FOREST AND STREAM 



top rail and leap into a hollow in the tree aupul three feet 

 above the fence and some six or seven feet from the ground. 

 Tornlinson, who was a keen fox huntor, and enjoyed the 

 trick of the cunning old fox, never told anybody for a long 

 time, and the darkeys usually became afraid to hunt Huh 

 fellow, under the impression lhat some misfortune would 

 happen to them, as they verily believed it was a " spirrit," 



By this time wo had reached the woods where Ihey ex- 

 peeled to catch a 'possum, and the darkeys spread them- 

 selves accordingly and urged the dogs on to hunt. If the 

 reader has never .-icon an opossum, 1 shall eudeavor to give 

 a slight descripi ion of him, selected from the work of a well 

 known writer on sporting matters -. 



"The babies or the opossum generally resemble those of 

 the 'coon and fox, though they are less intelligent in defend- 

 ing themselves against au attack of an enemy. Knock an 

 opossum on the head or any part of the body with a weapon 

 of any kind, small or great, and if he makes any resistance 

 stall, he will endeavor to bite the weapon that hits him in- 

 stead of the agent using it. The opossum seems willing to 

 treat the world as the Frenchman promised the bull-dog — 

 • If you let me alone I won't trouble you.' Put the animal 

 in a critical Situation and he will resort to strategem instead 

 of force to elude his pursuers ; for, if he finds escape impos- 

 sible, he will feign himself dead in advance of your own 

 charitable intentions toward him, and when you think you 

 have given him his quietus and secured him, he will unex- 

 pectedly wake up and be off. This trick of the little animal 

 has given rise lo a proverb of much meaning among those 

 acquainted with his habits, of ' playing 'possum,' and prob- 

 ably it is as good an illustration of certain deceptive actions 

 in life as can be imagined. Take an opossum in good health, 

 corner him up uutil escape is impossible, give him a gentle 

 tap that would hardly crush a mosquito, and he will 

 straighten out as beautiful a ' body ' as you will ever see. In 

 (Lis situation you may thump him, cut his flesh and half 

 skin him, not a muscle will move ; his eyes are glazed and 

 covered with dust, for he has no eyelids to close over them. 

 You may even worry him with a dog and satisfy yourself 

 that he is really dead, then leave him quiet a moment and he 

 will draw a thin film oft his eyes, and, if not interfered with, 

 be among the missing. 



"There is another striking characteristic about the 

 opossum, which, next to its ' playing 'possum,' is extraordi- 

 nary. The tail is long, black and destitute of hair, and al- 

 though it will not enable its possessor, like the kangaroo, in 

 the language of the showman, 'to jump fifty feet upwards 

 and forty feet downwards,' still it is of great importance in 

 climbing trees and supporting the animal when watching for 

 its prey. By this tail Ihe 'possum suspends itself for hours 

 to a swinging limb of a tree, either for amusement or for the 

 purpose of sleeping, which last he will do while thus hang- 

 ing up as sound as if slipping his hold did not depend upon 

 his own will. This tail-hold is so firm that shooting the ani- 

 mal will not cause him to let go, even if you blow his head 

 off. On the contrary, he will remain hung up until the birds 

 of prey and the elements have scattered his carcass to the 

 winds, and yet the tail will remain an object of unconquered 

 attachment to its last object of circumlocuting embrace. 



" An old backwoods preacher, who occasionally threw 

 down his lapstono and awl and went through the country to 

 stir up the people lo look after the consarns of their better 

 end, enf jrced the necessity of perseverence in good works 

 by comparing a true Ohristam to au opossum up a tall sap- 

 ling in a strong wind. Said he, 'My brethren, that's your 

 situation exactly; the world, the flesh and the devil compose 

 the wind that is trying to blow you off the Gospel tree. But 

 don't let him do it; hold on as a 'possum would iu a hurri- 

 cane. If >he fore-legs of your passion get loose, hold on by 

 your hind legs of consciousness, and, if they let go, hold on 

 eternally by your tail, which is the promise that the saints 

 shall persevere to the end,' " 



As an article of food, the opossum ia considered by many 

 a very great luxury. If the auimal is kept, up a week or ten 

 days before it is killed, and fed upon scraps from the table, 

 it becomes very fat, and loses that rank, wild taste, which is 

 bo objectionable to many, and its flesh then tastes like roast 

 pig. There are various ways of cookiDg it. The Indians 

 suspend it on a stick by its tail, and in this position they let 

 it roast before the fire ; but to a civilized and cultivated 

 taste it is coarse and unpalatable, as it retains so much of 

 its (.iliuess. The negroes, on the contrary, cover the body 

 up with sweet potatoes, and. as the meat roasts thus confined, 

 the succulent vegetable druws out all objectionable laBt.es 

 aud renders Ihe opossum one of the " greatest delicacies in 

 the world," especially to one who has been gunning all day 

 and eaten nothing since breakfast. 



Almost any breed of dogs will do to hunt opossum, and, 

 as we had all sorts with us, it wsb not long before they 

 struck a trail and were running pretty lively. 



" Dar goes my puppy, Music," said Bob ; " he's gwine to 

 make a fust rate 'possum dog-and, by golly ! I yere Jowler 

 an' Dudley an' Romus— dey inns' hev two." 



And soon the whole pack were oil', hot foot, and in a 

 short time they had treed two opossums— one up a persim- 

 mon tree, and the other on a large gum. That on the per- 

 simmon tree was crouched low along a large limb, which 

 was too thick for him to wrap his tail around, and one of 

 the darkeys soon mounted the tree, and, with a stick, 

 knocked him off, and he fell among the dogs and was quick- 

 ly dispatched. The other was more difficult to get at, as he 

 was suspended by his tail and hung out toward the end of a 

 thin branch, where no human being could reach him, 



"I wish I bed an axe," said Bob; "I swar, dat tree 

 would hev to come down. It's mighty aggerwatin' lo see 

 dat feller hanein' dar jist oul'n reach, an' him laughin' at us 

 all de time. But I'll fotch 'im ; I'll make it 80 hot for 'im 

 dat he'll be glad to come down." 



So they set themselves to work, and in a little while had 

 a rousing fire kindled, and, as 1hey threw on the pine wood, 

 the flames mounted higher and higher, anil the sparks flew 

 up and seemed to envelop the opossum in their embrace 

 The scene was now very animated j the sbiuing faces of the 

 darkeys were turned upward, and their eyes, mtently fixed 

 upon the opossum, sparkled like diamonds. The dogs 

 stood around and barked occasionally, and wagged their tails 

 in momentary expectation of " seeing him drap," as Bob 

 predicted. Ho stood if like a Spartan, but had to let go at 

 last, aud down he came like a lump of lead and was soon 



* The darkeys scattered the fire so that it would do no dam- 

 age, and we went ou. After hunting for an hour longer we 

 caught two more opossums, and, as we were then only about 

 a rude from home, Tom and I concluded to leave the party ; 

 so, after bidding them "good-morning," we started for 

 home, pretty well satisfied with our night's hunting. 



Oius. Con ILL. 



For frhrest and Stream and Bod and Gun, 

 PARMACHENEE LAKE. 



AT an altitude of 2,000 feet above the level of the sea, sur- 

 rounded by lofty hills and mountains, in the midst of 

 the dense forests of the Pine Tree State, lies the beautiful 

 sheet of water known as the Parmachenee Lake. Of the 

 origin and significance of the name I am ignorant. The 

 Indian Chief Metalluk had a son named Parmachenee, but 

 ■heftier the lake or the Indian was first named 1 know not. 

 This lake is five miles in length by three in width, but is not 

 "nfcrior in beauty to any of the larger bodieB of water in the 

 State. 



Taking the lake as a centre, the facilities for hunting and 

 fishing are equal to any in New Eogland. In a former article 

 I gave a description of the Magalloway River from its mouth 

 to Spoil, Flint's Landing, near the mouth of the Little Magal- 

 loway. From this landing to the lake the river is full of 

 rapids and falls, rendering navigation almost impossible j 

 therefore a road has been cut through the woods a distance of 

 three and a half miles, over which boats and baggage can be 

 carted directly to the shore of the lake. Mr. Flint's camp is 

 on this road, half a mile from the landing, aod a horse is 

 ke pi here for the purpose of transporting parties over the 

 carry. 



in describing the country iu the vicinity of Parmachenee I 

 cannot do better than to give an account of one of my own 

 trips during the present year. While sojourning at Mr. 

 Flint's camp, Spoil! . had occasion to go up to Bump Pond, 

 some distance north, for the purpose of 'carrying supplies to a 

 party of sportsmen encamped there, and your humble servant 

 accompanied him. One fine afternoon in October we walked 

 across the carry to the lake. Reaching the shore, we embarked 

 in a light boat. There was no wind, and the water was 

 smooth as glaBs. To the southwest, only a few miles distant, a 

 prominent feature iu the landscape is "Bose Buck" Mountain. 

 "Bose Buck" Cove is a long arm of the lake extending toward 

 the foot of the mountain. From near this point an old log- 

 ging road extends to second Connecticut Lake, a distance of 

 about twelve miles. To the southeast could be seen in the 

 distance the fine proportions of Weir Mountain ; the nearer 

 hills, covered with brilliant autumn foliage upon their gently 

 sloping sides presented a scene of natural beauty not soon 

 forgotten. Near the northern shore is the floating camp of 

 Mr. John Danforth. This establishment consists of two 

 houses 17 by 21 feet, and 30 by 30 feet respectively. These 

 ho supported upon rafts 80 by 40 and 37 by 31 feet. There 

 is also a raft, 20 by 31 feet, containing wood-shed, etc. This 

 hotel accommodates from fourteen to twenty guests. The 

 rafts are securely anchored, and plenty of boats are always at 

 hand for the accommodation of sportsmen. 



The Upper Megalloway enters the lake from the north, and 

 out course was directly up that river, which is very crooked 

 and at that time was in many places quite shallow, necessitat, 

 ing some wading and dragging the boat. About half a nrile- 

 up the river we notice on the left bank the site of Cleveland's 

 Lower Camp, of „ which the hovel alone remains. This camp 

 was the scene of' the marvelous adventures of " The Young 

 Moose Hunters," as written by C. A. Stephens. About two 

 miies from the lake is Little Boys Falls. These falls are not 

 very high, but there is au abrupt fall, and the boat must be 

 carried around. 



It is said that two boys were once lost in this vicinity, and 

 from that circumstance came the name of the falls. Two 

 miles above the falls we came to the first "East Branch," a 

 stream coming from the cast. By this time it was sunset, and 

 proceeding a short distance up the "Branch" we landed at a 

 camp which has been used by Mr. Danforth in his hunting 

 expeditions. The camp was small and built of spruce bark 

 in the form of au A tent ; it contained a stove, lantern, and 

 other camp utensils. The next morning was gray and cold, 

 aud after breakfast we started down the "Branch" to the 

 main river, and then continued our course to the northward. 

 For a mile the river was deep enough for comfortable naviga- 

 tion, but for the next three miles the boat had to be dragged 

 along the bed of the stream, as there wasn't water enough to 

 float it. Just before reaching "Bump Fond," we entered 

 deep water again. Rump Pond is oval in form, and has an 

 area of perhaps thirty acres ; its banks are heavily wooded ; 

 near the pond is a precipitous peak of considerable altitude, 

 which bears the appropriate name of " Camel's Rump." 

 About two miles farther up the river we reached the camp of 

 the party we were iu search of, and very glad they were to 

 see us, as their stock of provisions was nearly exhausted, and 

 they were ready to start down the stream. 



We were now some ten miles north of Parmachenee Lake, 

 and in the heart of the wilderness. Only a few miles more 

 and we could have stepped over the boundary line between 

 the United States aud Canada. Signs of beaver, otter, fisher 

 and sable were to be found upon the banks of the streams 

 and ponds, while innumerable muskrat houses dotted the 

 swamp and bogs. A short distance inland deer tracks were 

 abundant. Cariboo and moose are not plenty, but are fre- 

 quently found. Moose is not legitimate game at present, aa 

 the commonwealth of Maine has prohibited the killing of 

 that animal within its limits till the 1st of January, 1880. Ihe 

 camp which we made our headquarters for several days was 

 nn open front shed, the side and back being of logs, while the 

 roof was of birch bark. A large fire in front of the camp 

 renders the most stormy evening cheerful, and after a days 

 tramp it seems like solid comfort to lie down by a cheerful 

 log fire and watch your guide as he deftly tosses the flap- 

 jacks. I read an account in the Forest and Stkeam a short 



control of the fishing iu this pond, and takes particular pains 

 to preserve the fish, that sport may be abundant during the 

 fishing season. 



Before closing 1 wish to speak of a new route to the Megal- 

 loway, making the journey quicker and much more 

 the route now Used. A highway is being built from Bum- 

 mer to Erroll, !N. II., making the distance from the GF. T. U. 

 R. at West Milan to the Megalloway River, about (went y- 

 eifjht, miles, over a comparatively level road, This road will 

 be finished some time during the confine spring or summer. 



c. i, w. 



time since of the manner of flipping flapjacks out W est, but it 

 must not be thought that the inhabitants of the Maine woods 

 are at all behind in this accomplishment. TosBing flapjacks 

 over the beam in the camp is nothing to brag of, as in this 

 country the correct method is to toss them up through the 

 smoke hole and catch them outside the camp ! This is the 

 story as told by the guides, and if any one doubts its plausi- 

 bility they can ask " Steve" about it! _ 



The journey down the river is comparatively easy and 

 rapid for we left camp in the morning and reached Spoil s 

 Camp in good season for supper, having enjoyed the trip im- 

 mensely. . - 



I will mention briefly at this time an excursion made from 

 Flint's to Lincoln Lake. It is four miles from the camp on 

 the east side of the Magalloway River. There is a good trail 

 through the woods direct to the pond, and Mr. Flint has placed 

 several boats upon the lake. A good shed camp! 

 upon a pleasant point, where those can make themse 

 1'ortable who wish to stay over night. Lincoln Lake is a 

 third smaller than Parmacheuee, but is a beautiful sheet or 

 water, being remarkably clear and deep ; trout are abundant ; 

 the scenery magnificent. Mr. Flint claims that he has full 



For Forest and Strewn and Hod and Q-un, 

 HALIFAX RIVER, EAST FLORIDA. 



WE started in a light skiff, S., P. and I, one fine morning 

 in February, from the Cognina landing on Halifax 

 River for a day's fishing. S. and 1 had bass rods, but P. used 

 a hand line ; like most of the Floridians, he thought a rod and 

 reelweretoo slow. Mercury at 8a.m. '66 degs., with windfrom 

 the southwest. We start early, taking advantage of the ebb- 

 tide to carry us toward the inlet, and so also to have the flood 

 to return with, which, as we used oars, was very important. 

 P. takes the oars amidships, S. the stern, and I the bow of our 

 skiff, and wemn swiftly down the West Shore, till we arrive 

 at a large creek, into which we turn, and P. runs her nose on 

 a sand-bank, then, throwing the anchor ashore, he goes off 

 with his casting-net to get mullet for bait. The creek came 

 in from the west, and was about fifty yards wide, at this time 

 of tide showing long s' retches of sand-banks. On these, flocks 

 of wading birds, curlew, willets and plover, with gulls of 

 various species, were feediDg. A flock of brown pelicans were 

 sitting on the sand, apparently asleep, their large bills and 

 pouches resting on the ground. All appeared tame, as if not 

 often molested. On the mangrove trees which fringed the 

 shore Bat a pair of white herons, their snowy piumage relieved 

 again3t the green foliage. 



P. rolls up his trousers, throws off his shoes, and wades 

 slowly out into the creek looking for mullet. The casting-net, 

 which these people use with great dexterity, is a circle of net- 

 ting some eight or ten feet in diameter, loaded with lead at the 

 circumference, and rigged with cords which draw it, into a bag. 

 With a circular sweep the fisherman casts it as far as possible; 

 it opens on the water, and sinking rapidly, incloses whatever 

 fish may be beneath. These are secured in pockets of netting 

 around the edge of the net. Much practice and some strength, 

 of arm is needed to cast the net, but it is a most efficient 

 weapon, and absolutely uecsssary to the Florida fisherman, 

 as the rnullet — the common bait— cannot be taken with the 

 hook. Also, it requires sharp eyes to see the fish before cast- 

 ing, they being generally near the bottom. At the first caat 

 P. gets five or six mullets, which, taking out of the pockets, he 

 throws on shore. At the second nothing. At the third he 

 gets a small bass. Wading further along at the mouth of a 

 little slough, he captures a dozen good mullets, and returns 

 to the boat. " There's bait enough for all day," he says, as he 

 pushes off. The mullet is the most valuable of the coast fishes 

 here. In the summer it is preferred to any other species as 

 food ; in the winter it is poor and flavorless, comparatively. 

 There are several species in these waters, and they are found 

 in immense shoals, almo9t blackening the surface. Most 

 othei: fishes, as well as water-fowl and mankind, prey on these 

 helpless and inoffensive creatures, which are only saved from 

 extinction by their numbers, being extremely prolific. The 

 common size is about that of the herring, though they grow, 

 when unmolested, to the weight of four or five pounds. They 

 are very fat in summer, when they are pickled, and make a 

 good substitute for mackerel. The roe of the mullet, when 

 smoked, makes a delicious relish. 



S. — " Where are you going?" 



P.— "I think 1 will try at the mouth of the creek for 

 sheepshead till the title begins to make and bring iu the bass, 

 The boys put some clams in the boat." 



S.— " Wouldn't tiddlers be better bail, ?" 



P.— "Well, I reckon you can get all you want with 

 clams. We keep along the west shore, where a deep channel 

 runs close to the bank, and at the mouth of the creek, where 

 there is a deep hole and strong eddy. P. tosses the anchor 

 ashore aud begins to open the large round clams by 

 blow on their edge with a heavy knife. "How, says lie, 

 "bait your hooks aud fish near- the bank." Our rig is two 

 Virginia hooks, with a four-ouuee sinker. We drop to the 

 bottom in about ten feet, of water. In half a minute each feels 

 a tug. We each reel in sheeptbeait, which struggle hard and 

 bear downward with short rushes. Mine is a four-pounder, 

 which, with some difficulty, 1 persuade lo come to the surface, 

 and P, lifts him into the boat with the landing-net. S. seems 

 to have a heavier one, which keeps near the bottom. After 

 some minutes' play it is brought to the surface, and proves to 

 be a pair, one of which escapes in the final struggle, taking 

 With him the hook ; the one saved weighs about n 



p. — "That was a fine pair of sheepshead, too much for 

 your fine line." 



S.— ■ ' The line could have held the fish, but the snood was a 

 little frayed, 1 think." 



So we kept on for an hour, during which time we got 

 twenty-five sheepshead, average three pounds , six pi 

 one pound each ; four blackfish and six whiting, the last two 

 being small species here, perhaps half a pound each, but ex- 

 cellent pan flsh. The pig-fish I consider the best of the com- 

 mon coast fishes, and only inferior to the poinpano. 



Then the fish stopped biting, and wc left, keeping down the 

 Channel toward the inlet till we came to a long 

 winch lies between the Halifax anil WilUboro' Rivers. Ou 

 the north side of the bank is the main chanuel, but 

 the water is shoat. Here we anchored in three feet of water. 

 The tide having turned to flood, our boat swung seaward, and 

 baiting our hooks for bass (Cuttyhunk pattern.) we cast as far 

 as possible toward the inlet, leaving the bait on the bottom. 



P.— "I think 1 will try for a bass, too," and, whirling his 

 bait round his head, he cast it seaward about forty yards. _ 



S.— " This is a pretty place to fish, bottom clean, with 

 open water to play your nsh." 



p.— "We ought to get some bass he: 

 us alone. They are very plenty here s 



We sat quietly with cur lines out, i 

 fanned by the gentle breeze. Our fell' 

 cans, were at work near the inlet 

 couple of ospreys were tloing likewa 



annoyed by apair of predatory eagles, which from their watch- 

 tower on a lofty pnie on the mainland were looking out for 

 prizes, and seldom missed a robbery of the painstaking hsh- 

 nawk. As we were observing one of these Chases, suddenly 

 P. beganto haul in his line, and at tie end, we saw a large 

 red fish struggling at the surface, Before it was secured I 

 felt a tug, and my line was whizzing off the reel, which had 



2 if the sharks Will let 

 liu'times." 



the warm sunshine, 



w fishermen, the peli- 



iving for mullet. A 



L but as tJSUftl were much 



