468 



FOREST AMD STREAM. 



Jean Baptiste Laudat, from his native isle of Martinique or 

 Guadeloupe, he looked him about him for a wife. It is more 

 probably, though, that he brought her with him as a slave, 

 and that she was black ; and that there afterward got admixed 

 a Boupcon of Carib blood is manifest in the color of these, his 

 descendants. They are not yellow, nor bright olive like the 

 Carib, but of a rich brown, with long hair, black and wavy. 

 That tbe air of these mountains is conducive to health, their 

 size, plumpness and activity prove. 



There are but five families, ruled over by the present Jean 

 Baptiste, who inherits his power from bis deceased grand- 

 father, as eldest son of his son. With him lives his mother, a 

 yellowskitmed old lady of eighty, who hobbles about with a 

 cane and is a frequent visitor at the door of my hut. Now, 

 this old lady and her Jean can speak what they flatter them- 

 selves passes for English, but their native tongue is the per- 

 verted French of their white ancestor. To a Parisian their 

 perversion of the French verb faire would be sufficient to 

 drive him crazy. 



For instance, the old lady strives to make intelligible the 

 number of her grandchildren and their respective parents : 

 " My zon, Jean, he make ze enfan3 seex; Mafille, he make 

 bait, and tout Us enfans make seexty." She passed my door 

 one afternoon as I was busy preparing my collections for 

 preservation, and told me confidently that she was going to 

 " make petit walk," but a wail from the house of her eldest 

 son caused her to hurry her old limbs to soothe the child 

 " zat make ze cry." " Me make my sleep," is a common ex- 

 pression to make yam, cane, ground provisions, etc. "Moi 

 cafait souper, dejeuner," I go to make supper, breakfast. 



J. B. is full of wise sayings, and gives vent to some very 

 6trange expressions in his confidences to me. One day I re- 

 turned from a long hunt in a heavy rain, and my worthy 

 friend was greatly exercised that I did not immediately change 

 my clothing: "Who drink ze watah," said he. " It is you- 

 selfs feet," meaning that the moisture had been absorbed into 

 my system. "White man next to God (ze Won Dieu)." 

 " White man not like colored, he no eat ze bones of ze poule." 

 "I tank ze MonDieu ef I speaks ze Engleesh." Hecxercised 

 a sort of paternal sovereignty over me, as the first, white man 

 who had honored his little hamlet with his presence, and many 

 a day has he staid from his labor in the mouutains to procure 

 something for my table or some new bird. 



The walls of this little cabin, which is a new one, and occu- 

 pied by me solely, are covered with writing, from which I 

 learn that this is his journal. Among other things he chroni- 

 cles his first visit to the confessional, when he received abso- 

 lution from father O'Reilly. 



One day J. B. brought to my door an iguana, nearly five 

 feet in length and very ugly. He had seen it basking on a 

 limb beneath the cliff, and had pinned it with a long bamboo 

 while his brother secured it with a noose made from a liane. 

 I expressed a desire to obtain its skin, and hastened to do so, 

 but a woman was already scorching the scales, which she 

 afterward scraped off in water. It looked quite repulsive, but. 

 a piece they later sent me I ate, finding it sweet, tender, white, 

 not unlike chicken. This is the season (March and April) 

 when the iguana leaves the rocks and precipices and takes to 

 the trees. He lives on grass and leaves, principally, if not 

 solely, and only frequents the trees, they say, during the dry 

 season ; then he is hunted. During the wet season he lives 

 in his hole, or if he comes out he is hard to find. The dogs 

 of Laudat are trained to hunt this lizard 



I always held that for daring, pure and simple, our good old 

 grandmothers of the good old times held rank par excellence. 

 This was conclusively proven one day, when, having made ii 

 long rent in the leg of an old pair of trowsers, I took them to 

 Mrs. Jean Baptiste to be repaired. As I turned to go I was 

 arrested by an exclamation, and looking back found her at- 

 tentively examining them. Now, they were very old ; how 

 they got mixed up with the rest of my wardrobe I do not 

 know ; but as they were there I made use of them in the 

 woods, intending to leave them there, peradventure they sur- 

 vived. Lest any one think they were my only ones, I will 

 mention that I had another pair. Years before they had been 

 patched by my grandmother — may heaven rest her soul — for 

 that maternal relative had a passion for darning perfectly un- 

 accountable. Like Alexander, she would shed tears when 

 there were no more conquests to make in her world of darning, 

 aud a new pair of pantaloons or a coat without a rent was to 

 her a source of grief. How eagerly she would seize upon a 

 garment that sbowed^signs of dissolution ! The fact that the 

 early spankings of my boyhood made but little impression 

 was owing to the double thickness with which a portion pi 

 of my pantaloons were lined. 



Like the Dutch girls of early New York, so graphically de- 

 scribed by Irving, I was impregnable. Jabbering a few hur- 

 ried words in patois to a gurcon who quickly departed, she 

 sat down with the garment in her hands to await the arrival, 

 as I soon found, of the adult female population of Laudat. 

 When they had all arrived she arose and displayed to I heir 

 united view the broadest part of my inoffensive nether habili- 

 ments. At first they were speechless with admiration, but 

 soon broke forth into a chorus of Mon Dieus ! each one reach- 

 ing forward for a closer inspection. 



The simple explanation of this ia they recognized tbe work 

 of a master hand. Had some connoisseur of paintings '<• ui 

 in a garret— as some one is constantly finding in a garret— a 

 painting that, the dust being removed, disclosed a Murillo or 

 a Van Dyke, he could not have beeu more delighted and sur- 

 prised. I say delighted, but sober reflection convinced them 

 hat such iw should not be shown their lords and 



mast eis, ami 1 hey grew troubled lest they should see this 

 masterpiece, and, becoming dissatisfied with their spouses' 

 needlework, eventually sue. for divorce on grounds of incom- 

 petency or some kindred cause. Then they desired I should 

 teach them ; but I protest ed that I never had taken lessons in 

 that science, and that uuless they could puzzle it out for them- 

 selves the art, as an art, must be a lost one to them. Mine 

 host heard of it, however, and to him I gave the garment. 

 And it is said that he has caused to be preserved (by framing 

 or Borne other way) that design in darning, and, having lopped 

 off the legs for his youngest sod, regards the remainder as an 

 art treasure of the highest value. If h'i3 wife gets refractory 

 he has but to point with warning gesture at that specimen of 

 needlework, and she at once subsides. 



Even in this wild island, in the deptha of the deepest 

 forest, there exists that fear of Mrs. Grundy that smolders in 

 the human breast in town and city. Though the young peo- 

 ple of the mountains go about for days and weeks with noth- 

 ing on but a single gown or ragged sbirt, when the time 

 comes for going to town they must carry with them all they 

 possess in the way of a wardrobe; and they will carry on then- 

 heads a large Indian pannier, or basket, with nothing in it but 

 their best clothes. When they reach the banks of the last 

 stream nearest towu they don their finery and cram their un- 

 willing feet into unaccustomed shoes, and then limp painfully 

 into the metropolis, conscious they are objects of envy and 

 admiration. They are really prettier in the more becoming 

 costume of the mountains— a simple dress gathered about the 

 hips, reaching to the knees ; and men and boys handsomer in 

 merely cotton pauts with broad breast and muscular arms ex- 

 posed. I have seen the policemen, when in secluded countfy 

 districts, walking with their shoes held carefully under their 

 arm. Though improvident of time these people are very 

 careful of their clothing. 



GAME PROTECTION. 



New HAmfsH ran Laws.— We are indebted to Mr. Samuel 

 Webber, of Manchester, for a copy of the revised Fish and 

 Game Laws of New Hampshire. These laws provide, in 

 brief, that the Governor shall appoint, a board of three com- 

 missioners on fish aud game, whose duty it shall be to restock 

 the waters with fish and enforce the fish and game protective 

 statutes. Every town or city council shall appoint fish and 

 game wardens for its territory, who shall be sworn to enforce 

 the laws and prosecute offenders. The State Commissioners 

 are also empowered to appoint private detectives for their as- 

 sistance. Provision is made for proper posting of streams, 

 and fines and penalties affixed for violation. Section pio- 

 vides that any town or city may, at a duly notified m eting, 

 by the major vote of the citizens, or if the city government 

 prohibit all fishing in the waters of the town for a period of 

 three years for the purpose of restocking the same. 



Chapter II., pertaining to game, protects the usual insectivor- 

 ous birds and fixes the close seasons as follows: Plover, yel- 

 low-legs, sandpipers, woodcock, duoks and rails, Feb. 1 to 

 Aug. 1 ; ruffed grouse, partridge and quail, Feb. 1 to Hej.n. 

 1. Penalty, $10 Or 60 days' imprisonment for each offence, 

 and possession convicts. Snaring grouse, partridge and quail 

 is penalized witn the same fine. Provision is made for post- 

 ing corporation or private property. Moose, deer and cariboo 

 are protected for a term of three years, from Sept. 1,1878, 

 with heavy penalties for convictions. It is lawful, however, 

 to kill deer within Coos County between Aug. 1 and Dec. 1, 

 and moose and cariboo Sept.. 1 to Dec. 1, of each year. Mink, 

 beaver, Bable, otter, fisher, protected from April 1 to Oct. 15 ; 

 raccoons and coons, Jan. 1 to Sept. 1 ; hares, rabbits and 

 muskrats, April 1 to Oct. 1. Railroads and express compa- 

 nies having tor transportation or other purposes any of these 

 animals or birds during the close season shall be punished by 

 a fine not exceeding S 100, unless it can be shown that such 

 animals or birds are being transported from without the State. 



Chapter IV. provides for the protection of all waters artifi- 

 cially prepared for breeding purposes ; for the legal capture 

 of salmon, trout, laud-locked salmon, grayling, bass, striped 

 bass, pike, pike perch, white perch, pickerel, muskalonge 

 , by angling with a single hook aud line only; for 

 the forfeiture of all implements illegally employed ; for the 

 protection of land-locked salmon, lake trout and brook trout 

 between the month of Sept. and the month of April follow- 

 ing (lake trout may be taken during January, February and 

 March) ; black bass, pike perch and white perch protected 

 during May and June ; muskalonge. pickerel, pike and gray- 

 ling cannot be taken iu April and .May. For a period of five 

 years from the 14th of June, 1S75, salmon, parr, smolts, grilse, 

 shad, alewives and tamper eels are prohibited in the Merri- 

 mack and Connecticut Rivera aud all tributary waters. AH 

 fish introduced by fish culturists are protected for five years 

 from the time of introduction. Owners of dams and weirs 

 are subject to flue or action for neglect to provide suitable 

 fishways ; nor is fishing allowed within four nundred yards 

 ■ if sucii tishwav. Possession of any fish in tbe clo 

 subjects the possessor Wall penalties provided for the other 

 offences, such possession being deemed prima-fucw evidence, 

 [dure or having in possession any 

 brook trout, caught from any waters ol the Stale, of a less 

 length than four inches, or of aDy striped bass of a i 

 than teu inches. Section 21 provides that owners of private 

 waters may take fish from the same at any time for purposes 

 ion, dissemination or science, but not for food 

 during the. escribed. 



iOneTS are: Mr. Samuel Webber, 

 Manchester,; Mr. Luther Hays, South Milton, and Mr. Aibina 

 H. Powers, Plymouth Free copies of the laws may be ob- 

 tained from any of these gentlemen. 



That Miohatoby Quail.— In a recent issue of Fonasx 

 asb (STREAM we noticed Ibe capture in Centre Brook. Conn., 

 men of this little quail by a correspondent, " G. 

 [1. l.'.." and. being anxious t > nave a more detailed account of 

 the circumstances, we wrote to our correspondent, asking him 

 for fuller particulars. In a reply recently received he Siys : 



The bird I sent to you 1 found alone. My dog was per- 



haps two minutes finding and pointing- after striking scent, 

 following about 150 feet, footing it out and came I 

 point, pointing toward myself. I advanced, say 100 feet, 

 and sprang the bird. It lay close and sprang quick, and flew 

 about the same speed of our ordinary quail I was shooting 

 in the town of Westbruok ami found this bird U > 

 Long Island Sound, I think there was a possibility there, 

 were more birds where I shot this, it being a large tract of 

 level land ami light soil. But I only went across one corner. 



THE FOREST AND STREAM AND ROD 



AND QtTN TOURNAMENT 



Fop the Short-Range Championship 



of 1S79 



And three team medals, which will be awarded to the teams 



making the first, second and third host scores. Other prizes 



will be offered also, to take plaeeat Oonlin's shooting gallery. 



Open to teams from any organized rifle club. 



-Teams— EhcIi team shall cutislHt, of ten men. The teams 

 participating must be composed of members of the various clubs 

 Which they represent. Rifles— Limited to ten pounds in weight; mini- 

 mum null of irlgger, three pounds; 25-too cat. Teams may furnish 

 their own rules aud ammunition, or use those at the gallery, as they 

 may desire. Number of Shot*— Ten by each competitor. Sighting 

 Shots— Two snots will be allowed each competitor. Position— Off- 

 hand. Targets— 200-ya.nl s targets, according to the regulations of the 

 N. B. A. reduced in propoition to the range at Hie gallery. Practice— 

 So practice allowed on tie- day of the match. Entrance Pec— Ten 

 I aid at the office ol the Forest and Stream and Kod 

 i Fulton street, N. T. The match to be governed by 

 N. R. A. relating to-teams. The captains of the several 

 earn* i 89 o'clock on the evening of February 2i, will meet 



at, Oonlin's lialiery at ihat liorir, aud lis upon fhe arraugemeuts for 

 i the match, choose referees, and decide in what order the 

 respective teams shall shoot. The assembled captains shall decide 

 upon the date ot opening the matches, and the date at which the entries 

 shall close. The referees shall elect an umpire, whoie decision In all 

 cases shail be final. 



THE RIFLE CAMPAIGN OF 1879. 



The American Team of 1878 seems determined to secure 

 some sort of an international match during the current year 

 and are not disposed to sit down uuder the somnolent in 

 Alienees which seem to have overcome the N. It. A. and its 

 officers. They are acting a prudent part in affording every 

 opportunity for the national organization to uuite with them, 

 and taki I lie lead before coming to a determination to start off 

 on an independent course. The Forest and Stkeam advo- 

 cated the walk-over match to gain a record and take the con- 

 trol of the Palma out of the hands of the wrangling half- 

 dozen then in possession; but to keep up a succession of walk- 

 overs would only provoke a succession of broad grins. A live 

 match must be brought about by all means, and Capt. Jack- 

 son aud his associates seem possessed of sufficient energy, 

 pluck and skill to bring about such a contest. The following 

 letter to the National Bide Association and the resolutions 

 explain the position of the team of 1S78 ; 



To THE PbKSIDBNT AND DlttECTOKS OF THE N. K, A : 



n — At a meeting o( the American rifle team, held 

 hi ibis ciiy on [he 17th inst., the following resolution was 

 passed, and also the accompanying communication, it was 

 voted to respectfully present them to you, hoping that there 

 may be unanimity of action for the best interests of rifle 

 practice in America : 



BBSOEBTIOm 



WKereas, Die original conditions governing competitions 

 for the "Palma" bud beeu authoritatively declared unalter- 

 able, and had not been altered at the time the American 

 Team of IMS was organized aud acquired its standing by 

 shooting the match or "walk-over," at. the request and uuder 

 the direction of the National Bifle Association ; aud, whereat, 

 said conditions invest (he American Team for the til 

 with the .custody of the Palma, and with the power to name 

 the time and place for the next succeeding eompetiticui ; and, 

 whereas, by said conditions the team are to receive certain re- 

 cognition in the form of badges; and, whereas, three months 

 have elapsed since the ''walk over," and not only have none 

 of the conditions which affect the team being fulfilled, but a 

 proposition is before the National Rifle Association, apparently 

 intended by eqt post facto legislation, to deprive the team of 

 rights to which they are. clearly entitled,— 



That the American Team of 1878 respectfully re- 

 ciuesf from the National Rifle Association the recognition to 

 which they are entitled, and enter their protest against any 

 action based upon the proposed alteration ot the conditions 

 governing the •'Palma" contest, which will curtail their just 

 and proper privileges. 



Rescind, That with respect to the time and place for the 

 Competition of 1879, the team believe they can be relied upon 

 lo take such action as will inure to the best advantage of long- 

 rimge rifle-shooting in the country at large, whatever may he 

 their local interests; and they will he glad to have seasonable 

 conference with the officers of the National Rifle Association, 

 with a view of reaching a concurrence of judgment. 



.LMIKlt. 



I'i'.EaiDiiXT and DiasoTuasN, R. A.: 



Gentlemen— The American Team Of 1878, standing at the 



present lime, however worthily, in a position which may give 



some weight to their opinions respecting long-range rille- 



shootiug iu the United States, take the liberty of expressing 



ai views upon the measures which seem to them 



necessary to maintain the interest in that which, whether re- 



iply as a genteel recreation, or as an auxiliary to an 



element of military instruction, has claims upon our 



attention. 



is i u the country at large, an apparently lethareic feel- 

 ing in regard to the matter. It seems to us to result, m a great 

 measure, from the lapse in tbe series of international compe- 

 ompetilions have been the 

 main cause of our hue progress; it is these which form the 



■ ; hold out 

 tbe greatest incentive for emulative practice, local competi- 

 lions, and a general diff'usiop of interest 



