Nov. 13, i891.J 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



827 



it was different from the French of Stratford atte Bowe, 

 with which I am familiar. But as Inness was more com- 

 fortably at home in Fi-ench than in English I chose that 

 tongue rather than either Smilfeameen or Chinook. 



My retinue were dark, slim, silent fellows, chatting, to 

 be sure, in low tones in their mother tongue, with speak- 

 ing gestures, at night after I had left them or when they 

 were at other times isolated and unoccupied, but while 

 at work they spoke hardly a dozen words a day. The 

 packing was done by instinct, pieced out with an occa- 

 sional sign. The horses were di-iven without a shout, 

 without even a whisper. If some refractory animal left 

 the line or tangled himself up in the brush Donald trot- 

 ted out and herded him in, but not even a muttered oath 

 passed the hps of either of the pair. At times I would 

 he sm'prised to see the men dismount and creep 'around, 

 catlike, picking up stones and firing them at some tm- 

 seen target, but usually the proceeding was explained by 

 the capture of a fool hen. Well does the bird deserve its 

 name, and why it is not already as extinct as the dodo is 

 a puzzle. One day Inness brought home eleven birds, that 

 he had "'rocked'' "to death, tied to his sash. 



In one thing, and one thing only, the taciturn habit of 

 the men was inconvenient. If I asked Inness a question 

 I did not always know whether he had heard me or not. 

 His dull, inscrutable, ruminative expression continued 

 unchanged until he had selected the words for his an- 

 swer. He was a modest fellow in liis pretensions, too. 

 His especial pride was a knowledge of the habits and 

 haunts of caribou. Mountain sheep, for instance, lay in 

 a different province. It seems, in this connection, that 

 on. one occasion he had accompanied a band of Pend 

 D'Oreilles Indians across the range to the Piegan country in 

 Montana. I fancy that he communicated with his com- 

 panions "chiefly by silence, for the Indians knew, he said, 

 only a little English, which, considering his own inca- 

 jjacity in English, must have been inadequate. He re- 

 lated the incident as follows: "I go one time wid dem 

 Injun to dat place. We see some sheep up dat moun- 

 tain — five or six of it. I go a piece. I look down. I tink 

 I fall down. I say to dem Injun, 'You go hunt dat sheep: 

 I stay to de camj).' " 



But now we are in the mountains, and it becomes evi- 

 dent that caribou entertain truly cordial relations only 

 with their fellow countrymen. Not merely do they ab- 

 stain from intruding on our camp-fires, but they are not 

 at home when we visit their jpeculiar quarters. Three 

 Sabbath days' jom-neys, with other journeys on all the 

 intervening week days, fail to develop anything more 

 tangible than advancmg or retiring tracks. Inness shows 

 me where Sir Thomas Nonesuch killed fiTe out of one 

 band; where the same gentleman slew the hero of the 

 herd, and, coming back after lunch to secure his trophy, 

 found the rest of the stupid animals still standing 

 around. 



"Drette par icite," says Inneas, "je ere qu'on. pent 

 ouerre les os — Right over here I think we can see the 

 bones." And, sm-e enough, we did so. Yet interesting 

 . as were these tales and relics of another's prowess, they 

 still left me as far as ever from the great antlers, the 

 "beau panache," that I was seeking on my own account. 



But the period of absent for time was' not without a 

 lesson. For one thing, I had made a little progress in the 

 art of walking. It seems like the first step in knowledge, 

 yet in tagging around after Inness for a couple of weeks 

 with nothing to do but to get weary in following and ob- 

 serving him, I began to be able to reproduce faintly his 

 type and style of walking. 



The Indian hiinter has a distinctive gait. His toes, 

 either straight before him or pointing inward, cover the 

 center of gravity. His hips sway slightly to the stepping 

 side, and his rear foot is not exactly lifted, but rather 

 peeled off the ground just high enough to clear the sur- 

 face and settled in its new place before the weight comes 

 on it. He does not swing bis shoulders, nor walk with a 

 spring, nor plant his foot with a shock, as the white man 

 does. If the Indian were turned to stone while in the act 

 of stepping, the statue would probably stand balanced on 

 one foot. This gait gives the limbs great control over 

 his movements. He is always poised. If a stick cracks 

 under him it is because of his weight, and not by reason 

 of the impact. He goes silently and with great economy 

 of force. The muscles have less strain on them and do 

 not tire so soon. Sometimes it seems as if they never 

 tired. He treads through woods and swamps and down 

 timber with no noise except the rustling of the grass and 

 leaves disturbed by his passage. His steady balance 

 enables him to put his moving foot down as gently as you 

 would lay an egg on the table. You could not hear the 

 thud of a footfall if you Listened a week. The gait is not 

 elastic nor springy nor handsome, and it even makes the 

 man seem bow-legged. Put the same person in leather 

 boots on a floor, and you would truly say that he stumped 

 along, but in moccasins on a hunt, he does not walk, he 

 glides. 



If my friend and adviser did not say that it never 

 rained in caribou land, but that balsam-scented breezes 

 breathed peacefully under a stainless sky, he at all 

 events expressed that idea in less delicately chosen 

 words. But in my experience he was mistaken. Indeed, 

 I begin to think ttiat I bring bad weather, like the dead 

 albatross. 



It sputtered, it rained, it lowered, it sleeted, it snowed 

 and stormed with wind, and on one occasion snow fell 

 to the depth of twelve level inches. 



We kept on hunting, however, until we had pretty 

 thoroughly scoured the district and until our food supply 

 had run down to a little rice and a little cornmeal. Then 

 we retreated with a single head only, and that the head 

 of a little two-year-old bull, whose horns were so short and 

 spindling that a self-respecting blacktail would blush 

 to own them, not by any means what Inness would call a 

 " beau panache," Inness took a modified comfort from 

 the fact that while several parties hunting around us got 

 nothing, we alone secured one trophy, but this, I confess, 

 consoled me but little, and I recite our failm-e in order 

 that others may start out with a more chastened hope 

 and get less of a shock from poor success. 



H. G. DULOG. 



De-Winging Ants.— When in Richibucto, New Bruns- 

 wick, during last summer, I noticed swarms of winged 

 ants covering the doorsteps of the houses; these ants 

 were casting their wings. In one instance I saw one de- 

 liberately unwing itself, using its feet for such purpose; 

 in this it succeeded only after much puUip.g and, ft good 

 deal of labor,— BpwARD Jack. 



SOUTH FLORIDA. 



THERE are a great many of us who have the ardent 

 love for rod and gun and who read articles in For- 

 est AKD Stream, and give up in disjjair of traveling in 

 distant lands at the thought of expense. We are not all 

 made of money, and would it not be well to tell each 

 other how we may go here and there with the least 

 necessary outlay? 



I was very much interested in articles of last year in 

 Forest and Stream, telling how far persons might go 

 from Chicago for |5 and have good sport. This was a 

 fond greeting to the eyes of many, and aroused the 

 latent love once more for broad fields, quiet lakes and 

 rippling brooks. 



We left Wadsworth, Ohio, Jan. 6, Tom, .lohn, the 

 writer and wife, who remained with friends at Arcadia, 

 Desoto county, Florida, our destination for the first sporti 

 After a rest of a few days from the long journey we clean 

 up our guns and get ammunition, ready for a short hunt 

 of three days on Tiger Bay slough. Fifteen miles from 

 Arcadia we pitch our tent beneath spreading boughs of a 

 clump of live oak trees on the banks of a small stream. 

 Camp is hardly completed when John is after gi-ay squir- 

 rels and Tom casting for bass. Many fine birds are flying 

 past our pleasant camp. At break of day the writer is 

 out at fu'st gleam of light, the No. 10 loaded with double 

 Bs for a stray gobbler that might stay on the roost too 

 long; but I found none. The sun was about one hour 

 high when I came out of the thicket along the stream 

 upon a broad marsh. Here I saw a sight of water fowl 

 that I shall never forget. Cranes big and little of almost 

 ail colors, singly and in flocks, were flying hither and 

 thither, screeching and croaking, wading and feeding 

 or standing as still as a sentinel basking in the warm sun. 



Among the long-legged friends were the web-footed 

 tribes, mostly ducks, making no less noise and many 

 times the number of the former. They were mostly at 

 work gathering tUeir food among the roots of plants 

 where the water was but a foot or so deep. 



Along the shore of ponds, and where the water was not 

 too deep, were an endless number of yellowleg plover, 

 and as I crept slowly along in high grass a jack snipe 

 would dart quickly up in the air, not to go far, but to 

 drop quickly back to his favorite retreat. I gazed long 

 on this lovely picture and then selected my position 

 among some low bushes. I removed the BBs and re- 

 placed them with 5s. One loud report and then another 

 and the sky was almost blackened with bewildered birds, 

 and as a hurrying flock of teal would pass again the ten- 

 pounder would speak in tones that would still more 

 frighten the bewildered birds. Not until the barrels were 

 quite hot did they learn to steer clear of that one parti- 

 cular clump of bushes. Not having our four-footed friend 

 Kiser with me I did my own retrieving. As the water 

 was warm I did not mind getting wet above the knees. 

 And the ducks all gathered in presented a fine sight, I 

 now replace the os with Ss and start after the yellowlegs. 

 They are not wild and allow a shot at close range. As 

 they rise and fly past a fine rake shot from both barrels 

 causes many birds to drop. Again and again they come 

 back, until that remnant of a flock makes high and oft'. 

 Having all the birds I can carry I wander back to camp, 

 now and then taking in a snipe as he darts zig-zag over 

 the marsh. 



It is 10 A. M. I have not had my breakfast, but the 

 appetite is not wanting. Tom the fisher has had good 

 luck and so have the others, I cut a couple of palmetto 

 fans, using the stems to broil the bacon and bu-ds on. 

 They are placed before the fire, the bacon above, to allow 

 the di-ippings to fall on the birds below, salt and pepper, 

 a raw onion, bread and butter, and hot coffee complete 

 the meal. Who could ask for more ? No pepsin is re- 

 quired to digest or aid the stomach, but good healthful 

 exercise, fresh air, good water and a refreshing night's 

 sleep soon rebuild the inner man. After breakfast we 

 dress the birds and salt them. 



After dinner, which came a Uttle late, we cast for bass 

 with a small live frog, A few small ones are landed, 

 when presently Tom gets a hard strike by what promised 

 to be a very large fish ; but imagine his surprise when he 

 lands a fine large catfish. 



We wander home on the thii-d day, with bright expec- 

 tations for our great hunt to the Sand Hills, which is to 

 come as soon as we can make ready. 



Another short rest, and we have everything ready for 

 our hunt. Teams and the necessary provisions are pro- 

 cured, which consisted of flour, bacon, sugar, butter, lard, 

 rice, "grits," sweet potetoes, crackers, salt, baking pow- 

 der and coffee. We also take several sacks of grain for 

 our horses, for grass forage is short at this time of year. 

 We travel east through a scattering pine forest, now and 

 then stopping at some fine orange grove to sample its 

 dehcious golden fruit; or old Kiser would point a covey 

 of quail, which would generally result in the addition of 

 a few of those plump morsels to our larder. 



We wend our way slowly along until we have gone ten 

 miles, when we leave the pine woods for open prairie 

 covered with thick saw palmetto, except where the tires 

 have destroyed them. Over roots, along sloughs, through 

 ponds, ever headed eastward. We camp at dusk beneath 

 a tall clump of cabbage palmetto. A more beautiful 

 camping spot could not be found. These clumps of trees 

 look like islands upon the great prairie. Our cook William 

 soon had all the utensils in use, which he handled skill- 

 fully on the log heap. Sweet potatoes were thrust bodily 

 in hot ashes. At call for supper all are present. The 

 principal conversation is "pass the coffee." Camp-fire 

 tales were next in order, made lengthy by long pulls on 

 the old pipe, until the logs were well burned up. We 

 retu-e to the tent and roll snugly up in the blankets, some 

 to sleep, others to roll and tumble, for campers do not all 

 sleep well the first night. At first break of day, break- 

 fast quickly dispatched, we again take up our line of 

 march. Nothing of importance happened during the day 

 until about 4 P. M. , when one of the party shot two deer. 



We pitched camp at dusk among some scattering pines 

 on the bank of Lake Ann, two miles south of Lake Childs, 

 both beautiful sheets of water. Here we remained two 

 weeks, and during that time we killed deer, turkey, 

 ducks, quail, squirrel and jack snipe, besides a great 

 number of black bass that Tom caught. The mouth of 

 one of them measm-ed 6in. when extended. We had no 

 means of weighing him. These were all caught on a 9oz. 

 rod. 



The writer killed the only rattlesnake that was seen on 

 the hunt, it measured 6ft. in length. From the extent of 

 cotmtry that we traveled over, it might be inferred that 



snakes are few and far between in south Florida. There 

 is plenty of game around these lakes, such as deer, bear, 

 wolves, wildcat, etc. The cover along the low ground 

 gives them the best and safest retreat. It will be many 

 long years before the deer will be driven from here. 



Reluctantly we break camp and return to Arcadia, 

 where we rest a few dajs and have everything arranged, 

 take the train for Punta Gorda. Here we charter a sloop 

 and telegraph for the remaining party, which consists of 

 six ladies and five men. Provisions are procured and 

 everything held in readiness for their arrival. In the 

 mean time we wander out upon the hotel wharf and 

 make the acquaintance of Mr. Wm. C. Prince, of New 

 York city, who was casting a fly with the greatest skill. 

 Tom and I watched closely each move as he lifted it to 

 let it drop quietly and naturally far out upon the cle-ar 

 water. How could the fish resist a morsel so natural and 

 attractive? 



The train arrives and we are soon all aboard, and as we 

 have a strong aft wind we sail smoothly out of Pease 

 River and into Charlotte Harbor. At 9 P. M. we are 

 anchored off Gasparilla Island in lOft, of water. We 

 make a landing and have the pleasure of forming the 

 acquaintance of the breakers. 



The next day is taken in making camp snug. We re- 

 main here two weeks, all enjoying the finest of fishing, 

 bathing and boating. We took in all seventeen different 

 varieties of fish, from the beautiful sea trout and Spanish 

 mackerel to shark and jew fish. 



We fished mostly with fly, while the ladies took the 

 sheepshead with bait line, and great sport it was for them. 



It being a little early for tarpon we let good enough 

 alone and fished for those prizes that took the hook more 

 freely. We were learning our A, B. C, in salt-water fish- 

 ing. As we advance in the art, we will tackle the silver 

 king. It is no little sport to the amateur to take jewfish 

 and shark that weigh from lOOlbs. to oOOlbs. 



The trip as I have described from Wadsworth, O., and 

 return, complete, did not exceed S80. To those that are 

 interested in such a trip I will be pleased to answer all 

 questions through these columns or by letter. 



J. F, Detweileb, M.D. 



Wacswoeth, Ohio.^ 



Ft. Myers, Fla.— If you enjoy fisMng come to Fort 

 Myers. The Caloosahachee, one and one-half mUes 

 wide, offers the angler a generous range of sport. If he 

 be ambitious and stout of heart and mind he may bait 

 with half a mullet and quietly lie in wait for that king of 

 fishes, the silver king (tarpon), of which more are seen 

 and caught in sight of our beautiful village than at any 

 other point. If wishing quieter sport, withal lively, he 

 may troll for the jack, and in him find a heroic fighter. 

 Perchance while trolling for jack he will strike a channel 

 bass or weakfish. If he wishes to still-fish he can anchor 

 in the channel, bait with crab, and catch wesikfish, channel 

 bass, sheephead, snapper, sand perch, etc. If he is a 

 black bass fisher, he may take a small skiff and pole up 

 any of the creeks and catch black bass that will astonish 

 any Northern fisher. The usual mode is with live bait, 

 although they rise to fly and spoon. 



T have fished in the Northern waters as well as in the 

 West, but for real fishing in endless variety the Caloosa- 

 hachee and tributaries lead them all. Mrs. N. L. Lang- 

 ford, some time since, landed a 131b. black bass unaided. 

 They have been caught upward of iSlbs. 



The shooting is excellent, deer, turkev and quail are 

 very plenty. By going 15 to 20 miles back from town a 

 dozen deer can be jumped any day; and of ten one gets 

 within 20 to 30ft. of a deer before he starts from his 

 hidden bed in a bunch of saw palmetto. Taylor Frierson 

 will guarantee to show a man 100 wild turkeys in a day, 

 and I myself have seen as many, and within 15 miles of 

 town. There is no end to quail, I have three coveys that 

 feed on my place, within four blocks of my office. By 

 going further and into the cypress, panther, wildcat, bear 

 and wild hogs can be hunted. Taking it all around, south 

 Florida offers the finest sporting of any section of the 

 U. S. that I have seen, Walte'r F, Mickle. 



"THE FATE OF THE FUR SEAL." 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



In your issue of the 5th inst. appears a letter from Mr. 

 Dall, who speaks of my estimate of the space required to 

 accommodate the fur seals as they bred in 1872-'74 on the 

 Seal Islands "as a gross exaggeration." 



This modest assertion of Mr, Dall encourages me to 

 reply that the grossness of the statement rests wholly 

 with his language and not on my figures. 



I have demonstrated the fact that the adult mother seal 

 (cow) requires but 3 sq. ft. of ground upon which to rest, 

 as she does rest when out from the water, and that the 

 "pup" seal when born and for two weeks later requii-es 

 only 1 sq. ft. of ground; inasmuch as the pup seals and 

 their mothers, during the height of the breeding season 

 and when they are all there, and at the time to make this 

 survey (July 10 to 20 inclusive), outnumber the big bulls 

 thirty and forty to one, the ratio of 2 sq, ft. for each 

 animal is nearer correct than any other figure, for the 

 space requu-ed by the bulls, 8 sq. ft. , is more than bal- 

 anced by the virgin females, which do not bear young 

 this year, but which leave soon after landing withou't 

 giving any evidence of their having been on the islands, as 

 the other cows do, by the birth and suckling of their oft'- 

 sj)ring. 



This is a fact which I am entirely able to satisfactorily 

 demonstrate the truth of. I have heard of the matter 

 many, many times before, and have patiently and will- 

 ingly gone all over the ground with abler critics than Mr. 

 Dall, who have never as yet been able to present a better 

 hypothesis for arriving at an idea somewhere near the 

 truth. Henry W. Elliott. 



RocKPOHT CoTTAaE, Cleveland, O. 



An Albino Porcupine.— IMr. J. Henry Clarke sends U8 

 sample of hair and quUl of a perfectly white porcupine 

 kiUed near Unity, N. H., by Joseph Smith, of that town. 



Birds op the Chehalis Forests,— Mr. Robt. H. Law- 

 rence's notes of Washington birds, published in our issue 

 of Oct, 15j related to observations made in 1890, 



