146 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



[March 15, 1888. 



Wednesday morning with the spring wagon and make 

 the drive through in a day. 



Tuesday morning was occupied in packing our trunks 

 and getting ready for an early start, intending to get our 

 dinner about eleven and pull right out, so as to get into 

 camp before dark, but we found it after twelve before 

 we were ready for the start. 



After bidding a regretful good-bye to the good people 

 at the ranch, we climbed to our seats and George mount- 

 ing his horse saying he wotdd ride ahead and have the 

 gate open for us, we directed our driver to go ahead, but 

 we did not seem to go with any great rush, our off horse 

 evidently not having been getting ready as the rest of us 

 had, or for some reason he did not like to leave borne. It 

 was only after much coaxing and many endearing words 

 added to many kind remarks from the rest of our party 

 and the friends at the ranch such as "Boys, we hate to 

 see you go off in such a hurry"; "Say, boys, does your 

 father want to sell that horse"; "Wood and water right 

 handy, this will be a good place for you to camp to-night." 

 and other equally cheering remarks, that we finally got 

 under way. But just as we came to the further end of 

 the corral and not yet out of sight of the ranch, the same 

 horse stopped again, probably to take a last sad look at 

 the home of friends he loved so well. About this time 

 George having tired of holding the gate open for us rode 

 back to see if we had decided to wait over until next day. 

 We told him to go back and hold the gate. We were com- 

 ing as fast as we could, wondered if he took us for an 

 express train. We stuffed our lists in our ears so as uot 

 to hear the flattering and encouraging remarks from our 

 friends at the ranch, and calmly awaited the result of 

 our driver's conference with the refractory beast. After 

 a while it resulted satisfactorily, for we again got under- 

 way and this time managed to get outside the gate and 

 out of sight of the ranch. That was about as far as we 

 did get though, as again not half a mile from the ranch 

 our poor homesick horse finally made up his mind that 

 he could not leave his home and pull his share of the 

 load, and he stopped evidently never to go again. Any 

 inducements we had to offer only seemed to settle him 

 more firmly in his determination to that effect. We 

 finally asked our driver if among all the horses in the 

 pasture there was not one that would pull. 



"Golly, boss, doau know: dare dat are boss, M. C, 

 mebby he pull, he mighty peart hoss." So Ed rode back 

 to the ranch, and getting Fred and Shorty, rode over to 

 the pasture, and after some little time succeeded in cap- 

 turing "dat are hoss, M. C," and taking him back to the 

 wagon hitched him in. Thinking perhaps two baulky 

 horses might be better than one in case M. C. should turn 

 out that way, we took the saddle off the horse George 

 had been riding and put it on the homesick one, sending 

 the other back to the pasture. This time we made a 

 glorious start; at least it seemed so to us who had been so 

 long trying to come so far. After this we had no more 

 trouble with our horses, getting along over the smooth 

 roads at a good fair rate of speed. 



We had gone about five or six miles on our way, when 

 Billy sang out, "See the turkeys," and off to our right 

 about 200yds. was a flock of about thirty-five or forty, 

 making tracks as fast as they could for the thick timber 

 in the creek bottom, about 400yds. ahead. We called out 

 to George, who was a short distance ahead, to ride into 

 the flock and scatter them; he put spurs to his horse and 

 dashed ahead, riding right into the midst of them before 

 they took wing. He unfortunately did not have his gun 

 with him. A portion of the birds flew out of sight into 

 the thick timber, but many of them, after flying a short 

 distance, lit down and skulked in the thick grass. Billy 

 and Ed immediately unchained the three dogs, Bob, Nip, 

 and Mose, and loading with our No. 2 shells, started after 

 them, Billy bad marked them down better than Ed, and 

 seemed to be right on the track of them, for they began 

 getting up ahead of him, but flushing wild and giving 

 Mm long shots, evidently too long and out of reach, 

 although he kept his little sixteen going, hoping he might 

 be able to reach one of them. This he finally did, break- 

 ing its wing, and crippling it so that the dogs captured it. 

 This seemed to make our dogs perfectly crazy with ex- 

 citement, so bad, in fact, that for some" time we could do 

 nothing with them. They flushed a number of birds and 

 about spoiled our sport. Finally, however, we succeeded 

 in calling them in, and after giving them a sound chas- 

 tising and some good advice, we succeeded in quieting 

 them down to a great extent. 



By this time we had come down into the creek bottom ; 

 and while skh-misliing around, Mose came to a point, 

 backed beautifully by Bob and Nip. Billy and Ed 

 walked up, and when they were within about fifteen 

 yards of the dogs, up got a fine large turkey right from 

 under Mose's nose, when bang, bang, bang, bang, four 

 shots were fired in rapid succession; and still the turkey 

 kept on his way apparently none the worse for the leaden 

 shower the boys supposed they had sent in his direction 

 and which was intended for Iris especial benefit. To say 

 that those two men were disgusted with themselves and 

 with each other would not begin to express their frame 

 of mind. To think that two men of then age, who had 

 shot in the field every season since they were big enough 

 to raise a gun to their shoulder, and considered themselves 

 at least fan shots, to allow a bird of that size and as fair 

 a shot as could be to get up and.go away without so much 

 as a feather to show, was decidedly humiliating. The 

 dogs each turned around and looked upon them with 

 amazement, and as much as said, "Well, a bit of that 

 chastisement you administered to poor us would evidently 

 have done you good." Billy and Ed, after gazing sor- 

 rowfully for a few moments upon each other and then 

 upon the vacant spot where the bird had disappeared 

 over the brow of the hill, called for George and asked 

 him the nearest way to the wagon, and took a bee line 

 therefor. On the way Mose again came to a point, and 

 upon walking up, there rose a solitary quail, which Ed 

 proceeded to pulverize with a charge of No. 2 shot. Had 

 it been a turkey he probably would ha ve missed it. Had 

 we taken the time and not have been in so much of a 

 lmrry, and only taken one dog, we could have bagged a 

 good portion of the flock; but thinking we would just 

 rush in and get a shot or two apiece and then hurry on 

 our road, as it was getting late in the afternoon, we did 

 not take the pains we otherwise would. 



Hurrying to the wagon we told the driver to make as 

 good time as possible so as to get over some bad road 

 which we had to cross before getting to our camping 

 place. Darkness overtook us some miles before reach- 

 ing the Buck Horn, and by the time we stopped at the 



stream it was pitch dark; we crossed the stream by the 

 light of matches, and reaching the other bank proceeded 

 to look for a place to camp, or rather to prowl around in 

 the dark, and by the aid of now and then a match to find 

 a place where fuel was handy. We soon found it, and 

 quickly had a roaring fire of dry oak lirnbs, which we 

 found in great abundance scattered around on the ground. 

 It was certainly as good a place for a camp as we could 

 have found had we had broad daylight to aid us. While 

 our driver was watering and feeding his horses the rest 

 of us were gathering up wood, of which we got a gener- 

 ous supply, after which we proceeded to discuss the 

 lunch which had been put up for us by Mrs. Davidson, a 

 cold lunch, but a supper which we all appreciated and 

 relished. After supper Billy and Ed, taking a firebrand 

 for a torch, took some dog biscuit down to the creek to 

 soak for the dogs' breakfast, placing them in a shallow 

 place in the stream and weighting them down with 

 heavy stones to prevent their floating a way. We made 

 our camp by placing the trunks and boxes at our heads 

 to break the wind, and placing our rubber blankets on 

 the ground, using our overcoats for pillows, each one of 

 us rolling up in a pair of blankets, we slept the sleep of 

 tired, happy men, with the bright stars shining down 

 upon us and the festive voice of the coyote and screech 

 owl soothing our slumbers. 



We had intended starting in the morning before break 

 of day, but it was fairly light before we were astir, and 

 after sunrise before we were under way. On going to 

 the creek to perform our morning toilets, we took the 

 dogs along to give them their biscuits for breakfast; but 

 alas, some hungry animal had made a raid irpon the bis- 

 cuits during the night and not a solitary one remained. 

 We had to share our own breakfast Avith the dogs. 



While getting ready to start we heard a covey of quail 

 calling. They were on our way; we took the dogs and 

 started ahead of the team. Our dogs worked beautifully, 

 making several tine points. We had a number of shots, 

 bagging seven of them. 



We saAv no more game until about the middle of the 

 for enoon, when we flushed a fine large turkey from the 

 side of the road, not twenty feet from the wagon. Of 

 course we were not ready to shoot; our guns were at 

 hand but not loaded. She flew aborrt 200yds. and lit, 

 taking to her heels for the prairie. George came to the 

 wagon and got his gun, and attempted to ride her down, 

 but before he came within shot she took wing and flew 

 over the hills out of sight. This was the last game we 

 saw on the way out. 



Just before reaching Salt Creek, where we intended 

 taking our noonday lunch, the other boys with the light 

 wagon overtook us" so we had a jolly dinner all together. 



After dinner and a rest of about an hour and a half Ave 

 started out together, but the spring Wagon soon left us 

 out of sight and Ave saw no more of them until Ave read ied 

 Bed Fork. 



We stopped during the after-noon and gathered a lot of 

 hickory nuts, filling our pockets Avith the largest finest 

 nuts we had ever seen, being at least twice the size of 

 our Michigan nirts. Walnuts, hickory nuts and pecans 

 grow in great abundance. The pecans, like the hickory 

 nuts, grow very large arrd are of a very rich, sweet 

 flavor. 



We reached Red Fork soon after dark tired, but having 

 enjoyed our ride every minute and regretting that we 

 were so soon to leave this beautiful country. I think Ave 

 would all have been glad to turn right around and take 

 the trip over again, had not business cares required our 

 attention elsewhere. Ed. 



Now hold your breath, for truly our friend Brooks pro- 

 ceeds to mix things up. 



After Ave decided to turn our faces homeward the next 

 question Wag how We were to divide up, as Ave had con- 

 siderable baggage, consisting of our trunks, valises, 

 ammirnition, blankets, etc., and only one little, two- 

 seated platform and a common lumber Avagon; the 

 former the natives called a stage, and in one sense it 

 was, taking into consideration the size of the horses irsed 

 in that country. 



The drive being an all-day one, we started the lumber- 

 wagon on with the baggage and dogs, the team being an 

 old rheumatic horse and a mule, Avith Tom, the colored 

 boy, as driver, escorted by George mounted on a mustang 

 and Ed and Billy as passengers. They got off at noon 

 and the rest of the party promised to follow early in the 

 morning and overtake them, all go in Red Fork together. 



Tom, with the aid of a little nip now and then from his 

 passengers' "cold tea" urns, succeeded in making good 

 headAvay and reached a splendid camping ground on the 

 bank of a very pretty stream before dusk. [Reader, 

 pause and prepare to admire a very fertile imagination.] 

 Cutting down a large tree for the back log of the camp- 

 fire, they took the trunks, boxes and valises from the 

 wagon and placed them so as to form a half circle facing 

 the fire. Each gathered a quantity of dry leaves and 

 made his bed, first placing the leaves on the ground, then 

 over- them rubber blankets, the rubber side toward the 

 ground, then a blanket over the rubber cloth and blankets 

 over themselves, using grain bags stuffed with leaves for 

 pillows. Each man in turn stood guard two hours during 

 the night, which passed very pleasantly, being first 

 serenaded by a pack of wolves and followed by a com- 

 pany of coyotes and a pah of horned owls. 



At daylight Tom, who was on guard, roused the sleepers 

 with, "Gemman, for de lord sake, jes hear dem dar tur- 

 keys!" And sure enough, not more than fifty yards away 

 they found a flock of some forty, and in less than an hour 

 they succeeded in making a fine bag. Returning to camp 

 they found Tom busy getting out the cooking utensils, 

 preparatory to getting* breakfast, after which they broke 

 up camp and started on then jomney. 



About this time the Doctor, Fred or the Official as we 

 called him, Morley and the boy driver, Charley, left the 

 ranch Avith the two-seated platform and the little jaded 

 mustangs. After they had driven about ten miles the off 

 horse showed signs of a general giving out, so Morley 

 took the reins, thinking perhaps Avith good, careful driv- 

 ing, they might be able to reach Red Fork. The roads for 

 the next twelve miles were very rough, stony ground, 

 Avith a good many hills to clinib. At the foot of each hill 

 the party Avould get out, Morley with the whip in one 

 hand arrd the reins in the other, while Fred, the Doctor, 

 and Charley put then shoulders to the rear of the Avagon 

 and pushed. With this assistance, all the mustangs had 

 to do was to "keep in the middle of the road" until the 

 top of the hill was reached. We traveled along in this 

 manner until we passed all the rough places and were 



once more upon the rolling prairie with the advance 

 party just in sight. At noon we overtook them on the 

 bank of a little creek. 



Tom's having had to stand watch the night before and 

 do the driving, too, the strain had been a little too much 

 for him; there he lay stretched out full length, flat on his 

 back and fast asleep. The mule, horse and George's 

 mustang Avere enjoying a good feed of corn, while Ed. 

 Billy and George were busy getting the coffee boiling 

 and preparing one of the turkeys for the fry pan. When 

 Charley's team had been unhitched, the harnesses taken 

 off and each mustang had had his "roll," they were given 

 then- corn and all hands joined in getting ready for one 

 of Mershons square meals. 



Should yoir, dear reader, ever have the pleasure of 

 camping out Avith brother Mershon, you would be greatly 

 interested in Avatching him prepare his meals. Del- 

 monico's French cook would open his eyes could he see 

 the unrivalled way in which our brother dresses and 

 cooks his birds and fish. 



After dinner cigars were brought out and some good 

 stories were told, Avith now and then an old chestnut, a 

 little snooze all round, and then the party were off. 



After going some few miles the dogs to our left came 

 to a point, Morley having his gun ready, jumped out of 

 the way and ran over to where they were and got two 

 barrels" into a covey of chickens. Motioning to us to 

 follow he struck out for the birds, Avhich had gone some 

 distance. In crossing a little slough where the grass was 

 above his Avaist he Avas seen to suddenly stop, and clap- 

 ping his hand to his leg he yelled like a loon, "Come, 

 boys, come quick. Centipede, centipede. Come quick." 



Charley and Tonr put then whips to their beasts and 

 away we* flew, George taking the lead on his mustang, 

 and expecting every minute to see Morley fall. But, 

 judge of our surprise when on getting out and coming up 

 to him Ave found his fingers closely clutched on his deer- 

 foot hunting knife, Avhich had worked its way through 

 his trousers pocket. He was pale as a ghost and fright- 

 ened almost to death. Some of the boys Avere so con- 

 vulsed with laughter that it was necessary to administer 

 restoratives in order to prevent hysterics". Poor Morley 

 will neA-er forget that day as long as he lives, and we will 

 never forget that heart-rending yell he gave. 



Returning to the road we resumed our journey. The 

 sim was coming dowrr pretty hot about this time, and we 

 began to feel the rreed of water for ourselves and teams. 

 Morley all this time had been very quiet; the centipede 

 scare seemed to have completely sealed him up. He 

 ventured a remark now and then but tended strictly to 

 his driving. 



After making up our minds Ave would have to go with- 

 out water until Ave reached Red Fork, there suddenly 

 loomed up in the distance a little Avhite farmhouse. It 

 seemed ages before we reached it, the distance being- 

 much greater than it looked, and owing to the poor con- 

 dition of our teams each mileAA^as seemingly the last they 

 would be able to make. We found the place deserted, 

 doors locked and curtains dowir, and made up our minds 

 the oAvners, Indian farmers, Avere in town trading. We 

 found the well. Tire Avater was very good, indeed, for 

 that country. Taking a drink all round and giving the 

 mustangs ail they could hold, Ave began to explore the 

 premises. The Official mourrted an old hen coop, and 

 with his field glass sighted a Avater melon patch in the 

 corner of an old garden a few rods from the road leading 

 from the house to the main. Getting into our wagons, 

 we proceeded in the direction of the patch. In the 

 meantime some of the boys were debating the advisabil- 

 ity of tackling said patch, fearing one of the red men 

 might have been left to watch the farm and at this 

 moment be in some convenient place to give us the full 

 benefit of a Winchester. The City Official, going a good 

 deal on his glass and having made a careful survey, ex- 

 pressed himself fully satisfied that no red man was within 

 gunshot. On the strength of this three of the party \'ol- 

 unteered to go into the patch and bring oirt two melons 

 each, Fred agreeing to keep a sharp lookout and give the 

 alarm by firing his six-shooter. They did not take a 

 great deal of pains in selecting their plunder, as they 

 appeared anxious to return as soon as possible. Putting 

 the melons in the bottom of the hack and coA r ering them 

 With a blanket, we proceeded. 



Upon losing sight of the farmhouse and seeing no one 

 approaching from either direction, we halted and pre- 

 pared for a feast. The Doctor suggested we should be 

 very careful not to let any of the seeds drop in the road, 

 as we might be tracked. One after another of the melons 

 were cut, but out of the six Ave failed to find a ripe one. 

 Having the six green melons on our hands we commenced 

 to question Iioav to dispose of them. It would not do to 

 carry them into Red Fork, and to leave them by the road- 

 side Avould never do; so after looking the matter all over 

 we decided to get out our axes, dig a hole for each one 

 and bury them. This Ave did, leaving six little newly 

 made graves behind us. 



Nothing Avorthy of note transpired during the rest of 

 our jomney that "day, and a little after dark Ave drew up 

 to Hotel de Miller-, tired, yet sorry it was our last day 

 with the birds. Brooks. 



He sends Avith his romance the following, and I think 

 you will agree with me in saying this being his "first 

 offense" will not excuse his trtter disregard of truth: 



Drc.ut Euitoh L meaning me}— Inclosed please find my first 

 effort. Should you find after reading it through too "rank" for 

 publication, consign it to the base burner and forever spare me 

 ever making another attempt at this kind of business. Yours 

 truly, Brooks. 



Tire uncertain shadows of an October evening had 

 gathered around the good village of Red Fork, as we 

 pulled up our tired horses at the store door. For the last 

 half hour Ave had expected the lights of the little station 

 to appear at each bend in the road; and finally as we 

 swung into the quiet little valley shut off on all sides by 

 the curving hills now dark against the sky, and saw 

 glimmering in the distance, which was not far, the dozen 

 lights that told us that there was Red Fork, we gave a 

 great big sigh of relief all around, for really the wagon 

 seats had grown recently very, very hard. 



A lantern is kindly provided by our good store-keeper, 

 and by its fight we unload the wagon, tie up "the dogs, 

 proceed to quiet Mrs. Miller's for supper; and oh, how 

 hungry we are. The same kerosene lamp and bucket of 

 water Avith slimy laundry soap accompaniment is again 

 resorted to and we take turns at it, cheered by the tune- 

 ful voice of our fair hostess, which oozes through the 

 cracks and crevices of the kitchen Avhere she is busy fry- 



