Jan. 5, 1888.] 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



468 



until it became so dark that your correspondent was 

 unable to distinguisb the birds as they flew. His last 

 shot was fired upon the assumed course of the bird, and 

 the result showed that he guessed badly, for that bird is 

 yet in all probabilities in the county of Chatham. The 

 whole day's trophies amounted to just sixty-one birds, 

 and of these I got seventeen, leading the list." 



The following day, just after we started, the rain began 

 to fall, and that forced us to return to the house and enjoy 

 its shelter until the next morning. On Friday the sun 

 rose bright and we concluded to spend the time until one 

 o'clock in ranging the fields, so that if possible we could 

 take a few to the family of Mr. L., at Pittsboro. At 12, 

 when the vehicles came for us, we had about twenty: and 

 after an early dinner, we bade adieu to the kind family 

 with whom we had been sojourning, promising to come 

 again whenever our convenience would allow, the host 

 and hostess assuring us that they had enjoyed our brief 

 visit, and would always welcome our entrance under 

 the ir rafters. 



On our way to Pittsboro we stopped at some pretty 

 fields, and after finding two small coveys and some empty 

 10-bore shells, we knew that some one else had been on 

 the same ground. We got four buds, and reached the 

 hospitable dwelling we were seeking just after the sun 

 had laid down in his rosy couch in the west. It was our 

 purpose to have left for home that night, but the family 

 urged us to remain another, and we consented. It was 

 arranged that we should visit the fields of a large estate 

 west of the town, for an afternoon hunt on Saturday, but 

 soon after we got up from our beds we were told that a 

 local sportsmen of much reputed skill, and a gentleman 

 from the country lying toward the place "where sailors 

 gang to fish for cod," had passed, at an early hour, and, 

 no doubt, were at that very moment indulging in a can- 

 nonade with their 4 and 5drs. of black powder. We 

 spent the morning in visiting around the town, and in 

 the afternoon we tried some nice-looking fields lying ad- 

 jacent. Somebody had been in them before we got there, 

 and the birds will'hatch again before those stubblefields 

 will afford much sport. We got six birds— f our of which 

 fell before my little gun. Weixs. 



ROCKTNOHAM, N. 0. 



THE INDIAN LAKE COUNTRY. 



FOR several years I have been one of a party of sports- 

 men who made the Adiron clacks their headquarters, 

 and I may safely say I have hunted in nearly every 

 county there. This year our party consisted of four, and 

 we decided to try the vicinity of Indian Lake, Hamilton 

 county, which locality by reputation still remains favor- 

 able for deer, as no railroad comes within twenty-one 

 miles of it. 



Indian Lake is about three miles long, but a dam built 

 at its outlet causes the water to rise so that at times it 

 extends in length to nearly twelve miles. This sometimes 

 proves to be quite a convenience to sportsmen , as it not 

 only enables them, to carry themselves and game to camp 

 from nearly any point, but facilitates their reaching any 

 of the surrounding smaller ponds by water. 



We reached Indian Lake last September, and on the 15th 

 of that month started on our first day's sport, each man 

 anxious to bring down the first buck. We selected 

 Crotchet Pond for our hunt. The view of the lake, situ- 

 ated among five large mountains studded with immense 

 trees in their full beauty of autumn foliage, would de- 

 light even the most fastidious lover of nature. We were 

 doomed to disappointment. The day was rainy and not 

 a deer could be seen, so we had to content ourselves with 

 three partridges, which we shot on our homeward tramp 

 of about three miles along an old lumber road to the 

 head of the lake. 



On our' second day we took station along Indian Lake, 

 at a distance of about two miles from each other. The 

 guides then went to work with their dogs; they struck a 

 track, but gave it up after a hard trial without having 

 made a start. 



About two o'clock, getting tired on my watching point, 

 and seeing two loons alight on the lake, I concluded to 

 test my marksmanship and try and bag one of them, but 

 knowing how difficult it is to shoot these birds, as they 

 dive at the flash of a gun, I first replenished my stock of 

 cartridges. I then slipped in a canoe and rowed toward 

 the birds, and at the distance of about 200yds. I began to 

 shoot at them. I fired twenty-five shots without any 

 success, but the twenty-sixth bullet struck the bird under 

 the tail, and (my rifle being a .38-cal. Bullard) the ball 

 killed tlis bird instantly. It was a young female, and is 

 now mounted among my collection of birds. I reached 

 home about four o'clock, and surprised the rest of our 

 party with my prize. 



That evening, standing at the boat landing, comment- 

 ing on the day's events, we came to the conclusion, that 

 although the solitude and whole surroundings seemed to 

 indicate the presence of plenty, deer must be rather 

 scarce, and our chances of getting any rather slim; for 

 the only game shot that day besides my loon were four 

 gray teal and two swordbili ducks, one of which was 

 completely shot to pieces and nothing but head and wings 

 left, and curious to say the ball that killed it passed 

 through the duck, struck a rock, glanced off and killed 

 another. 



The next clay our guides persuaded us to try the same 

 ground over again, but to start the dogs on the opposite 

 side from that of the day previous. At about 10 o'clock 

 the party who watched at the narrows saw a deer take 

 the water in good rifle range, but having only a shotgun 

 he was compelled to take his boat so as to pull within 

 range. When within about 50yds. he was surprised to 

 see the deer jump up a cut rook, about 14ft. high, at a 

 bound and disappear. Half an hour later the deer again 

 tried to cross the lake; two of us saw it, but as I was the 

 nearest I had the first shot. I tried hard to get to my 

 boat without making any noise, being afraid of drawing 

 the attention of the game toward me. My boat lay in a 

 little land-locked bay and I had some difficulty in reach- 

 ing it. When I did I saw the deer in the shallow water 

 making straight for the shore. I instantly took aim and 

 fired, but the deer kept right on its path. " I pulled up to 

 where the deer had landed, and found that the bullet 

 had struck a stump about 40in. from the ground, close to 

 the tracks of the deer. No blood could be seen and I was 

 convinced that I had missed. I returned to my post, but 

 getting impatient, concluded to drift down the lake and 

 try and catch some pickerel. I got there, and found my- 

 self among some driftwood, which is quite thick on this 



end of the lake. Suddenly I saw something that drew 

 my attention among the fioodwood. I looked at it 

 through my field glass and could hardly believe my own 

 eyes, to sc3 a buck hiding in the water, his head resting 

 on a log, but his body entirely under the water. I fired, 

 and this time with better success; for when I reached 

 the deer I found that the ball had entered the head about 

 an inch over the left eye, shattering the skull to splinters; 

 and on closer examination I found a bullet hole in the 

 left ear; and I being the only one who shot at a deer that 

 day, I don't think I was wrong in presuming that this 

 was the same one I had shot at in the morning, and only 

 missed it then by a hair's breadth. With considerable 

 trouble I finally loaded my buck in the boat, and after 

 battling for a while with the fioodwood, reached the 

 channel and made good speed for the landing, where I 

 immediately began to dress my deer. It proved to be a 

 young spike-buck, about three years of age. Some of 

 our party were still trolling, and on their return were 

 very much surprised, as were also some of the oldest 

 settlers there, who said they had never heard of a deer 

 being shot in such a peculiar place. 



The next day we proposed to make an early start, so 

 we had breakfast in good time, and each man", equipped 

 with a lunch, was at his post by 6 o'clock in the morning. 

 We covered the lake as nearly as we could, one man being 

 stationed at Griffith's Landing, one at Moose Point, one 

 at Beaver Meadow Brook, and one remaining at the head 

 of the lake. At about half-past 8 we heard the baying of 

 the dogs. They had found then- deer. Nearer and nearer 

 the baying was heard, and once I imagined that I saw the 

 dog cross a clearing, when suddenly the deer changed its 

 course and made for Crotchet Pond. We heard the bay- 

 ing for at least forty minutes, when it ceased. The next 

 time the dogs were heard in a narrow hardwood ridge 

 which runs along Moose Point Mountain. At that point 

 there is a marsh three miles long and three-quarters of a 

 mile wide. On came the dogs, howling louder and louder, 

 when all at once the deer came breaking through the 

 underbrush, making direct for the marsh. Our man 

 proved to be on his post, the hounds were close to the 

 deer, bawling at a fearful rate, when the .38-cal. Marlin 

 rifle spoke, and again and again in quick succession. I 

 felt certain that the deer had been shot, as the baying 

 ceased and every tiring was quiet, and was confirmed by 

 one of the guides whom I met some time afterward. I 

 took my boat and pulled up to Moose Point to see the 

 game, and there was one of the finest buck deer I have 

 ever seen. It weighed 2451bs. after dressing. It was shot 

 at a distance of about 125yds. ; the first shot took effect in 

 the shoidder, throwing it down; but regaining its feet 

 immediately, it tried to make its escape, regardless of a 

 broken shoulder. The second shot missed, but the third 

 struck behind the ears, breaking the neck, and dropped it 

 dead in its tracks. There was great rejoicing that even- 

 ing, for we had secured as fine" a piece of game as could 

 be obtained in that section of the country. 



For the next two days we gave the dogs a rest, and 

 contented ourselves with shooting birds and fishing. We 

 succeeded in bagging twenty-two partridges, three black 

 ducks, one mink and thirty -six pickerel, some of which 

 tipped the scale at nine pounds. 



The following day we tried the deer again, the guides 

 having to travel at least ten or twelve miles to make the 

 start. We stayed fishing at the head of the lake for a 

 while, and after catching six pickerel started toward our 

 watching post by way of the old lumber road. We bagged 

 three partridges, and were just stopping at a spring to 

 get a drink of pure water, when we heard the dogs bay- 

 ing seemingly close to Crotchet Pond. We commenced 

 running and soon were on our watch at the pond. After 

 waiting about twenty minutes we saw a noble buck take 

 the water, in straight line for a point where one of the 

 party was stationed. He was up to the occasion. Of two 

 shots one struck the neck, the second in the back of the 

 head kilhng the game instantly. We towed it ashore; it 

 was a three- year old and weighed 1681bs. We cut a sap- 

 ling, strapped the deer to it and were soon on the way 

 homeward, warming up pretty well under the weight 

 and glad it was not heavier. 



The day following we took a trip to Cedar River in 

 quest of some more partridges. We bagged five on our 

 way there, and returning took a different route. We 

 secured one more grouse besides a large pileated wood- 

 pecker, which I shot near home. This was quite a treat; 

 it was one I had often tried to get, the family of wood- 

 peckers being pretty well represented in my collection, I 

 naturally joyed to get another addition. 



The day after, it being very foggy, we did not hunt, 

 but set up a target and amused ourselves practicing. 

 The target consisted of a board 9x4in. at a distance of 

 250yds. Our rifles were one Bullard, one Marlin and one 

 Winchester, each of .38 caliber. The Bullard man started 

 putting five shots out of six in the target, next came the 

 Marlin man, drilling three holes out of twelve shots in 

 the board, followed by the Winchester man, who did 

 about the same as the Bullard. This lasted for several 

 hours. After dinner we went fishing on the lake, and 

 five pickerel, wliich together weighed 37flbs., were the 

 result. 



Sunday morning we all rested, so as to be in good trim 

 to commence bright and early the new week. We started 

 early Monday, Crotchet Pond being our destination. We 

 had quite a tune reacliing the head of the lake on account 

 of the fog, which was very thick. Tlnee of us were to 

 watch the pond, while one was to remain on the head of 

 the lake. We waited for about an hour, loitering about 

 the lake, while our guides went in search of the game. 

 As we left for the lake the fog began to disperse, and 

 about eight o'clock we were all ready at our posts. It 

 was a beautiful morning. The fog rising and the sun 

 piercing through the side of the mountains, spreading a 

 crimson hue over the whole scenery, would have made a 

 rare sketch for an artist, but is hardly to be described 

 with words, and the quiet, only disturbed by an occasional 

 bluejay, made me fully appreciate the grandeur of nature. 



At about 11 o'clock we could hear the hounds at a dis- 

 tance, followed by a shot, but the baying continued for 

 over an hour, getting fainter and fainter and at last 

 ceased. Then one of the guides came and inquired if we 

 had seen or heard the deer. The game, he said, at one 

 time went in the direction of Johnny Mack's pond, but 

 must have turned and made for Round Pond. But hark ! 

 the bawling could plainly be heard, the dogs were at it 

 again. We were not slow in getting to our posts, four of 

 us were at the pond, now including the guide. The dogs 

 were driving the deer right toward ub, as w« could judge 



by the sound of their barking, when splash, splash, the 

 deer jumped in the water at the point where our brother 

 sportsman with his shotgun was posted. It was a doe, 

 and the first doe we had seen this year. When within 

 about 35yds. he fired. The deer merely shook his head 

 and kept swimming for the shore, so he tided to head her 

 off and to get another shot. He succeeded and fired 

 two more shots, at a distance of about 50yds; but the deer 

 reached the shore, and unfortunately just at the place 

 where one of the dogs stood. Two of us saw it, but 

 although we had rifles were too far off to shoot. On went 

 the deer for the lake with the dog close to its heels, and 

 was soon out of sight and hearing. The party who shot 

 at the deer had a fine twelve-gauge Remington shotgun, 

 loaded with five drama of powder and nine buckshot. He 

 felt rather blue when we met and sorry he shot at all. 

 He concluded right then and there never to use a shot- 

 gun for deer again. He ought to have driven the doe 

 in range of the rifles, for the probability was that the 

 deer would either be overtaken by the dog and torn to 

 pieces, or would run until it dropped dead from its 

 wounds and perhaps never be found. 



We gave up the hunt and started for the lake, all of us 

 disgusted with our clay's work; on reaching the water we 

 were greatly astonished to find the doe bagged by our 

 solitary watcher at the head of the lake. The head had 

 been literally riddled with buckshot, which proves that a 

 rifle is the only arm for a deer; and I hope nobody who 

 reads this will ever use anything else. Take a rifle and 

 either kill or miss. 



We all felt glad that the doe had been secured and we 

 now, having each of us secured a deer, gave up the hunt 

 for this season, being satisfied with three bucks, one doe, 

 eighteen brace of partridges, and fifty -three pickerel, 

 besides quite a lot of miscellaneous game. F. A. S. 



Brooklyn, N. Y. 



GAME NEAR BISMARCK. 



BISMARCK, Dak., Dec. 10.— Never before have the 

 ducks and geese been known to leave the solitude of 

 the beautiful lakes of the North so late in the season. 

 The ducks came plenty enough for first-class sport in 

 September, but the geese are still with us, and at no time 

 in great numbers. 



Away up in the British possessions, where their young 

 first see the light of day, the old ones are convened (as 

 reported by an eye witness) to talk over the clangers of 

 their flight from their secluded home to the sunny South. 

 The night is clear. The moon, full-orbed, floats over all, 

 lighting up lakes, streams and forest till it seems day is 

 not needed to make nature more beautiful, or this especial 

 scene more charming. Thousands of geese are to be seen 

 here and there, in clear deep water, in shallow water, in 

 rushes wild and tangled. The young, the old, the white, 

 the gray and the brant, chatter all together. The parents 

 of this vast tribe are seen to quietly glide away to an 

 island mid-lake of whitest sand. Here in solemn con- 

 clave met, they have left their young to sport and play, 

 as fancy may guide. The meeting has been called to 

 order by one of the oldest of the old, when yells of fear 

 from a thousand throats set all the young to screaming. 

 The president, no less a coward than, the rest, but having 

 descried the cause of fear, assumes an air of fearless 

 courage, and with voice loud and clear demands, "Why 

 all this commotion over a few mild-eyed elk, quietly- 

 quenching their thirst at the lake with no intent to harm? 

 Now we will turn to business, and I trust we will have 

 no more of this useless alarm, which only destroys the 

 nerves of our darling young. And that more time' be not 

 wasted, I will state the object of the meeting. It is to 

 determine the route we will take in our flight to where 

 the waters never grow cold, and summer never ends. 

 Last year we chose three cliff ereut ways; and parting 

 thus, thousands of our tribes never met us more. Now, 

 my friends more fortunate, having proved your valor and 

 endurance, as well as cuuning, please tell your exper- 

 ience one year ago." 



An old mother goose of many summers was first to 

 speak. With bow profound and feet covering a space as 

 large as the palm of a hand she said: "It was in the 

 month of September that we parted fiom this safe re- 

 treat. My tribe grew impatient of wing. I had told 

 them of 'No. 1 hard' grainfields as large as townships, of 

 other lakes and streams in which to rest. They must go; 

 and mother-like we consented too early by far. With 

 many lectures on pits and things shaped to resemble us 

 (called decoys'), enjoining them not to go near these lakes, 

 we started one bright morning at dawn. Our flocks 

 numbered hundreds. With a leader at the head of each 

 they formed. The flight was one of pleasure and delight. 

 Our course lay by way of the lakes, which took us by 

 way of Dawson, Dakota. My eyes grow dim with tears 

 as I recall the sad history of' those davs. Every grain- 

 field seemed to be full of pits; each pit Had from one to 

 two guns in it, with shapes resembling our form all 

 around the pits. Our young, so full of life and inex- 

 perience, would take the lead, and with shouts easy to 

 be heard a mile woxdd fly straight into the jaws of death; 

 and as it is regarded as being cowardly not to follow the 

 leader, we all were thrust day after day into clanger of 

 having to bite the dust. In answer to your question, 

 yes, there were guns of all kinds; the L.'C. Smith and 

 the Parker sepmed to pierce my young through, and evey 

 other pit seemed to have them in. I cannot advise my 

 tribe to go that way." 



"My course was by the Missouri River, our first stop 

 near Bismarck, Dakota," spoke another. "Our experi- 

 ence was enough like that just related to need little com- 

 ment. My tribe was robbed of half its number before we 

 reached our home in the South. On reaching the grain 

 belt the voyagers lost all fear, so greedy were they to 

 fatten on the tempting grain. It seemed to me that be- 

 hind every tumble weed, as well as in pits without 

 number, I could see either the Greener, Scott, Lefever, 

 Spencer, Charles Daly, Harrington & Richardson, Colt, 

 Diana. Piepers, and many other guns, all pointing at us. 

 My young darlings paid no attention to the danger, and 

 day after day, week after week, they would leave the 

 islands in the river and fly straight for these dangers, 

 till we older ones, those left of us, put our heads together 

 and by telling the young of grain fields for surpassing 

 these in one day and night's flight, we landed them safe 

 in our winter home. If we go this way again, I would 

 most earnestly advise starting late in the season, with 

 but a few clays' stop on the way; for the few brave ones 

 I we sent down the river as spies returned with the report 



