390 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



[Jvm 4, 1891. 



"THALASSA! THALASSA!" 



r\F1' TIMES, wben evening shadows fall 



^ And song of Ijirds is hushed in sleep, 

 The music sweet of other climes 

 Comes stealing softly through the pines; 



And, muffled 'neath night's sable pall, 

 Chords from a mighty organ sweep; 



As, in thp mountain torrent's roar, 



I hear the waves beat on the shore. 



Oh, music wrapped in mystery— 



The deep Intoning of the seal 



And oft, mid heat of summer day 

 1 sit beside the brook and dream. 



Tbe golden clouds drift slowly by; 



Lost are the bounds of earth and sky; 

 'J\Iid iieftcv sails the breezes play 



And pearly crests on azure gleam. 

 Restless and restful, to and fro, 

 Sunlight and shadow come and go. 

 While with thought's white-winged argosy 

 I rest upon a far-off sea. 



Oh, wafers blue! Oh, purpling shore! 

 Oh, winds that kiss the trembling foam! 

 Tbe light, the life, the love are thine; 

 The wrack and wreck alone are mine; 

 Yet still I dream of days of yore. 



On glistening sands again I roam. 

 The endless throbbing of the tide. 

 O'er mountains high, 'cross valleys wide, 

 Through lapse of years, still comes to me— 

 Eternal, changeless, bounding sea! 

 In the Mountains oi? Utah. Shoshone. 



gN THE NORTH SHORE— VI. 



[Continue<l f rom Page 370.} 



AFTER we had retired that evening a terrific rain 

 storm, accompanied by severe thunder and vivid 

 lightning, set in, and continued till morning. I slept 

 through it all, perfectly unconscious of the warring ele- 

 ments. Ned said it was the grandest storm he ever en- 

 countered in camp. Peal after peal and flash after flash 

 were continuous, while the rain came down as if the flood 

 gates of heaven were open. Everything was made as 

 bright as day, and as he looked on the lake, he saw a 

 schooner tempest-tossed, and a steamer breasting heavily 

 against the surging waves. The lightning grew more 

 luminous, while the frightful roar of the thunder was so 

 heavy as to fairly make the earth tremble. The dense 

 forest stood outlined in the vivid flashes so clear and dis- 

 tinct that leaf and limb were in plain view, while the very 

 ground seemed to be running rivers of water, all uniting 

 to produce an elemental strife that i)etrified him with 

 fear. For several hours we were enveloped in 



"Such sheets of fire, such bursts of horrid thunder, 

 Such groans of roaring wind and rain," 



as flamed and roared in the storm that beat upon Lear. 

 Continuing his graphic description, Ned said, "I thought 

 of the Angel's Song in Goethe's 'Faust.' " 



"And storms with rival fury heaving. 



From land to sea, from sea to land. 

 Still as they rave, a chain is weaving 



Of deepest efficacy grand. 

 There burning desolation blazes, 



Precursor of the thunder's way; 

 But, Lord, thy servants own with praisas 



The milder movements of thy day." 



little bag, and placing it on the seat by Joe, told him to 

 steer by that. He marked the four principal points of the 

 compass on the seat, and as he did so remarked that we 

 ought to have set the compass before the fog obliterated 

 the land ahead. This was something new to me in navi- 

 gation, but then I was a landlubber that knew nothing 

 about boxing the compass, or even "compass cards," and 

 was as much confused over such things as was Peter 

 Simple when Mr. Chucks was told to "bleed all the buoys." 



I noticed, however, that Joe paid little attention to the 

 compass, because it had not been set soon enough, but 

 that he held the boat's head well in, determined not to 

 miss the opposite shore. The breeze was not only fresh- 

 ening quite rapidly but it was changing its course, which, 

 if it continiied so much longer, would give us a dead- 

 ahead wind. We went surging along, throwing the spray 

 on all sides, with an occasional sprinkle inside. 



"I no like this," said Joe. 



"Me too," said Ned. 



Still we kept plunging ahead in a heavy sea that was 

 alive with whitecaps, when all at once the fog lifted and 

 the shore was visible. There was evidently a look of 

 hard weather ahead and it just then appeared as if we 

 would have to make a tack or two before we reached the 

 shore. Joe. who had been getting somewhat restless, 

 said we had better turn back and run into the west side 

 of Bachewanaung Bay. 



Ned jumped at the suggestion saying, "I think so, too." 

 Joe being thus encoura.ged swung the boat around in the 

 tossing billows and away she went like a greyhound, 

 with the snowy froth curling from her prow. It was de- 

 lightful sailing now. We had the wiud at our heels and 

 were skimming o'er the surges with an oily smoothness: 



"Merrily, merrily goes the bark 



On a breeze from the northward free; 

 So shoots through the morning sky the lark. 

 Or the swan through the summer sea." 



Just before we reached Bachewanaung Lighthouse we 

 wei*e again enveloped in a heavy fog, but Joe having a 

 perfect knowledge of the shore, rounded us into the bay 

 with the utmost precision. Again the fog lifted, thus 

 giving us an opportunity of making a landing at tbe most 

 lovely camping quarters, being a clear, glassy plain, and 

 free from those pestiferous insects that make life a per- 

 fect misery. We were greeted by a lot of mangy ours 

 that snuffed the provisions from afar. This compellrd 

 us to keep our eatables in an anchored boat, for so wolfish 

 are these dogs that in a short time they will gnaw through 

 a box or barrel. AVe drove them away a short distance, 

 and there they remained ever on the alert to pounce down 

 when a chance for food offered. On the Nepigon, at Dog 

 Town near the mouth, so ravenously hungry are the horde 

 of dogs there, that I have known them to steal meat as it 

 was being prepared in the skillet. These dogs would 

 doubtless do the same, and therefore we had to keep a 

 constant watch upon them. The boys got the tents 

 erected in a short time, and then prepared us an ample 

 meal. 



I was delighted with this lovely spot, for it is from this 

 side of the bay its manifold charms appear. There are 

 no crags, no pinnacles, no ramparts of rocks, no moun- 

 tain frown nor savageness brought into tiontrast at any 

 point with the general serene beauty. It's the rapturous 

 reverse that is here exemplified. In the north of this 

 dreamland of the icy lake the purple hills gently come 

 upon you with shadowy impressiveness; rills and rivers, 

 with flash and gleam, purl through the winding vales; 

 islets and islands, in sweet repose, dot the surface in 

 jeweled splendor; while on every side, under the magnifi- 

 cence of an azure sky, the prospect is not only inviting, 

 but magnificent — 



"Ever pleasing, ever new. 

 When will the landscape tire the view? ' 



ness; but it was like pouring water on a duck's back, no 

 attention whatever being paid to it. Thin is a crying 

 evil that will soon depopulate the lake of the trout, unless 

 the higher authorities of that government call to account 

 the criminal negligence of their subordinates. Mr. Editor, 

 why not vigorously twist the fishing-tail of the British 

 Lion on this subject? Come, sharpen your pencil and 

 make the editorial page of your paper truly warlike. 



The evening prospects for good weather on the morrow 

 were exceedingly flattering. Huge white clouds, that 

 wise men call cirri cumuli, swept grandly over the blue 

 sky, and gathered in masses as the sun went down. The 

 air was strong and full of aroma from the healthful 

 balsam, which surrounded us on all sides, and Ned, 

 feeling in musical tone, enlivened us with many a 

 delicious aria, while the half-breeds in their tents near 

 by sawed vigorously on their "fiddle," as if they had a 

 contract to untwist all the chains that tie the hidden soul 

 of harmony. Although Ned warbled sweetly, I knew a 

 conspiracy was hatching in his soul that would soon 

 manifest itself in a grand attack, and probable destruction 

 of that distracting instrument. He loved a concord of 

 sweet sounds, but that cat-gut ecraping was more than 

 he could endure. I tried to convince him that the boys 

 were simply interpreting the weird music of Wagner, 

 but it did not stop the revolutionary flame that was 

 gathering great force within him. 



After the troublous times at Pancake Bay we enjoyed 

 that night a most delightful slumber and rosy dreams: 



"Of joys perpetual in perpetual change! 

 Of stable pleasures on the tossing wavel 

 Eternal sunshine in the storms of life!" 



■ The dawn gave us a sky of light, drifting clouds, ribbed 

 in gold and orange, and a breeze just right for trouting. 

 Breakfast over we took boat with only one of the boys, 

 John, leaving Joe to guard the provisions from the 

 stealthy raids of the hungry canines, and shoved ahead 

 for the lighthouse j)oint, .some two miles distant. The 

 sun was quite warm, and John, having the entire job of 

 rowing, and feeling the heat, proceeded leisurely along, 

 giving us a fine opportunity for observing the landtcape 

 under the crimson tints of the sun. 



A few crows, which Ned took for blackbird?, were seen 

 sitting on the limbs of a recently fallen tree that hung 

 o'er the declivitous bank, while the ever-present seagull, 

 the scavenger of the lake, circled roui d and round the 

 stimmit of a great rock just ahead, and iln n again soared, 

 swaying his graceful wings, nnd uttn-ing at intervals 

 that peculiar cry, that in solitary haunts soxmds so in- 

 tensely mournful. A cabin in a beautiful grove, nestled 

 charmingly on the grassy bank, with the sunshine bright- 

 ening the foliage and dancing on the water that rippled 

 on its threshold. It was the home of a half-breed, who^e 

 prattling children were playing their prankd on toe rocky 

 beach, while the mother was tolling with her 1 ousehold 

 cares. It was a pleasing picture of a simple life, but it 

 taught a lesson of contentment that you stldom see in 

 stately halls of pompous splendor. 



The lighthouse, like a watchful sentinel, bathed in 

 rosy mist, came in view, and then a half mile along an 

 irregular shore of ragged rocks and lo w clitr--, that a lover 

 of nature would admire, and we are in i he desu ed trout- 

 ing waters. Uur rods were soon in play, sending the 

 feathery conceits around every rock, boulder and crevice 

 we thought harbored the finny Adonis; but it seemed 

 love's labor lost, for not a fin rippled the water in response. 

 We displayed all our skill and cunning to utvcigle the 

 radiant beauties. Fly after fly of the most perfect and 

 approved style were tried; still the waters remained un- 

 broken. When we had about desp ared of securing a 

 trout, John called our attention to a thunder cloud that 

 was assuming alarming proportions in thp west. He ad- 

 vised us, if we desired to reach camp with cb-y jackets, 

 that we had better head for it, and leave the u'ainlily 

 painted reveler of the aqueous realms to his statuefque 

 poise. The boat throwing no curl from her cutwater 

 under the manipulation of John, we each took an oar, 

 and thus doubly equipped, our speed was more than 

 doubled, and tlie Mackinac went gaily o'tr the crinkling 

 waves. Speculation was rife as to whether we would 

 reach our haven before the threatenci rain fell, and the 

 pool box showed up even on the re*ult. We stuck man- 

 fully to the oars till camp was reached, and then the 

 storm, so menacing, passed safely over, with a moan or 

 two of thunder and a few flashes of lightning. It broke 

 some miles to the east of us, as we could plainly see the 

 rain pouring down upon the distant hills. We tried om- 

 ehances with the brook beauties no more that day, but 

 sat around the quarters and idled the afternoon away in 

 crib and a grand attack on the pages of "Lorna Doone" 

 and Balzac's "Two Brothers." 



The next day was also passed in restful luxury, as -we 

 had concluded to await the arrival of the steam tug 

 Annie Clarke, which is employed here in the fisheries, 

 and take tow on her to the Lizzard Island-'. 



ALEX. STAKBUOK. 



FROM NEW MEXICO. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



A ranchman who lives in the foothills of the Sacra- 

 mento Mountains, about 70 miles west of this place, was 

 in town a few days ago and gave me some interesting tips 

 on game in his neighborhood. He reports antelope abun- 

 dant on the mesas between here and his ranch, and deer, 

 turkeys and quail by the hundred, everywhere in the 

 foothills. He says that he can kill a deer or a turkey 

 any day within two or three miles of his house. He also 

 reports some elk, bear and mountain lions, 10 to 20 miles 

 back from that place. 



The Sacramentos are 8,000 to 10,000ft. high but are 

 open, grassy ridges, so that one can ride all over them. 

 There are scattered oak trees all over the range and the 

 acorns furnish good bait for deer, bears and turkej/s. 

 There are clear, cold springs everywhere, and plenty of 

 rich grass for horses, so that it is an ideal hunting 

 country. 



Antelopes are still plentiful in this valley. Every one 

 who rides through it between here and Roswell, which i3 

 85 miles north, reports seeing nunterous herds. As a 

 general game country this valley and its environs takes 

 the cake. I am not a professional guide and have no axe 

 to grind, but if any of your readers wish to come here 

 next fall I will put tl^em on track of all the game they 

 want. • H. A. Ladu. 



Eddy, N. M., May 28. 



There was much fear expressed by the boatmen at the 

 terrible storm, Joe declaring it the wildest and most 

 furious he ever witnessed. 



"Me thought the lightning hit me sure," he said in con- 

 verse about it, and as for poor John, he covered his head 

 and trembled in fear, expecting every minute that a bolt 

 of lightning would incinerate him. 



Ned couldn't understand how I could slumber amidst 

 all the tumult, and particularly the attacks of the bloody 

 sand-flies, which he said very nearly devoured him. 

 Hardly a wink of sleep had he, and so woe-begone did he 

 look that morning that I deeply sympathized with him. 



"We must get out of here," he stated after breakfast, but 1 

 noticing there was such a gloom in the great volume of 5 

 black, jagged clouds, that were tumbling o'er each other, 

 we thought it best to wait a while and see if the prospect ( 

 would brighten. In the meantime we had the provisions ( 

 carried to the beach for immediate loading, and then we ' 

 sat down on a log at the edge of the lake and watched the ( 

 weather as if our lives depended on it. It sprinkled a ' 

 little just after the last box had been brought down, and 

 then our hearts sank into our boots, and we sincerely 

 wished we had the provisions back where they were so 

 nicely sheltered. 



"We are a pair of old fools," growled Ned. 



"I protest, there is only one." 



"Oh! I beg pardon, the other is a crank," 



"Demonstrate the difference between a fool and a 

 crank." 



"One never knows when he is well off, and the other 

 never can tell." 



I acknowledged Ned's masterly ability by elevating my 

 beaver, being satisfied after that solution that he had the 

 head of a diplomat, and troubled him no more with enig- 

 mas. 



The sprinkle soon ceased, and being somewhat despe- 

 rate we waited for no further elemental developments, 

 and ordered the provisions aboard and the tents taken 

 down. Joe said the weather looked "dirty" and we had 

 better wait, but there was no wait in us, and we insisted on 

 departing at once, and for a land where the sand fly pes- 

 ters not, and where the atmosphere is pure and fragrant. 

 We had had enough of the jungle and its malaria, and 

 would repose on the flinty surface rather than again camp 

 amid such disagreeable surroundings. 



We finally got off about 9 o'clock, with a good quar- 

 terly wind, that made the water sing a racing chorus at 

 the bow. It was six miles across the bay, and four be- 

 yond that to our destination, and if the breeze held we 

 would make it in two hours, if not less. Two miles had 

 been made, when a heavy fog came rushing dovra upon 

 ^s, I^ed now took l;is compass fron^ its receptacle, th^ 



In the afternoon the boatmen put the camp in good 

 order, mended sails and gathered balsam, while Ned, 

 who had been aching for a good wash, cleaned up with 

 the Ivory soap, put on a change of linen, lit a cigar and 

 then sat down with me to a ga me of cribbage, in which 

 he got on the wrong side of the score. 



My change of raiment I postponed to the morrow, being 

 satisfied that there was not time enough for me that 

 afternoon in which to eclipse our now dandified Ned, who 

 looked royal in his purple and fine linen. Being in the 

 irnmediate vicinity of the fishing station we paid it a 

 visit and there made the acquaintance of Mr. Ganley, 

 the head of the establishment. He gave us a peep into a 

 fish car, where reposed on icy beds some magnificent 

 specimens of brook trout, These, we presume, were 

 either caught in gill nets or purchased from the half- 

 breeds, who this season receive eighteen cents per pound 

 for them. This very liberal price here induces nearly 

 every Indian and half-breed anywhere within ten or 

 fifteen miles of a fishing station to make a steady busi- 

 ness during the season of capturing and disposing of 

 these finny beauties at the above figtxres. They observe 

 no law in their capture, their sole object being: possession. 

 When they can't entice them to their baited hooks or 

 lures they use the spear, the "villainous jigging process," 

 "gang hooks" and gill nets. The latter they set in the 

 immediate vicinity of the shore rocks or on the reefs 

 and then with a long pole go pounding over the bottom 

 in hopes of driving them into the meshes. They capture 

 immense numbers this way. I was informed that a ship- 

 ment of 3,000lbs. was made at one time from one of these 

 fisheries this season; and I presume that this was only a 

 small portion of what then went to the Chicago market. 

 This wholesale and illegal slaughter is rapidly depleting 

 the waters of the North Shore of these lovely and de- 

 licious game fish, and even in my two years' experience 

 OH this shore I have noticed not only the depletion, but 

 the reduction in size. It is not the matured savage alone 

 who engages in this cruel warfare, but every boy that 

 can paddle a canoe is out every day craftily stealing over 

 the rocky grounds with peering eyes, and on seeing a 

 trout poised in the clear waters down goes his hook, 

 and up comes the struggling fontinalis. 



The Fish Commissioner at the Canadian "Soo" has had 

 his attention time and again called to the illegal capture 

 and traffic in these fish, but he gives no heed whatever to 

 it. The Indian and half-breed make no attempt at conceal- 

 ment, though well knowing the law on the subject, but 

 pursue their market-hunting tactics with unblushing ef- 

 frontery. Ned, on one of his trips a few years ago to the 

 North Shore, secured one of these giU nets and took it to 

 tjie Fish Comnjisgioner as evidence of the nefarious busi- 



