Aug. 4, 1887. J 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



27 



Curly grulloched our deer in a skillful manner, and we 

 swung her up out of reach, as we intended spending a 

 couple of hours of the remaining day in pursuit of the 

 buck and doe. 



Following up the trail as it led us along the high divide 

 of the ridge in its gradual ascent for a couple of miles, 

 until reaching the summit, and looking over and down- 

 ward upon the gradual slope beyond, we saw the deer 

 with their sleek and attractive broadsides, fully exposed 

 to vi w, about 75yds. distant. Curly being in advance 

 let fly two shots in quick succession, but the deer went 

 away lively enough. Deeply chagrined and crestfallen, 

 he shouldered his rifle, and wheeled into homeward line, 

 solemnly vowing that hereafter no tenderfoot would be 

 privileged with an opportunity to mar the untarnished 

 lustre of his fair fame ; from this tune henceforth he 

 would enjoy the seclusion of the mountain fastnesses to 

 his own satisfaction, and without let or hindrance. 



Returning to our quarry we prepared for a long and 

 tiresome carry, and took up our homeward journey. 

 After following our back track for a couple of miles it 

 was suggested that we take our bea ings. Darkness had 

 then blotted out the last ray of light from the valley, and 

 striking a light to consult our compass, we decided upon 

 E.S.E., it proving to be the proper direction, as we 

 reached the ranche without deviation,. and greatly to our 

 satisfaction, arriving home at 9 P. M. to receive the con- 

 gratulations of mine host, and to enjoy a well-relished 

 repast in waiting. 



Curly's frequent and solitary trips to the woods brought 

 him no returns until near the closing season. An absence 

 of several days in the deep forest in an adjoining county 

 gave him as reward a fair-sized spikehorn. A. A. A. 



Pittsburgh, Pa. 



THE SHORE BIRDS. 



SALEM, Mass., July 31.— Shore birds are again appear- 

 ing. They have been returning since the beginning 

 of the month, and the opening of the season on July 15 is 

 a time which ought to be changed to July 4. The appear- 

 ance of such species as T. fiavipes. or "summers;" If. 

 griseus, or robin snipe, and the uplands (T. bartramius), 

 besides peeps and ringnecks, announce the fact that the 

 autumnal migration has begun. Such being the case, it 

 clearly proves the need for change as suggested. Abolish 

 spring shooting on these birds and then make this change. 

 Give the birds all possible protection in the spring, but 

 make it equally fair for those who are willing to face 

 "greenheads," mosquitoes and midgets for sake of enjoy- 

 ment, which many, I know, dearly love. Peep pie is not 

 to be despised. Brother shore-shooters want to agitate 

 this matter, and as a friend recently said, "It would be 

 all right, although I don't care for that kind of shooting. 

 I think, though, you can get the change made." 



Five uplands were seen at Ipswich July 8. Some others 

 seen since. I heard one was shot last week. Scattering 

 jack curlew (N. Iiudsonicus) have been seen. No robin 

 snipe flight as yet, and I have heard from various places. 

 Ringnecks and peeps have been round some two or three 

 weeks. I have shot two good messes and some "sum- 

 mers." Winter yellow-legs have also been seen by self 

 and others. Birds are not yet as plenty as I have seen 

 them, say in '85 or '83, or even July last year. This next 

 month t of August will see increased numbers. I got a 

 sandbir'd (C. arenaria) some two weeks ago. Never got 

 one so early before. It was in vernal plumage, and the 

 only one I remember getting in this dress. Hundreds of 

 young gull, mostly L. argentahis, trade along outside of 

 Ipswich night and morning just now. One flock of eight 

 shags (G. carbo) recently noticed. My life partner, with 

 a 16 Parker, is proving quite adept as a follower of Niru- 

 rod, but I am under orders to stop here, so must do so. 



X. Y. Z. 



THE GAME OUTLOOK. 



WELLSVILLE, O., July 26. —Editor Forest and 

 Stream: The game outlook in the Ohio Valley at 

 present is particularly pleasing. Quail and squirrels can 

 now be found in places where they have not been seen 

 for years, and are gaining rapidly in numbers. ^ Wood- 

 cock, which at one time were an unknown quantity, are 

 yet scarce, but increasing. Fishing has never been better, 

 and some excellent sport is anticipated this fall in the 

 Ohio and its tributaries. 



This decided change in the game interests here is all 

 due to the untiring energy of our game warden, ex-Sheriff 

 Hostetter, in bringing the offenders to justice. His record 

 against netters and dynamiters is unprecedented, and the 

 game-law breakers greatly fear him. Under his protec- 

 tion we still have some hope for the game. 



Our local sporting clubs, the Amateur Sporting Club 

 and Wellsville Recreation Club, will go into camp during 

 October: the former on Tuscarawas River and the latter 

 on Beaver Creek, this State. Jo, 



The game indications for this immediate locality are 

 unusually favorable. As more farms have been opened 

 up in the timber, prairie chickens have steadily increased 

 in numbers, and this year are far more numerous than 

 ever before. Ruffed grouse wintered well, and one can 

 scarcely travel for half an hour in any favorable locality 

 without finding a young brood now about half grown. 

 As for rabbits, the woods are literally alive with them, 

 and gray and black squirrels are also plenty. I have not 

 taken my usual number of outings this summer and con- 

 sequently cannot speak from personal observation as to 

 the outlook for deer, but those who have been in the 

 woods report plenty of "sign." One farmer who spent a 

 day in the vicinity of Bass Lake, looking for some lost 

 cattle, reports having seen fifteen deer during the day. I 

 hope to interview them later on. In one afternoon's fish- 

 ing last week, I secured forty fish, mostly bass and pike 

 of good size. J. Frank Locke. 



PrLLnSBURY, Minn. 



I have just returned from a trip to my cattle ranch, 

 about thirty miles up m the mountain near Estes Park, 

 and I find that game is doing very well. Grouse have 

 hatched fine broods : are now about like quail. I saw a 

 band of blacktailed deer a short time ago about half a 

 mile from my cabin. There are several bear on my range, 

 cinnamon and black. My son saw a black one a short 

 time ago, but did not have his gun. In Biu-ch Park, a few 

 miles north of my ranch, there is a large range grizzly 

 that has since last spring killed fifteen head of cattle, 



none of which was less than three years old. He can 

 break the neck of a f our-year-old steer as easily as I could 

 a, rabbit's. Cattlemen up there have offered $50 to any 

 one that will kill him. His track is 7in. across the nar- 

 rowest place. Trout fishing has been very fine in our 

 mountain streams this season. A. A. K. 



Bkhthoud, Colorado, July 27. 



Colorado Large Game.— In issue of July 21, you have 

 the "Open Seasons for Game," but there is a little mis- 

 take in the law for Colorado. Our last session of Legisla- 

 ture passed an amendment to the game laws which pro- 

 hibits the kilbng of bison or buffalo for ten" years, 

 mountain sheep for eight years, ibex or Rocky Moun- 

 tain goat for ten years. For deer or antelope the season 

 is from Sept. 1 to Dec. 1; for elk, from Oct. 1 to Jan. 1. 

 The law prohibits market hunting at all times of the 

 year. This market hunting amendment I have been 

 fighting for a long time, and last fall I urged our repre- 

 sentative from Laimer county to try hard and get the bill 

 through, and am happy to say he succeeded in doing it, 

 although he told me he had a hard fight for it. — A. A. K. 



RIFLES AND BULLETS. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



In the last, issues of the Fohest and Stream numerous articles 

 concerning long range hunting rifles have been published from 

 which it appears that there is a tendency on the part of sports- 

 men to discard the repeater and to go back to the single shot rifle. 



In former years I was enthusiastic about the magazine gun. I 

 was the first to introduce (through Mr. Weber in Hamburg) the 

 Bullard repeater in Germany, where it has met with universal 

 favor, tout the last time I had occasion to go back to the single 

 shooter as the moBt serviceable gun for rough work. 



Some time ago I investigated the motion of projectiles and 

 read the results of my experiments and the development of the 

 mathmetioal theory before the Society of Natural Sciences of 

 Hamburg- Altona (A'aUirwiitxeiwliaJ'VMir. GcfrU.ic.haft von Ham- 

 hvrti-Aliona) in 1886, and as 1 have used nearly every description 

 of firearms in the field, I maybe supposed to know something 

 about it. 



The first rifle I ever tried in the field was a muzzleloader, .43- 

 cal., weighing about lllbs. i was thou a boy of thirteen or four- 

 teen, and became quite an expert with my columbiad. I after- 

 ward used t he Winchester .44, .45-75 and .50 express, the Bullard 

 .40-90 (one of the best guns fever handled) .45-70 and .32-40 (this 

 gun 1 used in my mathematical experiments on account of its 

 accuracy) the Marlin .45-70, .40-63, and .32-40 (also used in my ex- 

 periments) the. Hotel) kiss, Kennedy and Remington, of single- 

 loaders the Sharp-Bo r chard , Mauser, Winchester, Remington, 

 Bullard, Gras, Martini and many others. 



Of these I found the Sharp-Borchard and the Ballard Pacific 

 best adapted for rapid and accurate work. The No. 5 Ballard 

 Pacific cal. 45-100 gun I am using now, and it gives the best re- 

 sults. 



I would also recommend the use of patched bullets and of either 

 the ordinary buekhem or the Lyman rear and ivory front sights. 

 The first deer I killed with a Ballard Pacific and the Lyman sights 

 was shot at 183yds. in full jump. 



The ammunition used in the Ballard Pacific .45-100 is very expen- 

 sive, and 1 would advise the Marlin Co. to manufacture a" gun for 

 a cartridge like this: Cal.. .44; powder, 85-90 grains; bullet, 360- 

 4fl0 grains, patched. The barrel of the gun should be about 32in. 

 in length, and the twist one in 15in. 



This cartridge would give great satisfaction and would also pop- 

 ularize American firearms in Europe, where the .44-cal. cartridge 

 is extensively used both for hunting and target purposes. 



GUSTAVE L. R.AVENE. 



Address all communications w the Forest and Stream Pub. Co. 



THE GHOST OF STANDING STONE.-II. 



IT was the day before the opening of the season, and 

 everybody seemed to be gett ng ready. The post- 

 master had a pail of minnows out under the pump and a 

 lot of crabs stood near in a tin can. The old shoemaker's 

 dog came out of the little shop across the street, and spy- 

 ing the can, gently trotted up and thrust his inquisitive 

 nose down into it. With a howl he jerked up his head 

 and a Sin. crab dropped from his nose. Then the dog, in 

 a spirit of f orgetfulness gazed aimlessly up and down the 

 street and very calmly sat down upon the crab. With a 

 howl of anguish he fled and disappeared round the corner 

 while the crab dropped in the dusty ,road and was soon 

 crushed flat by a wagon wheel. 



A couple of fishermen had come in on the down train 

 and were haggling with the village boys about bait for 

 to-morrow's sport. When Marc went to dinner he saw 

 Dick Fagan industriously fishing for minnows with a dip- 

 net down along shore. 



That was a long afternoon, but when the sun was 

 nearly down behind the range of mountains which shut 

 off the west, he got his fishing tackle and walked slowly 

 down to the landing place, A reddish-colored toad 

 hopped out across the path. Marc grabbed him at one. 

 "I'll make good use of you to-morrow morning, old 

 fellow." 



He took a package from under a stone, where he had 

 concealed it the night before, and put it in the boat, then 

 moving off from shore paddled slowly across, struck the 

 opposite side at the mouth of the little creek again, and 

 paddled up to his landing place. Here he hid the boat 

 and set out, carrying his kit. In addition to the tackle 

 there was the package, and in this were a sheet, some 

 phosphorous and a bit of red fire. This was a combina- 

 tion with which Marc had planned to get up a pyrotechnic 

 display such as had never been seen before on that 

 stream. 



The sun was far down now and tho darkness was in- 

 creasing every minute. The crickets were chirping 

 mournfully in every clump of grass and the ah was full 

 of lightning bugs that sparkled and glittered with in- 

 creased brilliancy as the shadows grew deeper. Crossing 

 the little valley Marc started along the mountain path. 

 On account of the wild rapids at that point he seldom 

 went down in his boat. He stumbled over roots and 

 stones in the darkness and once rolled down the bank, 

 but luckily landed against a big pine tree and climbed up 

 again uninjured. When he reached the stone it was en- 

 tirely dark and the huge mass loomed up faintly before 

 him. It was too early yet, so he sat down on a dead tree 

 and waited. Hour after hour passed on, but no one came. 

 Some animal splashed in the water near him; a snake 

 rustled up among the thickets on the mountain and twice 

 a screech owl startled the night with its echoing shriek. 

 Away off on the lowlands he heard the faint tones of a 

 whippoorwill. Then w ith a rush and a roar the mail 

 train dashed down the river, leaving a trail of fire behind 

 and arousing the midnight echoes with its shuddering 

 | whistle, Marc knew it was 1 o'clock f Gould he have 



been misled! But hark! Away up the river a faint 

 sound breaks the stillness. It comes closer and now the 

 weary watcher can distinguish the steady click of the 

 rowlocks. The metallic sound rings out clear and sharp 

 on the air. Marc hastily drew himself up into the 

 branches of the pine tree. The boat came nearer and 

 seemed to be beating around in the darkness unable 

 to find the shore. Then the oars worked steadily for a 

 moment and the boat came so close to the Stone that 

 Marc could hear every word that was said with startling 

 distinctness. 



"Now, Dick," grumbled Mose Peters, "this ere's your 

 fault. I tole you it was too dark to find the place." 

 "Waal," replied Dick savagely, "run right in shore eny 

 place here, an' we'll wait till it gits lighter. It's too dark 

 now to fish eny how, an' it'll be daylight in a couple of 

 hours. We'll land a big lot of fish in here afore sun up." 

 Then the oars began to rattle again and Marc could hear 

 them growling to themselves and moving round in the 

 darkness. Yet they were coming a little closer, so Marc 

 hastily ran the plank across, and daubing a little phos- 

 phorus on the top to see where to step, and then holding 

 the sheet ready he stood for a moment peering out on the 

 river from his lofty perch. The rattle of the oars had 

 ceased and not a sound betrayed the whereabouts of the 

 two fishermen. Then with a rattle and a shaking the 

 boat grounded on the shore, and Marc heard them step- 

 ping out. Fagan struck a match and proceeded to light 

 his pipe, and the sudden illumination showed the whole 

 situation to Marce. The boat was on shore some distance 

 from the Stone, and both Fagan and Peters were sitting 

 out on the rocks. "Now, ole man," said Dick, "make 

 yerself easy till mornin'." 



Marc's time had come, and with a bold step he crossed 

 the plank. With a quick movement he enveloped him- 

 self in the sheet, fired the red light and stood on top of 

 Standing Stone, a smoking, flaming pillar of fire, gleam- 

 ing horribly in the darkness and looking spectre-like and 

 ghostly so far up in the air. One brief second of silence 

 and then a yell that rang over river and mountains, "O, 

 Lawd ! Save us ! Look thar Dick ! Look up thar." 



And Dick chimed in with a yell, and together they 

 made a rush for the boat. Mose was first, and shoving it 

 violently as he jumped in, the boat shot out from shore, 

 and Dick leaping frantically at it fell short and plunged 

 into the water. 



"O!" he yelled, imploringly, "fur grashus sake come 

 back fur me, Mose. Don't leave me here fur that ghost 

 to get." 



"D'ye heer?" he cried, as Mose paid no attention. "If 

 you don't come back, Mose Peter's, I'll break every bone 

 in your cowardly body." 



' r Swim out! Dick, swim out." I dasent come in thar," 

 cried Mose, in trembling voice. 



There was a splashing in the water, a rattle of oars, and 

 Dick seemed to have reached the boat, for the oars sud- 

 denly began to move rapidly, and grew fainter and 

 fainter as the boat, driven along by then- terror-stricken 

 efforts, receded further and further'. 



Marc stood erect until the sound had ceased entirety, 

 and then sinking down on the rock, laughed until he was 

 fairly weak. His bass was safe as far as Fagan and Mose 

 Peters were concerned, for they would dread the very 

 sight of Standing Stone hereafter. 



But Marc had now the most important part to be done 

 and little time was left, for already the faintest touch of 

 gray appeared dimly in the east. So climbing carefully 

 down from the Stone he took the path and started rapidly 

 up the river, reached the creek and stepping into the boat 

 moved down to the mouth and guided blindly out on the 

 river and down among the foaming rapids. A couple of 

 sharp bumps, a shaking, and quivering, a dash of spray 

 in his face, and he was safely through. The shores were 

 now faintly outlined against the dusky horizon and the 

 day was coming slowly on. Marc paddled quickly and 

 soon the rough outline of Standing Stone stood out from 

 the monotonous slope of the mountain. Without a sound 

 he guided the boat straight on until it grated musically on 

 the pebbly strand, and cut with its sharp keel clear 

 through into the sandy clay beneath. Two yards below 

 was Standing Stone and the stern of the boat extended out 

 several feet beyond. Marc was a little excited now but 

 very calmly he prepared his tackle and arranging all but 

 the bait sat still and waited for another touch of daylight. 

 It came gradually and the sky grew pale red, and bathed 

 the water with a rosy glow, and tinged the puffy clouds 

 with pale orange. Gradually the distance lost its obscu- 

 rity and through the rolling mist on the water Marc could 

 see the morning train coming round the bend three miles 

 below. He picked out a. plump young toad and placing 

 it gently on the hook cast the line cautiously out on 

 the water, and the toad dropped with a little splash on 

 the surface. 



Marc was trembling now, but he held a firm grasp on 

 the rod and watched the line intently. 



The toad struggled fiercely for a moment and struck 

 out toward the shore. One brief second it rested with 

 outstretched legs and then the water surged up, something 

 black rose for an instant and shot beneath the surface, 

 and nothing was in sight but a circular wave, and this 

 broke in ripples that spread out further and further until 

 they were lost in the deeper, swifter water beyond, and 

 murmured softly against the old gray stone. And a wild 

 joy thrilled Marc's heart as the line ran swiftiy out, and 

 a fierce, savage tug nearly dragged the rod from his 

 hands. He stood up and held back firmly, but the fish 

 was started and kept reeling out yard after yard. Marc 

 checked hun finally, and after a wearisome struggle 

 dragged him closer, and stepping on shore he drew him 

 cautiously in along the boat and with a quick movement 

 lifted him out on a patch of mountain fern. 



Marc had never seen such a large bass, and for a mo- 

 ment he was lost in admiration. Fortunately the hook 

 was only fastened to the tough skin at the side of the 

 mouth, and easily came out, and the big fish was safe in 

 the tank and moored to the gunwale. 



Just as he started up the river with the bass floating 

 peacefully by his side, a perfect fleet of boats came down 

 and spread out all around him. "Say, Marc!" called out 

 one fellow as he rowed past, "you'd better keep away 

 from Standing Stone; Dick Fagan's up at the store as 

 white as a sheet, and he says he saw a devil with a fiery 

 sword down on the Stone. Mose Peters says same thing, 

 too. I'll bet they've been drinkin' all night." Marc 

 smiled as he swiftly passed. 



He got Up through the rapids, and before the sun was 

 clear over the mountains was at his landing place. In 



