Mahch 15, 1883.] 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



123 



.si arls suddenly, willi hoarse cry, from a secluded nook by 

 the water's side, mid lazily flaps away, with its long logs 

 sticking straight out. behind; and the ungainly water turkey 

 or shake bfrd sits awkwnrdlv on a limb projecting over the 

 stream, lilting hack and forth in vain efforts to balance it- 

 Self, its long neck twisting and puking about in every direc- 

 tion, seemingly undecided whether to drop to the water or 

 lake tlight. Black Mass, sunnsh, sheepshead and gar-pikes, 

 with an occasional alligator, can be plainly seen swimming 

 along in the clear, white water. 



Returning to the Rambler we put back to Bayport and up 

 the coast, ten miles, to Chessowiskee River. 'This part of 

 the coast abounds in masses of black rock, called "nigger 

 heads," for which the cruiser must keep a sharp lookout or 

 lie may come to grief, as they crop up to within a few inches 

 of the' surface. This river, as do most of the streams in this 

 section, rises from (I huge spring. Some of the rivers of the 

 interior suddenly disappear under ground, and most prob- 

 ably thev reappear at the surface through these springs. At 

 the mouths of the livers are numerous oyster banks where 

 sheepshead and drum do mostly congregrale. Ten miles 

 further north we come to Houiosassa River, and following 

 I he tortuous channel at its mouth We anchored a mile from 

 the Gulf. Tile Homosassa is a ^beautiful stream, unlike 

 niosl others on the west coast. It rises from two large 

 Spyforgfl, and seems to have forced its way suddenly and with 

 great violence toward the Gulf, tuning. its way through the 

 rocky soil by numerous channels, leaving many islands of 

 eoral'iue rock crowned by cabbage palms, for the last four 

 miles of its course. 



The next morning we sailed up lo the charming resort of 

 C'apt. A. E. Jones, four miles from the mouth of the river, 

 This is the most home-like hotel in Florida, and under the 

 able management of Capt and Mrs. Jones has become a 

 favorite winter resort for many Northern sportsmen and 

 Iheir families There are two long buildings with spacious 

 and comfortable rooms, all on the first floor, shaded by 

 verandas, and facing each other, with a beautiful lawn 

 between adorned by orange, lemon and fig trees, v, ith the 

 beautiful river in front and orange groves in the rear. ft 

 was formerly the home of -Mr. Video, bill was abandoned 

 and burnt during the war; the large sugar plantation 

 adjoining, with its mills and machinery, being also deserted 

 and destroyed and permitted to lapse into a state of tropical 

 wildness. ' The tine fishing and hunting at this place is so 

 well known, having often been described in Forest and 

 STHBATtf, that 1 Win not dwell upon it here: suffice il to say 

 that we went out one day with Mr. Giles and Mr. Curtis, 

 both of New York, and hunted a strip of hamak but a mile 

 from the hotel, where I lulled my last deer in Florida before 

 a young deerhound belonging to Mr. Giles. We went, to 

 the springs al the head of the" river in the schooner without. 

 difficulty under the pilotage of Mr. Curtis. They are simi- 

 lar to the other river springs of this section, but the river 

 itself, I think, is by far the most beautiful. To those wish- 

 ing the comforts of a home while enjoying the fishing, 

 shooting, boating, sub-tropical scenery and climate salubrity 

 of the Gulf Coast, I would say, brail mean- go to Ib.nio- 

 sassa and put yourselves under the hospitable roof of Cnpt. 

 and Mrs. A. E. Jones, whose efforts to secure the comfort 

 and well-being of their guests arc untiring and proverbial, 

 and moreover, vou will there meet, with some of the best. 

 people of the North, to associate with whim will lie one of 

 your greatest pleasure-. 



One night while anchored olT the wharf of Capt. Jones 1 

 was awakened by strains of melody floating over the water, 

 and turning out 1 beheld several large lights floating down 

 the stream above us. Soou 1 discovered it to be a long raft 

 of cedar logs being poled along by negroes, whose dusky 

 forms were brought, out in strong relief by the blazing finis 

 of pine-knots in hoop iron baskets, ami whose, clear and 

 musical voices, singing their boating refrains, had been 

 softened by distance. and borne along the surface of the 

 water in the still night. 



The next day we were anchored near the mouth of the 

 river, laying in supplies. Skipper was in the dingey long- 

 ing oysters. Squire was standing on the eabiD roof watch- 

 ing fox ducks and shore birds. Jack had gone ashore in 

 the canvas boat to shoot snipe, while 1 was catching sheeps- 

 head. A sudden flaw of wind sent the foresail sweeping 

 over the cabin roof, the boom striking Squire amidships and 

 sent him sprawling into the river. 1 seized the conch-horn 

 and blew a terrific blast to attract the attention of the boys, 

 for the scene was too good to enjoy alone. Jack and Skip- 

 per looked over just as Squire emerged upright with the 

 water up to his shoulders. Jack, taking in the situational, 

 a glance, shouted : 



"Great (Vodl I'd rather be 

 A. PURini stickled in a creed outworn; 

 So might I, standing <m this pleasant lea, 

 Have glimpses that would make me less forlorn; 

 Have sight of Proteus rising from the sea, 

 Or heal' old Triton Wow his wreathed horn." 



EXPERIENCE OF THREE AT REHOBOTH. 



4 PARTY of congenial souls had congregated at the cor- 

 A ner grocery in the town of C, located within an 

 hour's ride of tin' city of Wilmington, Delaware, oue even- 

 ing in the early part of lust December, and while silling 

 around the stove toasting their shins, and recounting their 

 gunning and fishing exploits, the subject of duck shooting 



was introduced by Silas Merrihcw, au enthusiastic lov 

 the rod and gun". "Boys," said he, l T've been seriously 

 thinking of spending a week among the ducks. It is an en- 

 tirely new diversion to me, and something 1 always bank- 

 ered after. Now if one or two of you will accompany me 

 the thing is fixed. We'll have lot's of fun, and probably 

 bring bome enough ducks to convince our friends that we 

 did not purchase them. Who wiQgOi" 



Tom Stetson and Harry Wilson' declared that nothing 

 would suit them better, provided that good partridge shoot 

 iug could Vic had in the neighborhood of the ducking waters. 

 As each was the possessor of a well-broken setter, they 

 naturally desired to spend some off-time at their favorite 

 sport. 

 A place was next to be decided on. Bariicgat Bay and 

 River were condemned on account of the, last 

 I'tpusite being lacking. Rchoboth Bay, on the 

 coast of Delaware, was unanimously chosen as 

 fferiuelbe arealesl inducements. A letter was 

 nil to John Mart iu, a farmer living 

 iif the bay, who accommodated 

 ami lodging for a consideration, 

 le of his decoys antl services as 

 thev would be there either on Hon- 

 or Che following week. It was 

 should start on Monday. 



heir dogs, guns anil ammuni- 

 IV morning for RetlOQOth, via 

 .' The trip to Lewes was de- 

 lroad facilities euded. Reho- 

 To 



Gunp, 



in .h 



forwarded by the next 

 within a short distan 

 gunners with boardic 

 also throwing in the 

 boatman, notifying lib 

 day or Tuesday evening 

 finally decided'that they i 

 Accordingly the. trio. w : 

 tioih left 0, early on M 

 Wilmington and Harrim 

 void of interest. Here tin 

 bath is situated about eight miles 



iver this distance thev had eithi 

 as they had not definitely Bta 



ihcin- Inquiry of a native! 



$0 he would hire them aeon 



His proposition was accept© 



Calling a genuine Dei 



ithwest of Lew 

 to walk or engage a team, 

 their letter what day they 

 se. was not there to meet 

 I the information that for 

 •e and send a driver along, 



darkey -to him, be said: 



MUSICAL FROGS. 



"Pete, you go" down to the stable and hitch up the bays and 

 take these gentlemen over to Jack Martin s." In a short 

 time the "bays" were driven around to the station. 



And what, a team! A pair of mules, whose appearance 

 indicated a propensity for airing their heels and perpetrating 

 all the tricks peculiar to the race, were harnessed to a rickety 

 old open topped wagon. 



Harry W, whose avoirdupois was over 335 pounds, 

 looked at the vehicle rather dubiously, and then asked the 

 proprietor if he hadn't a cart and a pair of oxen handy, as 

 his party wasn't much on style, and. didn't want him to 

 send his 'best rig that distance.' Pretending not to see the 

 point, tin man answered: 



"Oh! that's all right, stranger, I alius like to give my 

 friends the best. Won't you step over to the hotel and hev 

 sumtbin' before you go?" 'Declining his offer, they mounted 

 the vehicle, and' ordered the driver to drive on! As they 

 moved off the proprietor halloed. "Now, you be durned 

 caTeful, Pete. Them mules be chuck full of oats and feel 



ighty spunky." They had not been long on the road be- 



spliced with a piece of rope, 



fore a trace parted. It w 

 and again everything was lo\ . 



1 -We'n (get ting tear now, we are." exclaimed Pete as the 

 mules broke iuto a trot. "These yar animals are suinthiu' 

 on the git up antl git, I tell yer." Hardly hud the words 

 escaped him when Wilson, who" had been sitting on the side, 

 was observed to suddenly turn a flip-flap, and alight m the 

 sand on the roadside. Before his friends could divine the 

 cause of this strange rnanuever, they were all dumped in a 

 heap alongside of their fallen comrade. The darkey was 

 the first to take in the situation. "For to goodness, if de 



lynch pin £ 

 Hei 



the' 



i'd gone and dropp 

 "ad it, i 



1 the 



•etu 



ued, and 



Such was the cai 



e John and Silas righted 



, Harry meanwhile hold- 



1 with the lost lyncb-pin. 



more the party were en 



It was seei 

 route. 



The muli 

 these tryin , 



apprehended. But alas for our friends' confij 

 flesh! When about three miles from Martin's tl 

 evidently becoming tired, quietly lay dow 

 of the road, and no amount of persuasion t 

 to get up. This sort of traveling was becoming 

 It was now almost dark. Something had to 1 

 very soon at that. While they were consultii 

 best means for raising the refractory mule 



SOME time ago you printed a note from one of your many 

 _ observing contributors in reference to certain musical 

 frogs. 



It reminded me that one night last summer while drifting 

 with the tide up the Potomac, a dead calm having fallen 

 upon us. I thought I heard instrumental music on shore just 

 above Mount Vernon. The soft tinkling rose and fell, in- 

 creasing and diminishing, while at times the sweetest strains 

 floated over the water, as if an opera of fairies was render- 

 ing some favorite work of au elfin Verdi or Balfo. The 

 music was so sweet, and so much of a mystery to me, not 

 being able to tell whether it was on sbore or on the water, 

 that I took the small boat and rowed as quietly as possible 

 toward the place the sounds seemed to come from, 



It was two o'clock of a warm, starry night, and I enjoyed 

 that music wondei fully. As I rowed toward it, it would 

 die away, and then, when I rested the. oars, it would increase 

 again, the sweet, silvery notes making most delightful swells 

 and cadences, as my rowing or being quiet governed the 

 artists Somewhere in the shadowy distance. At one time 

 there was a good imitation of the "Turkish Patrol," the cre- 

 scendo and diminuendo being marked, starting with soft. 

 tinkles, increasing to a full chorus, and ending with delicate 

 cadence. Finally I discovered that the musicians were 

 frogs, and all iu li little space of an acre or so near shore, 

 where, the grass was, not entirely covered by the tide. 



These frogs may be well known, but I never heard any 

 that, made that kind of music before, though I generally 

 hear them all, from Iii/lax to pipieux, from those that, tune up 

 almost as soon as the song sparrow in the spring, to the rum- 

 jug-o'-rums of the summer. J. C. B. 



had been very meek and well-behaved under 

 !umstanees, and no trouble with them was 

 e in mule 

 off mule, 

 in the middle 

 Id induce him 

 g monotonous, 

 done, and 

 as to the 

 le suddenly 

 illuminated the countenance of Pete, who exclaimed: "I 

 know what w T ill fetch him; he's awful 'fraid of a gun. 

 S'pose w r e all git iu de wagon, and one of you gentlemen 

 shoots off his"gun; that will start him, sn'ah. Wonder 1 

 hadn't thought of dat afore." They seated themselves; 

 Pete gathered the lines; John inserted 'two shells, raised his 

 gun and tired both barrels. With a bound the mule sprang 

 to his feet, and the circus then began in earnest. The near 

 mule had remained quiet up to this time, but now took a 

 hand in the performance. They reared, plunged and kicked. 

 It was a ludicrous sight to see Pete dexterously avoid their 

 heels. The harness, fortunately, held the fear stricken 

 animals to the wagon, and finding their endeavors to free 

 themselves futile, started off at a, spanking gait, and with- 

 out further adventure the tired and disgusted Nimnuls ar- 

 rived Si John Martin's, having been three and one-half hours 

 in making the eight miles. 



A man was standing at the door of a rather comfortable- 

 looking farm house, and as the team stopped in front of rhe 

 gate he came forward and inquired, "Be you the party that 

 was comin' from C.V" Answering that they were, he con- 

 tinued : "If I'd a known you fellers wuz coniin' to-night I'd 

 ahatlaleam down to Lewes and hauled you over; your 

 letter didn't say what day to look for you. Howsomever, 

 the old womau'll soon have supper ready. Here, jTafa — " 

 turning to a young man, whom he afterward introduced as 

 his son, "take these gentlemen's dogs and put them in the 

 stable." He then led the way into the house, where they 

 were soon seated before a roaring wood fire. 



Presently Mrs. Martin appeared. After being introduced, 

 she announced that supper was in wailing, and "would the 

 gentlemen be kind enough to step into the duiiug-room';' 

 What a feast, was set before these hungry spoilsmen! Cold 

 roast duck, broiled quail, fresh white bread, steaming hot 



coffee, antl different kinds of sauces. After partakiug 

 heartily of the repast, they adjourned to the sitting-room, 



"Mr, Martin," inquired Harry, "what arc the prospects 

 for duck and partridge shooting?" 



"Gentlemen," answered Martin, "I'm afeerd you've left 

 it too late for ducks. The bay is all froze over and you 

 ran't, sneak up on the ducks. Vour only chance is to lay 

 fur 'em at, night, and shoot info 'em as they fly over the pint 

 fur tie fresh water pond beyond. It's froze over, too, but 

 there be air-holes where the ducks can get fresh water to 

 drink. They allers go there at night. Soon as ever the 

 moon gets up you won't have much trouble in bringing 

 some down, As fur partridges, there's plenty of 'em, but 

 take my advice, and when you find a covey, give 'em both 

 barrels as they i et up, 'cause ten to one you won't see 'em 

 agin. They make straight for the swamps, and the devil 

 himself cou'ldn't hunt, 'cm there." 



"Boys," said Silas, "suppose we try the ducks to-night V 

 We might as well have a little fun before turning in." "The 

 proposition was agreed to. and iu a short time they were 

 en route for the "point" above alluded to, accompanied by 

 John Martin. The point proveil to be a narrow strip of land 

 projecting some distance out into the bay, and on which the 

 Martins had erected a blind, sufficiently large to accommo- 

 date four or five gunners. Our friends took possession, and 

 anxiously awaited the first appearance of Luna. As the 

 ducks Hew overhead their forms could he dimly outlined. 

 and it was with some difficulty that Martin could restrain 

 the excited sportsmen from opening fire, "Now , jist, hold 

 ou a bit, and don't waste your powder and shot," said he to 

 Harry, as the latter was on the point of raising his gun. 

 'You'll hev all the shooting you want wery shortly." 



The time dragged wearily 'along, but. at length the scene 

 changed from darkness to moonlight. "Harry, you take. 

 the first shot," said Tom. "Get ready," whispered Martin, 

 "here comes a bunch." He put up the gun, and when the 

 birds approached within shooting distance, gave them both 

 barrels. "1 didn't hear anything drop," laughingly ex- 

 claimed Silas, "guess you must have forgot b n to put" shot 

 in your cartridges. Now, Tom, your turn next. If you 

 miss, I'll see if I can stop them." A flock of eight ducks 

 soon came in range, and with the report of Tom's gain two 

 birds fell, and as the others Hew by, Sikrn gave them a part- 

 iug shot, killing two more. "Just give me another chance, 

 and I'll show you what duck-killing is," exasperatingly 

 ejaculated Harry, as the others chaffed him on his misses. 

 "Well, here's your chance," said Tom, as two more were 

 reported coming toward the blind. "Now, redeem your- 

 self." Bang, bang! "There comes one. anyhow. Clean shot 

 that," shouted H.. exultantly. "By George, he's only wound- 

 ed, and is making for the ice." 



The thought bevel occurred to give the wounded duck 

 another load, but rushing from the blind he started in pur- 

 suit. The bird gained the ice, Harry close behind. Crash! 

 He had stepped upon the ice, which, not being more than nn 

 inch thick, broke under his weight, precipitating him into 

 the chilly waters below. 



Scrambling to the shore, he returned to the blind. "Did 

 you get, the duck?" asked his companions. "No, blast the 

 duck, but I've got an infernal good ducking. Guess I'll go 

 up to the house and borrow some of Mr. Martin's old 

 clothes." 



Silas and Tom concluded to remain awhile longer, as the 

 fun was just commencing. After enjoying the sport for 

 upward of an hour, and securing twenty ducks, they, too, 

 returned to the farmhouse. There they fouud Harry 

 squeezed info one of the old man's suits, looking the very 

 picture of despair. 



"I wau't it distinctly understood," said he, "that duck 

 chasing for uie is played out. I'll till the next one full of 

 shot thai, tries to get away." 



The forenoon of the following day was devoted to par- 

 tridge shooting. The dogs worked excellently, and quite a 

 number of coveys were found. What birds were not killed 

 when flushed sought safety in the swamps. Don and Nig 

 followed and pointed, but the gunners could not approach. 

 Indeed, II. endeavored to do so once, and became so imbed- 

 ded iu the mud that his friends experienced great difficulty 

 in extricating him. Notwithstanding this discouraging state 

 of affairs, they succeeded iu bagging thirty for one morning's 

 work. 



After partaking of a hearty dinner they turned their atten- 

 tion lo cleaning their guns and putting everything in readi- 

 ness for an evening with the wildfowl. The" old man and his 

 son entertained them with recitals of some of their marvelous 

 gunning exploits. It was amusing to behold the countenance 

 of Tom, as Mr. Martin, Jr., related the greatest feat of his 

 life in long range shooting. Said he: 



"I had bin gunuin' for ducks and had got 'bout as many 

 as 1 wanted, when I spied comin' my way six geese, 'I 

 drnppcd two oatrid'gesof big shot into my gun. and waited. 

 Presently they come a little nearer; I honked and they 

 honked, but durn if I could git 'em inside of a hundred 

 yards. Thinks I, 'Them birds'are goiu' to light out pretty 

 soon, so I'll cut loose ou 'em anyhow.' I puts up my gun 

 and blazed away. You oughte'r see the feathers fiyl I 

 thought that's 'bout, all the damage I'd done, but, as true as 

 my name is Jack Martin, them six geese drapped, one after 

 the other, stone dead. That's what I call pretty tall 

 shootin'." Although his listeners felt that the story was 

 gotten up for their especial edification, they nevertheless 

 agreed that it was a remarkable shot and one worthy to be 

 placed on record. 



About o'clock the party were again within the blind. 

 The ducks began to move, affording some excellent shots. 

 II, 's nervousness had worn off, and he scored five more 

 birds than either of his comrades. The i'usihtde continued 

 until 11 o'clock. Upon counting the result, it was ascer- 

 tained that, thirty-five ducks and three geese had been 

 killed. Iligftly elated they returned to the house and were 

 soon wrapped in the arms of Morpheus. 



It, is hardly necessary to detail their actions duriug the re- 

 maining four days. Each day's shooting was but a repeti- 

 tion of Tuesday's. When they arrived in the village on 

 Saturday evening, they divided the game that, had not been 

 set apart forborne consumption, among their friends. H. 

 enjoined bis companions lo secrecy regarding his various 

 mishaps. But somehow they all leaked out, and now he is 

 asked whether he caught bis ducks or shot them. 



Occasional, 



NKUitAsKA— Falls City, Neb,, March 0.— Since the ice 

 has begun to melt we have been having fine dnck and goose 

 shooting on the numerous lakes in this immediate vicinity. 

 Squiirels, rabbits, etc., are plentiful. Quail wintered ID 

 this section well, though undoubtedly a number were frozen. 

 — Tvpo. 



