382 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
a eS ae sala 
[Duo. 11, 1884 
Che Sportsman Courist. 
CAROLINA QUAIL SHOOTING. 
Fo several months past I have been so engaged in other 
pursuits, and especially using my tongue instead of my 
pen as ameans of conveying my thoughts upon such sub- 
jects as were interesting to me and, as I thought, important 
to the country, that I have failed to communicate with the 
readers of Forest AND SrREAM. It does not become me to 
say whether the service I rendered to the general public was 
of much value, or whether the patrons of your paper suffered 
any loss by my silence. Nor is it my purpose to indicate 
whether I was one of that class of our people who rejoiced 
at the result of the late political struggle, in which I was an 
humble but somewhat zealous participant, or one of that 
class whose hearts were full of sorrow over the evils antici- 
pated from a change in the Federal Administration. ‘The 
election is over, the verdict of the people of the several 
States has been rendered, and I earnestly trust, for the 
country’s sake, that our public affairs will be so managed 
during the next four years as to advance “‘the general wel- 
fare” by the enactment of wise and just Jaws, the equal dis- 
tribution of the burdens of government, and the preservation 
of all national and individual rights. To speak thus of my 
wishes and hopes, I feel sure, cannot be regarded as treason, 
even though expressed in columns which know no partisan- 
ship, but are devoted to pursuits loved by men of all shades 
of political opinion. 
When our open season began, the weather was so dry that 
the field offered no temptation to the most ardent sportsman. 
Tt was peculiarly trying to the powers of any dog to range 
fields in which there was* not a drop of water to cool his 
tongue or body, and in an atmosphere so thoroughly desic- 
cated that his olfactory nerves were incapable of distinguish- 
ing, or eyen perceiving an odor. I made but few efforts 
after game, and in all of them not enly found no game of 
consequence, but had the misfortune to see my dog on sev- 
eral occasions drop down in a fit, produced, as I supposed, 
by an overtax of his physical powers. It may be that his 
troubles arose from a different cause, He appeared, how- 
ever, to be healthy, and had an excellent appetite. Having 
had no exercise for months, he was, no doubt, too tender for 
a hard range; and besides, he was too fat to stand mich ar- 
duous labor. Atall events, he had ‘‘fits,” and I often earn- 
estly wished that I possessed that marvellous skill professed 
by a quack, who alleged his ability to cure that disorder, 
even though ignorant of that part of the materta medica 
which was applicable to the other diseases ‘‘which flesh is 
heir to.” All I could do was to ‘‘possess my soul in 
patience,” and trust to the os medicatriz nature for his 
restoration. He invariably ‘‘came to” after a short while; 
but learned no wisdom from his experienge. We haye now 
had rain, and when the weather becomes colder, I trust he 
will be capable of withstanding some heavy draughts upon 
his powers of endurance, and show me many a covey on 
which te exercise all the skill with the gun which I possess. 
Last week, in company with my friend and kinsman, J. 
T. LeG., and my son, a boy. of *‘sweet sixteen,” but who 
thinks himself full of more learning than all his ancestors 
combined, a trait not peculiar to him, but too common with 
cigarettic young America all over the land. I went to the 
old ‘‘Leak Plantation” on the Pee Dee River, sixteen miles 
northwest of this place, in quest of Bob White. We hoped, 
notwithstanding the long drought, that we would find 
enough moisture for successful and pleasant hunting, But, 
alas, we were in error. My little pointer Argo, upon whom 
we mainly depended, very soon became overcome by the 
heat, had a fit which dazed him so that he took to the water, 
swam across a lagoon, and was with difficulty induced to 
return to me. Late in the afternoon he had another. In 
consequence of these mishaps, and some very poor shooting 
by me, our bag was unusually small. We had, however, 
enough for breakfast, next morning at the table of our 
hospitable friend, P. N. 8., who owns an adjoining estate, 
and to whom IJ have had frequently occasion to refer in the 
columns of the Fornst AND STREAM. To his house we 
drove up, just about night, and in a short while were 
seated at his board, paying our respects to such a supper as 
his guests always receive. The family had been advised of 
our coming by the youth already mentioned, who, tired of a 
sport at which he had no success, left the hunting grounds 
earlier than we did and heralded our approach. 
My kinsman, Teceel, nad gone with us to the plantation 
aforesaid, but left us with the view of trying other fields. 
He concluded not to stop at all, and accordingly, went di- 
rectly to the dwelling of our host and gave information before 
the boy had arrived, that we might be expected that night. 
He took a small tour in the bottoms and hillsides, but had 
about as poor success as that which came to us. 
Next morning it-was agreed that the party, now consisting 
of five persons, by the addition of our friend Tom, should 
divide, Teceel and Jim LeG., with their dogs Joe and Rex, 
were to hunt up the river, while Tom, my boy G. and my- 
self, with Lena—that wild bitch that 1 bought from a man in 
Virginia, and who gave me such a vivid idea of the meaning of 
the words ‘‘staunch and a good retricyer on land and water,” 
which are sometimes seen in advertisements, a description 
of which I gave in your paper soon after 1 became one of 
your correspondents (she has improved very much since that 
famous occasion)—and my dogs Argo and Sam, should try 
our fortunes the opposite way. Our squad had barely started 
in our course before we saw Wat. M. astride a mule, with a 
little dog: named Dot, full brother to Sam, and one of the 
progeny of Lena aforesaid, who had come out from Anson 
county, where he had been sojourning at the residence of 
his uncle, Col. W. M. P. (“Bishop Crickett’), So we 
divided again, but soon came together where Lena had found 
a large covey in sotae stubble. I had found one with Argo, 
but got only one shot, a successful one, the birds going to 
cover, where I did not choose to follow. 
The large covey escaped both barrels of Tom’s “Webley 
Field,” and settled ona ditch bank near the edge of some 
woods, At this place I got four shots, making two clear 
misses, which I ascribed at the time, to the fact that I was 
shooting 4 L 
eplindéh 28 inches, presented to me by my friend, A, L. G., 
of Philadelphia. After a while I came to the conclusion that 
the fault was with me. Soon after this we got up another 
covey, and I got three shots, all of which were successful, 
Taking down what is called the trunk ditch, we went to 
the river to get some water for ourselves and dogs. Betore 
reaching it, we saw quite a flock of geese pitch into the 
stream about five hundred yards below us. Reaching the 
water, we hallooed to some negroes in a boat near the oppo- 
new gun, a Williams & Powell hammerless, 14 | 
site shore, requested them to land, 
if possible, drive them toward us. Happening to have a few 
shells loaded with No. 1 buck, we inserted them and cau- 
pee! went down the stream about half the distance, and 
secreting ourselves, awaited events, It was not long before 
we heard the note which indicated their flight; but when 
we saw them, we noticed, to our disappointment, that they 
would pass us at least two hundred and fifty yards off. We 
concluded to shoot, thinking that by possibility we might 
get one. Accordingly, Wat. M. and I each gave them two 
salutes, and just after the last gun was fired (Wat.’s) we saw 
one waver and then go down into the water. One of the 
boatmen got it for us, Which killed it? Idonot know. 
But 1 got the goose, and to-day had it for dinner. It was not 
fat—there being so far but little food for them. With some 
additional adipose it was quite palatable, however. 
The boy had been left to hold the dogs, and very soon 
after we shot he started to us and got up a covey of birds, 
at which he wasted two shells without avail. Where they 
went he could not tell. Two hundred yards below we got 
up another covey, which took refuge in a pine thicket. I 
got in three shots and bagged two birds. The other I think 
killed, but we failed to find it. Then, in a very thick 
place, the dogs flushed a very large one, at which some of 
the others shot, without suecess. ‘[hese settled on a ditch 
bank, thickly set with cane, and though we started several 
of them we bagged none. Here Argo had another ‘‘fit”—a 
preceding one about an hour before this. He recovered, 
however, and joined me in about fifteen minutes, soon after 
which one of the hunters flushed a nice covey, at which I 
got tive shots, ‘‘grassinge” three of them. We got some of 
them up in a short while and I ‘‘feathered” one, while Wat 
M. killed one—this being his first trial during the day—and 
that bird was the only one so far which I had not* brought 
down. About this time poor Argo was ‘‘taken” again. We 
went on, however, and he rejoined us, pretty soon after 
which another covey was started, at which three harmless 
shots were fired by Tom and Wat. I got one chance, killed 
the bird, but failed to get him. And then Argo was ‘‘fitted” 
slightly. Just then we heard a gun on the opposite side of 
the swamp, and Jim LeG., who had been unsuccessful 
above, joined us. He reported that Teceel had become dis- 
gusted and gone home. Crossing the swamp our dogs set 
birds—doubtless a part of the covey we had been pursuing— 
and Jim got one bird and I got two. Turning our way 
homeward I had four shots, getting three birds. Jim killed 
five, Tom one and Wat one. When we reached the house, 
about nightfall, I had sixteen, Jim the same number, Wat 
two, the boy, whom I sometimes call Dumble, three, and 
oe two, each of the last sportsmen killing one sitting on a 
imb. 
Tt was pay purpose to have returned home the next day, 
but my kind friends urged me to stay over Sunday, and per- 
haps the circumstance might be accompanied, as was usual, 
with rain. I consented, and that night, sure enough, a light 
one did fall. 
The following morning there was every indication of con- 
tinual showers, but the clouds passed with only afew gentle 
droppings. We left soon after breakfast, and drove six 
miles, still up the river, to the home of N. LeG., a brother 
of my companion, and after night there was a little more 
tain, but still a very scant supply. Early after breakfast 
Jim and I set out one way with Argo and Rex, while N., his 
cousin Cansey LeG., E, 8. of Wadesboro, and Pumble, with 
Pelham, Joe and 8am, went another. They returned at 
night, reporting that they had killed twenty-four birds, Soon 
after we went to hunting my poordog Argo got another ‘‘fit,” 
and a very severe one. I had managed, however, to get 
three birds in nine shots, wounding two others, which es- 
caped going into my pockets, Jim bagged only one, he hay- 
ing failed to get the chances I had. When we got to Dumas’s 
Ferry on the Pee Dee, he had six birds and I only four. At 
this place we met by accident T. B. W. of Wadesboro, with 
his gun and young dog, which he calls Belton, that being 
his class. After dividing rations with him while we sat in 
the ‘‘flat,” we all proceeded down the river to try our luck. 
In a little while his dog got up a covey, and being called 
by him, we gave pursuit. From them Jim got five, W. got 
three and I four. Just below more birds were found by him 
on a ditch,and heand LeG, each killed one. I did not shoot. 
They settled in thick cover on the river bank, and LeG. and 
Leach got one. W. requested me to let his dog retrieve my 
bird. consented of course. Belton soon found him, but 
showed greater disposition to convert him to his own use than 
to bring him to me. For this reason I went to do the re- 
trieving myself. He refused to part with what he evidently 
regarded as his personal chattel, and a struggle ensued which 
ended in avampum partice—he getting the head, which he 
immediately swallowed. I told W. that Belton’s appetite 
was rather good—indced morbid—and that he needed some 
corrective. Later in the afternoon, when IJ had shot another, 
this hungry canine got to it before I could, and this time 
gave me the head and breast for my share, while he devoured 
the remainder. Weall did some good shooting during the 
trip, and when we reached the ferry the score of LeG. and 
“Wells” was 16 each and W.12. That night we all spent 
at the house of our friend, W., and the following day our 
party started home. About half way I missed Argo, but 
thinking he would overtake us, we hurried on, and crossed 
our own door-sills just about dark. Next day Argo was still 
missing, and I sent a messenger to hunt him. Hereturned 
on the 27th with the dog, haying found him at the house of 
P. N.S. Tom reported that two men passed the house the 
next day after we had gone home with the dog, alleging that 
they were taking him to his owner. This he emphatically 
denied, telling them that he knew Argo well and who his 
owner was. 
And thus this not entirely unsuccessful sporting tour ended. 
Next week I expect, if the spindles and looms over whose 
operations L have the general management, will not suffer 
by my absence, to visit Chatham county, where there ought 
to be plenty of game, in company with my friends Teceel, 
Mud and Bro, Duffrey. Bro. D. and I will use 14-bore guns, 
and Teceel and Mud 16’s, 
and we anticipate making the hills of that section resound 
with our fusilades, and make the occasion a green one in our 
sporting memories. I may find time and inclination to give 
ou some notes of what we do. It is probable that Mud and 
I will separate from the others and confine our operations 
chiefly to the fields round about Ore Hill, while the others 
will go to Hickory Mountain and try the birds on a part of 
the old Allston estate. We hope to be joined by some gentle- 
men from Fayetteville, who have expressed a. desire to com- 
pete with us in a trial of skill. Mud and 1 wiil make an 
earnest effort to keep the laurels we have from fading, even 
though we do no succeed in-giving them fresher and greener 
hues. At all events I feel sure that the peculiarities of my 
Each will have 250 loaded shells, | 
go below the geese and, | friend will afford me some amusement, and perhaps he may 
be of some service to a young untrained sctter dog I haye, 
and which I mean to force him to take along, he not owning 
adog. We shall see. WELLS, 
Slatuyal History. 
NOTES OF THE WOODS AND WATERS. 
II, 
ABOUT SOME DAMP AND SLIMY THINGS CALLED SEAWHEDS. 
“Not lost the time in seaside ramble spent; 
Braced is the frame, and mental health is gained, 
Knowledge obtained of Him who made the deep, 
And blissful loye acquired of Nature’s works.”’ 
Wee INUTILIS, exclaims an ancient poet; vilior alga 
& esi, he adds in a tone of bitter contempt; refunditor 
alga, repeats another very learned bard. “The sea itself 
spurns forth the nathless tang,” chips in still another pot- 
boiler. All this was many, very many years ago; still it is 
not more than thirty-five years since seaweeds were still the 
most despised of all this world’s beautiful flora, and were by 
very many professors and students of botany absolutely 
ignored and flung aside as so much useless trash cast out by 
the ocean, 
Fig, 1.—ructs Noposus. 
Along the base of the Battery wall extends a band or zone 
of marine vegetation of a dark or light olive-green color, 
according to the season of the year and the time of tide. This 
coarse-looking marine plant when handled during its fruit- 
ing time is damp and slimy, but don’t for an instant imagine 
that this unpretending, somber-looking yegetation which 
attaches itself so persistently to the rocks, is a nathless thing, 
spewed up by the sea, and of no possible value to any living 
creature. 0, no; this wouid be a great mistake, for withm 
its olive-colored stems, branches and fronds is contained one 
of the most subtle of substances known. ‘Then look upon it 
reverently, We will cut an extremely thin cross section of its 
stem and place it under the microscope; behold its exquisite 
and wonderful cell structure; cell upon cell in which the Great 
Master has caused to be stored up that most precious of 
remedies for suffering humanity—iodine. Yes, this is cun- 
ningly hidden in the unpretending, storm-beaten, despised 
‘hlack tang,” or Fucus, but brought out by the fires of the 
“kelp burners” of Ireland and Scotland. And do not the 
calotype, the ambrotype, the daguerreotype and photograph 
all owe their birth to this wonderful essence? Without 
which tne acecmpanying illustration (photo engraved) could 
not have been produced. 
Fig, 2.—FUCUS VESIOULOSUS. 
Fucus—Greek, a seaweed; a genus of very common mar- 
ine plants (Alge) On our North Atlantic and Pacific coasts 
are to be found in greater or less abundance some seyen 
varieties of Fuct, but the most common are the Fucus no- 
dosus (Fig, 1), and Fucus vesiewlosus (Fig. 2), and Ff. ser- 
patus. ‘They are all called ‘rock weed,” and are considered. 
of no great value, except as a fertilizer, and that to no very 
great or general extent. Occasionally fishermen pack their 
soft and hard crabs in rock weed, and dealers in oysters 
dress their baskets with it. In Europe Fucus is held in the 
highest estimation by the farmers, fishermen and peasantry 
of England, Scotland, Ireland and the Ghannel Islands, The 
