520 



FOREST AND STREAM 



1S5 rounds of ammunition, and when tbo morning to leave 

 the ranche at last arrived, soon made short distance of the ten 

 miles from the ranche to town. On our way, about three 

 miles from the ranche, we shot at four antelope, but failed to 

 bring any to grass. Arriving in town we put up at the 

 Colorado Springs Hotel. Next morning we assembled in front 

 of Bacon's Exchange Stables, and foiiud tbo whole outfit on 

 hand, consisting of three pack burros and six saddles. The 

 party consisted of Mr. Sanborn, Dr. Sutherland, Mr. Bacon, 

 Sergeant Choate, United States Signal Service officer in 

 charge at Pikes Peak, and Mr. Marsh, our guide, commissary- 

 general, and major-domo, etc. 



Mr. Bacon presented an affecting spectacle. Ue was 

 arrayed in a wonderful Canadian ulster, which swept the 

 ground, and when he mounted it totally obliterated the burro. 

 Sergeant Ghoate was armed to the teeth. He carried a new 

 Remington, an angry-looking six-shooter, a butt full of cart 

 ridges, dirk kuiTe, and wore six undershirts as a protection 

 against the mountain blasts, which gave him a rotund and 

 aldermauic appearance. The Sergeant was mounted on 

 Balaam, an experienced mountaineer, of sure foot and fine 

 proportions. Toe Doctor had his trusty Ballard, a carpet-bag 

 full of carl ridges, overcoat, etc. 



We hunters started off ahead of the pack train, and took the 

 old toll road over Cheyenne Mountain. We traveled all day, 

 and failed to get around the toll-gate. After the necessary 

 formalities here, we starter! afresh, making, at six o'clock, a 

 log tent, where we camped for the night. Here we discovered 

 our fatal mistake iu going ahead of the pack, for we had 

 nothing to eat. We, however, discovered the carcass of a 

 bear, as well as some (buck) vension (Sanborn says he can 

 taste it still, the liver it was), which we accordingly served up 

 in primitive fashion. Mr. Sanborn, after an exhaustive ex- 

 amination of the premises, discovered an ancient wash-basin, 

 which was Utilized on the spot as a frying-pan, and did its 

 duty nobly. Iu the morning Sanborn and Bacon repaired to 

 the spring hard by to ablute, but just as they got to it S. was 

 heard to utter in a hoarse whisper, "S-h-h-h! lie down! 

 deer I" B. dropped like a shot, while S. crept noiselessly back 

 to camp on bauds aud feet for his rifle. Looking back to 

 make sure of his game, he discovered, to his evident disgust 

 and the general amusement of the camp, that the "deer" were 

 none other than two of the jackasses which had strayed into 

 the adjoining park, and were quietly grazing. About half-past 

 ten o'clock our pack arrived, and we fared sumptuously on 

 corned beef and bread. Refreshed, we again started. Up to 

 this time we had had a very respectable trail, but here 

 Sergeant Choate proposed the Government road to Pikes Peak. 

 Our experiences on this national thoroughfare proved delecta- 

 ble in the extreme. We unanimously concluded that it was 

 a "fiat" road, and the simplefaet of the Government deciding it 

 was a road, an absolute road, must needs be sufficient. Never- 

 theless the balance of the day was consumed by that noble 

 ride. Pive miles— five Government miles— were scored, and 

 we poor fellows at last, hungry, weary, disgusted, dispirited, 

 cold and frozen, finally arrived at the Seven Lakes Park 

 House at p. m., where we were received by Messrs King 

 and Walsh, who entertained us right royally, as becomes the 

 custom of the country. 



Messrs. King and Walsh have erected a block house of 

 some twenty rooms and twenty-six windows, the main building 

 measuring 43x22 feet, wing 15x20, both of two stories, sawing 

 all the boards themselves by hand. The Seven Lakes are the 

 highest iu the world, they tell us, their altitude being 11,400 

 above sen level. The largest contains nearly 160 acres, and 

 is separated from the next larger by a narrow causway but a 

 few rods in width, which furnished the road to the Lake 

 House. The larger lake being some three feet higher, the water 

 is continually running iu little streams to the other lake. The 

 Seven Lakes as a whole constitute, an oval basin, Die larger 

 lake being nearly circular and seventy feet deep. The spring 

 which feeds it is" so powerful that it can bo easily perceived 

 bubbling vigorously to the surface. 



Surrounding the' lakes is & beach of white sand resembling 

 the shore of the sea, while tbu mountains loom up perpendic- 

 ularly nearly, from 900 to 1,400 feet. To the N. W. is Pike's 

 Peak, to the eastward aud south are King's Cone aud Bald 

 Mountain.; iThe scenery here is simply grand— a lovely park 

 sheltered on every aide by mountains. In season duck abound, 

 there being six varieties. There are a few fish (trout), but 

 they are not at all plenty. AVe understood that these gentle- 

 men propose to stock the lakes with trout at an early day. In 

 the. way i >f game we found sharp-tailed grouse in great num- 

 ie turkeys, cbapperal birds, squirrels, both black and 

 i seemed to be millions of these squirrels, for we 

 I hem I iarkiDg in every direction. The quadrupeds 

 nted by the black-tailed deer, cinnamon bear, black 

 hear, bison, mountain lion and wild cats, also a bear locally 

 called Silver Tip, a hybrid between the cinnamon and grizzly. 

 One of these has lately been shot and brought down into the 

 valley. 



To return to the hunt : the Doctor and "friend" started 

 out with the parting injunelii in that in case they did not ie- 

 turn in a day or so no anxiety need be felt on their account, 

 Sanborn, in bidd'mg an affectionate adieu to the Dr., supple- 

 mented his parting remarks with the observation that he 

 would look for them about --grub time." Sanborn and 

 " pard " started south and were joined immediately by Mr. 

 Bacon, who brought up the rear with gallant strides, but it 

 noved that 1he ''coat'' was one too many for our 

 esteemed friend and fellow sportsman, who was when last 

 seen in deep meditation perched on a fallen monarch, evi- 

 dently communing- with nature, and positively chewing to- 

 bacco. That day's hunt proved fruitless, but sigus were 

 plenty. With the crunching of the snow and the want of ex- 

 perience on the part of the hunters, the deer were not found 

 running to "keep shy." Mr. S.'s "pard "was lost, and 

 after a search in vain for the ranche, picked out a place to 

 camp, but before giving in entirely, he climbed the nearest 

 mountain, from which he discovered the faint glimmering of 

 a lamp ; whereupon it is needless to add he went tumbling 

 indiscriminately for home. True to prophecy, the Dr. re- 

 turned in time for "chuck " and related his experiences. He 

 had traveled ' 'full thirty miles, " and over mountains that looked 

 clear over Pikes Peak, and through gulches that it would 

 have been madness to attempt to describe. During the day 

 Mr. Sanborn, being in the neighborhood of the Dr., heard 

 strange noises resembling the inharmonious grating of a devil's 

 fiddle. For some time he was at a loss to account for this, but 

 finally the eminent Mr. S. hove in sight and explained the 

 mystery by saying that mountain climbing was pretty rough 

 work ou one lung ; that a solitary acclimated lung is capable 

 of doing such good work speaks highly in favor of this, our 

 "glorious climate of Colorado." The roll was called at night 

 and all found present or accounted for. The evening was 

 passed in a quiet game of whiBt. For iUuminating purposes, 



and in the absence of an electric light, we filled tin plates 

 with lard and used condemned shoe-strings for wicks. 



The following morning opened fine, aud all hands started 

 out. Other signs of deer, more numerous than ever. At 

 night the result scored two dter, a doe and a fine buck. The 

 following day " Balaam," the Sergeant and Mr. Bacon re- 

 turned to the Springs. The Dr. and Mr. Grant started around 

 the point and came" on a herd of eight deer. The Dr., judg- 

 ing the distance, elevated to a thousand yards, fired three 

 shots without any perceptible effect. The deer not having 

 shown any disposition to run, Mr. Grant became greatly in- 

 censed thereat, and discharged his •rifle six times in the air, 

 a la fourth of July, and finally succeeded in scaring them off. 

 The deer ran up the side of Buck Mouutain, and Sanborn and 

 pard climbed after them. When they got on the other side 

 they came upon another herd. Mr. Sanborn fired one shot 

 without effect. They then separated, Sanborn following the 

 main herd. "Paid" branched off, and bad not gone far 

 when a beautiful one name loping by not twelve yards off. 

 With deliberate and deadly aim, "Pard" levelled "his piece 

 and pulled trigger, but, to 'bis amazement, without consequent 

 discbarge. Upon reflection he remembered bow the night 

 previous the Sergeaut cautioned him against carrying around 

 a loaded weapon, citing numerous aud fatal cases in justifica- 

 tion. On examining bis piece he discovered the horrible fact 

 that in following the Sergeant's instructions he had removed 

 his cartridge and omitted to replace it. Mr. Sanborn, after 

 following the main herd, came upon it again at a distance of 

 four hundred yards, and crept up to within shooting distance, 

 but, unfortunately, not being familiar with bis arm, be raised 

 the sight to four hundred yards, taking deliberate aim at a doe 

 in the middle of the herd. Ho whistled. The doe turned 

 and brought herself in full sight. Bang! went the gun, and 

 grasping his knife he rushed upon the foe ; but, strange to 

 say, no foe was there. He had missed his mark. S., dis- 

 gusted, returned to the ranche, a matter of about three miles. 

 lievertiug to Mr. " Pard," we find ha had followed a trail and 

 came on to a fine buck, sighted his head, the only part of his 

 body visible, took sure aim and fired. Unfortunately, nut 

 securing a buck's-eye, the buck bounded off and was shot live 

 minutes later by another gentleman of the party. The Doctor 

 bad started off in the morning on a burro as an innovation 

 and scored three flying shots not worth mentioning, however, 

 as to results. Wednesday we, returned home with one buck, 

 all we could conveniently carry. Coining down by the beauti- 

 ful Pikes Peak trail, the Manitou and the Garden Of 'die 

 Gods, we arrived at the Springs safe awl sound. Thus ended 

 our hunt after black-tail deer iu the Rockies. Ranoheko. 



A". C. lianclie, El Passo Co., ?iear Colorado Springs, Col, 

 December 3, 1S78. 



_- .»._ 



For Forest and Stream and Mod and Gun. 



FIELD SPORTS IN GERMANY. 



Lbipsic, Oct. 27, 1878. 

 The surroundings of this city were always celebrated for 

 their abundance of hares and partridges, and the beautiful 

 woods were abve with an enormous quantity of roes, the 

 most beautiful game at home iu Germany. Though each vil- 

 lage rents the right to hunt in its fields separately, and such 

 districts, therefore, are not very extensive, the rent is rather 

 high, for hares and partridges are high in price notwilb 

 Etanding their great number. Forty years ago, when I lived 

 here, I paid for each hare which I ;ook home from a battue 

 only quarter' dollar, and a partridge was only five cents ; 

 now Ave have to pay one dollar fora hare, ami lor a partridge 

 about forty cents. The cause of this rise in the price is not 

 the scarcity of game, though itis not as abundant as former- 

 ly, but. the increase of means of communication, which per- 

 mit one to sell the game iu Berlin aud other latgO Cities il 

 Germany. 



I remember a battue held about forty years ago in a dis- 

 trict where the owners had not held a battue the previous 

 year. All the invited, about eighty shooters, expected, 

 therefore a great number of hares, aud provided themselves 

 with a good supply Of cartridges. We then used here, gen- 

 erally, Tier i 1 



do, the loading requiring too much time. These needle- 

 guns were, however, no breech-loaders yet. The cartridge 

 was put iu at the muzzle, slipped down by itself, and was 

 held in position by turning a lever. We could load even 

 faster than we can do to-day our Lefaucheux or any other 

 breech-loader. 



I do not know whether you have a correct idea of the 

 manner in which our battues are carried on. It is done in 

 two different ways ; either by " Staudtreiben " or by " Kes- 

 seltreiben." 



The whole district, is divided in a convenient number of 

 Sections — "Treiben" — not larger than can be inclosed by the 

 number of shooters and unarmed men —the " Treiber. "" The 

 shoutersareplaeeiloni.be border of the selected districts, 

 iiundred panes distant from each other, 

 their whole line forming a semi-circle. On the remaining 

 border line are placed the "Treiber." Where the ground i's 

 too open, are not rarely dug two or three-feet-deep pits with 

 ih wall before them, as hiding-places for the 

 shooters. These are placed either by the proprietor or his 

 deputy, or very frequently by lot. At the beginning of the 

 battue tickets, with numbers printed ou them, are drawn, and 

 every one has to place one iu his cap. 



At a signal given by a horu or whistle, the Treiber, who 

 have either sticks or rattles in their bauds, advance toward 

 the tii in ly standing line of shooters, driving all the game to- 

 ward them and preventing it to pass their own line. Such 

 Treiben is calico a Staudtreiben. Li woods this is always 

 the rule, as the other kind of Tieibeu, called KasscUrcibeu, 

 is mostly impossible. 



At such a Kasseltreibcn the manager sends oil from a cer- 

 tain point iu the border line of the district two experienced 

 shooters who are acquainted with the grounds, one to the 

 right and the other to the Jett. Both have to go onto the 

 borderline until they meet. They are followed at a con- 

 venient distance, alternately, by a Treiber and shooter, until 

 district is inclosed. On the given signal the 

 whole line advances as regularly as possible, and slowly, to- 

 ward the centre. Of course by doing so the interval be- 

 tween Hie persons forming the line is gradually diminished. 

 Thus the I' i inclosed becomes so narrow that 



it would be dangerous for the opposite line to shi 

 the circle. TheVhole line makes a halt at a give 

 Only the Treibers advance toward the centre with great ** 



noise, and the shooters are only permitted to fire on bares 

 outside tli 



The first Treiben at that opportunity of which I was 

 speaking above, was a Standtreiben. You may imagine our 

 astonishment bnaeeing the harea advancing toward us in 

 troops of five and six af once, leaving us Bcaro 

 load. The result of this one Treiben was eigh 

 killed. 1 had, on my part, forty-six! All of us Q: 

 spent our cartridges, and we had to send to the ci 

 fresh supply. The battues were continued until 

 consecutive days, and the total of killed haxes amounted to a 

 little above three thousand. 



Traveling at that time by rail from Halle to Leij 

 sunset, it was by no means rare to see more than thirty hares 

 Sitting or playing in a tield of not. hall' an acre. These bat- 

 tues are mi mil 1 only attended them as I hey 

 offered a good exercise and to oblige the proprietor, as the 

 hares had to be shot by some. oue. Partridges wei 

 abuudau,, aud the district of oue of liie valleys furnished 

 several thousands during one seasi- remained 

 enough. 



'Die .years 184S and '4!), win n people did not cure for any 

 law, aud, least of all, for g;iLue laws, great destruction was 

 going on, and many parts of Germany never recovered from 

 these revolutionary times. 



I prefer hunting alone or in a. small company, and with a 

 good dog. A friend of mine has rented the adjoining shoot- 

 ltig-groimds, of about four or five - , reewopd, 



a district belonging to Prussia aud inhabit 

 of an old nation, the VVenclen, speaking a language of their 

 own and having preserved their old eusfumi arid dresses. In 

 these parts is to be found still a gri ftl OTieVj o1 game, and 

 especially one kind, which is not known in America— the 

 great bustard. It is as large as a turkey audonly to be found 

 in the field, especially large plains, never in the , 

 summer yuu may shoot them now and thru , i . .. i ! , 

 but later, when they join iu troops from twenty to thirty) 

 and even more, they are extremely shy, especially if you are 

 carrying a gun. Of laborers and "horses tiny are not afraid 

 at till, and the only means to approach them is in the dis- 

 guise of some laborer, or, still better, of a woman 

 on i wheelbarrow in which is placed the gnu. You may 

 approach them, also, in a farm wtieon. Such a bustard is "a 

 most stately bird. They do, however, a good deal of 

 damage. My friend arranged last year a battue for bustards, 

 but as an immense district had to be iuclosed he bad not 

 shooters enough. it resulted without particub 

 although about live hundred bustards were seen. 



On my return hero last fall I of course found many ac- 

 quaintances of olden times. Among them is one who had 

 been once my dinner neighbor at a table (Vlmte. He was 

 then only a clerk and representative of a great Prussian firm 

 in Leipsic, but he was a very gentlemanly youi 

 loving the chase, and we became friends, remembering each 

 other all these years kindly. Meanwhile his brown hair has 

 turned white, he bus become a grandfather, and 

 He had retired from business many years ago, and enjoyed 

 his life in a very pleasant manner. He owns a splendid 

 ght already, twemy-five years ago, 

 a knightly estate about an hour's wa'lk from Leipsic. It was 

 then a rather neglected concern, rented to a man who held 

 there a large restaurant which was much frequented by the 

 Leipsic people, as it was situated amidst a mo.,; 

 wood. Mr. Kelbe spent about, half a million of tl 

 changing this estate into a most delightful place, in fact to 

 a kind of rural paradise, as there are scarcely any many 

 miles around. 



The farm buildings were pulled down and re] 

 splendid solid ones, provided withal! modern impi 

 The dwelling-house was removed alsoaild Uc erected a rather 

 large, beautiful villa in its place. < I ered, large 



varanda looked toward the garden. The mail 

 leading to this veranda were adorned by beautiful plants 

 and two life-sized roe-bucks iu bronze. 



The greater change, however, the wood had to undergo 

 extending in front and to the right of tin-, villa. Bi 



veranda was a lovH lawn c 6d. i i U i tight and left 



by a belt of beautiful lice;-, Beyond the lawn stretched a 

 very long walk shaded by old lime trees, leading to the road 

 to Leipsic. 



Bight before the veranda on the lawn a 

 aud falls back into hi the centre of the lawn 



has been made an artificial mound the sides of which are cov- 

 ered with roses, and on its top stands, ou a high pedestal, a 

 colossal bronze stag, held at bay by two dogs: a splendid 

 ■work, costing several thousands. 



To the left of the belt of trees bordering the lawn e ■. 

 a large square garden. All the beds along the different 

 gravel walks are covered with beautiful flowers, and be- 

 tween them are standing the finest dwarf fruit-trees, hi 

 the interior ol the squares formed by [he walks are beds 

 with strawberries, etc., etc. On the side of the square 

 garden opposite the. above mentioned belt o 

 the very neat villa. It is Hie dwelling ol the bead gardener, 

 and to the right and left of it are fhe hOt-hOI 

 aud glass, containing a splendid palm-house, one tilled with 

 camellias, another with tropical plants, etc., etc. 1 assure 

 you the hot-houses in Kew are not kept in better 1 1 

 these. 



In the middle of the other side of the qn 

 which forms a rightaugle with that mcntioi 

 on a terrace of only two steps, guarded by two splendid 

 dogs made of green marble, brought both from Florence, a 

 lovely little villa— the pheasants' house— containing a good 

 many gold and silver pheasants, iu part of this extremely 

 elegant structure are little yards with shrubs, as 

 i hern in the : a lens; wid close to then 



nicely arranged group of line plants and '■ 



and chairs, from whence the wiioi, 



overlooked. Ou the whole terrace are standing in tubs fine 



oiange, laurel and other trees. 



large orchard, with nurseries and other hi 

 is beyond a road passing behind tfa iU8fi 'I ■■ 



the right of the sor 

 an English-park, of no great extent, but of extretu 



ness. "There you see emerald-green bowl 

 as velvet, with flfl 



finest trees of the original wood Which were BJl 

 This little park, garden arid lawn are fenced by 



railing. Through d ; uterine wild purl 



is not fenced, but lrom which you enter d 



park is called by its owner wild, it 



cure aud art. 'Jle ■ 



a drawing-room, fl 



across it, and the shrubbi i 



splendid trees, ure interrupted by fine meadows 



