258 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



a lime" he became dissatisfied with the dull routine of vil- 

 lftge existence. He was not a "dandy" — an Indian dandy 

 is no insignificant personage, for he must have courage and 

 skill as well as paint and leather* — and he longed to dis- 

 tinguish himself above the other braves of his tribe. So 

 bidding adieu to the fascinations Of the lair damsels of his 

 village, and the doke far mente of the season (pleasant 

 weather and lots of meat in Camp), he quietly and sedately 

 packed up his "possibles" and left. He hud 11 good rifle (a 

 Winchester — seventeen shooter), a brace of Colt's revol- 

 vers, army size, a keen bladed knife, and a tough pony, a 

 couple of "buffalo robes, and plenty of ammunition. With 

 these he started out in search of fortune, determined, never 

 to return unless he. could steal a "cubnlluda" of horses, ur 

 bring in half a dozen choice scalps. He journeyed toward 

 the setting sun, and one afternoon, when near the fool of 

 the mountains, his parched corn being near out and las 

 "taeajo" all gone, he thought he would kill an antelope 

 and treat himself to a "square meal." An Indian likes to 

 gormandize when he has a good chance, especially at au- 

 di Iter's expense, and there is no danger. So he tethered 

 his pony, and, lying down in the short grass, tied a red rag 

 to the end of his gun and gently waved it to and fro. 

 Presently some of the antelope, numbers of which be bad 

 seen in t'be distance, came within shot, and inonieni alter 

 a fine buck bit the dust, and Mr. Lo stood by its Side ready 

 for action. Laying down his pet rifle, he 'drew his knife 

 and began to flay the animal in a most artistic manner. 

 Happening to look up, he saw within thirty feet a magnifi- 

 cent lion slowly stealing up to him, which, as he caught 

 the fearless eye of the Indian brave, crouched for the final 

 and faial spring. Looking the beast square in the face, 

 our friend drew his revolver. The lion, crouched close to 

 the eavlb, drew closer, until within some ten or fifteen 

 feet, while Ihe drawn muscles and tense figure indicated 

 that the beast was about to make his leap. With steady 

 aim the Arrapahoe brave fired at the fierce animal, and the 

 next, moment found himself on his back. But he kept his 

 grasp on his revolver. Quickly leaping to his feet he found 

 his foe prepared for another leap, though evidently badly 

 wounded. With calm desperation he emptied his revolver, 

 firing each shot into the head of the tierce beast, laying 

 him dead at his feet. The BIX bullet holes in the head of 

 the pelt attested the truth of the story. There was not a 

 hole in the rest of the skin. Our young friend then re- 

 turned, and became the envied of all, both old and young, 

 for no man of his tribe had rivalled his feat; and sweet 

 smiles and loving glances from dark eyes, the commenda- 

 tion of the sachems and the respect of the young, together 

 with a seat at the council tire, were his portion. So my 

 friend had to go without the robe. 



Another army friend gives me the following story, and I 

 regret I cannot give the narrative the richness of 'illustra- 

 tion and the mellifluous harmony of utterance with which 

 the description was clothed. 



A friend of his, an army officer (since resigned), whom 

 we will call. "Bruce," while stationed in California near the 

 coast range, one day thought he would go out in pursuit of 

 small ganie. So he Secured the services of a single bar- 

 relled gun and a "first" dog, and with plenty of ammuni- 

 tion started out. After a reasonable amount of success, 

 and with a tolerably heavy bag, as evening was approach- 

 ing he concluded to turn his steps homeward. Just then 

 the aforesaid first "barked up a tree." Thinking to add 

 another grouse or squirrel to bus already well rilled bag by , 

 cautiously approached the tree, at the foot of which the 

 dog was barking furiously. Looking up he espied a small 

 patch of reddish fur, and thinking it a fox squirrel he took 

 careful aim and tired. At the discharge nf the piece, with 

 an unearthly screech a lion sprung from the tree, making a 

 leap, us niy'frieud says, of about thirty feet. As he sprung 

 the tirst vamoosed, and the animal, thinking, no doubt, the 

 dog was the cause, gave chase. Decidedly startled at the 

 result of his shot, and understanding ihe case at a glance, 

 the gentleman hastened to reload. Putting in a good charge 

 uf powder, he felt in bis pockets for something heavier 

 than bird or squirrel shot, aud fortunately found some bul- 

 lets. Slipping a handful of these— he does not know to 

 this day how inanv— down the barrel, be looked up and 

 saw the miserable dog, which had made a circuit, return- 

 ing to his master for protection, the lion following close in 

 his wake. As my frieud graphically expressed it, "he 

 seemed to cover half a mile at every jump." lie had just 

 time to slip on a cap when the dog rushed up, and the lion, 

 seeing a worthier foe before him, halted and crouched not 

 ten feet distant. The gentleman fired at the eyes, and the 

 beast, hard hit, leaped clear over him, the overcharged gun 

 having fortunately kicked him over backwards. A tre- 

 mendous Struggling and scratching among lite leaves and 

 sand ensued. The officer hastily picked himself up, pre- 

 pared for the worst, but by that lime the struggles of the 

 beast were subsiding, ami in a few minutes he lay still and 

 dead. On examination, it appeared that two of the bullets 

 had struck the beusl just above the eyes and entered the 

 brain, and a tierce California lion was his trophy He has 

 not oeeu grouse shooting since, but always talks lion. 



While 1 was at Humboldt Bay, I heard a story which is 

 not unlike the foregoing, though it was vouched for as 

 having actually occurred to a Mr. P., a former resident of 

 Eureka. 



Mr. P. had been out shooting pigeons in the redwoods. 

 Having hud good sporl, he was returning home about sun- 

 down, "and as he came along the trail down the mountain 

 he thought he heard the pit-pat of some uuixial following. 

 Thinking it was some stray do;, he paid no attention at 

 first but the sound Continuing he turned round, when to 

 his astonishment aud honor he saw a lion following him, 

 and not thirty steps off. His double barrelled shot gun 

 was on his shoulder, aud bringing it. down in an instant, 

 cocking it as he did s:o (he was a good shot on the wing), 

 lie fired both barrels squarely into the face of the beast. 

 The animal sprang, but-, blinded by the shot, alighted wide 

 of the mark. The geiHletuati threw down his gun and ran 

 (foolish action) for dear life. Heariug the sound, the beast, 

 with both eyes blinded bv the shot, as was afterwards 

 found, sprang in pursuit, fortunately, the gentleman re- 

 covered sufficient presence of mind to tlodge behind a tree 

 and stop, while the beast plunged by. Healing no sound 

 the animal stopped, and inclining his head seemed to listen, 

 at times growling fearfully, and passing his paw over ids 

 forehead, The gentleman, not ten feet distant, compre- 

 hended the fact that the beast was blind, and very care- 

 fullv and quietly drawing his revolver tired at. the animal. 



Surely woum. ae it turned and sprang 



sound, but struck a tree The gentleman Btood motionless, 



but ready to fire again at an instant's notice. Hearing no 

 isouud, aiid the smell of the powder probably destroying 



the human scent, the beast commenced to move forward, 

 but again struck a tree. As he paused a moment, the gen- 

 tleman fired with fatal effect, and a couple more shots fin- 

 ished the infuriated animal. Going back to the town, a 

 mih' or so distant, he told his story, and procuring help, 

 the party, well armed, for they feared the mate, returned 

 aud found the animal lying Where he had been left- 



One more story, and'l will close, this already too lengthy 

 article. Some years since, while in Washington Territory, 

 I saw a finely stuffed specimen of the California lion, 

 wdiicli measured eleven feet from the tip of its nose to the 

 end of its tail, and the followiug story was told me as to 

 the mannar of its being killed. 



A gentleman of the place was one day out grouse shoot- 

 ing. ""He was armed with the ubiquitous double bandied 

 smooth bore, Ihe usual knife and revolver, and was using 

 No. 5 shot. As he was walking along through the forest, 

 occasionally peeping at the tops of the small pines, where 

 he expected to find grouse, as he passed under a large tree he 

 heard a slight movement overhead. Looking up he saw not 

 twenty feet above him a lion, glaring at him, the graceful 

 play Of whose tail indicated immediate action. Involun- 

 tarily he threw up the muzzle of his gun and fired both bar- 

 rels, and throwing down the gun jumped aside and drew 

 his knife, prepared to sell his lift;' dearly. The beast came 

 down with a heavy thud, and, after a few convulsive 

 prings lay dead. "Fortunately for the genlleman both 

 Charges at that short distance, almost like bullets, had en- 

 tered just, behind the shoulder and pierced the heart of the 

 animal, A patch in the skin of the stuffed animal about 

 the size of one's clenched fist, and at Ihe point designated, 

 corroborated the statement of my informant. 



The forest in which this is said to have occurred was just 



back of my house at Port , and I have often hunted 



there, but never met either lion or panther, Oue night, 

 however, one came on my porch and killed my dog, though 

 he had vanished before I could quiet Ihe fears of my " bet- 

 ter half " and get out with my rifle. The next day I found 



the remains of my poor dog, whit 



the teeth and claws of the r/anth 



had (hem decently and reverently 



my garden, for Jacob was a fried friend ai 



paiiton. I saw the tracks of Ihe animal ll 



ly too plainly, and 



■alued con 



i top of the ten-foot fence. 

 from the bottom of the fence, 

 nark in the smooth ground 



breadth and letiglh. The 



eaders 



:1 sprung 



They were nearly twenty fe 

 aud "the extended claws left 

 at least six by eight inches 

 beast was evidently of largi 



Iu narrating these stories I do not wish mi 

 think I have been merely telling yarns. I giv 

 received them, and firmly believe that if not accurate in 

 every detail, the accounts are substantially truth, and may 

 safely be so accepted. As 1 said, the California lion is not 

 hunted. Occasionally sportsmen will meet them ; (I have 

 just seen in a late paper an account of an English gentle- 

 man who with the assistance of a friend had killed one in 

 Colorado, (met accidentally) and I have no doubt but some 

 who will read this tame sketch will be able to give many 

 thrilling accounts of encounters with this formidable ani- 

 mal. I trust that this humble effort may induce themto give 

 us through the columns of Forest AND Stkkam the re- 

 sult of their knowledge or experience, and I feel 1' at all 

 such will receive a most cordial welcome. MosMOU'in. 



,)( For Forest iwd Stream. 



A FEW DAYS' FISHING ON THESCHOO- 

 DIC LAKES. 



THE accounts this year from the Schoodic Lakes, in the 

 Northeastern pa'rt of Maine, were so good that the 

 writer aud two Boston friends, old associates in angling ex- 

 cursions, determined to give this rather unfrequented local- 

 ity a trial themselves. 



The. requisites for a few days' camping out were des- 

 patched before hand, aud by communicating with a farmer 

 residing close by Grand Lake, tit'o experienced guides were 

 engaged. The weather promised well, being during that 

 delightful spell we had in the latter portion of last month, 

 aud our journey was very enjoyable, with the prominent 

 exception of the last six or seven miles, performed in a 

 wagon innocent of springs over an awful road of Hie cordu- 

 Toyest pattern. It was my worst experience of this species 

 of travel, and has fully impressed on my mind the capa- 

 city of the human frame to resist the force of shocks. 

 Were the journey over this wretched apology for a road to 

 continue much longer, as at the acme of the ordeal we 

 went, plump, crash,' jolt, over a dreadful piece of cordu- 

 roy, 1 felt body and soul could not be kept together, when 

 the joyful cry, "There they are !" reached my ear. The 

 lovely scene there presented to our view — the calm beauty 

 of the Schoodic Lakes, bathed in Autumnal haze— soon dis- 

 pelled all thought of our late torture. In every ripple of 

 the glistening lake fancy pictured the silvery plush of a 

 landlocked salmon. 



It was nearly 8 P. M. when we arrived at Lakeville Plan- 

 tation. There something to eat was got ready for us, but 

 our desire to do some fishing that evening was paramount 

 to all considerations of appetite or rest, and after a hurried 

 snatch at the viuuds, we were soon busily engaged iu get- 

 ling out rods aud tackle, when a decided wet blanket was 

 thrown upon our movements by our host, who, with sen- 

 tentious unconcern, coolly informed us that lishinr on 

 Grand Lake "wasn't worth a cent." With blank .disap- 

 pointment we looked on one another, mulely questioning, 

 "Can this thing be?" Did this tally with Fred C.'s glow- 

 ing account of his exploits on the SehoodieB? Wei.- we 

 but the victims of a fiendish sell? With tacit consent we 

 deemed it inexpedient just then to press further-enquiry on 

 our terrible informant, beyond asking where we could find 

 lie- guides. We rose full of bitterness and gall, Ned silent, 

 but Charlie's mutlerings betokened intention of going for 

 some one's "skulp" when we got back lo Boston. 



Gathered together ou an indicated point of the shore 

 Whence the guides could be hailed. Ave gave vent lo our op- 

 pressive feelings iu a rousing halloo ! which soon met the 

 desired answer, Prom behind a headland, a hundred yards 

 or so distant, a canoe, with two stulworlh Indians on hoard, 

 shot forth and quickly reached where we were standing. 

 One of them, Peici, was of the Mohawk tribe; tin: other, 

 a white man, Who had taken to his bosom a dusky sqtiftw, 

 and lived wholly in Indian fashion. Both, we afterwards 

 discovered, were fully up to this business, skillul hunters, 

 first-rate cooks, too, and withal very agreeable attendants, 

 especially Nicholas, who was brimfull of humor ami sport- 

 ing anecdotes. 



The farmer's statement, that Grand Lake did not amount 



to much, was fully corroborated by them, but Duck and 

 Pleasant Lakes, they confidently assured us, would afford 

 plenty of sport. Nothing further could be attempted that 

 evening, arid so, with somewhat restored good spirits, we 

 retired to our night's quarters at the farm house. 



By six o'clock next morning everything was snug on 

 board the two canoes. Ned being the heavy weight of Ihe 

 party was left in undivided possession of one, with Peter 

 at. the paddle, while Charlie and I placed ourselves under 

 the guidance of Nicholas in the other. We were lucky in 

 our captain, whose amusing proclivities kept us well enter- 

 tained the whole way up. Not much conversation took 

 plat '. !i|.|'ireully,.in the other boat, if a judgment could be 

 formed from the ceaseless reiteration in Ned's stentorian 

 tones of the unshakeable fidelity of his affections. A most 

 serious revolution in the eternal fitness of things, he took 

 untiring care to inform the woods and waves must occur 

 before Tie would "ever cease to love." 



The bree7.e was well in our favor and we skimmed along 

 the waters at a rattling pace. Grand Lake has no particular 

 pretensions to the picturesque, being ur. open, undiversified 

 sheet of water, about five miles long by three in width, the 

 shores on either side low-lying and densely wooded with 

 pines. The monotonous sail through it left" us quite in the 

 mood to enjoy a change of scene, and this was wt.ll gratified 

 by the sight of Duck Lake. It is not more than half the 

 f Grand, but is infinitely more beautiful. Just at 



the 



bin If, ris 

 charade: 



, on the right in) 

 ig sheer from the 

 of wildne: 



(I 'side 



a pr 

 Bfjge, 



t the 



ed t 

 •adlan 

 ndent 

 edct 



if the 

 ds jut out in 

 ^ of the shor 



I'cipitous craggy 

 at once gives a 

 irked contrast to 

 , and bold wood- 

 , fori 



lower lak 

 all directioi 

 3 the most inviting nooks and 



lay to Upr 

 men said, 

 Bui the lb 

 durali 

 made 



ire dc 



spla: 



ullot a short, halt was called for lunch, 

 to proceed with the least possible de- 

 ant Lake, as it is called. There, our 

 1 gooil fishing of the place to be found, 

 uteil lo the meal was of the shortest 

 ;b of a salmon a little distance out 

 ,11 jump 'to our feet. Previous intentions were 

 iked on 'the head. We could stand suspense no longer, 

 and in a jiffy, three sets of flies were doing their prettiest 

 to tempt that fellow to show himself again. 



For ten minutes at least we plied in vain. The speckled 

 beauties of Duck Lake seemed to utterly disregard tbecitv 

 dainties we so assrdnously offered. At length a decided 

 splash was heard. An appalling stillness followed. The 

 rise had come to Ned, but his rod told no tale. No time 

 for questions now. "Ha I I've got him," broke from 

 Charlie, and so he had, and a good one, too. Out went his 

 line with a whiz, and the quivering bend of his rod showed 

 that the customer he had to deal with would require every 

 care to bring him to terras. C.'s appeal to take in my line, 

 for fear of a possible foul, was not to bo resislcd. I was 

 winding up iu a verv miserable frame of mind at the pros- 

 pect of delay until 'I could again commence operations, 

 when, splash, tug, I was no longer a spectator, but in ac- 

 tive business on my own hook. We both had soon our fish 

 well at play, and were offering occasional consolation to 

 Ned tor the loss of the pool lor first: lake, when "good, 

 sir !" ejaculated the taciturn Peter, and Ned was also ill the 

 race. 



Then began, in earnest, the struggle for the grand prize, 

 which, by the way, consisted of a purse of one hundred 

 and fifty ecu's. Every move of our game was watched 

 with an" intensity that msde the nerves feel as it roil and 

 line were, conductors to a first-class electric battery. 

 Charlie's enquiries for the landing net; were becoming fre- 

 quent; he was evidently on the Lome Stretch, I had lair 

 hopes of mating a good second, or possibly by a spurt, a 

 rush iu for first. My fish was already yielding to a slight 

 pressure, as I commeueed playing with a shortened line, 

 When, on a sudden, he made for the surface and sprang 

 clear out of the water. This well-directed move to get 

 free did not meet, with success, though it was uncomfort- 

 ably near it, and causing, by the sudden energy of Ihe ef- 

 fort, the top of n y rod lo give way, left my chance of first 

 place rather precarious, indeed, the contest now lay be- 

 tween Charlie and Ned. But as the latter's was much Ihe 

 lighter fish, it was not long before the words, "Consolation 

 boys," "Better luck next lime," etc., were heard, mingled 

 with abominable guffaws, from his direction. We sug- 

 gested that a headland tail ought not count against five and 

 six pounders, as our prizes turned out to be, but this point 

 was not pressed, as later examination showed that between 

 i lie head and tail of Ned's fish lav three and a half pounds 

 of good salmon. That victorious gentleman was also kind 

 enough to commiserate me on my damaged rod, which was 

 in fact of more show than good, and had been won at some 

 lair or other. Eying il, he observed it. was worth about as 

 much as it cost me, namely— the dollar for the chance, nor 

 was he wrong either. 



The sport continued good, and we remained here, nearly 

 two hours, hard at work, each rod in that time averaging 

 the respectable amount of about a dozen, all strong and 

 full of play. We then resumed our journey towards 

 Pleasant Lake. Crossing over we reached the mouth of 

 the stieam that unites both waters. There parting from 

 the "nides who were to carry up the canoes unci tire camp, 

 we started! under full directions llmv l0 proceed, to walk 

 the intervening distance, something close on three miles. 

 Oil arriving at the shores of Pleasant, Ihe wind was just 

 the right thing, allowing us to fish from land. A short 

 time at work here, and proof was abundant that the high 

 Character of it given by the Indians was every whit de- 

 served. We met with Urat-rate sin cess, as good a day as 

 ever it was my luck to cast a line, aud when the approach 

 of everiug compelled a cessation, and a return inarch tor 

 camp, we were laden with spoils, and in the highest pos- 

 sible spirits at the excellent prospects for the. next day's 

 regular set-to. 



Following down the rugged course of the sli cam for a 

 considerable distance we were glad enough at length to des- 

 cry the camping ground, and the welcome form of Peter, 

 crouched before the tire, preparing the dinner. No 

 prettier site could have been selected, and pledging Peter's 

 health in full pumpers of Gibsou's good old Monugram, we 

 testified our approval of his judgment. The tent was 

 pitched in a small clearing by the stream side, the dark 

 woods behind, and right iu front a cascade, down which 

 dashed lire waters that came struggling through Ihe bould- 

 ers from the upper portion of the stream, visible some dis- 

 tance, till lost in among the overhanging trees; further 

 down, below the little waterfall, was a placid pool, its som- 

 bre fringes flecked here and there with the bright red of the 

 maple's fall foliaeje.and over it leaned an immeul,e old vine 



