86 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



[Aug. 28, 1888. 



IN THE WOODS. 



NERVOUS prostration did you say, my friend? "Well, 

 there is one sovereign cure for that deplorable con- 

 dition. If you will buckle on a pack, shoulder a gun 

 and "take to the woods" its a dead certainty you will 

 tramp off your nervousness aud give your poor brain a 

 chance of life. It was late in October when the writer 

 finally gave up "trying to make arrangements,'' and sim- 

 ply turned his back on the office, and took passage over 

 Boston and Maine with his pack, rifle and odd traps com- 

 pactly telescoped for transportation to the Kohog's happy 

 hunting grounds along the Magalloway River and the 

 vicinity of Unibagog Lake. 



On our trips the past three years we had entered the 

 woods by the buckboard route, but this season it was de- 

 cided to return to first principles. Accordingly we bunt- 

 ed up a staunch canoe and made necessary preparations. 

 Next day was Sunday and the loggers who lounged 

 around promiscuously eyed our traps and queried as to 

 destination. "Up river, did you sav? But you can't do 

 it, it's all frozen up." To tell the truth the air was frosty 

 next morning as we turned out. There were our log- 

 ging friends and they greeted us with, "Well, what are 

 you going to do about it?" For answer we loaded up and 

 breaking the ice, launched the canoe. Of course it was 

 slow work until we got out into the middle of the stream, 

 but we chopped the ice with our heavy paddles and 

 finally got under headway with Baker the guide in the 

 stern and Bill at the prow. 



That first night we were pretty tired as we drew up to 

 camp and Baker suggested we sup off of "logger's 

 chuck." This was a sandwich made of raw salt" pork 

 laid between two slices of bread, and the first sample 

 was not eaten with that relish which came from late ex- 

 perience. 



We had found ice most of the way up river, but by 

 selecting the thinner places had no serious trouble. 

 We finally drew up on the banks of Upper Metallic 

 Pond, some 25 miles from the upper settlement (Wilson's 

 Mills). We struck a deserted logger's camp— small, but 

 in pretty fair condition, except from the dirt. A bunk 

 in one corner made good quarters for a bed. There was 

 a small stove in the center, and a table at one side. Being 

 tired, we stuffed the stove with wood and wrapping our 

 blankets about us turned in at ten and lay there for a 

 while taking in the situation and admiring the rays of 

 bright moonlight which stole in through the cracks in the 

 roof. 



The following morning Bill crawled from between his 

 blankets and found the water in the stove kettle frozen 

 and the mercury indicating 10° above zero. However, a 

 rousing fire soon thawed both men and kettle, and after 

 breakfast we set about "cleaning the crib," as Baker ex- 

 pressed it, and by 11 o'clock wrought quite a change. 

 And no sooner were we tolerably settled than in walked 

 a grizzly-looking trapper. A more surprised customer 

 you never saw. "Where did you come from?" he in- 

 quired. Even while he stood looking around the door 

 opened again and in came his young partner. When he 

 saw us his eyes stuck out like pot hooks and he asked 

 "where from?" Being answered from the settlement his 

 exclamation was, "By the gol dingers, thought the river 

 was frozen so no one could get up." 



We told them in a quiet way that for the past ten years 

 we had made our annual visits as planned beforehand 

 and that a trifle like a little ice would not deter us this 

 time. They sat down, and after a little lunch began 

 gathering what they could find of that which afterward 

 proved to be their property — much to our surprise. 

 Baker was forced to slip off a pair of moccasins he had 

 grappled on to, and a pah- of mittens mysteriously came 

 to light after they had hinted what they were hunting 

 for. 



We brought from our boxes left by the river bank 

 provisions and supplies for immediate wants and in the 

 afternoon took a tramp in the woods. Returning about 

 five we fired up again, and between us managed a bill of 

 fare fit for Young's or Delmonico's: broiled partridges, 

 baked potatoes, griddle cakes, hard bread with quince 

 preserves, with cocoa. 



We spent full two hours at the table, and then without 

 ceremony Bill rolled over into the bunk and was soon 

 asleep. Baker washed the dishes and then sat up till ten 

 to smoke. 



One morning Bill called Baker's attention to something 

 he felt crawling down his back. A "long back" or "gray 

 backs," as the boys called them in '63 and '64. Baker 

 thought them not worth while noticing as he had felt 

 a number of them moving him about and thought they 

 helped keep the blood circulating. 



As usual the writer was anxious to visit the old familiar 

 places, and Lincoln Pond was one of the most interest- 

 ing. We had visited it many times, but last season the 

 lumbermen had made havoc with the forest for a mile or 

 more back from the river, so that it was impossible to 

 follow the old trail. Consequently the compass was 

 brought into use, and after one or two unsuccessful at- 

 tempts we reached the pond. It was frozen all along the 

 shore, but dragging our old birch canoe from its place of 

 concealment we broke the ice and soon had our craft 

 afloat. Before getting off, however, it was necessary to 

 build a fire and heat some pitch to caulk up several cracks 

 in the old birch. We had a grand paddle over this cleat- 

 sheet of water, and although it was a cold November day, 

 with occasional snow squalls, we enjoyed it much. The 

 lumbermen have not as yet cut any of the forest above 

 the pond, and it is a wild, beautiful spot. 



Drawing the canoe ashore and placing it under cover, 

 l)ro bably not to be used until another season, we shoul- 

 dered our packs, and with a few rjartridges picked up by the 

 way, struck out for camp. "What's this ?" said Baker, 

 as he opened the door and sighted on the table a half loaf 

 of bread and some pork. "Some one's been here. Yes, 

 and by the looks of that jar helped themselves to pre- 

 serves." We were glad our visitors had found something 

 to their liking, and they thoughtfully left the pork and 

 bread in exchange. 



It is an unwritten law in the woods that a man shall, 

 when hungry, help himself to whatever he can grapple 

 on to, and leave his acknowledgment in the shape of a 

 note of thanks or money, or he may leave other grub in 

 place of what he takes. 



One evening as we were sitting in camp we heard some 

 animals prowling around, crunching the bones left from 

 our game supper. "A skunk," said Baker, and proposed 

 that we capture it, as to his mind they were fine eating 



when properly cooked. Taking down his Winchester, 

 Bill made ready to shoot the instant Baker opened the 

 door. Drawing bead by light of bright moon the Winches- 

 ter cracked and Baker banged the door. We decided to 

 wait till morning before inspecting. In the morning we 

 found the upper part of his neck shot off, allowing him 

 no time to fire his salute. Baker out with his huuting 

 knife and gave an exhaustive lecture on the principles of 

 dressing such an animal. After careful inspection it; was 

 pronounced ready for the baking pan. "You will per- 

 ceive, Mr. Kohog, there is no odor, and do you mind how 

 plump he is. Now brace up the fire, Bill, and Til clap 

 liiin in." It was not long before the stove glowed with 

 almost white heat, and with it came a gentle perfume 

 from the oven, sufficient to paralyze the fireman and 

 thick enough to cut in sizes to suit. We both made 

 tracks for the outside. Still Baker insisted it must be 

 imagination, as he had been very careful in dissecting, 

 but he evidently had made some slight mistake. 



The fireman was ordered in to replenish the fire, and he 

 did not hang around, but made a bolt for the outside, 

 concluding the blue canopy of heaven would furnish him 

 shelter that night. Finally the oven was opened by 

 Baker. He drew back, but renewed the attack, and was 

 victorious in getting the savory morsel to the table. But 

 to eat it was another thing. Poking it over he dug out a 

 choice piece, which he tasted, and pronounced good — for 

 skunk. Bill declares the piece he was inveigled into tast- 

 ing still lingers in his mouth; but he consoled Baker by 

 saying it was doubtless a good thing for us, as it would 

 surely keep out the moths. To cover up the fact of our 

 having roasted the beast, a thorough airing of camp was 

 necessary. If any woodsman should want to make use of 

 that fry-pan before spring, it would be as well not to 

 sniff it too closely. We both took a solemn oath on the 

 pork barrel that mum should be the word. 



We spent a week or more in the camp and vicinity, 

 living well and having a royal good time. Meantime the 

 river kept closing up in ore than ever with ice. One 

 morning a council was held with the conclusion that we 

 should be obliged to reach the settlements through the 

 woods. Next day all our traps were overhauled and 

 repacked, with only a pair of blankets apiece and guns 

 and ammunition left out. We then took the boxes to 

 high ground, and, placing them snugly, put the canoe 

 over them bottom up, and calculated they would be safe 

 from rise of water in case they remained until spring. 



That last night in camp we had an unusual layout, and 

 kept up the festivities until the chilly air of midnight 

 drove us between the blankets. We were astir betimes 

 in the morning, aud after a hearty breakfast set forth 

 with our faces to the settlements, twenty-five miles away. 

 We made good progress along the tote road until about 

 noon, when the way became difficult on account of wind- 

 falls and brush. In trying for a short cut through the 

 swamps we found ourselves lost, but by night time we 

 struck the river again, and judged by the* lay of the land 

 that we had made but half the distance. 



Fortunately Baker discovered ,an old log camp. The 

 roof was nearly gone and it was decidedly airy, but we 

 patched up one end, and building afire on the floor, made 

 ourselves as comfortable as possible. We managed to get 

 a few cat-naps early in the night, but at midnight gave it 

 up and spent the remainder of the night bracing up the 

 fire. In the morning we lunched off a sandwich of pork 

 and wheels (large crackers) with hot tea. We had no 

 difficulty in crossing the river, as during the night it had 

 frozen solid. AVe decided to travel by compass and struck 

 out over the mountains, determined to reach the settle- 

 ments that night. We tramped into our old friend Clark's 

 just as the sun went down, and throwing off our packs 

 were satisfied to sit down and rest, watching the prepa- 

 rations of the cook with a good deal of interest. 



"Come, boys, sit down to "supper," was a call responded 

 to with alacrity. The cook watched us, and as it became 

 evident we were going to make a clean sweep, hurried 

 off to the pantry and soon returned with generous slabs 

 of beef, which were soon sputtering on the hot griddle. 

 "Guess you boys have not had much to eat in the woods," 

 said the cook. 



After that hearty supper we were glad to turn in for 

 the night, but on the succeeding morning were as good 

 as new. Baker went out for a still-hunt of a few days, 

 but after a rest and a short visit with friend Clark, who 

 is a genial, big-hearted Yankee, the scribe struck out for 

 home. Cured of nervousness, did you ask? Well, rather, 

 my friend. Konoa Bill. 



Rifle Loading for Small Game. — New York, Aug. 

 16. — Editor Forest and Stream: I have been experiment- 

 ing recently with "gallery cartridges" for my Winchester 

 rifle .40-60. I use the regular shell, loaded with 6grs. of 

 powder and a round ball; and at short range, say from 50 

 to 150ft., the result is excellent. My object was to obtain 

 a cartridge to kill small game with" while off on my 

 hunting trips. The regular charge makes a heavy report, 

 which disturbs large game, besides tears small game all 

 to pieces. The above named cartridge makes but a 

 trifling report, and while it has sufficient penetration to 

 kill grouse, squirrels, etc., it does not tear them. The 

 cartridges cannot be used in the magazine, but they can 

 be slipped into the barrel and unloaded without disturb- 

 ing the regular shells in the magazine. These shells 

 were loaded for me by the Union Metallic Cartridge Co., 

 of Bridgeport, Conn.— Wakeman Holberton. 



Ashbtjrnham, Mass.— The prospect is for the best par- 

 tridge (ruffed grouse) shooting this fall we have had for 

 years in this section. — H. C. N. 



This has been a good season for bears in Maine. A Lewis- 

 ton furrier says that he has already bought fifty-five skins, 

 and thinks the crop will beat last year's, which was 344 pelts. 



A remarkably attractive lobster was canght at Norwich a 

 few days ago. Its upper parts were of the delicate tinge of 

 old-fashioned blue china, and beneath the color was a beauti- 

 ful bluish white. 



A Harvard professor, who is passing the summer on 

 Cauobie Lake, N. H., has a cottage huilt on a raft made of 

 fifty-three empty oil casks, and the dwelling is towed about 

 the. lake whenever the owner wants a change of air and 

 scenery. 



Tourists seeking rest and recreation during the hot summer 

 months can obtain valuable information from the illustrated guide 

 books entitled "A Summer Jaunt" and "Summer of 1888" issued by 

 the Wisconsin Central Line. These books are descriptive of the sum- 

 mer resorts in Wisconsin and Minnesota, reached by t he Wisconsin 

 Central Line, and will be sent free to any address upon applica- 

 tion to James Bahkbr, General Passenger and Ticket Agent, 

 Milwaukee Wis.— A&d. 



Angling Talks. By George Dawson. Price 50 cents. Fly- 

 Rod* and Fly-TacMe. By H. P. Wells. Price $2.50. Fly- 

 Fishing and Fly-Making for Trout. By J. H. Kerne. 

 Price $1.50. American Angler's Boole. By Thad. Norris. 

 Price $5.50. 



A NIGHT WITH A BONE SHARK. 



SAN FRANCISCO, Calif omia. -The delightful sum- 

 mer and winter resort Santa Cruz is beautifully 

 located on the north side of Monterey Bay, sixty miles 

 due south of San Francisco. Its sm-rounchngs in every 

 way are delightful and pleasurable. It has a magnificent 

 beach for bathing, fine sheltered waters for sailing and 

 boating. Is surr ounded with the richest of soil, ex tensive j 

 most productive and profitable orchards and vineyards, 

 has extensive and well kept hotels and boarding houses, 

 beautiful residences with fine gardens where the finest 

 flowers are in continuous bloom. The mountains of the 

 Coast Range, immediately back of it, have the richest 

 soil of any mountains in the world, grand scenery, and 

 on them in many places can be found primeval groves of 

 giant redwoods (Sequoia sem/pervirens), the most valuable 

 and noblest tree in the world, except its half brother the 

 giant redwood or big tree (Sequoia gigantea) of the 

 Sierras. In these mountains back of the city there are 

 rich sheltered valleys, where one can mature every fruit, 

 and bloom in its richest magnificence, every flower, and 

 grow every shrub of the temperate and semi-tropical 

 world, or to cut the matter short, Santa Cruz is a "good 

 place to be at'' (as the Southerners say) at any time of 

 year. 



The waters of Monterey Bay and the Pacific Ocean 

 thereabout are wonderfully prolific in fish. In the bay 

 '■in ye olden time" the California hump-backed whale 

 and other monster cetaceans, the lively and dangerous 

 devil fish of the whaleman, used to congregate in vast 

 schools in winter to bring forth their young, and many a 

 whale boat has been smashed and brave whale man 

 found a damp grave in their pursuit. This whale, the 

 hump-backed whale (Megoptera versabilis), is peculiar to 

 this coast, and is still captured to a considerable extent 

 ffom off shore. I visited several stations where they are 

 hauled ashore and their oily jacket stripped from them. 

 The largest, fiercest whale in the world, the sulphur bot- 

 tom (Sibbaldus sulfureus), is also found on this coast. 

 This is the veritable monarch of the ocean, so fierce and 

 strong are they that the best equipped whaling vessels 

 seldom molest them. 



I had always been noted for having quite a large bump 

 of curiosity. I had long wished to see a living whale 

 sporting in the briny deep. A few days ago I was called 

 to Santa Cruz on business. On arrival there I found I 

 should have to remain two or three days, so I, as usual 

 when on the coast, went nosing around the shore. Meet- 

 ing an acquaintance at the wharf I made known to him 

 my great desire to go out with a party of honest fisher- 

 men. He being well acquainted there at once introduced 

 me to the skipper of a fishing smack, who, he said, would 

 "treat me white." The captain said, "I am going to start 

 out at 2 o'clock this afternoon to lay my seine." I asked 

 him what it would cost to go along. "Nothing, sir, we 

 are in want of more ballast and irrigating facilities." So 

 I laid in a quart of ' 'mountain dew" and concluded to 

 ship with the captain as ballast in the good smack Emma. 

 At the appointed hour I was on hand. Our rig consisted 

 of the smack, a lively trim two-master, a fine netted gill- 

 net 500 fathoms or 3,000ft. long and 80ft. deep, a whale 

 boat in tow and a smaller rowboat across the Emma 

 amidships, with five men and myself as ballast. The 

 plan was to run out about twelve miles, lay out the seine 

 and let it drift with the current until morning, for the 

 purpose of gilling small surface fish, such as herring, 

 smelt, etc. We ran out with a brisk quartering breeze 

 over the great round swells of the grand old Pacific, 

 which was most delightful. In a couple of hours and by 

 making one tack we reached the fishing ground. The 

 great seine, which was neatly folded up hi the whale 

 boat, had the line to one of its ends made fast on board 

 the Emma, and her sails were so set that she would draw 

 slowly to the northeast, while two pan of strong arms 

 rowed the whale boat to the southwest, with a man on 

 each side of the great bulk of the seine to run it out 

 properly. Soon its 3,000ft. were stretched on the water 

 to drift with the tide and current. The current on this 

 coast is to the south. When the seine was laid the rope 

 to its northeast end was taken aboard the whale boat and 

 two men took their place at the oars and rowed gently 

 against the current, just enough to keep the seine 

 stretched. A large float having been attached to the 

 other end of the seine the small boat from the Emma was 

 fastened to the whale boat. The last supply of my irri- 

 gating material was used up, and the captain and the boy 

 with the Emma started back to port, leaving me in com- 

 pany of four swarthy fellows afloat on the vast and rest- 

 less ocean. The evening was beautiful, the roll of the 

 great round waves was regular and soft, with every sixth 

 or seventh one much larger than its fellows — a regular 

 pulsation eternally rolling. 



It was just cold enough for a man with warm blood 

 coursing in his veins to be comfortable with his ordinary 

 winter clothing, and when the sun sank below the hori- 

 zon one would need a good overcoat when resting; and 

 this temperature is about the same the year around on 

 this coast. The temperature is held steady by the great 

 mass of water, which is of the same or nearly the same 

 temperature the year around, and is never swept by 

 hot nor cold currents of air. The general trend of the 

 wind throughout the year is from points west to north- 

 west. This wind having a sweep of thousands of miles 

 over this warm water, its under stratum at least absorbs 

 its temperature, and so it blows day after day; cool in 

 summer, warm in winter. It was the intention to leave 

 the seine out until the next morning, when the Emma 

 was to return, and if the catch was stifricient to take out 

 the fish , if not to let it drift until the next morning ; and 

 so on, taking out the fish every other day, until the seine 

 drifted in too near shore. 



The four men left with the seine were not at first sight 

 prepossessing, but the captain and my friend had told me 

 they were good, reliable fellows, and honest as honesty 

 goes among fishermen. Miguel, the mate left in charge, 

 was a low, heavy-set man, of great strength and activity, 

 part Portuguese, part Indian, the other part white man, 



