264 
FOREST AND STREAM, 
females, are carefully saved and dried, and are considered 
a great delicacy by the Indians; but I never beard of while 
men eating them, although I should think that if cooked 
■while fresh they would be quite palatable. 
The trout fishing of this region was also said by some 
English lords who were fishing there to be superior to any¬ 
thing they had ever seen, each fly on a flight of six being 
takeu in one lake as soon as they touched the water; and 
these are not lake trout, mind you, but brook trout, or 
rather river trout, who enter the lake through a stream 
connected with the river. The Dolly Varden trout, as It is 
called, on account of the large red spots along its sides, is 
also found in the McCloud River, but I believe in no other 
stream. This fish has been until lately unknown to all but 
the old hunters of the region, and is certainly the gamest 
fish I oversaw, salmon not excepted. It weighs from four 
to eight pounds, and when hooked takes the hook between 
its teeth, like a horse seizing the hit, and makes a rush of 
sometimes eighty yards in a straight course, continuing 
these spurts until exhausted. They seem to be all of large 
size, and are inclined to be cannibalistic. Facificus. 
■ — 
Far Forest and Stream. 
ALLIGATOR HUNTING IN FLORIDA. 
F EW persons here who possess a sufficient share of 
physical endurance and energy to warrant a day’s 
activity in the open air are in the mood to decline an invi¬ 
tation to spend it in a hunt after alligators. The alligator, 
bear in mind, has no friends. People seem to take su¬ 
preme delight in worrying him by all manner of expedi¬ 
ents. It is one of the principal pastimes of young men 
who are traveling up and down these Florida rivers and 
streams to shoot alligators, and in prosecuting this amuse¬ 
ment they will keep up a constant fusilade, to the great 
annoyance of sober travelers. Not that the alligator is a 
wicked, dangerous creature. On the contrary, he is timid 
and‘harmless, except when his life is imperilled and desper¬ 
ate measures are necessary for its protection. He is as 
wild and wary as the wild animals of the forest, and shuns 
the presence of a human being at all times and under all 
circumstances. He has never been known to attack a 
white person; but he has tremendous power, and it is not 
safe to come to close quarters with those that have attained 
any considerable size. I know it is asserted that these 
creatures have a strong appetite for the negro. It is a 
well-established fact that the colored people entertain great 
fears of them, but I put no faith in the statement that an 
alligator prefers as food the thick-skinned, odoriferous Af¬ 
rican to the thin-skinned, sweet-scented Caucasian. He 
might swallow a new born colored infant, if perchance the 
chud were left unguarded; but I have no hesitation in be¬ 
lieving that a white child, under like circumstances, would 
be equally exposed to danger. Such being the low estima¬ 
tion in which these creatures are held, and the fact that the 
hunting of them is by no means a perilous amusement, so¬ 
journers here are generally quick to accept of any oppor¬ 
tunity that may present itself for experiencing the sensa¬ 
tions of an alligator hunt, conducted in the usual manner 
of those experienced in such warfare. 
Yesterday, having been urged to go on one of these ex¬ 
peditious, I determined to accept the offer. The party 
consisted of four persons—Capt. H., of Remington Park; 
a young gentleman from the Dominion of Canada; Judge 
S.‘, of Buffalo, and myself. Black Creek was our object¬ 
ive point. The day was bright, and the temperature about 
70”. On entering the stream, which is between two and 
three hundred feet broad, with a depth of from twenty to 
sixty feet, Capt. H. and his Canadian friend stationed 
themselves in the bow, one having a rifle and the other a 
shotgun. The Judge took the oars and I the helm. I 
also had brought along my fowling piece, together -with a 
trolling spoon, having been told that the creek was fre¬ 
quented by the black and sea trout. In passing up the 
creek the sail occasionally did good service for us, as we 
could make long stretches without being forced to use the 
oars. We chose the sunny side of the stream, knowing 
that our game w ould be more likely to be found in the 
sunshine than in the shade. Alligators enjoy sun-bathing 
as keenly as the turtle, and are often seen perched upon a 
floating tree-top, or reclining upon the sandy margin of the 
shore. Our progress was purposely slow, and as noiseless 
as possible. The stream, like all Florida streams, is slug¬ 
gish, with a scarcely perceptible current. Our vision was 
bounded by tbe sky overhead, the stream beneath, and the 
walls of foliage on either hand. The dense luxuriance of 
the forest was impenetrable to the eye. The stream i3 
fringed on both banks by water lilies ami the wild lettuce. 
The timber is principally composed of ash, maple, gum, 
bay, oak, pine, and magnolia. I discovered only one ole¬ 
ander bush, but presume there were doubtless many more. 
Of flowers, none were seen, except here and there a lily 
and a cluster of azaleas, here called honeysuckle. But 
one habitation, and that occupied by a colored man, is in 
view from the boat; hut aa far as we ascended, the banks 
are low and offer no inducements to settlers. 
At length, after ascending the stream about two miles, 
llie body of one of these creatures was discovered in the 
net work of vegetation which line the banks. The boat 
being under sail at that opportune moment, I was enabled 
without creating any noise to so direct our course as to 
bring tbe guns within easy range of the coveted prize. We 
had approached within twenty or thirty feet before the 
shots were fired. They undoubtedly took effect, and would 
have been fatal but for the fact that the creature was al¬ 
ready 11 feless, and lay there decaying in the sun 1 This dis¬ 
covery detracied somewhat from the glory of our hunters, 
but they bore the mortification witli philosophical equanim¬ 
ity. We had proceeded only a little distance before the 
noise of an alligator’s movements was heard close at hand. 
This time, however, the creature was entirely hidden from 
view by the thick undergrowth on shore. Cautiously and 
silently we approached the spot, circling into a secluded 
nook that offered an inviting retreat for the scaly reptile. 
The search was thorough, but fruitless; the alligator had 
somehow got an inkling of our approach and pul himself 
out of harm’s way. Thinking, however, that he might 
rise to the surface of the water in case no disturbance was 
made by us, we patiently awaited bis appearance. But 
nothing came of our expectations, and we finally pushed 
on again. It was now considerably past meridian, and aa 
the most favorable part of the day had passed, we enter¬ 
tained sliglib hopes of capturing any of the coveted game; I 
therefore resolved to try the trolling spoou, and wussoon 
rewarded. While the boat was under sail and passing a 
; : mull island I struck what was at first supposed to be a 
snag at tbe bottom of tbe stream. The water was deep, 
and I hauled in the line at the risk of its breaking. This 
movement was hardly begun, however, before the fish I 
had hooked rose completely old of the water, and then 
went down with a swirl. I did not obtain a fair view of 
it, and was afraid that a gar fish had been meddling with 
the tackling. Capt. H- assured me, however, that the 
luckless fellow was a trout, and this allayed my fears. For 
the purpose of keepiug the fish out of the lilies, I swung 
the boat into the stream, and hauled away as rapidly as 
possible. The line was out less Ilian a hundred feet, and 
I soon had my prize securely in the boat. It proved to be 
a black trout, or what is so called here in Florida, and 
weighing exactly six pounds. These black trout are noth¬ 
ing more nor less than the black bass of our northern 
waters, being equally lively and equally palatable. They 
are the best game fish in the fresh waters ot Florida, and 
in quality are not exceeded by any other species. 
To return to the alligator hunt. Although the search 
was not formally abandoned until we came in sight of the 
St. Johns, we encountered no game after the capture of 
the fish. The day’s sport was, therefore, barren of re¬ 
sults, so far as the main purpose of the expedition was 
concerned. I did not attribute the ill luck to any want of 
strategy on the part of the hunters. On the contrary, it 
must have been owing to tlie unexpected absence of tbe 
game; and this fact surprised me, for had I not been as¬ 
sured by a writer in "Camp Life in Florida” that Black 
Creek was "lined with alligators on a sunny day?” If it 
is so lined, there must have been at this time some very 
powerful causes operating for the failure to show' them- 
Belves to our vigilant sportsmen. One reason for their non- 
appearance on this occasion may no doubt be found in the 
earliness of the seasou, as these'creatures prefer to bask i§ 
the beat of summer, rather than revel in the balmy sun¬ 
shine of these delicious days. 
Alligator hunting is growing less and less successful in 
Florida as the game diminishes in numbers. From being 
simply a pastime it has become a regular business, and 
thousands upon thousands of these: creatures are now an¬ 
nually slaughtered for their hides and teeth. The former 
are converted into leather, and make a valuable commod¬ 
ity, while the teeth are manufactured into various articles 
of use and ornament. At the rate the alligator family is 
now disappearing, not many years will elapse before the 
supply will be wholly exhausted, and the capture of an al¬ 
ligator become an uncommon event in sporting life. 
Remington Park, Fla,, Feb. 27th, 1870. P. H. A 
For Forest and Stream. 
SPORTS IN TEXAS—A DUCK HUNT. 
M R, PRESON and I had talked of making a trip to a 
“lake," (pond) in the Nation,, some ten miles distant, 
until it seemed to myself that go we must. A day was ap¬ 
pointed, a Bpring wagon procured, and on Saturday morn¬ 
ing, very early, we were to he off. Expecting to put in part 
of the day after email, we concluded to procure some No. 
8 shot, but concluding was all, for the city “was just out." 
At five next morning we were astir, and found that it took 
considerable time to gear up, get guns, lunch, &c,, into 
the wagon in the dark, and it was daybreak before all was 
ready. Mr. B. went along rather as a matter of choice, 
carrying a rifle for Bquirrels, if any should come in his 
way, hut didn’t propose to trouble himself after them. As 
we neared Red River, quite a flock of chickens lighted 
close to us, but no time tor chickens, we were after ducks. 
Arriving at the bluff. Mr. B. got out to walk down, and 
flushed a bevy of quail, the sight of which brought Carlo 
tumbling out of the wagon. "Down,Carlo!” "Steady Carlo.” 
Whirr! Bang! “Seek dead here!” “Hi, on!” "Steady, 
Carlol" "Bang, bang!” By this time the flock was 
well scattered, and we were after ducks. Arrived at 
tiie river about 8 o’clock and saw good many ducks flying, 
but the wide sand beach was unfavorable for securing any, 
and we had started for the pond, and to the pond we must 
go. Upon looking back after we had crossed the river, 
quite a large flock of wild turkeys were seen a few hun¬ 
dred yards below where we bad entered the river, (which 
is here about 600 yards wide). Sortie one proposed going 
back, but no, we had duck on the brain, (it was well 
enough, for we never got any on tbe stomach). Some 
half mile from the river, and within about a miie of the 
pond, we came to a settlement, and were informed that we 
would find no ducks at the pond, as there were some men 
at work draining the lake off. W lmt a fall was there! After 
all our anxiety to be thus suddenly thwarted was too bad, 
but it could not be helped now. The gentlemen told us that 
there were a good many quail in the bottom and some 
turkeys, it was now half past eight and getting warm. 
We unhitched our team; gave them some corn, and started 
to the river, below the ford; arrived and saw the hundreds 
of ducks on the bars at the opposite side; while we were 
looking at them, B. fired at a squirrel in the bottom, and 
the roar of duck wiugs sounded something like tbe first 
approach of a "Norther.” Here we were with our fingers 
in our mouths; for miles up and down the river the water 
was all at the opposite side, and a wide sand beach to cross 
in open view. 
After some parley we concluded to turn our attention to 
quail, which was not very iuvitiug with Ho. 6 shot. Carlo 
soon came to a point, and for each barrel a bird was 
counted. For some lime nothing was heard but “Down, 
Carlo.” Steady Carlo.” Seek dead here.” The birds 
seemed every where, and we were in wild plum bushes,grape 
vines, and red elms. The day was so warm that the birds 
would not lie, preferring to run off through the briars and 
bushes. It was now about 11 o’clock, and we felt consid¬ 
erably like breakfast; went to camp, took our coffee pot 
and lunch basket to a cold running sprlug, and found that 
Mr. W. had been burning off his ground, and there was a 
large bed of coals hard by the spring. We soon had our 
coffee on and three quail spitted over the coals. While 
the birds were cooking we entertained a piece of cold roast 
beef, such as Texas alone affords off the grass in February. 
Mr. P. suggested that his English friends would hardly 
believe it without seeing it. 
Mr. W. informed us that several flocks of quuil could be 
found around ids field distant about a mile. Dinner (or 
breakfast, which you please) over, we heat the field 
thoroughly, found one flock, and got one bird and a hare. 
YVe now recrossoil the river, and Mr. P. went for some 
ducks near the ford; was gone about two hours, killed 
one quail which fell in the river-and was carried under a 
drill; winged another which escaped. This was on the 
ground tv here we saw the turkeys ju tho morning, but no 
turkeys now. It was now drawing late and we started I 
homo. Observing a large hawk on a cotton wood, we 1 
drove around him in a circle until within twenty-five yards ■ 
of him when Mr, P. fired and brought him down. It. was I 
a fine specimen of Archibutes lay opus, var. Sancti Johnnnis, I 
and the first one I have ever succeeded in taking. Ou the ■ 
way home wc flushed another flock of quail and had nice I 
open Bhooting. At night the hag “panned out.” fifteen ■ 
quail, one dove, one gray squirrel, oue fox squirrel, two I 
rabbits, (hares), and one hawk, (rough legged buzzard), but ■ 
nary duck. Texas. I 
Gainesville, February 23d, 1976. 
lit fjorsq nn(I tlft 
For Forest and Stream. 
VIRGINIA STEEPLE CHASING. 
THE WARRENTON RIDING CLUB.—THE GREAT RACE OF ■ 
MAY 19TII.—THE BEST STEEPLE CHASE EVER RUN IN I 
AMERICA. _ 
I N one of the late issues of the Forest and Stream I 
there was given a brief notice of the Warrsnion I 
Riding Club, and as there is doubtless much interest in the fl 
North on this subject, I will write an accouut of the race 1 
of the 19th inst., and do my humble part in striving not® 
only to awaken a love of the manly sports in other sections I 
of the country, but also to show the modus optrtuuH of the j 
pastime to those who desire to form riding clubs. That I 
such a noble animal as the horse, in all ils perfection, ■ 
should be used by professionals of the turf only as a means 1 
of winning, by betting on his powers, is a shame; and that I 
the horse with his long pedigree should be valued only as . 
a means of making money, by a disreputable class of a I 
community Of the race course is none the less discreditable ■ 
to our gentlemen huntsmen and sportsmen of America. j 
The formation of riding clubs by gentlemen throughout 1 
the country will tend greatly to inculcate a love of horse-fl 
flesh among them. It will bring them more in sympathy 1 
with the horse; it will raise the value of blooded slock in I 
the country; it will be a premium on blood, and ad is- 1 
count upon scrubs that infest our country; it will encourage J 
a love for the noblest pastime on earth, and, in fact, the I 
good and benefit to result from a general formation of 1 
riding clubs throughout America could not be estimated, J 
and would simply be incalculable. 
Some fifty miles from Washington is Fauquier County, a 1 
a section of exceeding beauty. Watered by tbe Kappa- | 
hannock River, and many oilier smaller streams, it has a , 
charming diversity of mountains, llills, valleys, meadow,-! 
and rolling laud, as a general thing rich and fertile; a ride I 
through this region is a pleasure to one fond of beautiful;! 
scenery; it Is changing, and ever varying of Wild uature J 
and thorough cultivation, of mountains and rocks of ! 
savage grandeur, of handsome mansion and picturesque^ 
farm-house, and lowly cabin; all strike the eye and charm | 
the senses. This country is inhabited by as noble a set of ! 
gentlemen as ever swung themselves into saddle— liospit- J 
able, kind, and brave, with an enthusiastic love of hounds’! 
and horses that nothing could extinguish. It lias always I 
been famous for its riders. Turner, Ashby, Randolph, fl 
Payne, and many others of war fame came from old Fau* 1 
quier, and it was from the same place that the famous,-! 
“Black Horse Cavalry” were recruited. Many of your J 
readers of the "Federal army Will recollect this county, I 
known to them in war times as Moshy’s Confederacy, and | 
many of them iu memory will recall tho dreary winter’s 1 
camp) on the Rappahannock, the summer’s bivouac at I 
Warrentou, and the dashing charge against Stuart at the | 
fords, or fighting "hand to hand” with Mosby’s rough 
riders in the gorges of the Blue Ilidge. Yes, the old vet- 1 
rans of both sides will remember them of tlie deeds done,, j 
the actions performed, and exploits achieved which, in J 
history, will yet 
‘•Point a moral and adorn a tale." 
The Warrenton Riding Club has some tbitty or lorty-fl 
members: Gen. Payne, President; Gen. Bethuno, Vice*! 
President; and O.-Payne, Secretary. RaLher much of one 1 
name? Well, yes; but almost every other man you meet I 
in Fauquier Countyris bound to he named Payne, and the 
other half sure to he named Marshall. The club all own | 
fine horses. Many of the members are well-to-do English- J 
men who have located with us, and who have brought - * 
their love of the turf from the old country. The costume 
consists of while corduroy pants, lop bools, jacket, and | 
caps of the rider's own colors and design. 
The 19th of May last was the day set for the great, I 
steeple chase for the silver punch bowl, and the local I 
political cauldron which is generally fiercely bubbling about I 
this time simmered down into nothing beside the intended 1 
race. Men talked and put their ‘‘pots’’ on the favorite, | 
and the women espoused the fortunes of tlieir champion J 
with the same ardor as the coarser sex. About noon evi ry I 
known and conceivable vehicle was on the road to the 1 
race course, a few miles outside of YVarrenton, and near 
the Sulphur Springs. Fine carriages drawn by stylish 
thoroughbreds rattled by filled with the beauty and fashion, * 
whose gay laughter floated on the noonday air; aristocratic < 
old centennial coaches jumbled steadily along with iho 
mud of many counties on their wheels; horsemen wove 
passing by scores, many of them sitting iu their saddles 
with that easy negligent grace that bespoke tho old caval¬ 
rymen who followed Stuart and Hampion; dilapidated old 
gigs that looked all the woild like Oliver "Wendell Holmes’ 
celebrated “One Horse Shay” on the eve of dissolution, u 
creaked dismally as an old rip of a mare stumbled her 
way onward; Jersey wagons, carts, the farm wagon, all , 
mingled together, and alL moving the same way, showed 
that nobody was staying at home who could possibly go. 
At last the ground is reached, and wc have time to look , 
around. The steeple race is to lie two uud u half miles, 
and the obstructions, viewed in cold blood, make one’s 
bair stand ou end. The first jump is a blind ditch so.no- \ 
tuu feet wide, not a very hard leap, but a good tiling to . 
trip up a ltoree, for be can’t see it unul be is close upon . 
