CHAPTER III 



THE STORY OF A PORCUPINE HUNT * 



How a series of photographs were made directly from the wild animal 

 for the purpose of illustrating a story. Probably the first time that wild 

 animals were ever made to pose in this way before the camera. 



In the month of April, 1901, a telegram from 

 a New York publisher came to me as 1 was about 

 to start off for a day's bird work : " Come in 

 immediately, have splendid story to illustrate." 

 The story proved to be about the Canadian porcu- 

 pine — an animal I had not yet seen in its wild state. 

 Would I undertake to make the pictures entirely 

 with the camera, so as to give a touch of reahsm 

 more convincing than if the work were done by 

 hand ? Somewhat reluctantly I promised not only 

 to make the set, but undertook to have it completed 

 by June 10th. Having made this rather rash 

 promise, the next step was to find out where to 

 look for the porcupines — without having to go too 

 far for them. Inquiries among my naturalist 

 friends resulted in information which was not very 

 hopeful. The opinion was that the shortness of 

 time would make it practically impossible. 



Being blessed with a decidedly optimistic dis 

 position, I hoped for the best, packed up an 

 outfit of cameras and warm clothes, and started for 

 the Adirondacks. Inquiries among the residents 



* Not previously published. 

 W.L.C. E 



