lum sily, not at all like the gallant stags in books. I braced 
up, kept my nerves down, and just as he was passing within 
hiriy feet, let him have it back of the foreleg, It may have 
Teena barbarous shot, but it was effectual, An ounce and 
@ half of BB, backed by four drams of powder heavily 
wadded, did the business. Heart and lungs were riddled 
Jike a colander, and he only made one heavy, lurching jump 
after the charge struck him. He was dead almost as soon 
fis he fell. The cur dog did not come in on the track, and 
by a little after dark, with the help of old man Button, a 
art-horse and pung, the big buck was safely housed. 
Then I suddenly decided to start for home the next 
Morning before daylight, a decision which Button seriously 
Hhjected to. 
“Better stay with us all winter,” he said. ‘‘You can go 
‘out ito the timber and hunt deer as Jong as the season lasts, 
‘trom John Hinckley’s camp, and you'll be among friends. 
Bikey thinks a heap of you; and she and John are goin’ to 
Bet married Christmas—” 
| “Eh? what!” 
“Yes; hadn’t you mistrusted it?’ 
Oh yes, of course Lhad, And I felt a lump rising in my 
throat, and was conscious of looking like a fool. I don’t 
know why; the girl was nothing to me—that is, nothing 
more than a very pleasant acquaintance. 
But at 5 o'clock the next morning I was en route for 
‘Buffalo, which it took two days to reach, and where I found 
the snow eight inches deep, and the boats in a slushy, snowy 
jam. But I feok a Redbird packet, and as we had the 
“wight of way, less than twenty-four hours brought us to 
Rochester, where I soid the buck for $25 to ‘‘Butcher 
Edwards,” who, if he be alive, will take his ‘‘alfred david” 
that the deer did not weigh 250 pounds, though it did 
Weigh 225 pounds, and was the largest buck I have ever 
killed. 
_ ‘Two deer and no wild turkey is not much to boast of for 
4 six weeks’ tour; but I somehow remember that outing as 
‘one of the pleasantest episodes of my life. And it was while 
coming down the lake that I eyolved from my inner con- 
sciousness the plan of my next gun, which was briefly as 
: fillows: Rifle and shot, barrels lying vertically, locks ‘‘over 
and under,’ weight 84 pounds. Shot barrel 14-gauge, rifle, 
80 round balls to the pound, conical bullet 40 to the pound. 
I had it made that winter, and it proved the best all-around 
gun for sporting and general use I have ever owned. Rather 
heavy for chipmunks, and not powerful enough for grizzlies. 
Bul, as I never hunt either, 1 managed to keep myself tolera- 
bly well keeled for anything from a squirrel to a deer. Had 
ibe gun not gone up in an unlucky fire it would probably be 
my favorite to-day. 
We mostly—old hunters though we may be—yary in our. 
methods of hunting. ‘‘Adios” tells of shooting one deer at 
400 yards and another at 800 yards, and says ‘‘from 300 to 
500 yards is a fair killing distance.” I have never killed a 
deer at as long a distance as even 300 yards, and only one as 
far off as 250, 
Of all the deer I have killed 1 have shot only two asfar off 
as 200 yards, and to offset this 1 have shot two so near me 
that the hair on their sides was powder-burned. I think my 
shots at deer haye ayeraged less than fifty yards. and I have 
shot many at about half that distance. NESSMUK, 
WELLSBORO. Pa., Sept. 6. 
A SEARCH FOR AMUSEMENT. 
W the month of July last, our friend, Rev, W. T. J., 
visited his father, a well-known Baptist clergyman, who, 
at that time, resided in the immediate vicinity of Henderson- 
ville, in this State, in quest of pure air and water, which his 
arduous clerical labors had made necessary for his health. 
Though a “fisher of men,” Brother J. does not regard it as 
tnworthy of “the cloth” to indulge, when favorable oppor- 
tunity offers, in the use of the breechloader and the rod. 
After sojourning a while in that delightful neighborhood, 
and feeling somewhat refreshed, he made arrangements for 
a trip to the upper waters of the French Broad, in ‘lransy]- 
vania county, where he was assured the ruffed grouse and 
speckied trout were in abundance. Knowing quite well the 
weakness of your correspondent and one or two other friends 
in this vicinity for the sport which he anticipated, he ad- 
dressed us an urgent letter, advising us of the day of his in- 
tended depurture, and earnestly requested that we should 
reach Hendersonville by the train which left Spartanburg, 
8. C., at 6 P. M. on Thursday, the 7th of August, and be 
the guests of his father that night, Teceel and L concluded 
that we could afford to leave our business for a short while, 
in order to have such an enjoyable time as was promised, 
and, accordingly, left home at 3 A. M. of that. day, and at 8 
o'clock arrived safely at the point of our immediate destina- 
tion, At the station we were met by our friend and one or 
more of his brothers and taken to the dwelling where we 
were to be guests. A cordial welcome awaited us, and, 
after a pleasant chat with the father, mother and sister of 
our friend, we were shown to our bedroom and soon became 
oblivious of all earthly things. At all events, 1 did; but 
Teceel assured me next morning that the “sable goddess’’ 
brought no repose to him until the ‘‘wee sma hours ayant 
the twal,” long after my stentorous breathing had ceased to 
fall harshly on his ears, and then, in sheer physical exhaus- 
tion, he hadfallen asleep, Next morning, soon after the sun 
hal gilded the mountain tops, or ‘‘jocund day stood tiptoe 
on fhe mountain tops” (it has been some time since I read it, 
and the quotation may not be literally exact) we rose from 
our couchus, went below, and waited but a short while be- 
fore that welcome sound was heard which is so pleasant to 
ahuueryman. Coffee and milk, and bread, butter, chickens 
and e#gs were eaten with a relish, and the preparations com- 
meneed for the trip which we were about to take. 
Not long after this, a six-seated vehicle, called a back, 
drawn by two horses, made its appearance, and into this our 
baggage, guus and ammunition were placed, and Sam J., a 
young lawyer of Greensboro, J. F. J., of Ashville, one of 
the best wing shotsin the country, W. T. J., Teceel and 
“Wells” took their seats, the first named acting the part of 
Jehu. Bro, J,, the elder, and a “spring chicken,” as we call 
the boys when the down on their upper lips begins to color, 
whom I shall call Sparrow—that being his nick-name—got 
in a buggy, and bidding adieu to that part of the household 
who remained, we drove off in the direction of Brevard. 
Wehad two dogs—Jeff, an old pointer, who had been, so 
we were told, an excellent hunter in his earlier days, and a 
young bitch of gentle blood and unfathomable bottom, who 
was deficient in taining. Ina little more than an hour we 
teached the French Broad, and took up its right or eastern 
bank fora few miles, when we crossed it on a bridge. Just 
beiow the bridge we saw the unusual sight of a steamboat, 
which had been built to ply between Asheville and Brevard, 
Ee 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
when the people in that section supposed the Federal Goy- 
ernment would spend many thousand dollars in making the 
Tiver easily navigable for vessels of her class. Alas, for 
human expectations! She will probably rot where she now 
lies without even transporting a single one of those number- 
less tons of produce which the ardor of the people supposed 
would be carried to market on her decks. Getting on the 
west side of the river, our route led us somewhat off from 
its banks, and we did not see the stream again until soon 
after we passed “the old Gash place,” once a favorite rest- 
ing place for travelers, : 
About noon we drew up to a double log house, owned and 
tenanted by a plain family named Allison, who had been 
advised by Brother J. that we would reach their house that 
day, and partake of such hospitalities as they might be able 
to offer. The proprietor was not at home, having been 
called off to Brevard on business, but his wife gaye us a 
hearty reception, which was as sincere as it was unstudied. 
There was no guile in her welcome, but it came forth pure 
and undefiled as the fountain which supplied her waterpail. 
She was indeed glad to see us, and she did “‘the best she 
could” for our accommodation. Ihave seen more sumptu- 
ous repasts than the one which she spread, but never have 
I seen one which more clearly illustrated that “‘better is a 
dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred 
therewith.” It was substantial and neatly prepared, but its 
great glory consisted in the fact that it was not grudgingly 
given, but with heartfelt pleasure. We enjoyed that frugal 
dinner and the smiling face of our excellent hostess, She 
made no charge whatever, alleging that if we felt gratified 
she had all the compensation which she desired, On our re- 
turn we stopped again for dinner, and were fortunate in 
meeting her husband, who, we thought from what we saw, 
was exactly suited to the woman whom he had made his 
wite, He refused te take one cent of remuneration, stating 
that though poor, he had bread enough for his own house- 
hould and a loaf now and then for a ‘“‘wayfaring man,” 
That is a happy family. No sordid cares eat up their souls, 
and in the hereafter they will have “harps of gold,” while 
others who dress in ‘‘purple and fine linen,” will, perhaps, 
not enjoy that sweet music which floats through the arches 
and corridors of “the mansions of the blest.” 
Bidding our kind entertainers farewell, we resumed our 
journey up the immediate valley of the stream, and passing 
some of the best farms in the western part of the State. 
About six miles above Brevard night overtook us, and we 
took lodgings at the house of Mrs. Duckworth. where we 
were comfortably entertained. Bro, Jordan, the elder, hisson 
Jim and Sparrow, went about two miles beyond and stayed 
with an excellent and hospitable family named Galloway, 
but rejoined us in the morning, About o’clock we turned 
squarely to the right and commenced the ascent of the 
mountaing, After an hour or two of toilsome travel, in 
which it became necessary for the vehicle to be emptied of 
its living contents, we reached the top, and began to go 
down to the western branch of the French Broad. This 
was safely reached, and then Jeaving that stream and taking 
up another which emptied into it, a journey of a few miles 
brought us to Robinson's, the place which we were seeking. 
We arrived about midday, and soon thereafter sat down to 
an excellent dinner, which all of us enjeyed. 
The house is made of logs, but is two stories in heicht. 
On the north side there is a piazza extending its whole 
length. An excellent bed in a room up-stairs, where every- 
thing was clean, was assigned me as a place of repose, and 
my associates were Sam and Jim J, and Sparrow, whom I 
“took in’ as a sleeping companion. It is but just to him to 
say that during the night he conducted himself with eminent 
propriety, and neither kicked, pulled off the coyer—and 
cover was quite comfortable—snored nor grunted. His 
digestion, I take it, is remarkable, because if otherwise he 
would haye shown some physical uneasiness, after the suc- 
cessful destruction which he always made of our hostess's 
viands. What an appetite that boy has! He is a small 
specimen of humanity, to be sure, but then people who have 
“fa lean and hungry look” are usually gifted with a capacity 
for victual stowage which is really astonishing. Mud and 
Sparrow would be unwelcome guests in any family where 
the larder was low, provided their gastronomic powers were 
known. 
North of Robinson’s, and distant less than a mile, flows the 
French Broad River. At that place it has a width of about 
thirty feet, and there are quite a number of pools, where the 
water is several feet in depth. It looks asif the trout would 
be abundant in the stream. Indeed, I understand that they 
are, but generally of small size. Occasionally one is caught 
which weighs a pound. One of our party spent an hour or 
so with his rod and line, and brought back a nice little 
string. Unfortunately they were not properly cooked, and, 
hence, were far from being so palatable as they should 
have been. The fact is, I] have never yet had the good 
fortune to have a dish of these fish set before me which com- 
mended itself to my palate, or which was comparable to the 
bream of Waccamaw Lake, or the pigfish of the sounds near 
Wilmington. Itis possible enough thatif 1 had had the courage 
and strength to take up or down one of their mountain 
streams, kill any fish I caught, and cooked them when they 
were fresh, I should have enjoyed them. They ought to be 
first-class, because they live only in cold and pure water. I 
tried the rod and line but once during the visit, and though 
T used all my skill, I did not succeed in getting a ‘‘nibble.” 
Probably this result was caused by the fact that there had 
been rain just preceding the time of my effort, and the fish 
had had plenty to eat, and were not, therefore, tempted by 
the red worms which I used. 
Our party hunted grouse assiduously for two or three 
days and thoroughly traversed grounds which gave promise of 
abundaut sport, but we failed to start the birds, Only five 
or six were found, and they rose at such distances from us, 
that we did not get even a feather, This was so discouraging 
to men who were prepared with over a hundred shells each, 
that though our accommodations were good, the atmosphere 
and water delightful, and the mountain scenery lovely as 
heart could wish, we could stand our poor luck but three 
days, and sorrowfully, but wisely, ‘homeward turned our 
sail,” Grouse may be there, people say they are, but we 
were unable to find them, The fact is, I find that this bird 
and I are doomed to be strangers, for he inhabits loculities 
which my physical powers are incapable of visiting. 
Some time ago one of your correspondents expressed a de- 
sire that some of the sportsmen who write for the Fornst 
AND STRHAM should give an account of one of their unsuc- 
cessful hunts, I have gratified the anxiety of that indi- 
vidual, and trust that he is profoundly grateful for the con- 
sideration I have shown for his wishes. 
Now, although we got neither game nor fish, we had a 
pleasant time and the expense was inconsiderable. If, in the 
163 
month of October, a small party of hardy men, well equipped 
with guns, dogs and tackle, should visit Robinson’s, they 
could, no doubt, enjoy themselves. Indeed, there are many 
places all through our mountains where moderate sport could 
be had, and where health of body and mind could be secured, 
for a comparatively small outlay of muney. They would have 
to undergo a deprivation of a daily mai!, and content them- 
selyes with Pee COO from a newspaper somewhat 
antiquated in date. But persons who want recreation need 
not care for that, It is only so mich to their advantage. 
As indicated in my last, I have placed my sword in the 
scabbard upon the warlike question of rifles and shotguns. 
They who choose to use either weapon may do so, for aught 
1 shall say, J shall only reserve to myself the right to adopt 
either at my pleasure on any kind of game. If I choose to 
be simple enough to load my 14-bore with No. 12 shot even 
for deer, it is only an evidence of my own folly, for which 
no man is responsible. But I shall use No. 1, 2 or 3 buck for , 
that purpose, and when I come to small game shall use one 
ounce of 8, 9 or 10, depending upon the season of the year. 
And I shall shoot a cylinder gun, weighing less than 7 
pounds, having found it quite as effective as I desire. If I 
fail to kill, the fault will be mine. Nor shall 1 shoot at every 
bird which I see, regardless of distance and opportunity, 
There is no sense in that course. Sometimes, even with the 
best chances, I know I shal] only wound the game, and it 
will escape, But I can’t help it, I wish my aim was always 
so true that this mistake would not occur. It never was and 
never will be, either with me or with any one. 
If, in “the heat of debate,” anything has fallen from me 
which was unpleasant to my humane friend ‘‘Piute,” I sin- 
cerely regret it, and say to him, in all sincerity, ‘‘Let there 
be no strife, I pray thee, betwixt me and thee.” Wruva. 
RockinGHam, N. C., Sept. 15, 1884. 
A HUNT WITH THE COMANCHES. 
TN the year 1875 1 was a trooper in the Fourth United 
States Cavalry, belonging to a company stationed at 
Fort Sill, Indian Territory, On the 15th of October, that 
year, | received an order, early in the morning, ‘‘to report 
at the adjutant’s office right away with eighteen days’ 
rations, arms and ammunition.” Upon reporting I was sent 
to the commanding officer, Gen. MacKenzie. Said he: ‘I 
want you to go with a party of Indians on their winter 
hunt,” ‘‘Alone?” IT asked him, ‘‘Yes,” said he, ‘‘I will 
send you along with them by yourself if you are not afraid 
to go; if you are, say so and I will send another man along 
with you.” That just suited me, I wanted no other man, 
and it did not take me long to tell him so. Then he ordered 
me to start right off and go to the Wichita Agency, thirty 
miles north of Sill, get there that night and report to the 
agent. I saddled up my horse, took a pack mule, vot rations, 
plenty of ammunition for carbine and pistol, and was en 
route for the Wichita in less than an hour. Getting in there 
late in the afternoon, the agent told me that my Indians 
would be down on the next dayto get their supplies, a hunt- 
ing pass, etc., and I could then join them, They did not 
put in an appearance until the next afternoon, quite late. 
Then they held a pow-wow with the agent concerning the 
length of time they could remain out. They finally con- 
cluded to stay out four months if buffaloes were plenty. 
Then we started for their camp, some ten miles up the river. 
I found that they numbered fifteen lodges and about seventy- ° 
five men, women and children, Their chief was A-sa-hab- 
bit. He was about the hardest case on the reservation, so 
the agent kindJy informed me, and his looks did not belie it. 
As it was dark when we got into camp, I did not hayea 
chance that night to see much of him or his band. 
Next morning at daylight the camp was astir, squaws being 
busy taking down the tepees, cooking breakfast, and packing 
mules. We got off at sunrise, going west all day and eamp- 
ing late in the afternoon near Wichita River. While on the 
march this day I had a chance to see how the Indians 
traveled, as I rode in the rear along with the chief. They 
divided up their drove of ponies in six or seven separate 
bands, loose ponies, ponies packed, and ponies carrying the 
younger children. Each squaw had her own ponies to drive 
and pack. The packs were continually coming off and 
the squaws were kept busy all day fixing them again. 
The chief had quite a herd himself consisting of mules 
packed with flour, coffee, sugar, etc., and some thirty or 
forty loose ponies. He had besides five or six large American 
horses which he never rode himself nor allowed any one else 
to ride. What he kept them for I never could find out; I 
do not believe he knew himself. Upon coming to the place 
where the chief decided to camp, the men would dismount, 
take off their saddles, turn their ponies loose and lie down 
under the nearest tree, while the squaws took off their packs, 
put up the tepees, got wood and water and cooked supper. 
The chief was the only Indian in the band who spukea 
word of English. He had a negro boy about twelve years old 
that he had bought, so I understood, when he was quite 
young. The agent took himaway from the Indiuns the follow- 
ing summer and placed him in the school, but at this time 
the chief had him -herding ponies, driving them on the march 
and helping the squaws generally, He acted as an interpreter 
between the Indians and myself until I picked up a little 
Comanche. The chief would never speak English while 
around camp, but when out with me alone he could talk it 
all day. 
As soon as we camped this night and the lodges were up, 
he directed a squaw to fix me a bed in his own lodge directly 
opposite the door. I afterward found out that this was 
the place of honor in the lodge. 
Next morning it was raining, but that made no difference; 
we were looking for buffalo and were bound to find them. 
I saddled up a pony that morning and every morning after 
that, and rode my own horse no more that winter; but 
turned him loose to pick up his living among the ponies. 
The march this day was about a repetition of yesterday’s. 
On going into camp that night the chief announced that 
to-morrow, ‘‘may be so, we get buffalo.” We got them. 
Late in the afternoon we came to the North Fork of the Red 
River, and saw the first buffalo of the season. They had 
heen very plenty there some time back, but a party of white 
skin-hunters were in camp at the river, and had been killing 
them off. The river here is the boundary line between the 
Indian Territory and Texas, and these white men were on 
the Territory side of it. That made the old chief mad; he 
wanted them moved off right away. I told them they would 
haye to cross, and after taking a look at our outfit they con- 
concluded to do so, Our Indians were nearly all armed 
With breechloaders of diffcrent patterns, but most of them 
were old. model Winchesters. The chief had a Springfield 
carbine and a Colt’s pistol] that he had bought from some 
deserter from the cavalry service. We killed quite a number 
