer than I should deem necessary, 
while his flies were coarsely tied, although the coloring was 
all that could be desired. If one had been dismembered, I 
have little doubt, from the dubbing and feathers of which 
it was composed, three, or at least two, of my treasures 
could have been fabricated. Of course, I soon produced 
my tools, to all of which he gave an abundance of praise, 
but doubted if they could do more execution than his own. 
My reel alone he acknowledged to be better than his, and 
coneluded, if ever he went to New York,* he’d be guilty of 
purchasing its counterpart. Bed-time arrived, and, having 
discussed a night-cap, I turned into my bunk, while the cap- 
tain went on deck to keep the middle watch with the sec- 


* Made by Andrew Clerk and Co., of Maiden Lane. 
13 


290 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


ond mate, a practice he always followed when on the coast. 
The motion was just sufficient to lull me to sleep, and soon 
my eyes were closed to the outer world. Three hours at 
the utmost must I have been asleep, when the violence of . 
the motion, the stamping on deck, thoroughly aroused me 
from my slumbers. From the even keel that we had been 
on a few hours before, we now careened so far over that I 
found it next to impossible to brace myself in my berth; 
the wind fairly screeched through the rigging, and the 
racket caused by chairs and other movables adrift, ban- 
ished slumber for the time being. At length I could re- 
main no longer below, from a desire to see and ascertain 
the nature of affairs. After many ineffectual attempts, and 
not without assuming all kind of strange attitudes, I got 
into my nether garments and boots, and succeeded in gain- 
ing the upper regions. The scene was truly terrific; the 
sea was wild with agitation; billow after billow rolled past, 
crested with foam, while the blast fairly howled its wrath. 
The captain stood aft, holding on to the weather mainstay, 
occasionally giving an order to the men at the wheel. 
From the spread of canvas we had formerly carried, we 
were now reduced to a close-reefed mainsail, foresail, and 
storm-jib. Sometimes the vessel would appear to jump, as 
she would leave the top of one roller to reach the next. 
Nobly the gallant craft bore the ordeal, and splendidly did 
‘she behave; still, the cool*self- possession of the captain 
failed to prevent my thinking how much better I should be 
satisfied to be again standing on terra firma, and, although 
pride prevented my making the confession, I internally reg- 
istered a vow that, if I ever again placed my foot on land, 
nothing should again tempt me to trust my safety on board 
a coaster. j 3 

But to my narrative. With each hour the gale increased, 
and to such violence that the gallant schooner was moment- 


THE MOTHER OF MY CHILDHOOD. 291 


arily in peril. Next morning dawned bleak and wild; the 
waves tumbled over one another, the larger swallowing up 
the lesser for want of something else to satisfy their de- 
vouring inclination. This day and several others were only 
a repetition of the first night; no reckoning could be ob- 
tained; still we stood upon our course. With half an eye 
I could detect that our skipper was uneasy, and anxious 
again for a glimpse of the old familiar sun. 

One of our sails had been blown to ribbons, and our bow- 
sprit became partially sprung ; still, as long as we had plenty 
of sea-room all was comparatively safe; sailors’ ingenuity 
had obviated temporarily the injury of the latter, and the 
sail-room had supplied fresh canvas. The fourth evening 
the gale exhausted itself about midnight, and I, who had 
not closed an eye during these days, experienced a few 
hours of the balmiest sleep that ever fell to the lot of storm- 
tossed mariner, notwithstanding that there was not a dry 
stitch, even among the bedding, on board the Alert. How 
often do I think of the affectionate, kind mother of my 
childhood, and her anxiety that her boy should not sleep in 
damp sheets! Could she see or know the trials and hard- 
ships which he, with others, have encountered in. his jour- 
ney through life, her maternal solicitude would receive a 
severe shock. Truly the journey of life is a rough path, 
made up of storms and sunshine, wintry snows and tropical 
showers; one time ascending hills, the next descending ; 
fortune smiling to-day, frowning to-morrow ; ignorant ‘of 
what the future has in store for us; but, doubtless, all is 
for the best, and those troubles and temptations which in 
our spleen we grumble at are but intended to fit us for our 
ultimate resting-place, where perpetual sunshine and un- 
clouded happiness will reign forever. 

Next morning when day awoke me, I was delighted to 
find that we were once more on a level keel, and when I 


292 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


gained the deck, so bright and joyous appeared the weath- 
er, that you could imagine that nature was laughing and 
enjoying our previous discomfort. Sambo, the cook, soon 
supplied me with a cup of coffee, which, with my morning 
pipe, I thoroughly enjoyed, while I watched the detached 
banks of fog roll lazily over the water, occasionally shutting 
out or opening vistas of the distance. The whole water 
was alive with fish, the su‘face in many places being 
broken, and resembling the rapids of a river, with their 
gambols; but soon a giant porpoise would roll in among 
them, when all the terrified fry would disappear for a few 
minutes, to re-present themselves when the intruder had 
departed. Gulls, in immense numbers, floated upon the 
water, as if resting from the fatigue caused by the war of 
the elements, and adding beauty to the picture by their 
pure white, spotless plumage. I remember hearing an old 
salt, in answer to the question of why sea-fowl, in bad 
weather, so much more fearlessly approach vessels than 
when it is calm, give the following solution: “Well, you 
+ see, those good folks who die don’t go to Davy Jones, but 
turn into Cape pigeons, and kittiwakes, and them kind of 
birds, and when they think it’s rongh and kind of dan- 
gerous, they naturally like to hover about their friends to 
protect them.” If angels visit earth in these modern and 
wicked times, there are many garbs they could assume less 
beautiful and less suitable than that of the snowy - white 
sea-gull, 

At breakfast our captain expressed much satisfaction at 
the bad weather having passed, and particularly at its be. 
ing so unusually calm; for he much feared, what with the 
usual incorrectness of dead reckoning and strong tides— 
which exist to a greater extent here than probably in any 
other portion of the globe—that he was some way off his 
course. On taking soundings, the depth indicated by the 


OUR SCHOONER STRIKES A ROCK. 2938 


lead-line and the composition of the bottom so completely 
differed from what we expected, that there scarcely remain- 
ed a doubt that we were astray; still we were drifting very 
rapidly to the north-west, the fog, if any thing, growing 
denser. About eleven, our captain having given the look- 
out strict injunctions to keep his eyes open while he again 
went below to examine his chart, I followed suit. I could 
scarcely have been in the cabin over five minutes when the 
schooner received a severe shock, which caused me to rush 
on deck. We had struck a rock forward, a little to star- 
board of the stem, but the tide had fortunately swung us 
round clear, and we were drifting on as if nothing had 
happened. On sounding, we found we were making water 
rapidly, faster than the pumps could throw it out. True, 
we had the boats, and our danger was trifling, but the 
security of the gallant craft was imminent. Not a word 
of anger did the captain permit to escape his lips, but ac- 
cepted all as destiny. Scarcely twenty minutes had we 
been in this uncertain state when a gentle breeze sprang up 
and the fog rapidly lifted, giving us an observation, and 
disclosing a panorama uever to be forgotten. Tier after 
tier of sterile hills overtopped each other to the north, 
grand in their bold and fantastic outline, while a white 
sandy beach met the blue water, occasionally interrupted 
by a reef of rocks jutting out into the azure element. Not 
over a mile separated us from the shore; and projecting 
headlands shut us in from west and easterly gales; while 
a reef of rocks, the extremity of which we had touched, 
formed a natural breakwater a mile and a half to the east- 
ward. If so disposed, with the wind from its present di- 
rection, we should have found it a difficult matter to beat 
out; and when the skipper informed me that he intended 
running in and stranding the vessel at the first high tide, I 
not only highly approved, but was much delighted with 


294 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


the prospect. The welcome word to let go the anchor soon 
rang forth, and the emblem of faith took hold on firm sand 
at four fathoms. 

In discussing our early dinner the captain informed me 
that he intended going ashore to seek out a suitable place 
to strand his craft, and that I might as well accompany 
him and explore to the westward, for a stream was marked 
on his chart which could not be over a few miles from our 
anchorage. Soon we trod terra firma, and while MacGre- 
gor remained, I started, double-barrel in hand, on a recon- 
naissance, with light steps and lighter heart. The soil was 
thin and unproductive, bearing nothing but stunted brush, 
excepting in the ravines and hollows, sheltered from the 
prevailing winds; here a dwarf deformed pine or stunted 
larch would rear its diminutive head, or an antiquated 
birch, covered with its hoary bark, hang precarious from a 
jutting rock. Intense solitude reigned around, and naught 
broke the stillness of the landscape save the persevering 
wicked hum of the blood-thirsty mosquito. With buoyant 
hopes I walked on, and just as I began to think I had trav- 
ersed quite two miles, I suddenly came upon the margin of 
a bright, pure river, about seventy yards wide, running in a 
continuous rapid stream toward the sea. Mungo Park’s 
first view of the Niger, or Speke and Grant’s first sight of 
the upper waters of the Nile, can scarce have afforded more 
satisfaction to those illustrious travelers than I experienced 
on this occasion. Several seals were fishing in the current, 
and their disregard of my presence convinced me that their 
acquaintance with the lords of creation had been very lim- 
ited. Several families of wild duck were conspicuous, while 
salmon and sea-trout broke water wherever the stream was 
undisturbed by the unwelcome seals. Reader, have you 
ever been at the mouth of a river, and witnessed how rap- 
idly the arrival of a seal in its estuary is transmitted to the 


FISHING REMINISCENCES. 295 


inhabitants? The moment before his unwelcome presence 
is known thousands of fish sport themselves, but on his 
advent being published not an indication can be noted that 
aught else tenants the water save this amphibious animal. 
After taking a due survey, I started upward, following the 
margin of the stream. In less than a mile I found its gen- 
eral characteristics changed, and from a steady, rapid cur- 
rent it became a boiling, seething cataract. Again its char- 
acter changed, and large sombre-looking pools interrupted 
its precipitous course. How I longed for a rod! It re- 
quired much less experience than mine to be aware that 
this was a magnificent fishing-ground. Salmon rose on all 
sides, pitching themselves clear of the water, and making it 
fly in spray like the splash of a heavy stone. I had beheld 
enough to satisfy the most fastidious, and with hurried 
steps I retraced my way, brimful with what I had seen, and 
anxious to convey the important information to my kind 
and worthy acquaintance, the captain. 

That evening we discussed our plans, MacGregor being 
in excellent spirits, having found that the ship’s leak could 
easily be stopped, and that the injury was far from serious. 
As he was his own employer, he thought he would indulge 
in a little recreation, and set his men to painting, sail-mak- 
ing, and all those minor éé ceteras so constantly wanted on 
board ship, while we in company flogged the river or oth- 
erwise enjoyed ourselves. That night we sat up later than 
usual, and fishing excursions for years gone by were dis- 
cussed; tales told of the first blood we had drawn, of the 
largest fish we had captured, and where they had succumbed 
to our prowess. Old, musty, moth-eaten fly-hooks and feath- 
ers, that appeared as if they had not seen the light of day 
for years, were produced from his numerous lockers, and as 
they were examined, and various pages turned over, numer- 
ous were the anecdotes narrated in connection with each, 


296 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


Jock roused us an hour before daylight next morning, 
and, having discussed an excellent cup of coffee, we got into 
the stern-sheets of one of the boats, with two of the crew 
to pull us to our destination. As the captain commenced 
fishing, a fine sea-trout rose at the fly. Judging from the 
splash, he was of more than usual size, and worth making a 
second effort for; again the cunningly-disguised hook was 
passed over his retreat, but with the same result; a third 
trial was essayed, and as the third time is said to be lucky 
so it proved, for the fish was hooked. The struggles and 
devices this fish practiced to escape were worthy of suc- 
cess. Three times he ran out many a yard of line, and on 
each occasion jumped several times clear of the water ; but 
all was futile, for after upward of ten minutes’ play he was 
obliged to surrender to skill and practice. My eompanion 
called upon me to use the gaff, and with the first effort I 
succeeded in landing him on terra firma. We had no scales 
to weigh him, and we were too tired, and had killed nobler 
specimens before we returned to think more of this little 
hero, but from experience I am confident he must have 
reached nearly five pounds. On examination of our ground, 
we mutually agreed to separate, one taking the left, and the 
other the right side of the river. Trees and brush did not 
grow sufficiently near its margin to seriously incommode 
us; and the rocks, which became uninterrupted after leav- 
ing the coast, were flat and in regular strata, affording ex- 
cellent footing, and in many places their table-like surface 
was only a few inches above the level of the stream. One 
of the sailors accompanied me to act as gaffer and afford 
assistance, while the other went with the captain. In our 
council of war, which we held before separating, it was de- 
termined that we should try and fish opposite one another 
as much as circumstances would allow, and under no occa- 
sion get out of hail. A few hundred yards higher than my 


A FAVORITE FLY. 297 


exploring had led me the day before, the water tumbled 
over some rocks, making a fall of six or seven feet, and 
then expanded into a broad, sullen pool, with a disturbed 
but slow current down its centre covered with patches of 
foam. Soon my rod was together and an old favorite fly 
added to my stretcher, whose performance was frequently 
on previous occasions satisfactory. This fly has no name 
that I am aware of; in fact, I go so far as to imagine my- 
self the inventor; but, whether my title is good or not to 
this honor, I will give its description, pro bono publico: 
Wings from the wing-feathers of the bustard (a bird now 
to be found in quantity only on the steppes of Southern 
Russia or Tartary; in plumage and color it much resem- 
bles the wild turkey, whose feathers, I have no doubt, 
would answer equally well), with a few strands of the 
scarlet macaw or ibis mixed with it. Body of two colors, 
equally divided; upper portion of dark blue mohair, lower 
of gingery red, a red hackle round the lower portions of 
the body, and a black round the upper. A band of silver 
tinsel if for a bright day, and gold if for a dark one, wrap- 
ped carefully and regularly between the hackles; the whole 
terminating with a scarlet tail, either of ibis or worsted— 
the latter I prefer. To'say that this fly has not been tried 
previously might be deemed presumptuous; but this I will 
say, that when I first made it I had no pattern, neither did 
I try to copy any thing Thad seen. I have used it in many 
waters, and invariably with success, although I am aware 
that frequently what is found most deadly on some streams 
is totally ineffective in a neighboring one. 

My fly being on, and the cast well stretched, I commenced 
operations, and at the third throw rose a heavy fish without 
pricking him. However, I thought I would move down and 
return when I had got to the bottom of the pool, and offer 
his excellency another chance. At the fifth throw I rose 

13* 


298 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


and hooked a fine fish, who, as soon as he felt he was im- 
paled, rushed down into the still water. Not less than 
seventy yards did he run out at this burst, and when I 
thought I had turned him the scoundrel sulked and re- 
mained sullen at the bottom. I thought he was hooked 
strong, for I struck him quick and forcibly, and therefore 
felt confident, barring accidents, that he was destined to be 
mine. Slowly, but surely, I worked down stream, taking 
in with guarded hand every inch of slack that I could with 
safety. When abreast of him not over thirty yards were 
off my reel, and the ground was more than usually accessi- 
ble. With patience I waited some minutes, but I might 
just as well have been fast to a rock. Other salmon were 
leaping around me, and I could not afford the time to re- 
main inactive. I was determined to rouse my prize, and 
my anxiety increased when the sailor who accompanied me 
announced that the skipper had just landed a fish. In my 
excitement I had lost sight of my friend, but Crosby’s news 
recalled him. The captain had drawn first blood. This 
fact brought my impatience to boiling-point, and I could 
stand it no longer. Crosby was instructed to throw a few 
stones above the fish, and thus endeavor to start him from 
his retreat. The first piece of rock had scarcely touched 
the water when the object was attained. Off he went with 
the velocity of electricity, and the handle of my reel spun 
round like the fly-wheel of an engine; although I kept a 
considerable check, still over ninety yards must have run 
off, when, much to my satisfaction, he broke water three 
times, the first time throwing himself good three feet clear 
of his element. This mancuvre, although frequently dan- 
gerous, pleased me in one way. I was certain that his route 
would now be changed, and probably I should succeed in 
getting in some of my line. True to my former experience, 
the fish now headed up stream, and permitted himself to be 


A NOVICE AT THE GAFF. 299 


somewhat controlled. At moderate pace he retraced his 
steps, and almost had got to where I struck him, when, 
putting a little more strain on than he admired, round he 
wheeled, and with bis previous velocity pointed his head 
again for the sea. Still, the struggle had its effect; this 
dash was not equal to previous ones, and fifty yards of line 
brought him up. For ten minutes it was give and take, 
back and forward, up and down, till at last I brought him, 
all resplendent in his silvery armor, into shoal water. “Now, 
Crosby, now’s your chance. Careful, man; don’t bein too 
big a hurry.” But my advice was disregarded ; the sailor, 
made a plunge at the fish with the gaff as if it had been a 
harpoon, scratched the salmon’s side, and all my work was 
again before me. The drawing of blood instilled new vital- 
ity into the fish’s veins, and the previously vanquished foe 
was running out line as if he had been fresh struck. I 
could, not be angry; when a novice I had done likewise, 
and no doubt my attendant had just made his virgin ef- 
fort. In fact, I could not help being amused at his as- 
tonished countenance, for doubtless he had already counted 
the fish as safe. This last struggle did not continue long; 
again I got him in shoal water, when, having cautioned and 
instructed my excited attendant as far as words could avail, 
he made a second effort, and that correctly. Twelve pounds 
was the weight of this noble salmon, and often have I found 
that those of this size are more game and afford a harder 
fight than larger fish. The strain on your rod is not so se- 
vere or the contest so long as with a heavier antagonist, but 
the activity and energy displayed are greater. 

Having overhauled my tackle, and lighted a weed as re- 
ward for my prowess, I again ascended to the top of the 
pool and commenced afresh—visions of the first fish I rose, 
which I felt convinced was a formidable one, inducing me to 
this course. My leader had now got straightencd from the 


300 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


action of the water and the strain it had so lately success- 
fully withstood. To get my line clear away to the requi- 
site length I threw across the surging portion of the stream 
and dipped my tip, to prevent any unnecessary delay when 
I reached my friend’s ambush; a couple of casts brought 
me to the spot, and with careful, steady hand and measured 
throw I placed my fly, straight as a bee-line* a few yards 
above where my prey was supposed to be lodged; and with 
that regular motion that resembles the passage of a shrimp 
through the water I brought the bright, fascinating decep- 
etion toward me, the current at the same time carrying it 
downward. Description, particularly if you enter into de- 
tail, is always longer than action. My handsome imitation 
—of what? for a similar living fly I never saw—was a foot 
or two above the desired eddy, when a splash, a flourish of 
a broad dark tail, answered by my quick, nervous hand giv- 
ing an electric strike, fastened me to a splendid fish. As 
man and animals choose different methods of assault or de- 
fense, so this salmon selected a different course to free him- 
self. The hook had scarcely been in him when four times 
he sprang with determined energy from his watery home, 
each spring causing me, in courtesy, to lower the point of 
my weapon, as an inferior would salute a senior officer; 
but this steeple-chase escapade had not the desiréd effect, 
and the salmon, comprehending this, altered his plan of 
combat, and settled down deep in the pellucid river, although 
far from conquered. An occasion of this kind is a trying 
ordeal, and often as dangerous to the tackle as any strata- 
gem that is put in practice; in fact, I have thought that it 
is pursued for the purpose of rubbing their snouts on the 
rocks or gravel, as frequently I have found, after killing a 


*A common Americanism, originating from loaded bees always flying 
straight to their home. 


A HARD FIGHT. 301 


fish who had thus performed, that my fly was much frayed 
and worn. 

After waiting for many minutes, trusting that my foe 
would change his mind and his quarters, I became im- 
patient, and, believing my tackle to be good, put on a little 
extra purchase; this ruse was successful, for with astound- 
ing velocity the fish started down stream at racing pace 
for parts unknown. The reel fairly yelled, and instead of 
the well-made sonorous click being heard, a discordant 
screech was its utterance. Close on a hundred yards of 
line rushed through the heated rings before he slackened 
up, and a good twenty yards more I had followed his 
course ; at the end of this dash he broke water splendidly, 
causing the spray to fly for many feet around.- Again and 
again his argentine flanks reflected brilliant radii in the 
sunlight, and at each glistening reflection of the solar rays 
I feared that we should part company without the most re- 
mote chance of further or more closely renewing our ac- 
quaintance. Fortune and good tackle, however, favored 
me; and I had the satisfaction of turning his head for the 
source of the river, and probable birthplace of himself and 
relations. With the greatest satisfaction I took in yard 
after yard, my hopes rising as the body of my reel expand- 
ed; at length I saw the loop which attached the line to the 
leader, and the sight caused me more satisfaction than one 
can imagine who is engaged in the ordinary pursuits of life. 
Oh salmon-fishing! what pleasure have I enjoyed follow- 
ing thy peaceful pursuit! What ecstasy, what delight! 
Would that I had the pen of the most fluent writer, or 
tongue of the most eloquent spokesman !—I could do you 
far more justice; but still I doubt if it is in power of words 
to mete to you an iota of the laudation and praise your 
fascinations so eminently deserve. 

Why wander from facts? Simply because I can not 


302 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


help it. But if I must be recalled from the enchantment 
of scenes which may never be reacted, bear with me for a 
moment; it is but the allotted time for a breather between 
the heats—the welcome respite before the final burst that 
‘is to terminate the race. So it was in this instance; the 
strength, if not the courage of the regal foe, was weaker, 
and each succeeding effort became less powerful. Many a 
yard of line was again run out and safely restored to its 
resting-place. Up and down both immolator and victim 
traced and retraced their course; the one fearing to pur- 
sue, the other momentarily becoming more unfit. Time 
did its work, and, as in all things, brought the last scene 
to aclose. A shoal bank of gravel lay at my feet, and, giv- 
ing my fish the butt, I drew him in toward Crosby, who, 
ankle deep, stood beneath me in the cool, clear water, and 
struck the gaff into the spotless silver side, and landed him 
with the adroitness of one who had served a long appren- 
ticeship to the trade. Don’t imagine that there is no sci- 
ence in handling a gaff; for one expert, many muffs will 
be found. How, then, you may ask, did this sailor learn so 
difficult a business in so short a space? Probably because 
he had a natural aptness; or, more likely, being a sailor, 
he could turn his hands much sooner than persons of any 
other trade to a business which required coolness and dex- 
terity. 

This fish weighed over eighteen pounds, and was fresh 
run from the sea, for he had not yet cleansed himself of the 
sea-lice; his breadth and depth were enormous in propor- 
tion to his length—the best proofs of condition. In this 
capture, from the time the fish was struck till I had him 
floundering on the bank, full forty minutes elapsed, I hav- 
ing noted time previous to making the first cast at the head 
of the pool. 

On examining my tackle, I found that it had suffered 


GOOD PROSPECTS OF SPORT. 303 


considerably, particularly the fly, which not only had one of 
the hackles broken, but also the tinsel; I therefore stuck it 
carefully in the crown of my hat, and replaced it with 
another, intending in the evening, when comfortably seated 
in our snug ¢éabin, to bring my pliers, scissors, vise, etc., into 
play, and construct its counterpart, being well satisfied that 
the combination of color which in previous exploits had 
done me good service was again destined to reap fresh 
laurels and further establish its reputation. The upper por- 
tion of the stream, and the only part I had so far fished, 
was now well rested; and while refreshing myself, prepar- 
atory to making a third essay, several noble fish broke wa- 
ter in the immediate vicinitf where I had hooked both of 
my trophies. From what I had already seen, I was con- 
vinced that magnificent sport was before me, and that I 
had at last arrived in the land of plenty—of salmon. There 
was a satisfaction in knowing this—a feeling I will not at- 
tempt to describe, a gratification of a longing often felt, but 
never expected to be realized. Fancy, brother fishermen, 
having salmon as abundant as trout ina good trout-stream ! 
In ten casts I had three rises, out of which I had hooked 
and killed two fish; and‘’my friend across the water had 
also been busy. Ye lords and commoners, who pay enor- 
mous rentals for salmon rivers, can you, with all the par- 
aphernalia that a London fishing-tackle establishment can 
supply, with all the attendance and accessories that wealth 
can purchase, show a finer record? Truly I doubt if it is 
possible. Again I commenced at the head of the pool, and 
slowly progressed downward; one fish I stirred, but on a 
second time casting over him, fle refused to put in an ap- 
pearance. Step after step I descended, and when not more 
than ten yards below where I had hooked my first fish I 
struck another; but, alas! the hook did not hold: a few 
spasmodic struggles, and he was free. 


304 PRAIRIE AND FORRST. 


Salmon or trout fishing is not alone enjoyable for the 
pleasure of killing fish, but for the scenery and attachments 
which form the necessary adjuncts to the sport. The dis- 
tance from the haunts of fellow-men, the solitude of per- 
haps the surrounding forest, the soft murmuring of the 
descending and rushing water, the opportunity afforded to 
study nature in its unalloyed purity—all tend to enhance, 
to the true lover of nature, this princely sport; the very 
combination of all these e¢ ceteras making the perfection 
which all will acknowledge to belong to fly-fishing. 

I must have been resting some time, when a more for- 
midable attack of insects recalled me to reality; and as I 
raised myself gently, with destructive intent to slaughter 
without compunction those most persevering assailants, my 
eye caught sight of an animal evidently in full pursuit of 
some prey: it was not an otter, for its formation was dif- 
ferent; nor a mink, for the size was much greater; again, 
its gait was different from both. Regularly it hunted to 
and fro, tail erect, nose down like a spaniel, and back arch- 
ed like a weasel, occasionally emitting a peculiar sound, as 
if giving tongue, in the enjoyment of fresher indications 
and more satisfactory proofs of a rapidly-successful termi- 
nation to its exertions. Twice the unknown passed with- 
in thirty paces of my resting-place. Silently I watched the 
chase; and so intent did I become, that both black flies and 
mosquitoes had a splendid harvest, for a far greater amount 
of suffering would have been necessary to cause me to 
make a movement that might prevent my seeing the issue. 
But the termination was near: the stranger made two or 
three short casts, like a pointer, to confirm the information 
that the reward was near, and then with a sudden rush for- 
ward seized a fowl—what kind I could not teli. I was on 
my feet in a moment, either with the intention of sharing 
the spoil or saving life, and rushed for the marauder; but 


PERSEVERANCE OF SALMON. 305 


ere I reached him he dropped his prey, which I secured, 
and he departed hurriedly for parts unknown. The victim 
I picked up, and found lifeless, was a fine specimen of the 
merganser,* about half grown, and, from the wing-feathers 
not becoming fully developed till a later period of life, un- 
able to fly. The poor duck’s skull was crushed into a jelly, 
so that its early deprivation of life must have caused only 
a momentary pain. The assasssin was the scarce and in. 
digenous fisher, only known in northern latitudes, and much 
valued for its fur. The little episode was in keeping with 
what all who are observant of nature may daily witness— 
the stronger insect devouring the weaker, the more power- 
ful animal the lesser; or man, the greatest tyrant of all, 
whatever falls within his reach, if worthy of the exertion, or 
suited to his fastidious palate. 

On recommencing work in the afternoon, much to my 
satisfaction, the fish were on the move, and during the few 
minutes that were necessary to arrange my tackle over a 
dozen succeeded in ascending the shoot. It is seldom that 
the lover of nature can witness a more satisfactory and 
pleasing exhibition than that of salmon passing up a leap. 
Their efforts and perseverance are truly astonishing, and 
frequently dozens of essays will be made before one is suc- 
cessful. The manner of performing their ascent is a proof 
of the immense velocity, strength of body, and enormous 
power with which they are gifted; from six to eight feet 
can be accomplished by them, and I have heard many per- 
sons assert more. When once the fish gain the summit 
over the edge of the upper bend, a few spasmodic, rapid 
motions of the tail carry them forward, and they disappear 
so suddenly as to leave the beholder in doubt whether they 
have succeeded, or been carried down the fall. 


*In America erroneously called shell-drake. 


306 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


The flies continued exceedingly troublesome, particular- 
ly a small species of sand-fly. So minute are they, that 
when on your hand it is almost impossible to detect their 
exact situation; but however insignificant, their powers of 
torture are intense, for immediately after they have punc- 
tured the skin a small water-blister rises, which smarts as 
acutely as a burn from the application of nitric acid. 

All the concoctions that I have ever used to repel these 
pests have, so far, signally failed to give the desired relief; 
oil of pennyroyal, camphor, hartshorn, etc., etc., are useless, 
because their power evaporates the moment they are ex- 
posed to the atmosphere ; coal-oil and oil of tar retain their 
virtue a little longer; but they require too frequent appli- 
cations for one engaged in exciting sport, as well as being 
filthy and soiling to all you come in contact with, making 
your approach most objectionable to your companions from 
the offensiveness of the smell. If some of our numerous 
ingenious chemists would set their brains to work and dis- 
cover a practical means for repelling these vampires, they 
would earn the good-will of all the followers of the gentle 
craft. ; 

The fifth or sixth throw rose and hooked a fine fish, 
which made me uncommonly busy; he was remarkably 
lively, and kept me on the move the first ten minutes. I 
scarcely ever remember to have seen a salmon break water 
so frequently; after the first burst, with about sixty yards 
out, he showed himself six or seven times, springing on 
each occasion several feet clear of the surface. However, 
these exertions told upon my foe, for when I turned him 
he submitted to be guided till all surplus line was in. 
Through a stumble which I made on passing over the 
rocks, I accidentally checked him more abruptly than Mr. 
Salmon thought was courteous, for off again he went with 
the velocity of a steam-engine. However, my tackle was 


SALMON FISHING. 307 


strong and hook well planted, and soon a second time I 
had him under control; and by exercising a little politeness 
of the give-and-take order, I brought him into shallow wa- 
ter. Jock, now my faithful attendant, was by, and with 
intense delight waded into the stream. “Careful, boy! be 
cautious!” But all was thrown away; he made a grab at 
the fish with the gaff, as the sailor had done before, but 
fortunately dragged it in water too shoal for swimming. 
Jock saw he had made a bungle, and was determined to re- 
trieve, if possible, his lost reputation, so threw himself on 
the struggling salmon, and after a wrestling match of some 
minutes, with imminent danger to my tackle, proudly walk- 
ed ashore, wet from head to foot, with the prize tightly 
cuddled up in his arms. Although at first tempted to 
anathematize the young scamp, I enjoyed a hearty laugh at 
the nonchalance with which the monkey treated his ducking. 

Moving down the water, I recommenced operations, and 
rose two good fish. Soon I got fast to a third, which gave 
me ten minutes’ splendid sport; then he sulked, and, after 
two or three futile attempts to escape, succumbed. I was 
surprised at obtaining so easy a victory, but this was ex- 
plained by finding a piece cut out of his back, in front of 
the first dorsal fin, upward of an inch in width and two or 
three long. In trout-fishing, I have once or twice taken 
fish similarly wounded; and as there were no gill-nets at 
either place, the only satisfactory reason I can attribute is 
that either a seal or an otter was the perpetrator. 

As the evening advanced I changed flies, and selected 
what I have long known by the sobriquet of “the drum- 
met.” It is composed thus: the mottled feathers of the 
peacock’s wing, with a few strands of golden pheasants for 
wings; body, light-brown fur of the bear next the hide, 
mixed with orange-sable fur and gold-colored mohair; gold 
tinsel, loosely but regularly wrapped with blood or claret 


308 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


colored hackle round the shoulder, and ordinary red hackle 
lower down. 

This fly has always been with me a great favorite, more 
particularly if the water is clearing out after rain, and with 
confidence I recommend it; at the same time, I would have 
two or three sizes, the choice to be dictated by the size of 
water, color, and hour. Some persons, in addition, have 
forked it with two or three hairs of the squirrel for tail; 
and a very worthy friend and admirable fly-fisher, whose 
success was a guarantee of his skill, used to affirm that 
when fish wouldn’t rise at “the drummer” you might as 
well go to bed. As the results will show, my couch was. 
not put in requisition; for ere many minutes I touched a 
splendid fish, but unfortunately did not hold him. After a 
few minutes without success, I moved a very heavy fish 
without touching him. Again I gave him a chance, and he 
tumbled over the fly like a porpoise, without any apparent 
inclination to take. The third time that I offered, however, 
I was more successful, for in striking I hooked the fish foul. 
The result was curious, and far from satisfactory; for this 
fellow put me through a course of spurts which opened my 
optics, and further convinced me of the uncertainty of the 
movements or plan of escape that is probable to be adopted 
by the impaled. What was my surprise—and I am confi- 
dent many others would have been similarly affected—to 
see my victim remain on the surface, not jumping out of 
the stream, but beating the water with his tail, and violent- 
ly struggling, making the liquid fly for feet around. For 
several moments this continued, when, changing operations, 
down stream he went with surprising velocity. The ‘reel 
screeched, and I followed with agile and careful steps, when 
—confound it! the devil take it!—readers, you must ex- 
cuse, remember the aggravation—my rod broke at the fer- 
rule of the second joint, and my line returned to my feet 


REQUISITES FOR SUCCESSFUL FISHING. 309 


like a coil of rope scientifically thrown by an expert boat- 
man. I was in despair. Such damage could not be re- 
paired where I then was; my leader and new fly were gone, 
possibly for the estuary of the St. Lawrence, and, like a 
vessel stranded in a falling tide, I was perfectly helpless. 
To find the cause of this unexpected casualty was my first 
endeavor. The wood of the rod at the fracture looked 
fresh and sound, the brass appeared to be put on correctly, 
but there was something to be discovered yet of which I 
was still ignorant, and to the reel I went to solve the prob- 
lem. In winding up or taking in line I had, through care- 
lessness, permitted one round to lap across the other. In. 
paying away, the two had jammed, coming to a full stop. 
My rod had been broken, my fly stolen, and my casting-line 
was probably performing duty for a pennant to a fish, to- 
tally disregarding distance or trespass. “There’s no use 
grieving over spilled milk,” some one says, and after I had 
got rid of the fizz, like a bottle of soda-water, I was calm 
enough, only regretting I had lost the salmon, for, with all 
fishermen, the fish that gets off is, of course, a very great 
deal larger than any you have captured. 

To be a perfect fisherman you require more excellences 
than are usually to be found in such a small space as is al- 
lotted to man’s carcass. You should be patient, forbearing, 
vigorous, decided, and prompt in emergency, with the con- 
stitution of a water-spaniel, and the ingenuity of an Ark- 
wright or a Fulton. Being deficient in many, more par- 
ticularly in the latter requisites, I was compelled to shut up 
shop by putting up my rod in its canvas covering, regret- 

, ting my bad luck, my stupidity, and last, though not least, 
the fish that had worsted me at my own game. Not being 
in the best of humor, of course Jock was out of the way, 
and not within hailing distance. "What a capital chance to 
vent the balance of my spleen, not at all improved by the 


310 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


confounded flies, whose attacks since I had ceased to be 
employed became more noticeable; in truth, if it were pos- 
sible, I doubt not that I should have liked to saddle the boy 
with his absence being the cause of my mishap. After sey- 
eral times shouting his name, he at length appeared, hat in 
hand, bare-headed, with a smile of child-like satisfaction on 
his face that, even in my irate state, I had not the heart to 
destroy. To my inquiry where he had been, with a look of 
satisfaction he informed me he had found and harried a 
nest, producing his hat full of the stolen treasures. After 
giving him a lecture on the impropriety of such a course, 
and the probabilities of his being devoured by wolves and 
bears, or even cannibals, if he left my side, I could not help 
making an inspection of what his hat contained. Truly, 
he had a hatful, for upward .of a dozen pale, cinnamon- 
blotched eggs, a trifle larger than those of the domestic 
pigeon, lay at the bottom. The nest and parent bird, from 
description, left me in no doubt that Master Jock had de- 
prived some luckless rock ptarmigan (Lagopus albus) of 
her embryo brood; and, after lecturing him on the enormi- 
ty of such a proceeding, and begging a share of the spoils, 
we started for the place of rendezvous. 

The evening after my first day’s sport was not an idle 
one, for though the body inclined to rest, full well I knew 
that on my exertions in fly-tying depended the sport of to- 
morrow. To make a good fly requires not only skill, but 
patience and knowledge, with a correct taste in the blend- 
ing of colors, a strong hand to make secure work, and the 
employment of the best materials. How frequently indif- 
ferent hooks and gut are purchased because they are a tri- 
fle cheaper! but if we could foresee the severe ordeal that 
may some day be in store for our tackle, and the splendid 
fish that may be lost through this parsimony, we should 
be better suited with half the quantity at double the cost. 


ADVICE FOR ANGLERS. 311 


Your feathers should, if possible, be fresh, with the pile un- 
broken, your furs and mohair uncut by moths, and your 
silk the strongest, yet the finest, that can be procured. Of 
course, many of your principal feathers will require to be 
purchased ; but if the fisherman is also a shooter, there are 
few game birds that will not afford him choice materials ; 
so that during autumn and winter, when his gun instead of 
rod is his companion, he can daily make additions to his 
treasures, which will serve him in pursuing the sister 
amusement. 

Every thing which makes deception more alluring should 
be resorted to by an angler; for, let his experience be ever 
so great, he will always find opportunities to regret his de- 
ficiencies. Where all depends so much upon chance, it is 
impossible to see the disadvantages under which you may 
frequently labor, or the awkward positions in which you 
may occasionally be placed, where it is absolutely neces- 
sary for the fisherman to put on an unusual and severe 

_ Strain to turn a hooked fish, so as to prevent his going over 
some surging fall, or down or up stream, inaccessible to the 
steps of the angler. Sometimes, of course, the loss of fish, 
or even fish and tackle, can not be avoided; but good, care- 
ful work and the best materials will frequently obviate so 
annoying an ordeal. However, having struck your fish, the 
tackle and your own coolness are generally responsible for 
the issue, and woe betide you if careless knot or indifferent 
tying should have been made in constructing your leader 
or fly. 

I would therefore advise all gentlemen to acquaint them- 
selves thoroughly with the method of their construction, 
for though they may not have time and ficlination to fol- 
low it as a pursuit, they may chance to be placed in posi- 
tions where their pleasure and the success of their expedi- 
tion may be entirely marred by want of this knowledge. 


312 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


I would further advise that your leaders should be 
stained as nearly as possible to the color of the water; but 
care should always be taken not to make them too dark, as 
you thus go to the opposite extreme that you adopt this 
plan to avoid. Brown and a bluish- gray or light neutral 
tint are decidedly the best colors, the former to be used 
when the water is clearing out after heavy falls of rain. 
To procure the first-mentioned color, a few ounces of alum 
dissolved with a pound of the bark of the walnut-tree when 
the sap is up, I think, is the simplest recipe; while the lat- 
ter color can be got by substituting logwood for walnut. 

Of course, as the season advances and the quantity of 
water diminishes, and the noonday sun becomes more 
powerful, the size of your flies must be proportionately less. 
Even the hours of the day have to be consulted for choice 
of size; for instance, from break of day till sunrise, and 
from sunset till dark, very large flies frequently will kill 
fish, while the smaller would be totally neglected. 

An Irish gentleman who had for many years been con- 
sidered one of the most successful and expert performers 
on the river Corib, while on a fishing*tour in America, had 
the kindness to show me the treasures contained in his 
valuable fly-book. Among a remarkably choice collection 
of all sizes, shades, and construction, I observed many so 
large that they excited my curiosity and inquiry. These 
were several inches long in the body, and were commonly 
used in Galway for early morning or late evening fishing. 

Those projecting an excursion to the distant wilds of 
Labrador should pay particular attention to arriving there 
at the correct season. As to specifying a day or a week, 
that is perfectly Mpossible, for as long as the water is im- 
pregnated with snow not a fish will be taken; and, of 
course, the lateness or earliness of spring, which frequently 
varies ohe or two weeks, must receive consideration and 


. 


THE “HORNET” FLY. 313 


guide your steps. The first few days after the salmon com- 
mence to run large flies are more successful, but as the 
season advances their size must be reduced. 

The next morning, bright and early, found us again upon 
the river. The number of seals which I had seen the pre- 
vious evening induced me to take my rifle, with the in- 
tention of having a little practice during the noonday rest. 
The rocks in the estuary appeared a perfect nursery of 
these curious animals, and, from their numbers and well- 
known destructive habits, immense quantities of salmon 
must be annually destroyed to satisfy their fastidious and 
insatiable appetites. I have since found out that the hab- 
itants (persons of French extraction) frequently pay visits 
to this Zocale for the capture of these valuable amphibia, 
their oil and skins fetching long prices in our principal 
markets. Since yesterday the water had fallen some inches, 
but I had little fear that where fish were so numerous and 
little disturbed it would unfavorably affect their disposi- 
tion to take. Having faith in the fly, I designated “the 
drummer.” I determined to experimentalize with others, 
retaining my old friend as a last resource in case of failure. 
I therefore selected a former favorite, known by many as 
“the hornet,” and whose texture and shape had produced 
good results in many localities. The fly is made as fol- 
lows: Wings from the fine fibres of the English cock pheas- 
ant’s tail; body of yellow worsted or amber-colored mo- 
hair, the mohair to be preferred; the body to be ribbed 
with black and made full, with a large red cock’s hackle, 
black at the roots, wrapped several times under the butt of 
the wings. Having got my rod together, I commenced 
work, and the success which had attended my efforts of the 
day before and my choice of flies were quite equaled by 
this day’s performance. The third cast I rose a superb fish, 
but, unfortunately, scratched him, and had the same mis- 

14 


314 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


fortune repeated before many minutes. However, by the 
time I had got thirty yards down the water, I struck an- 
other whose unusual size and activity evoked unlimited ad- 
miration. His first rush was truly magnificent; and as soon 
as I succeeded in stopping his precipitous course, he re- 
turned almost to my hand with the same velocity, prevent- 
ing my immediately recovering the slack of my line. From 
pleasure a moment before I was now nearly in grief, and 
but for luck should certainly have lost my prize. However, 
being thus favored, I got again upon equal terms. A quar- 
ter of an hour more and the gaff pierced his silver coat of 
mail, and I had the satisfaction of capturing a handsome 
and well-made fourteen-pound fish. 

That morning I killed eight fish, the majority weighing — 
about nine pounds, and the number I rose and touched 
must have been quite equal. One salmon I rose six times 
in succession, but ultimately failed to secure: from the 
swirl he left in the water I should imagine he was about 
fifteen pounds. On my way down to the tideway I ob- 
served two new specimens of birds, whose plaintive notes 
were very sweet; their names I have never been able to 
ascertain, but doubtless they belong to the numerous bunt- 
ing family. Cross-bills, snow-birds, and cedar-birds were 
abundantly numerous; and although I did not succeed in 
obtaining any of their nests, I am convinced that they were 
engaged in rearing families, as I perceived several gather- 
ing grubs and insects, with which they flew to the neigh- 
boring brush. 

Having got to the boat, we started for the reef to try 
what could be done with the seals. But they did not like 


our appearance, and commenced scuffling off the rocks and __ 


dropping into the water ere we got within range. How- 
ever, one old scoundrel—grim and savage-looking through 
age — appeared less alarmed than his fellows, and remain- 


SHAL-HUNTING. 815 


ed stationary, watching our motions with dubious eyes. 
When within fifty yards, the men ceased pulling, and per- 
mitted the boat to forge ahead with her own way. Pull- 
ing the tiller-lines so as to alter the course, I got a clean 
shot, and turned the ungainly, awkward brute over; but 
his struggles carried him down the incline till he fell in the 
water, when he sunk immediately. After much difficulty 
we managed to get him out, and on examination found the 
ball had pierced the skull a little above the right eye. His 
weight must have been upward of three hundred pounds, 
and the quantity of grease that came from the carcass as 
we divested him of his pelt was surprising. The hide of 
these animals makes most excellent shoes when properly 
tanned ; and I have been told that nothing in the shape of 
leather is so capable of turning water. One shot was suffi- 
cient to expel the seals from their haunt, so we returned 
shoreward. However, just as we were about to land, a 
youngster popped up his head, which I let drive at, but 
without precision. 

The flies to-day continued very annoying, and the irrita- 
tion caused by their bites itched so severely that it affected 
the’majority of our tempers; the only respite that could be 
obtained was when out on the water, where the draught of 
air had full scope. Oh that some one versed in the lik- 
ings and dislikes of these insidious foes would find a meth- 
od that would protect the angler from these pests when he 
is enjoying a trip that has no other drawbacks! To de- 
scribe my sufferings would be impossible; suffice it to say 
that my actions were sufficient to cause a physician to im- 
agine me fit for incarceration in a lunatic asylum. Even 
now IJ can scarcely revert to the subject without feeling in- 
clined to scratch myself. 

Revenons.a@ nos moutons. With salmon-fishing the im- 
aginary moment of victory is frequently. the precursor of 


) 


316 : PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


defeat; the noble adversary but relaxes his efforts that, in 
the resulting confidence which follows, he may the more 
successfully concentrate his powers for a final dash, and 
frequently succeeds in escaping. I can compare it to 
naught else than the skillful swordsman who, finding him- 
self overmatched in his antagonist, gives ground and feigns 
fatigue to imbue his foe with confidence, hoping that a 
careless pass will still afford him an opportunity to deliver 
the deadly thrust. Men have always foibles, always para- 
mount pleasures ; their tastes are as diversified as the col- 
oring in Joseph’s coat, as the physiognomy which we bear. 
While one is devoted to the horse, another is to the hound; 
while one loves the gun, another loves the rod. To ques- 
tion their tastes and argue with them the reason would 
probably be unproductive; but of this I am convinced— 
no man ever felt the pleasure, the intense excitement, of 
having a salmon on a rod, or even the more diminutive 
trout, without being again desirous of renewing the sensa- 
tion. The very uncertainty causes this fascination. <A 
gentleman for whom I have much esteem, and who has 
been busily employed all his life in mercantile pursuits, 
principally abroad and in countries where fly-fishing was 
not practicable, a few years ago met me on a fishing excur- 
sion. His essays with the fly, from lack of experience, were 
not generally successful; but when I hooked a heavy fish 
and handed him the rod to play the deluded victim, his 
countenance, particularly if victorious, exhibited more sat- 
isfaction than I believe it would have done if he had made 
thousands of dollars. Fishing—legitimate fishing with rod 
and fly—requires but to be known and practiced to have 
more votaries than any other sport extant. , 

The next afternoon I killed four more fish, all worthy of a 
place in the memory of the most successful angler, all deserv- 
ing of notice for their plucky efforts to avoid their doom. 


A DISAPPOINTMENT. 317 


Just as I was thinking of closing up for the night, my 
companion shouted to me that there was a bear in the 
water. On looking up stream, sure enough Bruin was in 
sight, stemming the current and boldly pushing for this 
side. With hasty impulse I laid my rod down to grasp 
my rifle, but, alas! my attendant, fatigued with carrying it, 
and seeing small prospect of its being required, had left 
it leaning against a rock some distance off. You may well 
imagine my disappointment, for when the bear left the wa- 
ter he was not over twenty-five yards above my position. 
This animal, judging from his size, must have been quite 
four hundred pounds—a size much greater than it general- 
ly attains in the north-west. Until he had firmly gained 
his footing he had not observed us, and the ludicrousness 
of his alarm and astonishment when he became aware of 
our vicinity was laughable in the extreme. Off he went 
with a rush into the brush, making dry and withered Jimbs 
crash before him. 

As the constant and severe attention of the flies put fish- 
ing out of the question, and I had become surfeited with 
tobacco from the number of cigars I had consumed, under 
the fallacy that the smoke would deprive me of their com- 
pany, I was compelled, as a last resource, to start on a tour 
of inspection, at the same time hoping that my exertions 
would be rewarded with the discovery of some quadruped 
or bird with which I had been previously unacquainted. 
On entering the scrub-bush the mosquitoes became more 
numerous, and I have little hesitation in’ saying that the 
blood-suckers of Arkansas and Mississippi, which bear the 
same name, are far from proficients when you compare 
them with those of Labrador. After half an hour’s rough 
scrambling through the morass, I succeeded in gaining 
more open ground. Rising toward the upper ridges of 
high lands, the squaw-berry and blue-berry grew in profu- 


318 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


sion, and the wild strawberry was scattered in patches 
wherever sufficient sustenance from the impoverished soil 
could be gained for its support, In straying about, I found 
two nests of the night-hawk; the maternal parent of both 
was of different plumage from those I have so frequently 
seen on a summer evening on the banks of the Ohio River ; 
the eggs in each were four in number, of a dirty color, 
smudged with brown, and almost lying on the bare rock. 
This bird is doubtless migratory, resorting here in summer 
for the purpose of propagation, and spending its winters 
in the more genial climate of the Southern States, where it 
changes its plumage to one of less brilliancy, and receives 
the local appellation of “ bull bat.” 

In the rocks and sand I found some fossils of shells, and 
on such elevated ground that it caused me at the time sur- 
prise and wonder whether shell-fish were once denizens of 
land instead of water, or whether these mountains had once 
been submerged. Hares appeared to be numerous,-as their 
paths crossed and recrossed each other, forming a perfect 
labyrinth. Ptarmigan and the Canada partridge I also saw 
so frequently, that I have little doubt, in the month of Sep- 
tember, fine sport might be obtained with dog and gun. 
Bear signs were also abundant, a solitary stump showing 
evidence of the power of their claws, and, from the height 
some of these convincing proofs extended up its side, the 
Bruin family are evidently not stunted in growth in this 
locality.* After walking for almost an hour, I succeeded 
in reaching the crest of one of the numerous swells, and, as 
I turned to survey the scenery, one of the most enchant- 
ing panoramas that ever I witnessed broke upon my vision. 


*In localities where bears are numerous, all appear to select the same 
tree to try their claws upon. Of course the larger bears make the highest 
incisions. From these marks an expert hunter can form a good estimate 
of the size of the visitors, 


A BROOK-TROUT. 319 


Bays and arms of the sea, innumerable small islands, numer- 
ous reefs of rocks and uncountable mountain peaks stretch- 
ed as far as the eye could see; while almost beneath my 
feet lay our goodly little schooner, reduced by distance to 
a mere cockle-shell; the busy crew, passing to and fro upon 
the beach, looked scarcely larger than ants. Here, with 
the unobstructed breeze playing upon me, I got a little 
peace from the troublesome insects, and I would have re- 
mained longer but that the hour indicated the close prox- 
imity of the time to close my evening fishing. 

The fly I had used in the morning had done me such 
good service that I determined to re-employ it, and the re- 
sult was quite equal to anticipation. I soon got to work, 
and in a few minutes was fast to a fine fish, who, although 
he made a noble struggle, succumbed in less than twenty 
minutes. Moving my position from some slow water, I 
took a cast in the throat of a stream formed by the projec- 
tion of some rocks—not that I expected to rise a fish, but 
to get the line out of my way as I scrambled over some 
rough ground ; in fact, the water, although rapid, looked too 
shallow for the retreat of any thing over a pound weight. 
With surprise I rose a fine brook-trout (Salmo fontinalis). 
Of course such a fish was not to be despised, so I gave him 
a second chance, and had the satisfaction of succeeding in 
striking him. With my strong tackle and rod I treated 
him cavalierly, and in about ten minutes had the pleasure 
of handling and canvassing his weight, which was a trifle 
over five pounds. 

I never remember to have seen a fish of more brilliant 
coloring and beautiful proportions, and I have little doubt 
that on a seven-ounce trout-rod he would have given a good: 
half-hour’s pleasure. These streams—or those which lie in 
this portion of the American continent—swarm with trout, 
more particularly when you ascend some distance above 


320 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


the tideway; and, from information I have received from 
fishermen who are acquainted with these waters that lie 
nearer to civilization, I have reason to believe that brook- 
trout can there be caught upward of ten pounds in weight. 

Moving down to the run, I recommenced, and rose a very 
large fish the second cast; but our acquaintance got no 
farther, for all my blandishments were futile to induce him 
again to move. A little lower down I was more success- 
ful, for I struck a regular Trojan, whose memory still lives, 
and to whose performances I award the palm over all others. 
As soon as he felt himself pricked, contrary to the cus- 
tom of his brethren in a similar predicament, he rushed up 
stream with the velocity of a bullet, through the throat of 
surging water and into the next pool; fortunately, the 
ground was accessible, and I was enabled to follow, but for 
the life of me I could not, dared not, take a pull on him. 
From the fish’s movements I should think he was swimming 
about two feet deep, and, from the power and speed that he 
showed, appeared totally to ignore any control. However, 
it’s a straight road that has no turn, and if I was led a 
dance in the first instance,my turn was coming. After 
walking two hundred yards and giving out nearly one hun- 
dred yards of line, the drag told, and my friend thought it 
better to change his course; down stream he came with a 
rush, still without showing, but just as he got to the smooth, 
oily-like water that preceded the break of the rapid, he com- 
menced springing with great rapidity. Five or six times 
this ruse was repeated, when off again my gallant foe went 
down stream with as much energy and spirit as he had at 
first displayed. Well, to make a long story short, to ‘and. 
fro we both went, up and down, first one way and then 
another, till the fun became hard work, and the exertion 
caused globules of perspiration to stand on my face, and, 
worse than all, the confounded flies attacked me with re- 


SEA- TROUT. 321 


newed vigor, availing themselves of my unprotected situa- 
tion. Again and again I took in line—as frequently to be 
run out; but the exertion had told on the foe, and at length 
I succeeded in getting him ultimately gaffed. Truly he 
was a beauty—twenty pounds, if an ounce. From what 
I have above narrated, some idea may be formed of the 
sport in store for the visitor to the salmon rivers of the 
West. 

The tackle in use in England will answer here, the size 
of flies being guided by the water and weather; still I 
would advise some of Canadian tying being added to the 
stock. The Nova Scotia rivers are now too much fished 
to waste time upon by the visitor from this side of the 
Atlantic, so I append a list of the best streams on the 
northern shore of the St. Lawrence: they are the Outardes, 
Godbout, Trinity, St. Margaret, Moisa, St. John, Mingan, 
and Esquimaux, the farther to the eastward the better. 
The stream where I had the success narrated entered the 
sea near the southern end of the Straits of Belle Isle. 


SEA-TROUT. 


That beautiful member of the salmon family must strike, 
when mentioned, in the reader’s heart a chord that will 
reverberate with pleasures possibly long past, but none the 
less delightful to recall. 

In writing upon the present subject, I retreat in thought 
to the memories of youth, and many and many a scene re- 
curs to my memory of which I was the hero, and the cap- 
tive valued over all I possessed. The first time I essayed 
for sea-trout was when low in my teens. Previous to this 
attempt many spotted beauties from the brooks and rivers 
of my Highland home had filled my creel; but I was not 
satiated with such game, for it was far too noble to have 
such effect; still I craved to kill a sea-trout, for I deemed 

14* 


322 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


it correctly the connecting link between river-trout and 
lordly salmon. 

Where mountain peak and inland loch, bubbling stream 
and placid lake combine to make a picture worthy of an 
artist’s eye, or a landscape to be beloved by the Celt, I 
made my début in taking the life of the silver-sheened, 
gracefully-built beauty, whose home is indifferently the pel- 
lucid burn or the storm-tossed ocean. Of the spot where 
my maiden effort was made history has no story to tell of 
ruthless slaughter or blighted ambition; still it is a bonny 
place, and such as once gazed upon is likely not easily to 
be forgotten. 

T allude to the head of Loch Long, in Argyleshire, where 
the river, or rather brook, Lyon, enters the mountain- 
fringed loch on which stands the village of Arrochar. The 
month of August had hardly passed away when the clear 
skies and mountain peaks became overcast with that dark, 
drifting, humid mass of clouds that betoken a heavy fall of 
rain. The weather-wise were not wrong in their conjec- 
tures, for truly the gates of heaven were opened, and hill- 
sides and glens for two successive days were pelted with 
the pitiless rains till the burns became brimful, and the 
surplus water waxed wrath against the inclosing banks 
as if the yellow, turbid stream would burst its boundary. 
Impatient youth proverbially is, and I fretted at the im- 
prisonment that the weather imposed upon me; but to 
some extent I was consoled by learning that when the 
spate cleared out the sea-trout would be on the take, 
and that I should have a chance of trying my skill with 
a nobler foe than those that had previously fallen to my 
prowess. 

At length the late rain-gorged hill-sides had returned to 
their normal condition, and the mud-stained stream had 
gradually reverted to its proper color. The time had come 


MY FIRST SEA-TROUT. 323 


for me to prove my skill. Nor long was I kept in doubt; 
the fourth, or fifth, or sixth throw hooked a fish, such a 
fish as never before had made me feel diffident, or previous- 
ly made me doubt the seasoning and strength of my rod. 
No sooner had the barbed ‘hook fastened in its insidious 
hold, and the impaled monarch learned that he was captive, 
than every effort of his lithe and agile frame was brought 
into play to recover freedom. In every struggle, in every 
effort to burst the bonds that made him captive, there was 
an utter recklessness of consequences, a disregard for life 
that was previously unknown, as from side to side of the 
pool he rushed, or headlong stemmed the sweeping current. 
Nor did the hero confine himself to his own element; again 
and again he burst from its surface to fall back fatigued, 
but not conquered. The battle was a severe one, a strug- 
gle to the death; and when my landing-net placed the vic- 
tim at my feet, I felt he had died the death of a hero. 
Such was my first sea-trout, no gamer, truly, than hundreds 
Thave captured since; but what can be expected of a race 
of which every member is a hero? But to bonnie Scotland 
and its purple braes, its snow-clad peaks and birchen slopes, 
its sweet-noted mavis and plaintive cushey-doo, I bid adieu, 
and flit across the broad ocean till the stormy estuary of the 
St. Lawrence is reached; for here, as well as in my native 
land, the sea-trout cleaves the briny tidal wave or ascends 
rushing, reckless rivers. But, strange to say, in Eastern 
and Western streams these beauties are very dissimilar in 
their habits: in the former you capture them in the upper 
waters or fluvial portions; in the latter, if you desire suc- 
cess, it is in the sea you must seek them, near where an 
affluent empties its volume. I know of no greater pleasure 
in this world (so scantily supplied with them) than to be 
seated in a light, buoyant boat, dancing to the music of the 
ever-murmuring ‘ripples, deftly whipping the surrounding 


324 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


diminutive waves. It is to mature man what the rocking 
of the cradle is to the child; the latter, because it has no 
knowledge of the past or future, is lulled to sleep; the 
former feels soothed for the present, and in his enjoyment 
forgets past trials, and hopes for fortune in time to come. 
There is an alloy in this entrancing pastime as well as in 
nearly all others—to practice it is death and pain to that 
which affords you the pleasure; but how few of the grati- 
fications of life are without this: the success of one is the 
downfall of another. Even the mosquito, in gratifying his 
appetite for blood, is not satisfied to depart after he has 
glutted himself to excess, but he must leave a virus behind 
him that poisons the orifice from whence he has drawn his 
sustenance. 

At the mouth of all streams that salmon frequent in the 
Dominion of Canada sea-trout will be found in abundance; 
even the estuaries which the larger species has forsaken 
they do not in consequence desert. 

There was a time when the coast of Maine was abundant- 
ly stocked with sea-trout; but that age has passed; for long 
have these waters been glutted with the débris of manufac- 
tures, or the still more injurious sawdust from the pine 
logs which have been severed into planks for houses or 
ship-building purposes. ; 

The sea-trout of Canada, we are informed by authorities, 
differs from that of British waters. Although I have cap- 
tured numbers of both, I have never been able to detect 
where this distinction existed. To my eye they are iden- 
tical in appearance; and the fly which lures the one cap- 
tures the other. Even when hooked, their exertions to es- 
cape are essentially the same, characterized by efforts which 
only cease when nature is exhausted. At the same time, I 
would not be certain that both have the same number of 
spines in the caudal, ventral, or dorsal fins; and on a differ- 


BRILLIANTLY-COLORED FISH. 3.25 


ence in such points the naturalist feels justified in forming 
his decision. : 

Day after day I have fished for these beauties ; hundreds 
have I taken; and if the reader and I are like-minded, he 
will vow that there is no more noble quarry to capture, or 
one which, when taken, makes a more gallant struggle for 
freedom and life. 


CHAR (BROOK-TROUT). 


The States of New Jersey, Maryland, and Pennsylvania 
may be considered the southern limit on the American con- 
tinent of the habitat of this brilliantly-colored, beautiful 
fish. How far to the North they can be found is difficult 
to say, but of one thing we are certain, viz., that all the 
streams and lakes of Labrador or the Hudson Bay terri- 
tory are abundantly supplied with them. It has been ob- 
served by me, and frequently have I heard it commented 
on by others, that the trout from the Southern waters are 
dull, listless, and much less brilliant in their hues than those 
from the Northern streams; at the same time, the artifi- 
cial fly, so greedily taken in high latitudes, ceases to be as 
attractive a lure as you progress South, the fish of some 
streams even refusing entirely to notice it. : 

+ Doctor Bethune was, I believe, the first authority who 
informed the public that the Salmo fontinalis was a dif- 
ferent species from the Salmo farrio, and afterward identi- 
fied the former with the char of the lakes of the north of 
England, Scotland, Norway, and Sweden. My own impres- 
sion is that he is correct. Professor Agassiz, one of the 
first authorities, adopts, I think, this view, for he uses the 
same Latin synonym—a proof at least to the skeptical on 
this point that he did not consider them Salmo farrio. In 
Northern waters they take the fly greedily, and when hook- 
ed are very game. The largest I have captyred was nine 


326 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


pounds in weight; this was a rara avis. However, three 
and four pound fish are abundant in large rivers; in in- 
ferior streams, of course, they run much smaller. 

The brilliancy of their scales is really marvelous, far out- 
rivaling the most exaggerated conceptions; for their backs 
are a beautiful clear tortoise-shell, gradually approaching 
a pale green to the lateral line, where a deep orange color 
commences, deepening in richness over the stomach, while 
longitudinally they are traversed by lines of spots of the 
brightest vermilion. The States of Maine, New Hampshire, 
and Vermont possess them in abundance; the tributaries 
flowing from the North into the great lakes and the rivers 
and streams of Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota fairly 
swarm with them. New Brunswick and Nova Scotia fresh 
waters are also well supplied. 

The size of fly usually employed in the capture of sea- 
trout are the best for taking this fish, unless the angler be 
following his pursuit on some diminutive brook, when 
smaller should be used. Besides the Salmo fontinalis, in 
American waters are to be found a great number of other 
species of Salmonide—such as the great lake-trout, the 
Glover salmon, and the Jand-locked salmon—the latter sel- 
dom exceeding four pounds, receiving its name from the 
strong resemblance it bears to the Salmo salar, to which it 
is not inferior in any quality save size. 

The exertion of crossing the Atlantic for fly-fishing will 
be amply repaid the sportsman by the quantity and weight 
of the fish he will capture; for there the fish are not trou- 
bled with the fastidiousness of appetite which in Great 
Britain causes it always to be a source of doubt whether 
the water is in proper order, the wind in the east, or thun- 
der overhead—either of which, or all combined, too fre- 
quently cause the most industrious to return, after a long 
and laborious day, with an empty basket. A description 
of an excellent river, and how to get to it, I append. 


A DELIGHTFUL DRIVE. 327 


Having arrived at Portland, State of Maine, and enjoyed 
a good meal and rest at one of the numerous hotels, the 
terminus of the Grand Trunk Railroad will have to be 
reached, where you will procure your ticket for Bethel, 
Oxford County. The scenery through which you will now 
rush, dragged by the iron horse, is magnificent, alike suit- 
ed to the taste of artist or sportsman; but one thing is 
certain to cause a regret, viz., that the numerous Veautiful 
rivers And brooks that so frequently, will be seen or trav- 
ersed are now destitute of fish, at least so I was informed, 
although I could not learn the reason why. Visions of 
mill-dams without fish-ways, and tons of sawdust floating 
in islands, hovered before me, and probably whispered a 
true cause of the destruction of the thousands of fish which 
doubtlessly swarmed here before genus homo, with his de- 
vices and march of improvement, had defiled these for- 
merly pure, pellucid brooks. Bethel, where you leave the 
train, will be found .a model village, which, for cleanliness 
and neatness, it would be impossible to surpass. -As you 
progress along the principal thoroughfare, the pretty 
dwellings, overshadowed by-handsome shade-trees, remind 
you of some of Longfellow’s beau ideal New England 
homes. The hotel also is very comfortable, and Mr. Love- 
joy, the proprietor, can give good information and instruc- 
tion as to your future proceedings. He also will supply 
you with a conveyance to take you to Upton, distant about 
twenty-seven miles, over a road far from good; but if the 
weather be fine, you will be so delighted with the beauti- 
ful panoramas of wild and magnificent mountain views that 
time will slip by rapidly, and ruts and jolts will be totally 
forgotten. For the first five or six miles of your drive you 
pass along the margin of the grand Androscoggin River, 
exhibiting a succession of pools afid rapids so eminently 
suited for salmon retreats, that you can not fail to regret 


328 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


that these noble fish are debarred from visiting this choice 
water. A few miles farther your course winds by a beau- 
tiful mountain brook well stocked with trout, and in which 
a good basket can always be taken. We will now suppose 
you have reached the Half-way House, a pretty little road- 
side’ tavern, where the horses are baited, and the traveler, 
if he chooses—we would -strongly advise you not to fail to 
—tmay insist upon making the acquaintance of mine host, 
a worthy man, with a wonderful fund of information on 
various interesting subjects. The allotted half-hour hav- 
ing expired, and the inner man been refreshed, forward is 
again the word, and more beautiful becomes the scenery. 
Wild, irregular hills, with bases densely covered with tim- 
ber, but stony and irregular toward their summit, frown 
over your head; precipices, cliffs, and yawning chasms 
alternately vary the prospect, throwing, for grandeur, the 
choicest wilds of Scotland in the shade. Only an able 
poet, with a romantic turn of mind, is wanted to immor- 
talize by soul-stirring lays these stupendous mountain fast- 
nesses, accessible alone to the wild denizens of the forest, 
or to him who is gifted with the nerve, steady foot, and 
reliable eye of the chamois-hunter of the Alps. 

Having at length reached the upper portion of the vil- 
lage of Upton, an entire change comes over the landscape; 
far beneath your feet lies nestled, in all the splendor of 
luxuriant timber, with irregular and changing outline, the 
lovely sheet of water, Umbagog, thickly studded with in- 
numerable islands of every form, size, and outline. On 
first beholding this scene, Loch Lomond was visibly re- 
called to mind, and the more frequently I beheld this pic- 
ture the stronger was the impression of the striking simi- 
larity. Again, this lake will have additional charms to 
the sportsman, for her trout abound in immense numbers. 
But, supposing you started from Bethel after breakfast, the 


. 


HINTS FOR ANGLERS. 329 


sun must now be near dipping the horizon, when you have 
reached thus far, so that you had better hurry forward and 
gain the hospitable roof-tree of Mr. Simeon Frost, the hotel 
proprietor, ere night envelops the earth with her sombre 
mantle of darkness. 

Being met on the porch by the honest, straightforward 
Simeon, you may safely resign yourself to his care, which 
would be dangerous in this docale in many other hands, as 
some of the hosts are peculiar in their belief, and strongly 
adhere to a sinister interpretation of the words, “I was a 
stranger and ye took me in.” But once marshaled under 
the banner of Mr. Frost, you will be safe from their phi- 
lanthropic designs ; and further, you will be well fed and 
housed. If you be an epicure, fail not to ask for a bonne 
bouche —which we relished among these pine-clad hills— 
viz., trout stewed in cream. The white-bait of the London- 
er, the canvas-back duck of Delmonico’s, and the green 
turtle-steak of the city fathers, are all thrown in the shade 
by this delicious dish. You have but to scent it in future 
to make your mouth water, and visions of epicurean feasts 
float before your eyes. Now, if you will only place your- 
self in my hands—and well I know the smooth waters and 
rocky shoals, the pleasures and disappointments that beset 
the stranger in this beautiful but inhospitable region—I 
will keep your feet free from pitfalls, and your purse safe 
from too frequent incursions. Having eaten your evening 
meal and retired to your room, send for your host, and 
learn from him all particulars necessary to guide your fu- 
ture steps. Wherever you go you. will catch fish; some- 
times the fishing at Errol* is 80 good as to well deserve a 
vist ere you go up to the dam where the Androscoggin 
River leaves Lower Richardson Lake. Supposing the sea- 


* A village a few miles distant from Upton. 


330 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


son to be the end of May—the time we should advise to 
be selected for your visit—delightful brook-fishing may be 
obtained beneath the dam in the Little Cambridge River, 
which flows within fifty yards of the hotel. Many and 
many a morning and evening I have taken here three or 
four dozen beauties, some of them over a pound, and all 
game to the last. 

I know no river better suited for the increase of trout, 
and doubtless at the present time it would swarm with 
thousands all along its course, but that a selfish being 
named Abott projected and erected a dam about twenty 
feet high, to collect water.to drive a mill; and worse, had 
the inhumanity not even to leave a fish-way ; consequently, 
Izaak Walton’s. disciples have to walk many a wearisome 
mile up this brook before fish can again be found abundant, 
and then they are so poor and badly fed that they are al- 
most unfit for the table. Now the difference between those 
beneath the dam and those above is doubtless caused by 
the unfortunate denizens of the upper water being prevent- 
ed from making their annual visits to Lake Umbagog to re- 
cruit, or enjoy the cool retreats afforded in its deep waters 
at that portion of the season when the summer sun pours 
down its refulgent, heated rays upon the unprotected water. 
Persons who resided in this locality years ago informed me 
that, before this impediment on the Cambridge was made, 
trout swarmed all the way up to the source in ten times 
the quantity they do now. But why grumble or find fault 
in this particular instance? Are such shameful structures 
not to be found in every section of this and my own land— 
a glaring example of want of forethought, or selfishness, or 
worse? But, thank goodness, such abuses in America -are 
about to be stopped; State legislation has taken the matter 
in hand, and is determined to enforce such severe penal- 
ties, that I hope, ere long, to see the temporarily-deserted 


A KILLING FLY. 331 


retreats of the spotted, brilliant-hued trout again teeming 
with their numbers, and the placid, sheltered pools, now 
still and tenantless, boiling with their breaks and rises as 
they either roll over in sport, or rush headlong to the sur- 
face after the dainty and fragile ephemera. 

A lady, who formed one of our party frequently of an 
evening, without moving from the bridge, took a dozen 
fish in an hour or so, plainly proving that even the unini- 
tiated can here be successful, for madame previously had 
never seen a trout captured in her life. The flies which we 
should recommend for this stream are about the same in 
size as those in use on Scotch and Irish rivers, and of the 
same coloring, black and red hackles being preferable. We 
also found a fly constructed as follows most killing: the 
wings from the tail of the ruffed grouse, with a few strands 
of scarlet ibis, brown. cock’s hackle under wings; body of 
ground-hog’s fur, plucked off the stomach, with a couple 
of strands of guinea-fowl feather for tail. If the water 
should have been discolored’ with rain, substitute a little of 

the golden pheasant top-knot for the termination, instead 
" of the guinea-fowl. By coming here early in the season, 
as above advised, you will moreover escape the attacks of 
those confounded pests, the black flies, which generally 
make their appearance the second week of June, when 
woe betide you; for, if you are compelled to submit to 
their persecutions, your tortures from the results might 
turn your hair gray in a night, or drive you crazy for the 
remainder of life. No one can sympathize with the unfor- 
tunate Egyptians so well as he who has visited the Maine 
fishing regions in the fly season. 

Before leaving Upton for the wilds, as by this name your 
future resting-places may well be called, we would revert 
to the practice of throwing sawdust that comes from mills 
into the water. Now, although some may not be aware of 


332 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


it, there is nothing more destructive to trout and salmon 
than these minute particles of timber. The fish, as they 
rest head up stream, imbibe them into their mouths, whence 
they pass into the gills and stomach, ultimately causing 
disease and death. When this is known to be the case, 
would it not be well to insist that this débris should other- 
wise be disposed of, which may, without much labor or in- 
convenience, be accomplished by fire? Hendrik Hudson, 
the first explorer of the magnificent river which bears his 
name in America, speaks of that river as swarming with 
salmon; but where are they now? Gone, never to return, 
unless repopulated by artificial means; in fact, expelled by 
dams and sawdust, and such like accompaniments of the 
human race. As with the Hudson, so it would be every- 
where, if preventive measures were not adopted to stop 
these abuses, so glaring and unjustifiable, that every well- 
thinking man can scarce fail to anathematize the short- 
sighted policy that has formerly marked the advance of 
civilization. But it is not only fish in America; game has 
also thus ruthlessly been dealt with, till forests and farms 
cease to re-echo the musical, plaintive notes of the partridge, 
or the sonorous, drumming call of the ruffed grouse. For 
our part, the most picturesque walk, the most delightful 
rural drive, if not graced with the presence or note of the 
feathered warblers, the cooing of the dove, or the flight of 
birds, loses half its fascinations, half its enchantments, and 
consequently half the pleasures it would otherwise afford. 
Supposing that you have passed a few days at Upton, 
and enjoyed, with that relish which is so natural to a sports- 
man, the manifold pleasures of a country excursion, we 
should advise your now leaving civilization, and reveling 
in the solitude of the pathless wood, where man seldom in- 
trudes, and nature remains undefiled or deformed except 
by the assassin hand of the axeman. If you be a good 


ADVICE FOR SPORTSMEN. 333 


pedestrian, we would recommend your feet as the most 
enjoyable and natural method of gaining the portage where 
the Upper Androscoggin has to be crossed; but as you may 
not be experienced in woodcraft and all the sciences that 
teach the solitary hunter to surely follow a blazed path, 
procure the services of Collins, an agreeable and obliging 
man, to perform the duty of guide; and if he still possess- 
es his noble dog, the jaunt might possibly be diversified by 
the treeing of a bear, for Mr. Bruin here roams at large, 
undisputed master of a gigantic demesne. At the same 
time, care must be taken to ascertain that a boat is avail- 
able to transport you across the river, for thus carly in the 
season the water will be found too high and too cold for 
fording or swimming. 

But if previous confinement and sedentary habits have 
relaxed the muscles and made the feet tender, get Mr. 
Frost to negotiate for the services of the steamboat,* taking 
care that a direct understanding as to charge is made before 
embarking. In fact, go not to the dam—do nothing till you 
are certain what will be the cost; for once you are caught 
sleeping, if away from Mr. Frost’s protecting influence, you 
may, on awakening, find your molars gone, or your strength, 
if it consists in the length of your purse. To be forewarned 
is to be forearmed, and now, if you fall into the snare, blame 
not the writer. 

The voyage by water, distance fourteen or fifteen miles, 
is charming. After leaving the place of embarkation, you 
proceed about two miles down the Cambridge, which is 
here dead and sluggish,t till you reach the entrance to 
Lake Umbagog, when your vessel’s prow is pointed for dis- 


* By what other name to designate this extraordinary piece of mechan- 
ism I know not; but be advised while on board always to keep the wood 
bunkers between you and the boiler. 

+ Once a favorite haunt of moose. 


334 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


tant hills fringed with giant timber. On either side, isl- 
ands after islands dot the bosom of the water, while ver- 
dant mountains and primeval forests stretch far, far beyond 
the limits allotted to vision. The two or three hours which 
are taken to cross the lake will flit by rapidly. If you have 
appreciation of what is sublime, of what Nature in her 
grand conceptions formed, the impressions indented on the 
tablets of your memory will doubtless be permanent. It 
matters not how skeptical and unbelieving some may be, 
place them where the giant works of the Creator are vis- 
ible, and how insignificant forever after must they view the 
puny efforts and constructions of their fellow-beings, and 
cease to doubt that there is One above omnipotent and all- 
- powerful ! : 

Fail not, on reaching the centre of the lake, to face about 
and look for the White Mountains,* and, if the day is clear, 
ample will be your recompense; for, towering high above 
all other competitors, they smile gloriously over the land- 
scape, softened into a dreamy reality. by distance, and fur- 
rowed on their summits by lines of virgin snow, reflecting 
a thousand brilliant prismatic colorings. But the irrevo- 
cable pace of time glides on, and pleasure flits with rapid 
stride. Our nondescript boat now appears to head direct 
on shore, and so we advance till, when within a few yards 
of the rocks, the helm is put hard down, and we quickly 
turn to the left and enter the Androscoggin, up whose wa- 
ters a most charming vista is beheld, the drooping limbs of 
the trees on either side playfully kissing the rippling stream, 
and the irregularly-formed rocks splitting the water, and 
diverting its course in tangent lines, making many a min- 
iature whirlpool or gurgling eddy, the haunt and breeding- 
place of innumerable trout. If the river is sufficiently high, 


* Mount Washington is six thousand feet high. 


THE ANDROSCOGGIN RIVER. 335 


you will be able to proceed, without leaving the steamboat, 
as far as the commencement of the portage; but, should it 
be otherwise, your baggage and self will require to be trans- 
ferred to boats, to be propelled up stream by pole and pad- 
dle in the skillful hands of some of the proficient back- 
woodsmen. 

The trip up the river is worthy all the distance you have 
wandered. The view is ever changing and ever beautiful. 
Now you float over some still, dark pool; next, with labo- 
rious and slow progress, ascend some seething rapid; one 
time the centre of the stream only is navigable, the next 
moment the brush and branches on the margin grate against 
your craft’s gunwale. A solemn stillness reigns around, 
only broken by the murmuring of the water, the occasional 
shrill cry of the fish-hawk, or the laborious, incessant ham- 
mering of the industrious woodpecker. Again, as you ad- 
vance, many a wild duck or merganser, on rapid wing, will 
whistle past, or flutter over the rippling stream, followed 
by a numerous, inoffensive brood, perhaps but the other 
day divested of the egg-shell, yet thus early a proficient 
in aquatic travel—all adding peace to the scene, and suit- 
able figures for foreground to the picture. 

From this point, where you leave the boats, a portage of 
four miles occurs, which has to be traversed on foot; how- 
ever, the walking is not bad, although too rough for driy- 
ing. The path is well defined and erratic, one moment 
pointing direct for the impenetrable woods, the next fol- 
lowing the margin of the river. Some persons have chris- 
tened this portion of the Androscoggin “Mad River,” a 
name far from inappropriate, as for more than a mile it is 
one succession of grand rapids and miniature cascades, boil- 
ing, surging, and rushing for the placid bosom of Lake Um- 
‘pagog. Good fly-fishing can be obtained at low water all 
along this portion close to the margin, where the water 


336 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


forms many miniature eddies; but woe betide your tackle 
if you should chance to hook a heavy fish whose gallant 
spirit dictates a rush for the turbid centre waters! No 
rod or line on earth could possibly hold, and the shores are 
too rough for the angler to follow downward. 


RIVER SCENE. 


It will be well to have a gun with you in taking the 
tramp across this portage. The first time we traversed it 
we saw a young bear, and the last time one of our party 
came in such close contact with an old lady Bruin as to be 
frightened almost to death, if it is admissible to judge from 
his appearance rather than from his description. 

Having progressed a little over half the distance, a pret- 
ty fishing-shanty, the property-of a Bostonian, most oppor- 
tunely offers itself as a resting-place, while the panorama 
from its porch fairly earns the eulogy of sublimity. Above, 
below, and in front seethes the precipitous river, white with 
foam, while in the distance the placid surface of a minia- 


THE POND. 337 


ture lake, unpoetically dubbed “the Pond,” recalls to mem- 
ory the stories of our childhood, in which naiads and 
nymphs, with the enchanting Lurline for their sovereign, 
prominently figure. 

The Pond, at some seasons, affords splendid sport, espe- 
cially at the entrance and exit of the river, which flows 
through it, but it can not be fished except from a boat, 
which can be brought down, if desired, from the dam 
above—no easy task to be performed, but frequently ac- 
complished by the expert lumbermen, who appear equally 
at home in handling the axe or shooting rapids in their 
flat-bottomed punts. 

Having rested sufficiently to recruit, and probably im- 
bibed a small glass of something stimulating, diluted with 
water that trickles from a neighboring spring—which is 
always cold as ice, however warm the weather may be—as 
scarcely more than a couple of miles are before us, we may 
just as well hurry on. The walk now leaves the river, and 
becomes much more hilly and inclosed; one time crossing 
a deep boggy ravine, the next threading its erratic course 
along the summit of some stony hill-side. The timber here 
is very beautiful, much superior to what we have formerly 
met, and the graceful silver-birch prevails—-a tree than 
which no prettier or more beautiful exists. Although the 
road in some places must be quite half a mile from the 
water, still the deep rumbling of the numerous rapids is 
distinctly audible, the neighboring portion of the Andros- 
coggin River being wild and broken in the extreme. 

We have scarcely ever threaded this part of our jour- 
ney without seeing ruffed grouse, and frequently Canada 
grouse, one of the most beautiful of the indigenous birds, 
and resembling more closely than any of the American 
family the red grouse of Scotland; the deep scarlet iris, 
the rich, dark chestnut coloring of both are similar; but 

15 


338 ' PRAIRIE AND FOREST. : 


they are totally opposed to one another in habits of life, 
the one preferring the open, heather-covered mountain 
slopes—wild as a hawk, unless when engaged with family 
cares—the other, thoughtless and careless of danger, and 
never seen away from the densest retreats of the woods. 
So tame are the Canada grouse that, during my residence 
in Maine, I knew one of the hotel proprietor’s sons to catch 
an old cock-bird by slipping a noose attached tothe end 
of a stick over its head. But our promenade is near an 
end. The woods appear less dense as we advance, and 
soon the flag. that floats over the shanty which is to be our 
future dormitory appears in view, with the placid waters 
of Richardson Lake close by, while numerous irregular 
hills, all clothed with pine timber to the summit, form the 
background. 

Generally this beautiful lake is smooth as glass, without 
a ripple, excepting what may be caused by the break of 
fish, or sudden appearance or descent of the great Northern 
diver, whose wild, weird notes have not unfrequently star- 
tled the uninitiated, brought a cold shiver to their system, 
or vividly recalled stories of ghosts, sprites, panthers, and 
wild-cats. You are at last fairly in the wilds, miles from 
man’s habitation—if you except a couple of fishing shanties 
only occupied a few weeks yearly. You may strain your 
eyes up and down, no snow-white smiling cottage will greet 
your vision. This country is the same still as in the days 
when the red man knew no superior, and owned every inch 
of soil from the Atlantic to the Pacific, save it be that the 
cruel axe of the lumberman has culled out the choicest 
giant monarchs of the forest. But having done a pretty 
good day’s walking, we may as well lay up for an hour or 
so before making our début on’ the Androscoggin; more- 
over, the trout in the middle of the day do not rise so freely, 
and a couple of hours’ work in the evening, if the weather 


: 
3 
© 
a | 
° 
a 
a 
: 
5 


PICTURESQUE SCENERY. 341 


is propitious, will afford as many fish and as much sport as 
the most exacting can possibly desire. ; 

In the spring the best fishing is to be obtained under- 
neath the dam, which is built across the river a few hun- 
dred yards below where it debouches from the lake, and 
formed for the purpose of gathering a good head of water 
to assist in shooting the lumbermen’s logs. In autumn, 
however, it is the reverse, for above the dam the great- 
est numbers and the heaviest fish are found. Why trout 
should at the various seasons select different. resorts, is 
still a matter of surmise; our opinion is, that in summer 
all that are able leave the river and betake themselves to 
the locality of the springs in the bottom of the lake, or lie 
down in such deep water as has not been rendered tepid 
by the rays of the sun; but as the season advances, and be- 
comes proportionably cool, the fish retake themselves to the 
streams, either for the purpose of spawning, or because the 
rapid water is a more suitable residence during the severi- 
ty of a Northern winter. This migration, if such it may be 
called, has a great resemblance to the movements of sal- 
mon, except that the latter have the choice of the ocean in- 
stead of the land-locked lakes. Thus our readers will see 
that midsummer is not the season to visit this picturesque 
neighborhood, even were the flies and mosquitoes less nu- 
merous; but even if the sport was then to be enjoyed to 
perfection, their assaults would render the fascinating pleas- 
ure of fly-fishing a perfect labor. 

Turning from the house, a footpath, sufficiently clear to 
permit you to carry your rod ready for work, leads off to 
the right, and soon you reach the river, tumbling with a 
headlong, impetuous rush through several flood-gates and 
a shoot.* The river above and below the fall is lovely, yet 


* A smooth incline, down which the logs are floated. 


342 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


almost the opposite in effect. Looking toward the lake 
the water is placid and calm, with islands and bays, cov- 
ered or sheltered with trees, reposing in quiet peace, while 
beneath the fall, from the effects of the descent, a broad 
course of white foam-water rushing with headlong speed, 
first striking one margin, then ricochetting toward the oth- 
er—now divided by abrupt rocks of irregular outline, or 


THE WILDS. 


swaying round in real whirlpools—descends on its uncon- 
trollable route. The best stand to fish from for those who. 
object to wet feet is a rock about the size of a wagon, thir- 
ty or forty yards beneath the falls, on the right-hand side. 
From this place a person may work for hours with constant 
success. However, if the visitor be of an adventurous dis- 
position, and fears not to wade, the opposite shore is well 
worthy of attention; but as the bottom is extremely rough 


TROUT AND SALMON FISHING. 343 


and irregular, and in some parts the current very strong, 
care must be taken not to make a false step or stumble, 
as fatal results might be the consequence. I should advise 
the constant use of the handle of your landing-net to feel 
and guide your steps, on no account permitting the excite- 
ment of hooking a large fish to make you lose your head. 

A couple of hundred yards beneath the dam is a splendid 
pool, difficult to fish and difficult of access, but a trial will 
be amply rewarded. Scarcely in the memory of a long 
fishing career have we ever enjoyed such a couple of hours’ 
sport as fell to our luck the first time we wetted a line 
upon its well-stocked surface. On the first cast not one 
but half a dozen of the spotted beauties rushed to the sur- 
face, so that we were ultimately compelled to reduce the 
number of flies we were using to a solitary specimen. For 
two hours we confined ourselves to this pool, with the sim- 
ple change of altering situation or cast, and even then only 
desisted, not from want of fish but for fear the constant 
strain would wear out the rod. On this occasion the re- 
sults were nearly four dozen, and none under half a pound, 
many reaching as high as three and even three and a half. 
The guide, whom I have previously mentioned, was my 
companion, and most satisfactorily he did his work, al- 
though on many occasions he was compelled to wade up 
to his middle; in fact, I never met a more obliging person, 
or one more fearless in entering water, or better skilled in 
handling a landing-net. 

Another day’s sport I will quote more minutely, as an- 
other part of the river was the scene.of operations. With- 
in an hour and a half I had killed eleven fish, averaging two 
and a quarter pounds, when suddenly they stopped rising, 
and all my skill was wasted, for I could not raise a fin. 
This striking peculiarity in both trout and salmon fish- 
ing, which no fisherman can fail to have observed, I am un- 


344 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


able to account for. That all the inhabitants of a portion 
of a stream should desist to feed instantaneously, when a 
few minutes previously they have been seizing with avidity 
your flies, is the subject on which I should like to hear 
the opinion of some competent authority. I remember 
asking an old hand, whose success in his neighborhood 
was a household world, and his response was that a sudden 
change in the atmosphere caused it. This answer some- 
what astonished me, nor could I reconcile myself to the 
idea that fish which, in the majority of instances, lie some 
distance beneath the surface of the water, should be cogni- 
zant of an alteration which is imperceptible to us. 

From continued want of success, I changed my position, 
and removed to a hole some way farther down. After 
much difficulty, from the quantity of brush that grew on 
the margin of the stream, and carrying a rod among such 
obstacles, I reached the water. The appearance of the 
pool much pleased me, but it was difficult to fish, from the 
timber growing so close to the water, and wading being al- 
most out of the question, from the rough and irregular bot- 
tom being thickly packed with large boulders. Obliged to 
make a virtue of necessity, with a short line, and a quick, 
contracted cast, I commenced operations. My companion 
informed me that he very much doubted if a line had been 
wet there that season; from the result, I think his state- 
ment- must have been correct. Scarcely had my flies 
touched the water, when two beauties, radiant in their 
handsome golden hues, simultaneously dashed at the de- 
ception ; one I hooked firm and strong, and soon brought 
to net: a dozen times did I go through the same perform- 
ance, only varied by occasionally hooking a brace at the 
same cast. I feared, with such incessant work, my perfect 
little rod would get strained, but I was disinclined to give: 
up. Having once filled my large basket, and being in a 


AN ADVENTURE. 345 


fair way to repeat the performance, I moved forty yards 
lower down toward the tail of the stream, where, from the 
placid appearance of the surface, I had little doubt I could 
wade. With the assistance of the pole of my landing-net, 
I succeeded in staggering out to a shoal bank of gravel, 
about ten yards from the brink, and although quite up to 
the knee, established a firm footing; and each cast rose or 
hooked a fish. The water appeared to be alive with trout; 
first one would spring several feet clear of the water with 
a vim and energy positively speaking of determination; 
another would only barely come to the surface, leaving no 
other indication of his presence than a miniature whirlpool; 
while a third would roll over like a grampus, displaying a 
good view of his golden, strongly proportioned, handsome 
side, raising the demon of covetousness in my breast. I 
have frequently sought for a satisfactory reason for the 
different degrees of ardor which fish exhibit in taking the 
fly. J am inclined to believe that much is to be attributed 
to caprice, and not hunger, for it is very rare to see a heavy 
fish entirely disengage himself from the water when about 
to seize the cunningly-devised imitation. 

Several fine fish had fallen to my prowess, and step by 
step, with cautious care, I advanced down the river, till I 
had almost got within casting distance of the bottom of 
the pool, where the stream was contracted previous to 
forming another rapid. 

In taking my last throw, I was so near the broken wa- 
ter that my trail-fly was without doubt in it, when, without 
seeing a fish, I felt a smart pluck at my line. On elevating 
the top of my rod,I found that a small chub had taken 
my hook. Reeling up to get rid of the incumbrance, and 
fetching him to the surface, what was my surprise to see an 
immense trout dash at the unfortunate captive, and in the 
twinkling of an eye I had my reel going at telegraph speed. 

15* 


346 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


Here was an adventure truly, but one out of which I could 
scarcely expect success. Running out something like fif- 
teen yards, the interloper became stationary, and well I 
knew he had returned to his sanctum, probably to pouch 
the bait at pleasure. With but a slight strain upon my 
rod, I waited on the will of his mightiness, hoping it would 
not be long ere his royal pleasure would dictate swallowing 
the booty. Ten minutes, at least, I remained in statu quo, 
when, supposing due ccurtesy had been extended, I took a 
slight pull, just by way of reminder. Alas! the chub came 
away, and, being now dead, combined with the rapidity of 
the water, trailed upon the surface. I was not disappoint- 
ed—the result was but probable. Commencing to reel up 
to divest my hook of the mangled carcass, I had not more 
than taken a few feet in when, mirabile dictu, the same ep- 
isode was enacted, and the unfortunate disfigured remains 
of the shiner were borne off, apparently to the same loca- 
tion. Patiently now I determined to rest, hoping against 
chance that, in sportive mood, while playing with his in- 
tended déjeuner, his highness would get the point of the in- 
sidious hook attached to his royal person. 

What time elapsed I know not, but my necessary inert- 
ness and the disagreeableness of my position induced me to 
endeavor to bring the drama to a finish. With a gentle 
strain I evoked a succession of rapid, quick jerks, admon- 
ishing me that I had a gentleman of short temper to deal 
with. Gradually I continued shortening my line, which, 
although an unusual proceeding thus early, I succeeded in 
doing without the least hinderance. Still the dead strain 
that existed proclaimed that no ordinary contestant was at 
the other end. In all my previous experience I had never 
seen a fish come without an effort almost up to my hand, 
without once making a rush or giving a chance to judge 
of his paces. By this time nearly all my line was in, and 


ADVENTURE WITH A TROUT. 347 


the trout could not have been over fourteen or fifteen feet 
from me, but down in deep water, moving slowly in rings 
of a foot or two in diameter. 

Whatever some persons might have done, I did not ex- 
actly like bivouacking in two feet of rapid stream, with a 
very precarious footing, and a cloud of mosquitoes singing 
either a requiem or a lullaby about my unprotected face. 
My patience exhausted, I inwardly made up my mind, let 
the results be what they would, that I would force the giant 
to declare himself. Gradually raising the point of my rod 
inch by inch, with a steady motion, to my astonishment I 
brought him to the surface, giving me a good view of his 
massive form. The chub was across his mouth, as a spaniel 
would carry a stick, and devil a hook had touched him! 
Worse than all, it was apparent, from the constant strain, 
that my hold of the impromptu bait was nearly at an end. 
Being humbugged and victimized is at all times disagree- 
able, and as the laugh was decidedly against me, with a 
sharp jerk I disengaged my flies, anathematizing the brute 
which had caused me so much trouble, and sincerely hoped 
his breakfast would disagree with him. With a flourish of 
the tail, my tormentor bid me good-morning, and I return- 
ed to the shore in far from an enviable frame of mind. On 
my way to the shanty for my morning meal I scarcely spoke 
a word, no doubt moralizing on the uncertainty of all world- 
ly affairs; but just as I was entering the domicile, with feel- 
ings of dire revenge I told my attendant not to say a sin- 
gle word on the subject, for that I had a plan in my head. 
by which I trusted to wipe off all old scores. With vin- 
dictive feeling I munched my food in silence, avenging my- 
self on the finny tribe by the quantity of fish I put under 
my belt, and only did I begin to feel in a placid frame of 
mind after I had smoked an inch of my morning eigar. 
Tobacco— divine tobacco! how much does irascible man 


348 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


owe you! Companion in our solitude, amuser in our idle- 
ness, and soother in our troubles, what happy fancies and 
castles in the air can we build while watching thy smoke 
curling gracefully toward the azure heavens or dingy roof- 
tree! What hen-pecked husband has not enjoyed your 
soothing influence when he has escaped to the safety of 
his sanctum? The lords of creation owe much to the taste 
and good sense of Sir Walter Raleigh, the ladies little—un- 
doubtedly the reason that he lives less vividly in our mem- 
ories than his deserts. 

About an hour before sunset I returned to the field of 
action, armed, however, with a strong bait-rod and a bait- 
kettle filled with well-selected minnows and chubs. Witha 
determination equal to the undertaking of the most ardu- 
ous and hazardous enterprise, I mounted a minnow-tackle 
(don’t turn away, gentle fisherman, to hide your blushes; 
any apologies which are due I freely tender; remember the 
aggravation I had suffered), and boldly stalked into the 
water a short way above where my tormentor domiciled. 
In working my way down, I killed several of the smaller 
gentry, but with these I dealt most cavalierly, they being” 
far beneath my present ambition. At length I reached the 
very stone on which I stood in the morning, and with nery- 
ous, anxious eye I made my cast. Slowly the bait swung 
round, and described an are of a circle to the charmed 
spot. A rush,a dash and a splash, and away flew my 
line, the reel discoursing sweetest melody (perhaps not 
sweetest, for the music of the deep-mouthed pack deserves 
the superlative degree), and I had my gallant tormentor 
fast. Every effort that ever was successfully perpetrated 
by fish was put in play. Down and up the stream he fran- 
tically rushed ; first to one side, then the other, but all with- 
out avail. Ten minutes of these futile efforts told a tale, 
and the shortened and less vigorous exertions proclaimed 


MOSQUITOES. 349 


an early approach to the finish. Carefully I backed out, 
step by step, feeling cautiously the inequalities of the 
ground, till I stood on terra firma. My attendant per 
mitted excitement to cause him to act too precipitously, 
and the splash of the net instilled fresh vigor into my vic- 
tim’s now exhausted frame. Game ‘to the last, another ef- 
fort was made for life, and with an impetuous rush he again 
started for his time-honored, watery haunts. With a nerv- 
ous grasp on my rod, I was prepared to give him line; but 
imagine my astonishment when the slack returned to my 
hand, minus hooks and leader! The swivel had parted— 
one I had actually purchased in the Strand, London—and, 
with a rueful countenance, I stood the picture of despera- 
tion. I doubt if the physiognomy of Marius over the ruins 
of Carthage could have looked more doleful. On my way 
home, talking the matter over with my jidus Achates, we 
agreed upon the verdict of “served me right,” for attempt- 
ing to immolate so noble a victim in such an ignoble man- 
ner; and doubly was I convinced of the time-honored French 
adage, “ L’homme propose et Dieu dispose.” 

But let not the enthusiast run away with the idea that 
in Maine there are no drawbacks to pleasure, that sport is 
found without an alloy, for the pests of every new land here 
swarm — black flies, mosquitoes, and sand-flies; but fortu- 
nately their reign of terror does not exist over six weeks. 
The first (the black fly), which is about the size of a small 
house-fly, and not dissimilar in appearance, is a perfect can- 
nibal, refusing to be driven away, willingly immolating him- 
self in his thirst for blood, and drawing blood whenever he 
van obtain a footing: up your trowsers, down your shiit- 
sleeves or collar, everywhere he will get at his victim. Kill 
them by thousands, the phalanxes, apparently undiminish- 
ed, will return to the attack; and even domestic animals do 

“not escape. The unfortunate cow that had been driven up 


350 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


to supply us with milk I have seen changed from a straw- 
berry to a black by the myriads of these vampires that 
clung to her; and, but that we lit a large smudge* for her 
to stand over, I believe the poor old creature would have 
died under the incessant torture and irritation. But if 
the poor cow suffered, so did we, and it was only by con- 
stantly lubricating the exposed parts of our persons with 
oil of tar, or oil of pennyroyal, that we were enabled to 
stand the ordeal. Fortunately, the black fly is hungry 
during daylight only; like a respectable citizen, he early 
goes to rest, and equally early recommences business. 

Next come the mosquitoes. I have found the same gen- 
try troublesome in the Mediterranean, bad on the Malay 
peninsula, worse in the paddy-fields of China; but all these 
lack the acuteness and insolence of their Yankee cousins. 
If your hand is bare for a moment, a dozen will be on it; 
when up to your knees in a pool, and fast in a big fish, both 
hands consequently employed, your face and the back of 
your neck will begin to itch—to burn—as if scalding water 
had been poured over them. Nor were the sand-flies de- 
serving of better character, for though so small that you 
can scarcely perceive them, their powers of annoyance are 
tremendous.t Thank Providence that none of these wretch- 
es are made as big as the ferw nature, or else genus homo - 
must soon become extinct. 

I will here tell a little circumstance that befell me. I 
and two acquaintances were fishing under a fall; fish were 
abundant, but space, on account of the trees, too limited 
for so many rods; so down the stream I started, and for- 
got, in my desire to beat the others in results, the odious 


* Decayed damp wood, which burns slowly, and emits a great quantity 
of smoke. 
+ Called by the Indians ‘‘ No-see-ums,” from their minuteness. 


TORMENTED BY BLACK FLIES. 351 


preparation of oil of tar. After half an hour’s scrambling 
through brush and climbing over rocks, I at length reach- 
ed such a lovely pool. The first cast showed it to be alive 
with fish, and they in the proper way of thinking. Soon 
the gravel margin had over a dozen beauties glittering in 
all their glorious coloring; but the sun was near the hori- 
zon, and my attendant warned me that time was up. On 
joining my friends, long and vociferous were their peals of 
laughter whenever they looked at me. What the deuce 
was up? On arrival at the shanty all was explained. The 
black flies had attacked me when so immersed in my sport, 
that they had been unnoticed’ or brushed off, making my 
countenance the most extraordinary-looking mess of blood 
and bruised flies imaginable; but if I did not then feel the 
pain, you may bet I did that night when warm in bed. 
Knowing that such torments exist, why did the writer 
go there? is naturally asked, and as simply answered, for 
before he started he was assured that not even a mosquito 
was to be found in Maine. Afterward it was discovered 
that the visit of his informant had been paid to this wité- 
ma thule late in autumn. A dozen times conclusions were 
come to of sloping (not for Texas) in the morning; but 
the attractions were so great that even the entire summer, 
even on to the end of October, was got through, the last 
two or three months so delightfully that the self-sacrifice 
endured in June and July was more than compensated for ; 
and never can be forgotten the beautiful weather, glorious 
sport, and free, independent life enjoyed. The State of 
Maine being of considerably larger proportions than En- 
gland and Scotland together, it is desirable that the partic- 
ular locality should be mentioned. Seventy miles from the 
thriving sea-port of Portland, along the Grand Trunk line 
of railroad, will be found on the map the picturesque, clean, 
flourishing village of Bethel; twenty-seven miles north from 


352 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


it, Lake Umbagog. Here you have the last settlement, and 
by following up the Androscoggin River, which enters the 
top of the last-mentioned lake, you get into a perfect lab- 
yrinth of lakes and ponds, united together by brawling 
streams, only navigable by the lumberman’s flat or Indian’s 
birch-back. On all sides precipitous mountains rise, cov- 
ered with pine-trees where there is a possibility of their 
clinging, or immense boulders, to all appearance ready to 
roll from their resting-place into the waters beneath. And 
here in this vast solitude, free from cares, we made our 
home; fishing or hunting by day, and sleeping such sleep 
upon piles of hemlock as seldom is enjoyed on feather-beds 
(that is, at the end of the fly season) ; for though the bears 
might growl around, the gray wolf give us a proof of his 
vocal powers, or the weird note of the loon come shrilly 
over the waters, still all formed but a lullaby to make us 
rest the better. : 

In fishing the rivers of all the wild lands of the extreme 
northern portion of the United States and the Dominion 
for trout or salmon, little or no sport -will be experienced 
by the angler until the snow-water has run off; in fact, I 
do not believe the latter fish will enter a river that has not 
got rid of that addition. We got to our fishing-ground 
just at the desired time; a guide we consulted said we 
were too soon. It being better to be early than late, we 
pushed at once for our first halting-place, and the result 
was that we hit things so nicely that we struck the open- 
ing day. For about two or three weeks the take was very 
great, and the variety of coloring among our prizes some- 
thing wonderful. A collecting naturalist, a pupil of the 
celebrated professor of natural history at Yale College, 
Cambridge, Massachusetts, joined our party a few days 
after our arrival; and all these various colored fish were 
designated by him as Salmo fontinalis. With so great an 


HANDSOME FISH. 353 


authority I did not presume to differ; still, when he in- 
formed me that the Salmo fontinalis of American waters 
was identical with our home brook - trout, I thought that 
the lively game little beauty of our mountain streams had 
wonderfully changed in color and appearance from his trans- 
atlantic brother, or vicé versa. As the weather began to 
get warmer, the more brilliant-colored specimens became 
scarcer, and ultimately ceased to be taken in the river. 
This circumstance induced me further to think that there 
was some difference either in habits or choice of haunts 
which their more plain-clothed relatives did not affect, and 
that at least there were different varieties, if not species, 
among the inhabitants of this stream; and the more I 
think the subject over now, the more thoroughly do I feel 
convinced that the name of Salmo fontinalis has been fre- 
quently applied to what is, in reality, our red-bellied char. 
Memory is often not to be depended upon, but with the as- 
sistance of a few notes (the lapse of time not being more 
than a few years), I will endeavor to tell the differences 
that I most particularly observed. In outline of shape, 
what I suppose to be the red-bellied char much resembled 
a well-fed trout, except that the first dorsal fin is nearer the 
head, the caudal fin has a wider spread at its termination, 
and the junction of the caudal fin with the body is more 
tapered away. In coloring, the back was of a deep mack- 
erel green, interwoven with irregular darker waving lines, 
while the belly was as brilliant as burnished copper. Above, 
where the green of the back and red of the stomach ran 
into each other, there were three lateral lines of large brill- 
iant red spots, interspersed with minor straw-colored ones, 
and in some specimens the anal and pectoral fins had the 
* first two or three spines black. Altogether, in shape and 
coloring, a more game-looking, beautiful fish can not be im- 
agined ; moreover, their table qualities surpassed in deli- 


354 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


cacy of flavor any fish I have ever eaten, for the bright red 
flesh had a delicate nutty flavor indescribable and, I fear, 
scarcely imaginable. Our guide, who was also cook and 
master of camp, used to fry in cream the smaller ones, and 
I doubt if ever prince or epicure had a dish placed before 
him more worthy of his palate. 

But having given what I know to be, more particular- 
ly to the naturalist, a far from perfect description of this 
handsome fish’s peculiarities, its habits, as differing from 
the trout I have known, may have interest. "With the arti- 
ficial fly they were not so readily taken as with minnow or 
worm. When hooked, I never knew them to spring from 
the water, and the quiet reach of the pool was invariably a’ 
more certain find than the brawling neck. After sunset I 
never could succeed in capturing them, and the best hours 
in the day were from sunrise till it commenced to get warm, 
and the two hours preceding sunset. After these fish had 
disappeared from the river, I discovered that they could be 
taken in the deep waters in the lakes, either with minnow 
or natural fly, the bait being sunk close to the bottom; and 
the places where I was generally most successful in this fish- 
ing was where, our guide affirmed, were situated the springs 
that partially fed these lakes; his reason for this statement 
being that this portion of the lake always remained open in 
winter, while the balance every year froze up. 

Again, after these fish had deserted the river, I had some 
admirable sport with them by going to the top of the lake, 
and coming down on the annual lumber-raft. I was put 
up to this by the guide; he for years had followed lumber- 
ing, and the rafts as they floated down, he assured me, were 
always followed by swarms of trout. His information was 
correct as to the numbers of fish, but instead of the trout 
of the river I found my beautiful, brilliant-colored friend. 
This habit is peculiar, to say the least of it, and untrout- 


AMERICAN AUTUMN. 355 


like, and I could only account for it in two ways, viz., either 
the shade afforded by these immense logs formed the at- 
traction, or the constant immersion of the timber in the 
water caused the insect denizens of the bark to be drowned 
out of their retreats, and, dropping off in the water, furnish- 
ed these fish with a favorite food. 

Summer drifted past, and with it disappeared the inces- 
sant persecuting flies. Autumn, with all that brilliant col- 
oring so remarkable in America, made its appearance, and 
the oppressive heat gave way to the most desirable temper- 
ature. An English autumn to me is always sad; an Amer- 
ican autumn is quite the reverse: the hues and colors of the 
‘former are sombre; in those of the latter brilliancy unsur- 
passable predominates. An American autumn, once seen, 
makes as lasting an impression on the memory of mature 
age as the gorgeous fairy scene of the pantomime when 
first beheld upon that of youth. For some time none of the 
bright-hued fish had been taken, and I much feared that my 
acquaintance with them for that year had terminated; but 
not so—a few sharp nights of frost took place, and, going 
one morning to obtain sufficient fish for breakfast, in the 
run that formed the exit of the river from the lake, I with 
pleasure, in succession, captured several of the beauties. 
From that day forward they became more numerous, and 
the last morning’s fishing which I here enjoyed, with the 
snow flying so thick that I could scarcely see my flies, I 
killed not only the greatest number, but the heaviest of the 
brilliant representatives I had captured during the season. 
With regret I turned my back upon the three lonely, love- 
ly lakes, with the following unpronounceable Indian names: 
Molleychunkeymunk, Mooseluckmaguntic, and Moligewalk, 
to seek the boundless prairies of the Far West, and to sub- 
stitute for constant companion my double-barrel, in place 
of my well-tried tapering fly-rod. 


356 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


In my experience as a fisherman in Scotland and Ireland, 
I never knew of our river-trout being captured in the sea. 
On Long Island, what is there called the brook-trout (Salmo 
fontinalis) is well known periodically, when practicable, to 
visit salt-water; in fact, they are constantly taken with the 
fly in the tidal portion of those streams. The char of Nor- 
way and Sweden does the same, and I can only say that 
both these fish are wondrously alike. On the other hand, 
the brilliant-colored inhabitants of the interior lakes of 
Maine that I have mentioned can not do so, for, if they 
survived the descent of the Burling Falls, their ascent 
would be impossible. Although the Arctic char goes to 
the sea, the more resplendent colored relation remains, I 
think, constantly in his fresh-water retreats —id est, sup- 
posing this is a chat. To me it would be particularly in- 
teresting to know if my surmises as to the proper species 
of this beautiful fish are correct; and doubtless there are 
numbers of English fishermen whose verdict, even from my 
imperfect description, would set at rest a point important 
both to naturalist and sportsman.* 


* Since the above was written, the surmises of the author are found to 
be correct, 


See 


CHAPTER XXI. 


Tue Srripzp Bass is known the entire length of the 
sea-board of the United States, and is almost as popular 
as the salmon. The reasons for this are, he is game in the 
highest sense of the word, fighting with the most deter- 
mined obstinacy as long as his strength will permit; fre- 
quents alike the ocean. tideway or river, taking generally 
with avidity the greatest varieties of natural and artificial 
baits; and ultimately being fit food for the most fastidious 
epicure. By naturalists he is placed among the perch, and 
has been named Perka labrax, an indignity which he is in 
no way deserving, for he is built on the beautiful lines of 
the salmon, possibly with a little more depth and beam, and 
his coloring has a near approach to that of the lordly Salmo 
salar, save that horizontally along his sides are placed sev- 
eral lines (generally seven) from the gills to the tail, and 
from which he doubtlessly derives his familiar name. Early 
in April, if the weather be favorable, these fish make their 
appearance in the rivers en route to their spawning beds— 
(from this date they become the object of attention to the 
pot-hunter ; for I can not call the man who tries to capture 
fish in that state by the name of fisherman)—where they 
remain for some time, probably over a couple of months. 
This duty performed, they return again to the coast, afford- 
ing sport for a short period, then disappear, to return in 
September and October in immense numbers, gladdening 
with their advent the heart of every sportsman. 

Their size is so varied that they may be taken from the 
weight of a few ounces up to sixty and even more pounds, 


358 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


the heavier fish generally being captured late in the season; 
and woe betide the angler if unprepared he should strike 
his hook into one of the leviathans, for all his fishing para- 
phernalia will certainly receive so severe a shock as to ren- 
der it for after-use completely worthless—that is, the por- 
tion that is left with him. After spawning, this fish does 
not lose its condition like the salmon, therefore his capture 
immediately subsequent is not nearly so reprehensible, the 
propagation of his species not injuring him to a noticeable 
extent; therefore, if he be fished for in the rivers after that 
duty is performed, nothing is so attractive for his capture 
as a gaudy sea-trout fly; but the striped bass is not dainty, 
and many persons of experience persistently use with the 
greatest success a piece of white or scarlet rag tied over 
their hook instead of the more complicated and expensive 
imitation. Fishing in the sea, however, the shrimp is the 
most popular and gentlemanly bait, trolled along the sur- 
face after the manner of the fly, at which the fish break, 
similar to trout or salmon; still, there are days when you 
can not thus allure them; and soft-shell crab, spearing (a 
small transparent fish about the size of a minnow), or squid, 
have to be resorted to; even the spoon-bait has been known 
to be successful when all other attractions have failed. 
Although this fish annually chooses a change from salt 
to fresh water, still it is not necessary for his existence, 
numbers having been experimented on by detaining them 
for years in fresh, where, instead of losing flesh, they were 
pronounced to have improved much both in size and con- 
dition. So exceedingly popular is the striped bass in 
America, that those watering-places in whose vicinity he 
is known to abound receive annually an immense influx of 
visitors, attracted chiefly by the prospect of enjoying this 
fishing. At Kittihunk even a club-house has been built, 
and a very large association formed of the principal gentle- 


BLACK BASS. 359 


men in and about New York, who spend a great portion of 
their summer vacation at this retreat, and, as I have been 
informed by many of the members (some of them salmon 
fishermen of experience), the sport they there have is only 
second to what they could obtain on Labrador or Canadian 
salmon rivers. 

I believe that this fish could be most easily introduced 
into English waters, and that he is well deserving of the 
effort, for he is very hardy, and I do not think so likely to 
be affected by the pollution that so many of our streams 
suffer from; they also appear to be immensely prolific, for 
traffic, netting, drainage, etc., may have reduced their num- 
bers—still they are to be found in great abundance, even 
in such crowded water-thoroughfares as the Bay of New 
York, Hudson and East rivers, that any person duly ini- 
tiated in the necessary mysteries can, at the proper sea- 
sons, confidently expect a heavy basket as a reward for his 
trouble, and that within sight of the numerous spires, store- 
houses, and business haunts of their handsome Western me- 
tropolis. 

Great and unprecedented trouble has been lately taken 
successfully to introduce salmon and trout to the Southern 
hemisphere. With how much less difficulty could this fish 
be transported here—no tropics to cross, only one-fourth or 
fifth the distance to traverse, and steamships to be found 
sailing almost every day of the week. Certainly this mat- 
ter is worthy of consideration, for not only would thou- 
sands find amusement and health in their capture, but a 
wholesome and excellent article of food be provided for our 


immense population. : 


Brack Bass are found in the vicinity of the Thousand 
Islands in the St. Lawrence, the Niagara River, Lake Erie, 
and, in fact, nearly all streams and lakes that are situated 


360 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


near the line which separates Canada from the United 
States, also the tributaries of the Ohio and Mississippi riv- 
ers. Iam informed that they are also most abundant in 
the Potomac, into which river they were introduced twenty 
years ago by a keen fisherman who possessed property on 
its margin. The artificial fly, spoon-bait, or trolling with 
minnow, will all be found successful in their capture. From 
their great activity, strength, and vitality, very strong tackle 
must be used in fishing for them, such, in fact, as gener. 
ally is employed for sea-trout. It is very much to be re- 
. gretted that the efforts made of late years to introduce 
black bass into English waters by myself first, and Mr. 
Parnaby, of Borrowdale, afterward, have-been a failure, for 
they are unquestionably as fine a fish for angling purposes 
as ‘any we possess, and as an article of food are equal to 
our best. 

On the Wabash I have had some magnificent black bass 
fishing. About one mile and a half above the town of Vin- 
cennes, in Indiana, a small rivulet enters it. When floods 
occur in the parent stream the backwater in the tributary 
invariably swarms with black bass, pike, and cat-fish, as 
long as the water is on the increase; and so ravenous will 
these different species become, that, as quick as you can 
supply your hook with bait, so rapidly will the fisherman 
catch them; but the instant the volume of water com- 
mences to abate all will cease to feed, and the disciple of 
Izaak Walton goes unrewarded. All the tributary streams 
of the Ohio and Upper Mississippi are well stocked with 
black bass; but there are few places where I have enjoyed 
better sport than at Mount Carmel, on the Wabash, where 
they abounded in such quantities as to astonish those who 
had never previously visited this pretty, retired village. I 
believe I was the first to use the fly for the capture of black 
bass upon these waters, but so successful was I, that in a 


BLACK BASS. 361 


marvelously short space of time both inhabitants and visit- 
ers adopted my method; but there was no use in being 
jealous, for there was enough sport and to spare for all. 
Another admirable bait for this gamest of fresh-water fish 
is the craw-fish just after it has cast its shell; and as it is 
clean and easily handled, it is much sought after, but unfor- 
tunately is very difficult to procure, for at the period that 
it is in its primest condition it is generally buried several 
inches beneath the mud. Americans have reason to be 
proud of the black bass, for its game qualities endear it to 
the fisherman, and its nutty, sweet flavor to the gourmand. 

The black bass is an extremely free feeder, and is caught 
in all the various ways used to capture trout. He rises 
freely at the fly; with minnow or worm, craw-fish, spoon- 
bait, or almost any artificial device, he can be taken. On 
being hooked, generally the first effort he makes for free- 
dom is to spring from the water. Look out, Mr. Angler ; 
dip your rod in courtesy to him; for if you neglect the 
requisite salaam, your acquaintance will probably terminate. 
When this device has failed, with a purpose and force alike 
surprising, he makes a rush for parts unknown, and not un- 
til every effort, every trick is put in practice that is known 
to the fish family, can you get the slightest chance to use 
your landing-net. JI have frequently, after a long and fierce 
struggle, been about to place the net under him, but the 
movement was enough: though apparently exhausted, the 
fish took a new lease of life, and a further trial of patience 
was demanded before I could call the prize mine. In shape 
-the black bass much resembles a well-fed trout; but is 
deeper, and thicker made, while the tail is remarkable for 
its breadth. Their weight varies from one pound to five 
pounds; yet, on the Niagara River, near the village of 
Chippewa, I captured a splendid fellow quite eight pounds; 
but I was then assured that I had reason to congratulate 

16 


362 - PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


myself, for fish of such a size were far from common. The 
color, as in all varieties of fish, varies much. In clear, run- 
ning water they are generally a very dark green upon the 
back (much such a shade as the darker hues in mackerel), 
gradually getting lighter, almost to white, as you approach 
- the abdomen; but in those Southern waters, which are 
strongly impregnated with alluvial deposit, and consequent- 
ly turbid, the back of these bass are less brilliant in shade, 
while the stomach is not so clear a white. An advantage 
that recommends them is, that they are in season when 
trout should not be killed. In spring they spawn, the ex- 
act time varying in different waters on account of season 
and position as to latitude. 

If I may judge from the quantity of spawn the female 
contains, they must be immensely prolific; for although the 
individual ovum is small, the roe is very large in proportion 
to the bulk of the fish. From my own observation and in- 
quiries, I believe that the spawn is from sixteen to twenty 
days in maturing, after being deposited, which would give 
ample time for its transportation across the Atlantic. I am 
further of opinion that, indiscriminately, gravel or soil bot- 
tom is selected on which to deposit the eggs; for many of 
the rivers and ponds in which I have captured this bass 
flowed through, or were situated in deep bottom - lands, 
where a stone, even as large as a pebble, would be difficult 
to find. One pond in Southern Illinois I particularly re- 
member; it covered a space of about thirty acres, with an 
average depth of about three feet, except in the southern 
extremity, where about eight feet of water could be found. 
The bottom was entirely composed of mud; yet this pond 
swarmed with black bass. Lake Champlain, the St. Law- 
rence, and Lake Ontario (all who have visited these regions 
will remember) are remarkably clear, with gravelly or rocky 
bottoms, and each is a favorite haunt of this fish. 


STRANGE FISH. 363 


A friend, once a resident of the Isle of Skye, and a well- 
known successful trout and salmon fisherman, had a beauti- 
ful little lake, about ten acres in extent, on his estate, not 
many miles from Toronto; which he had stocked with black 
bass. In a few years their numbers so much increased 
that, in an hour or tw6’s trolling of an evening, a dozen or 
more could easily be taken. This lake had neither outlet 
for inlet, but was supplied with water from springs in the 
bottom. 

I fear it will be almost deemed heresy to place this fish’ 
on a par with the trout; at least, some such idea I had 
when I first heard the two compared; but I am bold, and 
will go farther. I consider he is the superior of the two, 
for he is equally good as an article of food, and much 
stronger and untiring in his efforts to escape when hooked. 

A description of a draught of fishes from a favorite black- 
bass pond in Southern Indiana may not be without interest 
to the reader, as it will give some idea of the varieties to 
be found in Western waters. 

When returning from shooting pinnated grouse in the 
State of Illinois, I came upon a party of farmers who were 
netting a pond on the edge of the timber land. This sheet 
of water was about two-thirds of a mile long, with an aver- 
age breadth of one hundred and fifty yards. The bottom 
was composed of mud, except the southern end, where it 
was gravel. Only when very high floods occurred in the 
Wabash River was there an outlet or inlet to this piece of 
water; still, I knew it was well stocked with fish, for on a 
previous evening, as I stood on its margin as the sun went 
down, waiting for wild duck, I had seen the surface in por- 
tions broken into spray with the fishes’ numerous pastimes, 
or energetic pursuit of their prey. With curiosity I stop- 
ped to see the result of the first haul, and well was my pa- 
tience rewarded, for what food for study was in the result! 


364 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


First and foremost, from the size and peculiarity-of forma- 
tion, I will mention what the fishermen designated a “spoon- 
bill cat-fish”°—a name without doubt given by some one 
who knew as little about genus and species as a cow does 
about a watch-pocket. This curious fish was beautifully 
shaped, with all those perfections that characterize the sal- 
mon family; but projecting from his head was a muscular 
continuation about sixteen inches long and six broad in tht 
centre, not unlike the blade of a canoe-paddle. This spoon- 
bill was entirely separated from and projecting over and 
independent of the mouth, the lower jaw being in its ordi- 
nary place; nor was the mouth large. As nature forms 
nothing without purpose, of what use was this projection ? 
My own idea is that ‘it was a feeler, used in poking about 
through the weeds, decayed vegetation, and mud: and by 
its sensitiveness the fish was enabled to find his food. On 
handling this rara piscis, I found that the slightest pressure 
on this attachment appeared to produce intense pain. The 
skin was entirely free from scales, from the tail to the ter- 
mination of the projection, and was very smooth and soft, 
not at all dissimilar to that of an eel. For a trifle I secured 
the prize, as I was assured he was an excellent table addi- 
tion; and my informants were perfectly correct. I after- 
ward cut up the proboscis to satisfy my curiosity, and 
found it entirely composed of gristle, the surface under- 
neath the skin being a labyrinth of veins. Afterward I 
saw, at different times, many of this curious family, thus 
proving that they are in no way rare; still, I have never 
seen them mentioned by naturalists. Probably it is ex- 
clusively confined to inland American waters. Further, I 
would say the vitality was remarkable, for after transport- 
ing it home it lived for over an hour. The weight of the 
entire fish was probably about sixteen pounds. The next 
attraction noticed was what is familiarly known in that 


WESTERN CARP. 365 


vicinity as the “pond fish.” In color it much resembles 
the beautiful black bass, in shape slender but graceful; the 
placement of the fins is the same as in the pike family, but 
the head is small, and not unlike that of a trout. It is a 
greedy feeder, and, from its being uneatable (the flesh being 
hard and rank), is considered a great bore by the fishermen. 
Their average weight is from two to four pounds. Still an- 
other variety with which I had been previously unacquaint- 
ed was taken, viz., “the Great Western carp,” there called 
“the buffalo-fish.” It is frequently captured of enormous 
size—several J have seen over twenty pounds. They are 
much and deservedly esteemed, and are taken in immense 
numbers in the spring of the year by spearing; for as soon 
as a flood takes place, when the water is rising, they rush 
out over all the inundated lands, wherever there is sufficient 
depth for them to swim. For more than an hour one day 
I watched a lad, spear in hand, who had taken his post over 
an opening which passed under the Ohio and Mississippi 
Railroad, made. similar to a-sluice for the purpose of 
preventing the water in time of floods becoming dammed. 

During my stay this Pe must have killed a couple 
of hundred-weight. 

You must not imagine that these were. all that were in 
the net. Sun-fish, pike, pickerel, black bass, catfish, mullet, 
and turtle to a wagon-load rewarded the fishermen’s efforts. 
In the end of the bag, I was about to place my hand upon 
what I considered a rare prize, when I was stopped by the 
rough intervention of one of the people, and the exclama- 
tion of “ You don’t want to die before your time? If he 
bite you, all the whisky in the county won’t save you.” 
(Whisky is considered an infallible cure for snake-bites.) 
This nondescript to be avoided was like Siebold’s salaman- 
der, with four of the smallest and most awkward-looking 
legs; the brute was about fourteen inches long, and was 


366 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


there known by the name of water-dog. It frequently takes 
the fisherman’s bait, who prefers to cut his line and lose 
the hook, to becoming on any more intimate terms. 


Tur Common Bass never exceeds a pound in weight, but 
more generally is captured half these dimensions. In some 
streams—such as the Niagara, Iroquois, Kankakee, and 
White rivers—it positively swarms in such abundance as 
to become a trouble to the fisherman who desires catching 
heavier fish. In shape and build they much resemble a 
well-fed English perch; but instead of possessing the same 
coloring, they are of a dark copper shade along the back, 
which gradually becomes lighter as you approach the stom- 
ach. However much it may be despised by the ambi- 
tious sportsman, still-it is far’ from an unworthy fish; for 
it is a greedy feeder, exceedingly strong on the hook, and 
last, but not least, excellent when cooked. 

In American waters there are several other species of this 
genus, no less curious in appearance than their names—gog- 
gle-eyes, new lights, etc., etc.; ete.—which, although not in- 
different as food, still are unworthy of particular attention 
by the fisherman, as their size is too inconsiderable to make 
them worthy antagonists. 


CHAPTER XXII. 
MUSKALLONGE. 


Every person has, more or less, a conception of what 
Fairyland must be like; my ideas run into caves and grot- 
toes, with’ shady nooks and flower-clad rocks, ferns luxuri- 
ously covering jagged peaks, and creepers festooning im- 
aginary roofs; one moment the eye resting upon the eva- 
nescent oleander; at another, gazing with admiration upon 
the pure and spotless water-lily ; but to léave the realms of 
fancy and return to reality is but the work of an instant— 
the arousing of the sleeping man to the realities of life. 

Fancy the season of the year autumn, the day cloudless, 
with the bluest and most transparent sky overhead that 
mortal ever gazed upon, the water underneath your keel 
the most pellucid, rapid, and laughing that eye ever rested 
on, hundreds of islands on every side of the most fantas- 
tic shapes, trees and shrubs crowding every available inch 
of soil, covered with the most gorgeous colorings that ever 
were represented by the are of heaven, and a distance so 
soft and undefinable, that the beholder wonders if he can 
not see into another planet. Such, in truth, is the St. Law- 
rence amidst the Thousand Islands on a fine day toward 
the end of September. Where under the sun can such a 
scene be looked upon? I search my memory in vain for 
its counterpart; and although the inland seas of Japan, the 
broad and placid waters of the Hudson at the Highlands, 
the palm-clad islands of the Indian Archipelago, the azure 
seas and skies of the Mediterranean rise. before me, beauti- 
ful and perfect as they are, they can not compare with the 


368 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


giant river of Canada and its surrounding landscape, be- 
cause it is without a fault—perfection verified. 

Strong and enduring are the thews of our boatmen, 
tough but pliant the ash oars, and although each stroke 
they are bent like hoops, still our progress over the rip- 
pling, glancing, eddying water is slow. But delay matters 
not here; in fact, it is rather pleasing, for it affords the 
spectator time to gaze, ay, inhale the manifold beauties that 
surround him: look to the left at that feathery birch, how 
playfully and daintily its long, graceful, floating limbs tap, 
tap, tap upon the rapid’s surface. Another rival in attract- 
iveness grows close by; it is the wood-grape, with its 
long tendrils floating in every breath of air, but treacher- 
ously longing to lay hold of the tree that now she only fans 
with her passing touch. And the red maple and yellow 
maple and scarlet sumac crowd together, rivals for the 
palm of precedence in gaudiness of hues; while behind 
them, in calm dignity, towers the giant pine, looking down 
with unbending dignity upon its minor surrounding breth- 
ren. The motion of these Canadian waters itself is joyous, 
and every dip and plunge and jump of the birch-bark canoe 
seem to be its ebullition of excessive animal spirits. 

But, unconsciously, we have glided out of the swift cur- 
rent into eddying back currents; our spoon-bait trails thir- 
ty odd yards behind; in fact, it has been for some time 
forgotten, for admiration and thought have been feeding 
upon the beauties of surrounding nature, when suddenly 
we are recalled to the fact that we are fishing, by several 
rapid jerks upon the line; the top of the rod bends toward 
the unseen adversary, and the reel-handle spins round with 
unusual velocity. Now comes the test to prove your knowl 
edge of the gentle art. Take and give, never be hurried, 
or permit excitement to control you, for a worthy foe you 
have to struggle with, and coolness and nerve will alone in- 


A GAME ADVERSARY. : 369 


sure you success. Almost a hundred yards of line have 
passed through the heated rings, the strain commences to 
tell upon the foe, and second by second the pace decreases, 
till ultimately the adversary changes the route he pursued, 
enabling the fisherman ‘to recover many a yard of the tough 
line. The battle is not yet finished ; a movement frightens 
the prey, and a second dash is made for freedom, but it is 
a feeble effort, and unworthy to be compared to the first; 
still, it is the last struggle made for life, and the giant pike 
is drawn within reach of the gaff, and soon flounders in 
the bottom of the skiff. It is a splendid fish, dark bronze 
upon the back, white as mother-of-pearl along the vent, 
well-made and handsome but for the alligator-shaped head. 
For a member of the family to which he belongs, he is 
wondrously game; for a salmon of the same proportions, 
he is a wondrous cur. 

It is beyond a doubt that muskallonge have been cap- 
tured exceeding eighty pounds, but such leviathans are 
very scarce, their average weight being from fifteen to 
twenty-five. 

For edible purposes they are much superior to the pike, 
for they are firm and not insipid in taste. In fact, I can 
recall on more than one occasion, when they have been 
roasted in wood-ashes by our camp-fire, that they have giv- 
en so much satisfaction, possibly resulting from the pro- 
verbial hunter’s appetite, that it would have puzzled the 
most celebrated cook to have produced any thing that 
would have been more enjoyed. 


PIKE. 


This species is very abundant throughout all the waters 
of the Northern United States and Canadas that are suited 
for its residence. However, the familiar name which heads 
this chapter is almost unknown in the Western Land, its 

16* 


370 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


place being usurped by the sobriquet pickerel, the same 
misnomers occurring among fish which are so abundantly 
applied to the feathered and four-footed game. 

The best pike-fishing I have ever enjoyed in my life was 
in the Holland River, about thirty miles north of Toronto, 
near its junction with Lake Simcoe. Here the fish are very 
large, and if caught in a taking humor the most greedy for 
sport will have their appetite abundantly satisfied. The 
eye of the connoisseur in piscatorial matters could not find 
a stream better suited in every particular for becoming the 
habitat of the pike than the river just mentioned, for it is 
densely margined with weeds on both sides, with a deep 
sluggish channel between them, and such are its character- 
istic features for many a mile. If the sportsman visited 
this haunt in spring or autumn, he should not fail to have 
his gun with him, for innumerable wild fowl frequent it 
in their migrations North and South; in fact, at sunset and 
break of day I have seen the entire surface of its placid 
waters covered with them. Deer, also, were formerly very 
abundant here, but I fear that such is not now the case. I 
can remember as if it were but yesterday, although twenty 
and more years have slipped past since then, I was upon the 
upper deck of a steamboat, talking to its skipper, while the 
obedient vessel carefully threaded the erratic course of the 
Holland River, when my companion exclaimed, “ Here 
comes a buck!” and darted for the wheel-house; in an in- 
stant he rejoined me, rifle in hand; for some minutes we 
lost sight of the beautiful deer in the tall reeds, but soon 
afterward had the satisfaction of seeing him breasting the 
waves as he headed for the opposite bank. The game be- 
ing behind us, pitching and tossing in the ground-swell 
caused by the passage of our craft, the captain delayed 
firing till the deer gained the margin; in the halt that he 
made to recover his strength, the better to be able to with- 


THE KANKAKEE. 371 


draw his feet. from the sticky, muddy. bottom, the rifle was 
slowly brought to bear upon the quarry’s heart, and with 
the report the gallant animal gave a tremendous struggle, 
and pitched headlong, to rise no more. 

Excuse my wandering from my subject, but as I see in 
memory the Holland River, the little episode narrated rises 
before me. 

Another river, similar in its characteristics to the Hol- 
land River, and also a favorite haunt of pike, is the Kanka- 
kee, in the northern portion of the State of Indiana, and 
whether we fished with shiners (resembling minnows) or 
used the spoon-bait, I and my companions were equally 
fortunate. For a week we tarried here; the season was 
early autumn, and seldom at night, when we returned to 
our encampment, but that each could count from two to 
three dozen large fish that had succumbed to his skill.. Dur- 
ing that visit I hooked a monster, and although I twice 
succeeded in bringing him alongside the boat, I had to suf- 
fer the annoyance of seeing him go off with several yards 
of my tackle. From the position I was in, I was obliged 
to treat the foe very cavalierly, for the bottom is full of de- 
cayed timber, and the limbs of a fallen tree half bridged 
the water down stream, to gain which my foe made the 
most determined efforts.. 

To state the size of this pike correctly would be a diffi- 
cult matter; still, from my lengthened experience, I can 
form an approximate estimate, and do not believe I ex- 
aggerate when I say he must have exceeded forty 
pounds. 

In Southern Illinois, on the tributaries and ponds mar- 
gining the Wabash, I have killed some very large pike ; 
but here they were not generally so well fed or so strong 
as those of the North. 

In Iowa I have also been very successful in capturing 


872 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


this fish, but in that State they do not run so large in my 
experience as in the more Kastern waters. 

In the Lake of the Woods (a few years ago, if I had 
spoken of this distant sheet of water, I would have been 
laughed at, but, thanks to Colonel [now General] Wolseley’s 
opening a road to the Red River and the settlement of 
Manitoba, it is now within easy access), I was informed by 
a half-breed residing at Fort Garry that its waters teemed 
with gigantic pike that had but to be tried for to obtain. 
From my knowledge of the marshy nature of the country 
that surrounds this silent sheet of water, I have little doubt 
that my informant spoke the truth. 

When no other fishing is to be obtained more worthy of 
the sportsman’s skill, let him then by all means devote his 
leisure to the capture of the subject of this chapter; but I 
would: sooner take one salmon, ay, one trout, than a dozen 
of these fresh-water sharks. 

But let me shift the scene from the valley of the muddy 
Ohio River to the pellucid Severn, a feeder of Lake Huron. 
I was living. on the confines of civilization literally, for 
there was but one-residence farther north than the house 
of which I was an inmate, and it was inhabited by a canny 
Scot, who never knew what it was to take a day’s relaxa- 
tion, his entire energy, early and late, being devoted to the 
improvement of his hontestead. Shortly after my arrival I 
paid him. a visit, but I found that information on shooting 
matters would have to be obtained through my own exer- 
tions; for, more than a complaint against Bruin occasion- 
ally depriving him of a pig, he knew literally nothing of 
the sporting capabilities of his neighborhood. It is always 
pleasant on a new field of operations to obtain a slight 
inkling of what you may expect. It is far from agreeable 
to have to draw a charge of snipe-shot, and thus lose time, 
to substitute B B, or perhaps ball, small game being expect- 


VERGH OF CIVILIZATION. 373 


ed and large game found. In wandering about the neigh- 
borhood of my temporary residence, about two miles from 
home I came upon one of those beautiful little sheets of 
water so frequently found upon the northern portion of the 
American continent. This soon became a favorite retreat, 
for wild duck were numerous on a portion where wild rice 
grew luxuriantly, and passenger-pigeons and spruce grouse 
had adopted it as a watering-place, owing to its freedom 
from intruders. All devoted admirers of nature know 
what a pleasure it is to be alone where none of man’s work 
mars the prospect, where every object the eye rests upon 
is as it came from the Creator’s hands, unsullied and un- 
changed. As I sat on a rocky promontory to -see the sun 
dip the horizon, perhaps visions of my distant land or far- 
off friends flitting before me, I was struck with the im- 
mense numbers of fish that kept breaking the unrippled 
surface—good gvidence that the rod and line might find 
abundant work, and on the next visit I determined to put 
it to the test. 

To those who are acquainted with the birch-bark canoe 
it is needless for me to say any thing. All the praises I 
could sound could not further enhance it in their estima- 
tion ; but to those who are not, to them let me say that 
tifere is not in existence a more perfect piece of mechanism 
for the purpose it is intended. Only learn to handle it 
properly, and you can go in it anywhere, over shoals, down 
rapids, through channels where an oar would be useless, 
and finally, if necessary, you can take it on your shoulders, 
and tramp across portages where nothing but an ox-team 
could transport a boat. In construction they are models 
of skill, yet the Indian alone knows how to make them; for 
although a white man may occasionally attempt their man- 
ufacture, they never do so successfully. On the following 
day, with my birch-bark on my shoulders, looking like a 


374 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


gigantic animated letter T, I crossed the portage with a 
formidable array of lines and artificial baits, full of most 
mischievous intent toward the finny tribe. This day the 
surface was broken by that desirable ripple, whether it be 
for trolling or fly-fishing, and dark clouds occasionally 
darkened with their shadow the face of the water. With 
exhilarating freedom, deep I dipped my paddle, pushing 
for the rocky end, waiting till I had crossed the centre of 
the lake before I commenced to fish; for, as a rule, unless 
there should happen to be a reef, seldom any fish will be 
taken far from the margin. When alone in a canoe one 
line will be found-as much as can be conveniently attended 
to, for the navigation of your craft requires both hands. 
Getting under good headway, I soon had twenty-five to 
thirty yards of line astern, with a few inches of red cloth 
for lure, which proved so attractive that I almost immedi- 
ately had a break, and in a moment or two afterward a fish 
hooked. For two or three hours such was the sport, which 
continued with never over a few minutes’ cessation. 

As I pushed slowly along the shore I came to a river 
previously unknown to me, and which I have since learned 
is the only outlet from this lake. The edge of this stream 
was fringed with a dense net-work of weeds, and the chan- 
‘ nel had scarcely a perceptible current. On breaking full 
in view, several dozens of wild duck rose, conspicuous 
among whom were many of the beautiful wood-duck, a 
gem among his brilliant-plumed race. The sedgy nature 
of the shore here predicted a more than ordinary favored 
retreat, so, replacing the red cloth by a large Buell’s spoon, 
with some scarlet ibis’s feathers tied along the shanks of 
the hooks, I tried my fortune, and such was my success 
that, before I ceased, the bottom of my canoe had a goodly 
show of noble bass and pike—so many, that I was satisfied 
to select three or four for present use and hide the others, 


SS SS 


m - 

hat 
i Hil 
i 


FISHING THROUGH THE ICE. 377 


with my birch-bark, till I could send across for them in the 
morning ; but a couple of bears, judging from the different- 
sized tracks, got at my caché during the night, and had the 
bad taste to maul and pull about,what they did not eat, 
so that I rejected it as unfit for food. Fish I have always 
found the most tempting bait with which to attract Bruin 
into a trap, so I built a bower-house, and hung up the bait 
at the end of it, with my trap nicely covered with leaves, 
Still all would not do, he and his companion were too wide 
awake, or had left the neighborhood. This lake I often vis- 
ited again, and with equal success; the influences of weath- 
er never appeared to affect the fishes’ appetites, and they 
are always a welcome addition to a backwoodsman’s fare. 
In company of a Chippewa Indian, I also tried fishing 
through the ice. The method adopted is simple, viz., cut- 
ting a hole two or three feet in diameter, over which is 
built a small hut to keep out the light, and sufficiently 
‘large for the fisherman to sit inside, the end of his fish- 
spear protruding through the top. With an artificial min- 
now on a few feet of line in the left hand, and weighted 
so as to make it readily sink, you attract the pike to the 
surface, when, with a dexterous blow, you drive your leister 
home. Very much like poaching; still, where fish are so 
abundant and wanted for food, this system becomes less 
culpable. 

At the northern end of Lake Couchachin, the beautiful 
Severn, after tumbling over a grand fall, starts on its er- 
ratic, precipitous course for Lake Huron. To visit this 
spot was not more than seven or eight miles of water, 
through a labyrinth of islands, and along the most pictur- 
esquely beautiful shore, wooded to the margin. Beside 
the fall was a saw-mill, belonging to a descendant of the 
French aristocracy, who had emigrated before the days of 
“The Empire.” Whether or not the proprietor happened 


378 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 


to be at home, a cordial welcome could be reliea upon, and 
the fishing underneath the fall was always excellent—some- 
times so good that your bait would scarcely touch the wa- 
ter ere it was seized. However, there was one drawback, 
for the spot was infested with snakes, particularly a large, 
thick, dirty-brown water species, which looked exceeding- 
ly venomous. From the indifference with which the mill 
hands treated them, I imagine their look was worse than 
their bite. They had, however, a penchant for minnow, 
foy I saw one captured on the hook. As the wild fowl 
migrate this is a splendid stand; for if the weather is in 
the least stormy, with an indication of cold, the ducks keep 
passing all day, and their flight invariably is so low that 
they are well within range. By following the Severn down 
to its junction with Lake Huron, plenty of occupation can 
be found for both rod and gun; and the appetite your open- 
air life will impart will make all you eat taste superior to 
any thing obtained in civilized quarters. 


THE END. 


INTERESTING WORKS 
TRAVEL AND ADVENTURE 


PUBLISHED BY 


HARPER & BROTHERS, NEW YORK. 


2” Harper & Broruens will send either of the following works by mail, postage 
prepaid, to any part of the United States, on receipt of the price, 


@2"Harpst’s New anv Extarerp Cararoaur, with a ComeLeTE ANALYTIO 
Invex, sent by mail on receipt of Ten Cents. 


SCHWEINFURTH’S HEART OF AFRICA. The Heart of Africa: or, 
Three Years’ Travels and Adventures in the Unexplored Regious o 
the Centre of Africa. From 1868 to 1871. By Dr. Gzora SouwErnrurru. 
Translated by Exten E. Frewer. With an Introduction by Winwoop 
Reape. Illustrated by about 130 Woodcuts from Drawings made by the 
Author, and with Two Maps. 2 vols., 8vo, Cloth, $8 00. 


STANLEY'S COOMASSIE AND MAGDALA. Coomassie and Magdala: 
a Story of Two British Campaigns in Africa. By Henry M. Sranury. 
With Maps and Ilustrations. 8vo, Cloth, $3 50. 


VINCENT’S LAND OF THE WHITE ELEPHANT. The Land of the 
White Elephant: Sights and Scenes in Southeastern Asia. A Personal 
Narrative of Travel and Adventure in Farther India, embracing the 
Countries of Burma, Siam, Cambodia, and Cochin-China (1871-2). By 
Frank Vinoent, Jr. Magnificently illustrated with Map, Plans, and 
numerous Woodcuts.- Crown 8vo, Cloth, $3 50. 


TYSON'S ARCTIC ADVENTURES. Arctic Experiences: containing Cap- 
tain George E. Tyson’s Wonderful Drift on the Ice-Floe, a History of. 
the Polaris Expedition, the Cruise of the Tigress, and Rescue of the 
Polaris Survivors. To which is added a General Arctic Chronology. 
Edited by E. Vate Braxe. With Map and numerons Illustrations. 
8vo, Cloth, $4 00. 


DAVIS'S NIMROD OF THE SEA. Nimrod of the Sea; or, the American 
Whaleman. By Wittam M. Davis. With many Illustrations. 12mo, 
Cloth, $2 00. 

MACGAHAN’S CAMPAIGNING ON THE OXUS. Campaigning on the 
Oxus and the Fall of Khiva. By J. A. MacGagan. With Map and II- 
lustrations. Crown 8vo, Cloth, # 00. 


GILLMORE’S PRAIRIE AND FOREST. Prairie and Forest: a Descrip- 
tion of the Game of North Amerjca, with Personal Adventures in their 
ae By Parxer Gitumore (‘Ubique”). Illustrated. 12mo, Cloth, 

00. 


HOPPIN'S LIFE OF ADMIRAL FOOTE. Life of Andrew Hull Foote, 
Rear-Admiral United States Navy. By Jamrs Mason Horrtn, Professor 
in Yale College. With a Portrait and Illustrations. Crown Svo, Cloth, 


2 Interesting Works of Travel and Adventure. 


HARPER'S HAND-BOOK FOR TRAVELERS IN EUROPE AND THE 
EAST. Being a Guide through Great Britain and Ireland, France, Bel- 
‘ium, Holland, Germany, Italy, Egypt, Syria, Turkey, Greece, Switzer- 
and, Tyrvl, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Russia, and Spain. With over 
One Hundred Maps and Plans of Cities. By W. Pemuroxr Fetrives, 
Author of ‘‘Harper’s. Phrase-Book" and ‘Rise and Fall of the Paris 
Commune." In Three Volumes, 12mo, Full Leather, Pocket-Book Form, 
$3 00 per vol. (the vols, suld separately); or the Three Volumes in one, 
similar Binding, $7 00. i 


PIKE'S SUB-TROPICAL RAMBLES. Sub-Tropical Rambles in the Land 
of: the Aphanapteryx. By Nicoras Pir, U, 8. Consul, Port Louis, 
Mauritius. Profusely Illustrated from the Author’s own Sketches; con- 
Gen este. Maps and Valuable Meteorological Charts. Crown Svo, 

oth, 50. : 


TRISTRAM’'S THE LAND OF MOAB. The Result of Travels and Discov- 
eries on the East Side of the Dead Sea and the Jordan. By H.B. Tris- 
gram, M.A., LL.D., F.R.S., Master of the Greatham Hospital, and Hon. 
Canon of Durham. With a Chapter on the Persian Palace of Mashita, 
by Jas. Fereuson, F.R.S. With New Map and Illustrations. Crown 
8vo, Cloth, $2 50. , 


THE DESERT OF THE EXODUS. Journeys on Foot in the Wilderness 
of the Forty Years' Wanderings; undertaken in connection with the 
Ordnance Survey of Sinai and the Palestine Exploration Fund, By E. 
H. Parmer, M.A., Lord Almoner’s Professor of Arabic, and Fellow of 
St. John’s College, Cambridge. With Maps and numerous IIInstrations 
from Photographs and Drawings taken on the spot by the Sinai Survey 
Expedition and C. F. Tyrwhitt Drake. Crown Svo, Cloth, $3 00. : 


NORDHOFE#’S CALIFORNIA. California: For Health, Pleasure, and Res- 
idence. A Book for Travelers and Settlers, Illustrated. 8vo, Paper, 
$2 00,; Cloth, $2 50. : 


-NORDHOFF'’S NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, OREGON, AND THE SAND- 
WICH ISLANDS. Northern California, Oregon, and the Sandwich 
Islands. By Cuarirs Norpuorr, Author of “California: for Health, 
Pleasure, and Residence,” &c., &c. Profusely Illustrated. Svo, Cloth, 


SANTO DOMINGO, Past and Present; with a Glance at Hayti. By Samur. 
Hazarp. Maps and Illustrations. Crown Svo, Cloth, $3 50. 


AROUND THE WORLD. By Evwarv D.G, Prime, D.D. With numerous 
Illustrations. Crown Svo, Cloth, $3 00. 


ALCOCK’S JAPAN. The Capital of the Tycoon: a Narrative of a Threc 
Years’ Residence in Japan. By Sir Ruruerrorp Axcoox, K.C.B., Her 
Majesty’s Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary in Japan. 
With Maps and Engravings. 2 volg.,12mo, Cloth, $3 50. 


ANDERSSON'S OKAVANGO RIVER. The Okavango River: a Narrative 
of Travel, Exploration, and Adventure. By Cuar.es Jonn ANDERSON. 
With Steel Portrait of the Author, numerous Woodcuts, and a Map show- 
ing the Regions explored by Andersson, Cumming, Livingstone, and Du 
Chaillu. 8vo, Cloth, $3 25. 


ANDERSSON'S LAKE NGAMI. Lake Ngami; or, Explorations and Dis- 
coveries during Four Years’ Wanderings in the Wilds of Southwestern 
Africa. By Cartes Jonn AnpeErsson. With numerous Illustrations, 
representing Sporting Adventures, Subjects of Natural History, Devices 
for Destroying Wild Animals, &c. 12mo, Cloth, $1 75. . 


ATKINSON'S AMOOR REGIONS. Travels in the Regions of the Upper 
and Lower Amoor, and the Russian Acquisitions on the Confines of India 
and China. With Adventures among the Mountain Kirghis; and the 
Manjours, Manyargs, Toungous, Touzempts, Goldi, and Gelyaks; the 
ae and Pastoral Tribes. By Tuomas WitLam Arxtnson, F.G.S., 
F.R.G.S. With a Map and numerous Illustrations. 8vo, Cloth, $3 50. 


Lntzresting Works of Travel and Adventure. 3 


ATKINSON'S SIBERIA. Oriental and Western Siberia: a Narrative of 
Seven Years’ Explorations and Adventures in Siberia, Mongolia, the Kir- 
ghis Steppes, Chinese Tartary, and Part of Central Asia. By Tuomas 
Wittam Arxinson. With a Map and numerous Illustrations. Svo, 
Cloth, $3 50. 


BARTH'’'S NORTH AND CENTRAL AFRICA. Travels and Discoveries 
in North and Central Africa. Being a Journal of an Expedition under- 
taken under the Auspices of H.B.M.’s Government, in the Years 1849-1855. 
By Henry Bantu, Ph.D., D.C.L. Illustrated. 3 vols., 8vo, Cloth, $12 00- 


BALDWIN’S AFRICAN HUNTING. African Hunting, from Natal to the 
Zambesi, inclnding Lake Ngami, the Kalahari Desert, &c., from 1852 to 
1860. By Wii.taM Cuartes Batpwin, eo F.R.G.S. With Map, Fifty 
Illustrations by Wolf and Zwecker, and a Portrait. 12mo, Cloth, $1 50. 


BURTON'S LAKE REGIONS OF CENTRAL AFRICA. The Lake Regions 
of Central Africa. A Picture of Exploration. By Rrouarn F. Burton, 
Captain H. M.'s Indian Army, Fellow and Gold Medalist of the Royal 
ie ae da Society. With Maps and Engravings on Wood. Svo, Cloth, 

3 50. 


BURTON'S CITY OF THE SAINTS. The City of the Saints; and Across 
the Rocky Mountains to California. By Captain Rrouarp F. Burton, 
Fellow and Gold Medalist of the Royal Geographical Societies of France 
and England, H. M.’s Consul in West Africa. With Maps and numerous 
Illustrations. 8vo, Cloth, $3 50. 


BELLOWS'S TRAVELS. The Old World in its New Face: Impressions of 
Europe in 1867, 1868. By Henry W. Bettows. 2 vols., 12mo, Cloth, $3 50. 


CURTIS’S THE HOWADJI IN SYRIA. By Groraz Witiiam Corts. 
12mo, Cloth, $1 50. 


CURTIS'S NILE NOTES OF A HOWADJI. By Gzoner WituraM Corrs. 
12mo, Cloth, $1 50. 


CUMMING'S HUNTER'’S LIFE IN AFRICA. Five Years of a Hunter’s 
Life in the far Interior of South Africa. With Notices of the Native 
Tribes, and Anecdotes of the Chase of the Lion, Elephant, Hippopotamus, 
Giraffe, Rhinoceros, &c. With Illustrations. By R.Gornon Cummine. 
2 vols., 12mo, Cloth, $3 00. 


DAVIS'S CARTHAGE. Carthage and her Remains: being an Account of 
the Excavations and Researches on the Site of the Phenician Metropolis 
in Africa and other Adjacent Places. Conducted undemthe Auspices of 
Her Majesty’s Government. By Dr. N. Davis, F.R.G.S. - Profusely Ilus- 
trated with Maps, Woodcuts, Chromo-Lithographs, &c. Svo, Cloth, $4 00. 


DILKE'S GREATER BRITAIN. Greater Britain: a Record of Travel in 
English-speaking Countries during 1866 and 1867. By Cuartzs Went- 
wortn Dinxx. With Maps and Illustrations. 12mo, Cloth, $1 00. 


DOOLITTLE'S CHINA. Social Life of the Chinese: with some Account of 
their Religious, Governmental], Educational, and Business Customs and 
Opinions. With special but not exclusive Reference to Fuhchau. By 
Rev. Justus Doo.ittr, Fourteen Years Member of the Fuhchau Mission 
of the American Board. Illustrated with more than 150 characteristic 
Engravings on Wood. 2vols.,12mo, Cloth, $5 00. 


DU CHAILLU’S AFRICA. Explorations and Adventures in Equatorial 
Africa; with Accounts of the Manners and Customs of the People, and 
of the Chase of the Gorilla, the Crocodile, Leopard, Elephant, Hippopota- 
mus, and other Animals. By Paut B. Du Curaittu, Corresponding Hem: 
ber of the American Ethnological Society, of the Geographical and Sta- 
tistical Society of New York, and of the Boston Society of Natural 
History. With numerous Illustrations. 8vo, Cloth, $5 00. ° 


DU CHAILLU’S ASHANGO LAND. A Journey to Ashango Land, and 
Further Penetration into Equatorial Africa. By Pau B. Du Cuatiuv. 
New Edition. Handsomely Illustrated. 8vo, Cloth, $5 00. 


4 Interesting Works of Travel and Adventure. 


ELLIS’S MADAGASCAR. Three Visits to Madagascar, during the Years 
1853, 1854, 1856. Including a Journey to the Capital, with Notices of the 
Natural History of the Country, and of the Present Civilization of the 
People. By the Rey. Wiuttam Eris, F.H.S. Illustrated by a Map and 
Woodcuts from Photographs, &c. 8vo, Cloth, $3 50. 


HALL’'S ARCTIC RESEARCHES. Arctic Researches and Life among the 
Esquimaux: being the Narrative of an Expedition in Search of Sir John 
Franklin, in the Years 1860, 1861, and 1862. By Cuartes Franors Haru. 
With Maps and 100 Illustrations. 8vo, Cloth, Beveled, $5 00. 


HOLTON'S NEW GRANADA. Twenty Months in the Andes, By I. F. 
Ho.ton. Illustrations and Maps. 8vo, Cloth, $3 00. 


KINGSLEY'S WEST INDIES. At Last: A Christmas in the West Indies. 
By Cuarizs Kinesrey, Author of ‘‘ Alton Locke," ‘* Yeast,” &c., &c. Ll- 
lustrated. 12mo, Cloth, $1 50. 


LIVINGSTONE’S SOUTH AFRICA. Missionary Travels and Researches 
in South Africa; including a Sketch of Sixteen Years’ Residence in the 
Interior of Africa, and a Journey from the Cape of Good Hope to Loando 
on the West Coast; thence across the Continent, down the River Zambesi, 
to the Eastern Ocean. By Davin Livinesronr, LL.D., D.C.L. With Por- 
trait, Maps by Arrowsmith, and numerous Illustrations. 8vo, Cloth, 

50. 


LIVINGSTONE’S EXPEDITION TO THE ZAMBESI. Narrative of an 
Expedition to the Zambesi and its Tributaries; and of the Discovery of 
the Lakes Shirwa and Nyassa. 1858-1864. By Davin and Cuanrtes Liv- 
Inestone. With Map and Illustrations. 8vo, Cloth, $5 00. 5 


LAYARD’S NINEVEH. A Popular Account of the Discoveries at Nine- 
veh. By Austen Henry Layarp. Abridged by him from his larger 
Work. With numerous Wood Engravings. 12mo, Cloth, $1 75. 


LAYARD'S FRESH DISCOVERIES AT NINEVEH. Fresh Discoveries at 
Nineveh and Babylon; with Travels in Armenia, Kurdistan, and the 
Desert. Being the Result of a Second Expedition undertaken for the 
Trustees of the British Museum. By Austen Henry Layarp, M.P. With 
all the Maps and Engravings in the English Edition. Svo, Cloth, $4 00. 


MACGREGOR'S ROB ROY ON THE JORDAN. The Rob Roy on the Jor- 
dan, Nile, Red Sea, and Gennesareth, &c. A Canoe Cruise in Palestine 
and Egypt and the Waters of Damascus. By J. Macerreaor, M.A. With 
Maps and Illustrations. Crown 8vo, Cloth, $2 50. 


NEVIUS'S CHINA. China and the Chinese: a General Description of the 
Country and its Inhabitants; its Civilization and Form of Government ; 
its Religious and Social Institutions; its Intercourse with other Nations; 
and its Present Condition and Prospects. By the Rey. Joun L. Nevius, 
ae Sar a Missionary in China. With a Map and Illustrations. 12mo, 

oth, $1 75. 


OLIPHANT’S CHINA AND JAPAN. Narrative of the Earl of Elgin's Mis- 
sion to China and Japan, in the Years 1857, '58,’59. By Laurence Ont- 
PHANT, Private Secretary to Lord Elgin. Tllustrations. 8vo, Cloth, 


ORTON'S ANDES AND THE AMAZON. The Andes and the Amazon; or, 
Across the Continent of South America. By Jamrs Orron, M.A., Profes- 
sor of Natural History in Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and Cor- 
responding Member ofthe Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia. 
With a New Map of Equatorial America and numerous IIlustrations. 
Crown 8vo, Cloth, $200. © fn 


PAGE'S LA PLATA. La Plata, the Argentine Confederation, and Paraguay. 
Being a Narrative of the Exploration of the Tributaries of the River La 
Pl&ta and Adjacent Countries during the Years 1853, 54, °55, and ’56, un- 
der the Orders of the United States Government. New Edition, contain- 
ing Farther Explorations in La Plata during 1859 and 1860. By Tiomas 
J. Paar, U.S.N., Commander of the Expeditions. With Map and numer- 
ous Engravings. 8vo, Cloth, $5 00. 


Interesting Works of Travel and Adventure. 5 


PRIME’S (S. I.) TRAVELS IN EUROPE AND THE EAST. Travels in En- 
rope and the Kast. A Year in England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, France, 
Belgium, Holland, Germany, Austria, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Syria, Pales- 
tine, and Egypt. By Rev. Samue. Innnzus Prime, D.D. Engravings. 
2 vols., large 12mo, Cloth, $3 00. 


REINDEER, DOGS, AND SNOW-SHOES. A Journal of Siberian Travel 
and Explorations made in the Years 1865-67. By Rrowarp J. Busu, late 
= ue ea Telegraph Expedition. Illustrated. Crown $vo, 

oth, $3 00. ; 


PRIME’S (W. C.) BOAT-LIFE IN EGYPT. Boat-Life in Egypt and Nubia. 
By Witutam C. Prime. Illustrations, 12mo, Cloth, $2 00. 


PRIME’S (W. C.) TENT-LIFE IN THE HOLY LAND. By Wim C. 
Pring. Illustrations. 12mo, Cloth, $2 0v. 


SQUIER’S NICARAGUA. Nicaragua: its People, Scenery, Monuments, Re- 
sources, Condition, and Proposed Canal. ith One Hundred Maps and 
Illustrations. By E. G. Squrur. - 8vo, Cloth, $4 00. 


SQUIER’S WAIKNA. Waikna; or, Adventures on the Mosquito Shore. By E. 
G. Squire. With a Map and upward of 60 Illustrations. 12mo, Cloth, $1 50. 


SPEKE'S AFRICA. Journal of the Discovery of the Source of the Nile. By 
Captain Joun Hannine Srexz, Captain H. M.'s Indian Army, Fellow and 
Gold Medalist of the Royal Geographical Society, Hon. Corresponding 
Member and Gold Medalist of the French Geographical Society, &c, With 
Maps and Portraits and numerous Illustrations, chiefly from Drawings 
by Captain Grant. 8vo, Cloth, $4 00. 


STEPHENS’S TRAVELS IN CENTRAL AMERICA. Travels in Central 
America, Chiapas, and Yucatan. By J.L.Srerurcns. With a Map and 88 
Engravings. 2 vols., Svo, Cloth, $6 00. 


STEPHENS'S TRAVELS IN YUCATAN. Incidents of Travel in Yucatan. 
By J. L. Srrrucxs. 120 Engravings, from Drawings by F. Catherwood. 
2 vols., 8vo, Cloth, $6 00. 


STEPHENS’S TRAVELS IN EGYPT. Travels in Egypt, Arabia Petra, and 
the Holy Land. By J. L.Srevuens. Engravings. 2 vuls.,12mo,Cloth, $3 00. 


STEPHENS'S TRAVELS IN GREECE. Travels in Greece, Turkey, Russia 
aud Poland. By J. L. Srernens. Engravings. 2 vols., 12mo, Cloth, $3 00. 


THOMSON’S LAND AND BOOK. The Land and the Book; or, Biblical 
Illustrations drawn from the Manners and Customs, the Scenes and the 
Scenery of the Holy Land. By W. M. Tomson, D.D., Twenty-five Years 
a Missionary of the A.B.C.F.M. in Syria and Palestine. With Two elab- 
orate Maps of Palestine, an accurate Plan of Jerusalem, and Several Hun- 
ded Engravings, representing the Scenery, Topography, and Productions 
of the Holy Land, and the Costumes, Manners, and Habits of the People. 
Two' large 12mo Volumes, Cloth, $5 00. 


WALLACE’S MALAY ARCHIPELAGO. The Malay Archipelago: the Land 
of the Orang-Utan and the Bird of Paradise. A Narrative of Travel, 
1854-62. ith Studies of Man and Nature. ur AcFrep Russe. Wat- 
Laos. With Maps and numerous I]lustrations. Crown Svo, Cloth, $2 50. 


WELLS'S EXPLORATIONS IN HONDURAS. Explorations and Adven- 
tures in Honduras; comprising Sketches of Travel in the Gold Regions 
of Olancho, and a Review of the History and General Resources of Cen- 
tral America. By Witiiam V. Wetts. With Original Maps and numer- 
ous Illustrations. Svo, Cloth, $3 50. 


WHYMPER'S ALASKA. Travel and Adventure in the Territory of Alaska, 
formerly Russian America—now ceed to the United States—and in va- 
tions other Parts of the North Pacific. By Freperioxk Wuymrer. With 
Map and Illustrations. Crown 8vo, Cloth, $2 50. 


WILKINSON'S ANCIENT EGYPTIANS. A Popniar Account of the 
Ancient Egyptians. Revised_and abridged from his larger Work. By 
Sir J. Garpner Wixinson, D.C.L., F.R.S., &e. Illustrated with 500 
Woodcuts. 2 vols., 12mo, Cloth, $3 50. 


« 


Harper’s Catalogue. 


The attention of gentlemen, in town or country, Cesigning to form 
Libraries or enrich their Literary Collections, is respectfully invited 
to Harper’s Catalogue, which will be found to comprise a large pro- 
portion of the standard and most esteemed works in English and 
Classical Literature ——COMPKEHENDING OVER THREE THOUSAND 
voLUMES—which are offered, in most instances, at less than one- 
half the cost of similar productions in England. 

_ To Librarians and others connected with Colleges, Schools, &c., 
who may not have access to a trustworthy guide in forming the true 
estimate of literary productions, it is believed this Catalogue will 
prove especially valuable for reference, 

To prevent disappointment, it is suggested that, whenever books 
can not be obtained through any bookseller or local agent, applica- 
tions with remittance -should be addressed direct to Harper & 
Brothers, which will receive prompt attention. 


Sent by mail on receipt of Ten Cents in postage stamps. 


Address HARPER & BROTHERS, 
FRANKLIN SQUARE, NEW Yor& 


Tee 


AOAC