42 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



Presently the trail was ji U- fur- 



ther on it bore the ap] branch- 



ing oil' in all directions and leading one to suppose that he had 

 ';ly come upoil a cattle yard in ike depths of ilie forest. 



" Moose yard now," said Sebatis in a low tone. " I tak'em 

 lioun's, go ahead; you tix'em rifle, everything, by'em-by 

 djoi se come." 



"Don't you think we had better separate?" said Nimrod. 

 " Sebatis. post the others in good places, then you go around 

 to the other end of the yard. I'll take the hounds in on tins 

 trail. " 



" Very well," replied Sebatis in a tone of quiet sarcasm. 

 "I sit on log: you tak'em houn's, make plenty nor 

 down hill snow-shoes, scar'erd moose pretty bad, then we all go 

 camp get supper." 



Although Sebatis and Nimrod were excellent friends, they 

 occasionally had these little differences, owing to Nimrod's de- 

 sire to assume a prominent place in the hunt. On this occa- 

 sion 1 sided with Sebatis, got him in good humor, and he 

 started off with the hounds as he first, proposed. We then 

 took our position on the outskirts of the moose yard. 

 Presently the baying of the hounds, desultory at first hut 

 soon gaining volume, assured us thin the moose had started. 

 With nerves at their utmost teushn, we stood in mom 



station of seeirg a moose break rover. But soon, the cry 

 of the bounds growing fainter, we learned that the quarry had 

 taken some other direction. 



''Moose gone right cross country!" exclaimed Sebatis as 

 he came up on the run. ''Only chance now, cut'em Off." 



" Swarsin, yon and little Doc wateh'em yard ; may lie two, 

 three moose there," he continued. "Me, other two men go 

 big lake." 



And off started Sebatis, Nimrod and I, and a right jolly 

 time we had of it ; now toiling up a steep ascent, as-isting 

 ourselves as best we could by twig or branch, sometimes miss- 

 ing our hold and sliding half way down the hill and, by way 

 of variety, getting a fall on the hard crust. Encouraged by 

 the baying of the hounds, on we hurried, charging ■windfalls 

 which, on other occasions, would have appeared insurmount- 

 able to snow-shoes. 



"Big lake, now," remarked Sebatis. "Moose lie don't 

 lik'em ice— slip, slip all time. S'pose he go on lake, sartin 

 houn's ketch'em." 



We could now hear the hounds barking furiously, and we 

 judged that they had the moose at bay, which proved to lie the 

 fact. About half way across the lake a large cow moose stood 

 at bay, surrounded by the hounds, not one of which had the 

 pluck to go in in the face of the determined front she pre- 

 sented to all assailants. Matters had evidently reached a dead 

 lock when we appeared upon the scene of action. The mo- 

 ment the moose attempted to move on the hounds closed 

 in and, attacking her savagely, she was compelled to 

 turn and show front, which on the slippery ice was no easy 

 matter, and she was well aware of the fact that if she went 

 down it was all over with her. 



" I go help'em houn's," said Sebatis, slipping quickly out 

 of his snow-shoes. 



He was off like an arrow, and before Nimrod and I could 

 get out of our snow-shoes he had covered half the distance be- 

 tween ourselves and where the scrimmage was going on be- 

 tween the hounds and moose. As soon as the moose caught 

 sight of him she broke away from the hounds, and dashed 

 forward to meet the new and more dangerous foe. 

 It -was a moment of peril to Sebatis, as neither Nimrod nor I 

 could aid him, the direction taken by the moose keeping the 

 iormer in range and preventing our firing. 



Sebatis was an old hand at the business, and took the mat- 

 ter coolly: dropping on one knee, he brought up his rifle, 

 waited until the mocne was within twenty yards of him, then 

 fired. For an instant the moose faltered and tottered as if 

 she would go down, then, gathering strength, made a desper- 

 ate charge. It was her last effort, for on reaching Sebatis, 

 her ability to injure him was gone : she, however, managed to 

 carry him down with her as she fell. 



The dogs now rushed in, and over they rolled, slipped, slid 

 and struggled on the ice — Indian, dogs and moose all mixed up 

 together" Sebatis tried his best to beat off the hounds, who, 

 determined not to be driven off, were tearing away at the 

 dying moose. 



Nimrod and I now joined in the fray, and drove off the 

 hounds, much to the relief of Sebatis. The latter presented a 

 most deplorable appearance, his face and hands smeared with 

 blood, and his clothing hanging in shreds. Loud were his de- 

 nunciations of the hounds. 



" Me no lik'em houn's," he said in a tone of disgust, 

 " houn's great fool, he bit'em moose,bit'em Injun all same." 



He then skinned and quartered the moose, and with our as- 

 sistance dragged the meat to the shore, where we hurried it 

 into he scow. 



It was now about 3 p. m., and our camp being some two 

 hours distant, we decided to return to it, and defer starting 

 the bull moose until the next day. On our way back we pass- 

 ed the. moose yard, but did not see anything of Sw T arsin and 

 little Joe. 



" Two Injun tracks go that way," said Sebatis, pointing 

 toward a ravine. 



A tier studying the country for a few moments, he continued: 



" Sartin one moose go that way, Injuns he chase 'em that 

 one." 



"Where do you suppose the bull moose is," said Nimrod, 

 "you know he started out of the .yard with the others ?" 



"I guess he smok'em pipe somewheres," replied Sebatis, 

 ironically. "Bull moose like'm pipe pretty well." 



Dreading a resumption of hostilities between these two in- 

 veterate sharpshooters, Ihmried them off on tiie return march 

 to the camp. 



As we tramped along, an old cock grouse fluttered up out 

 of the snow and alighted on a tree nearby. Sebatis blazed 

 away at him, but to his intense chagrin, made a clean miss. 



"Your gun is crooked," observed Nimrod, as he knocked 

 the grouse over. 



"Yes, 1 know," assented Sebatis, I have'm made crooked, 

 purpose shoot.'em moose round tree : very good gun shoot'em 

 moose, very bad gun shoot'em partridge." 



Then raising his head and listening attentively, he said: 



" Two Injuns come." 



Presently we heard the sound of approaching snow-shoes, 

 and were 'joined by Swarsin and the redoubtable little Joe. 

 They were carrying the quarters of a small-sized moose. 



"Aha, boys," exclaimed Nimrod, "so you've killed a 

 moose." 



"No." replied Swarsin, " whiteman kill'em." 



" How was that ?" pursued Nimrod. 



"Wc w it'em long time moose yard by'em'by tired, then we 

 go hrj tterej find'em trad young "moose, hunt'em 



ays. By'em'by come on lake see'ern white man stand big 

 hole on brook — moose dead 



i'in chus'em— Injun's moose. 



"He say, vvhiteinrn kill'em— while man's moose. 



"We tellVm, White man half. Injun half. 



"He sav, all right, yon take'm half." 



"How," continued Nimrod, "did the white man happen to 

 kill the moose':" 



"Always ice on brook, not strong. Moose he break in 

 brook, lumberman camp handy, lie come, knock' em moose on 

 head, axe." 



We were now within two miles of camp, where we arrived 

 just about dark, all in good spirits wifli the result of our day's 

 hunt. 



We had a right royal dinner of moose steak, broiled grouse, 

 and to which we brought the hunter's relish, an excellent ap- 

 petite, and did ample justice thereto, and then pipes and cof- 

 fee were the order of the day. Later we brewed a bowl of the 

 "barley bree," which served as a nightcap, then rolled our- 

 selves in om blankets and turned in. 



The next morning we were all afoot bright and early. The 

 prospects for another successful day were good; the snow- 

 shoeing improved, and the hounds were in excellent spirits. 



.4s we expect' d to find the bull moose plucky and any 

 amount of run in htm, we prepared ourselves accordingly. 

 Sebatis led the way toward the ground where he had marktd 

 the sign, and to our intense delight we soon found unmistak- 

 able evidence of the moose being in om - immediate vicinity. 



On the southern hillside, a short distance from the ya I 

 found trees bent over and stripped of the bark, broken boughs, 

 and presently; best sign of all, a fresh trail on the new fallen 

 snow. The hounds, full of l.fe, scented the trail, threw uptheir 

 heads and made the old woods echo again with their eagei 

 baying. To restrain them was impossible, so Sebatis slipped 

 them and away they went, at a gallop on the fresh scent, 

 For an instant, fearing a check, we listened with bated 

 breath to their deep mouthed hayings, but still on they went 

 louder and more furious. Their eagerness seemed in- 

 fectious, for, without any previous consultation, white 

 men and Indians set off in a mad burst at a 

 break-heck pace on the trail. One moment jostling each 

 other and tumbling in the snow, then up and off again in the 

 most reckless manner, our only care being to keep our rifles dry, 

 Presently we were brought to a standstill by a total cess< tion 

 of the baying of the hounds. For a moment they 

 were at fault, but we knew that the trail was loo 

 fresh to be lost for any length of time, and that the hounds 

 had probably strayed off on an old trail, which cenjecture was 

 verified in a few moments by their again giving tongue more 

 furiously than ever. Having learned " that "the more 

 haste the less speed" was especially applicable to 

 snow-shoeing, we followed at a more leisurely pace, 

 which would, however, avail us more in the long 

 chase which we had in prospect. In offset to the latter, 

 we had the assurance that the hard crust would ted moie or 

 less on the speed of the moose, as he would be badly cut 

 thereby, and would more than likely turn at bay. 



" Old bull moose he run jus' like devil," said Sebatis. 

 "'Spose we don't cut him off he go all way St. Johns River," 



Not relishing the prospect of a fifty or sixty-mile run, we 

 desired Sebatis to use all the means possible to cut him off. 

 The latter then availing himself of his thorough knowledge of 

 the country and the habits of the moose, led us by a short cut 

 to the banks of the river, where, not sorry for the chance of 

 regaining our wind, we awaited the result of Sebatis' tactics. 

 As more than twenty minutes had elapsed since we ceased 

 to hear the hounds, we began to have serious misgivings as to 

 whether we should hear them again that. day. We did not 

 give expression to our doubts for fear of offending Se. 

 balis. and it was well we did not, for presently that worthy 

 start led us by exclaiming : 



' ' Hark ! houn's come 1" 



For a moment we thought he was mistaken ; then faintly the 

 music of their cry saluted our ears from far away over the hills. 

 Gradually and steadily approaching the river, on they come. 

 louder and deeper, nearer and nearer, uniil the whole pack, 

 close at hand, with eager bayings cheered us on to action! 

 Off we dashed at a run, aloDg the dangerous icy mazes of 

 the river, and suddenly came in sight of the hounds at fault, 

 The moose had crossed the river. Cowed by the angry stream, 

 dashing along in fretful haste through its ice-bound channels. 

 now breaking into frozen spray over some hidden ledge of 

 rock, then following on a black, silent stream, between walls 

 of shelving ice, the' hounds stood "shivering on the brink." 

 As always, om- brave Sebatis was equal to the occasion. 

 Without a moment's delay, the strong and well directed blows 

 of his ever ready axe were laid at the root of a tall fir tree, 

 which reared its towering head close by the bank, and in al- 

 most as little time as the telling of 'it takes the river was 

 bridged and hunters and hounds safely landed on the opposite 

 bank. The hounds picked up the trail again, and, 

 refreshed by the temporary check, started off at 

 a pace which promised, ere long, to overhaul the moose. 

 Sebatis and Nimrod followed the hounds, leaving Swarsin, 

 little Joe and I to guard the river, as there was every proba- 

 bility of the moose returning to the water again. For a 

 weary hour we paced up and down the bank of the 

 river, amusing ourselves as best we could. Our patience being 

 well nigh exhausted, we had quite u ade up oar minds that 

 Nimrod and Sebatis would have all the glory of killiug the 

 moose, and had just pulled out our pipes to have a smoke, 

 when — joyful sound! — we heard the hounds. To pocket 

 our pipes, slip into our snow-shoes, and prepare for action 

 was but the work of a moment, and, quick as we were, we 

 were not one minute too soon. Swarsin and I ran down to a 

 bend in the river where the water was not so deep. We 

 had not time to select a position before little Joe cried to us : 



"Lookout! moose come!" 



Turning round, we saw the huge animal trotting along to- 

 ward tin.' river, with the foam dropping from his mouth, Ins 

 legs badly cut by the crust, and showing signs of being pretty 

 badly used up. Just as he got opposite me I fired at his 

 shoulder — evidently a hit— but he did not, slacken his pace 

 or take any more notice of it than if he had been struck 

 with a snowball. Swarsin headed him off, and having 

 a splendid chance for a shot, raised his rifle and fired. He 

 made an excellent shot — with the " butt " of his gun, for. 

 simultaneously with the terrific explosion, he fell over 

 backward. He believed in putting in plenty of 

 powder, and was literally "hoist with "his own petard." 

 Little Joe ran up at the double quick, aud fired, too far 

 bad:. The ball went through the moose's neck. On dashed 

 the moose, and I feared we might lose him, when up came 

 the gallant hounds to the rescue. Just in time. Thei 

 was in the river, when the hounds running at, him, he turned at 

 bay. At best the nioosebas not, much to be way of 



personal beauty. In the present instance, tired out and infu- 

 riated by his wounds, he looked a fiend incarnate, and one 

 look at ins savage, bloodshot eyes warned us that we had des- 



perate : ,,! for both hunters and hounds. The 



latter were gradually closing around the moose, but he 

 had chosen an admirable position for defense— his rear pro, 

 tecled by the river, and his front very dangerous ground to 

 manoeuvre on, being a mass of treacherous shell ice through 

 which the hounds were constantly breaking. 



I was in the act of loading, when a warning cry can, 

 Swarsin : " Look out. moose goin' fight sav 



Savage indeed was his charge, scattering the bounds 

 and left. With one tremendous kick poor " Oblecknio" was 

 knocked into a mangled mass. Another kick and Mitchtss 

 hobbled past with a broken, leg. The rest of the hounds 

 ground right and left, and on came the infuriated animal. 

 Swarsin skillfully dodged him, little Joe sprang up a tree- 

 snow-shoes and all. 1 tried my best to get out of his waj 

 in an instant I found myself on my back in the snow with >v 

 bruised shoulder, and the moose was just turning to wre 

 vengeance on me, when, fortunately, Nimrod and Sebatis 

 entered an appearance. Nimrod let him have it full in 

 the chest. Sebatis blazed away at his broadside, the three 

 remaining hounds joined in, and the moose retreated in good 

 order to his former posiiiou, blood streaming from his mouth 

 and nose, but apparently with any amount of fight left in 

 him. 



Nimrod and Sebatis now had it, all to themselves. The 

 tumble in the snow had rendered my rifle useless. Swarsin, 

 in his famous first shot, had smashed his rifle, and little Joe' 

 having descended from the tree, was wandering about, appar- 

 ently laboring under a temporary aberration of mind. 



Nimrod, having reloaded, walked up to within fifteen yards 

 of the moose, and was just in the act of firing, when he slipped 

 treacherous shell ice and the ball parsed hanulesslv over 

 the QiQ6s6. It had the effect, however, of rousing hi, 



and he made a desperate charge. Poor Matagius caught 

 it this tim°, and came whimpering to me with a broken rib, 

 I had no time to comfort him, for the moose was in the midst 

 of us, scattering us right aud left. 



Sebatis coolly stood his ground, and, when the moose was 

 a few yards distant, sent a ball crashing through his head, and 

 down went the huge animal, much to the relief of all parties 

 interested. 



but 

 somebody." 



The following day was devoted to getting the venison to 

 camp, and early next morning we started homeward, dragging 

 our spoils behind us. Passaitaquoddy. 



» — »—. 



HABITS OF DEER. 



SOME SUGGESTIONS TO HUNTERS. 



"More'n twenty yesrs," said Sebatis, "I hunt'em moose, 

 it I never se'em one fight so savage. Sartin I 'fraid he kill 



irwthnrl,. " 



>.f«, my bravey' uths, 

 Ftripvi for tue chase, give all your souls to joy! 



I^EOM time to time I have noticed in your welcome sheet 

 accounts of deer hunting in various parts of the country. 

 I think I am not mistaken when I s y that you have many 

 readers who are unacquainted with the habits of the deer, and 

 more especially his habits as known to the hunter. Perhaps 

 a few facts upon this subject may be of some inten st. It has 

 been my good fortune to spend considerable time in hunting 

 deer (C'era/s drglnianus), generally with hounds, but also 

 still-hunting, and watching the licks occasionally. Our deer 

 rarely weigh over two hundred pounds: generally not over 

 one hundred and fifty. The horns of the "buck are thought 

 by many to be a sure indication of his age, i. e., his life num 

 bers as many years as he has points upon them. Extensive 

 observation and inquiry have ltd me to believe this an uncer- 

 certain sign. His first, year, the buck has two small, sharp 

 points. He is now termed a 'spike" buck. In his second 

 year the horns fork, having two points to each beam, and 

 hence he is called a "forked- horn" buck. After the second 

 year the horns seem to fail as an age indicator. In his third 

 year lie may have three prongs, but quite often has four or five, 

 and after this it is impossible to be sure of the age of an un- 

 tamed deer. Certain it is that the size of the buck'does not in- 

 crease in proportion with the size of the horns. I saw a buck 

 with twelve points (an unusual number) and lie was hardly 

 as large as the average four-prong. The largest deer I ever 

 saw had but six points. It is known to few people that the 

 bucks shed their horns every year, about the first week in 

 January. It seems strange that the horus are rarely ever 

 found in the woods, even where the deer are very abundant. 

 Perhaps they seek some secret spot in which to deposit the 

 horns. In the spring the horns grow out in a soft state, and 

 arc covered over with a hairy-like skin, which is called 

 "velvet." The horns are very handsome when in this state, 

 and may be preserved, when not too soft, by soaking them in 

 lye. After the horns have obtained their full growth, and 

 before that time, the bucks seek the highest points they can 

 find in their range. Here they lie about in the sun. the hot 

 rays of which harden the horns. As their horns harden the 

 deer rubs them continually against the trees to get the velvet 

 off. An old buck presents a queer appearance with strips of 

 "velvet " waving around his heal as he dashes along before 

 the hounds. The horns are quite hard by October. 



Deer are most abundant, wherever food is plentiful; like the 

 wild turkey, they follow the mast, When acjrns are plenti 

 fid the deer live on them most of the winter. Mosses, roots, 



leaves and berries fori; i ;i g i part of their food. In the 



summer they feed mostly on grass whenever they can find 

 grazing ground. When then p saow ia winter, 



covering almost everything which might serve for food, the 

 deer feed upon laurel leaves, about the only thing green 

 ground. They arc thought to be the o.dy animal to 

 laurel is not pouon. Hunters attribute this' to the fad 

 deer have no gall. 



The meet, of a deer which has lived upon laurel for any 

 length of time is poisonous to man and dog; though I have 

 never known it to be fatal in its effects. Diu'ing the rutting 

 season the bucks get, very bold, and their fierce contests for 

 supremacy often terminate in death. The skeletons of two 

 deer, the horns being interlocked, are not infrequently found 

 by hunters, while the appearance of the battle ground I 

 testimony of a savage struggle. At this season "the neck of 

 the buck is swollen to a thickness out of all proportion. 

 Strange as it may seem, the spike buck is invariably the 

 victor in his contests with old deer; his sharp, straight 

 horns being much more effective than the large, branching 

 horns of an old buck. When the moon becomes ftdl in No- 

 vember, say old hunters, the rutting season is at 

 and the does are being chased rnercili ssly through the range 

 by their imgallanr, pursuers. The still-hunter takes advantage 

 of this strange piece of nature by watching the crossings. 



The Jeer have th< ir regul . each 



other just the same as when they ar 

 The still-hunter takes his station at some crossing which is 



