Deo, 39, 1893.] 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



eB7 



OUR OUTING. 



"Ye who love the haunts of natiire, 

 Love the gunshine of the meadow. 

 Love the shower of the foreat, 

 Love the wind among the branches, 

 And the rain shower and the snowstorm, 

 And the rnshing of great rivers, 

 Throtigh their palisades of pine trees, 

 And the thunder in the mountains." 



—Lmitjfdhrw. 



You, dear reader, who are compelled by force of cir- 

 cumstancea to forego the pleasure of an outing, far from 

 the cities and towns, were none the less remembered 

 while we were enjoying the beauties of nature, and a 

 life of freedom and pleasure in the forest depths. 



The term "our" is used in the plural rather than as a 

 customary form, as the party consisted of my wife, 

 eight-year-old boy and self— and the trip was the result 

 of several years planning and anticipation, 



I once read the advice given by an enthusiastic vaca- 

 tionist, "That it is better to begin planning your vacations 

 as early as possible in January, even though they are 

 not to be taken until September, or later, as with the 

 long time ahead there is so much anticipation, and even 

 if adverse circumstances prevent your going then, you 

 have at least derived much pleasure from it." 



Assuming this to be correct, the pleasure of our trip 

 may be somewhat imagined from the length of time it 

 was Blill in the stages of design. One bright, warm 

 morning in July, after having satisfactorily closed up 

 our domestic and business aff airs in the city of L , in 

 Ohio, with the necessary good-byes to friends and scenes 

 of city life, we took the train for Indian River, Mich. 

 "Oh pshaw, I thought that fellow was going off to some 

 wild place." I imagine I hear the foregoing exclama- 

 tion, but let me tell you that this place is selected after a 

 successful hunting trip the fall before, for the following 

 reasons — ^accessibility by rail and thence by wagon, good 

 water for camp use, boating and fishing, an abundance 

 of game, from bear and deer down, freedom from intru- 

 sion from settlers and pot-hunters. 



It was broad daylight, and with a clear eastern sky lit 

 up by the rising sun, when we descended from the sleeper 

 at the end of our railroad trip the next morning after we 

 left home, and for a few moments before going to the 

 hotel for breakfast we enjoyed the fresh morning air and 

 the beautiful scenery, the glittering sheen of the placid 

 waters, the fresh glowing sun over the bright green pine- 

 tops to the east of us, birds singing in the wood, and here 

 and there the slowly rising smoke from a villager's cabin, 

 which betokens that man as well as nature is at the morn- 

 ing of day. 



After a hearty breakfast with our genial host, H., 

 while I looked after a team and our camp outfit, the 

 good wife was preparing herself for a combined trip on 

 foot and by wagon to the scene of future incidents by 

 laying aside traveling clothes and donning outing duds. 



As usual on such trips, where I generally walk a great 

 deal, and sometimes find an inquisitive bear, I carried my 

 .40-65 Winchester as a precautionary measure, and well, 

 too, for about 7 miles out on the route to camp, sure 

 enough, there sat a pleasing specimen of Ursus major 

 just beside the path, and he seemed to delight in the 

 antics of the terrorized horses, until I concluded to come 

 into the game with a full ante of 260grs. of lead. This 

 dose settled matters so that we had to hitch the horses to 

 a tree and let them get over their fright. 



M, , the teamster, assisted me in removing the hide and 

 hanging the carcass, the skin and a few choice cuts being 

 taken along to kind of break in to camp life on, leaving 

 the balance for M. to take into town for himself and 

 friends on his return. 



Making; Camp, 



It was about 4 o'clock in the afternoon when we got to 

 the little lake where I had desided encamping, and after 

 getting the team nicely fed M, and myself unloaded and 

 began making camp. Our 14x16 wall tent was first set 

 up. Then the stove and other articles too heavy for one 

 person to handle were put in place; boxes opened to get 

 out the necessary materials for supper, which Matiie pre- 

 pared while M, and myself carried the boat down to the 

 lake, then we chopped off several fallen trees into good 

 logging lengths and hauled them up to camp— for you 

 know that to keep the cook in good humor, you must 

 keep her well supplied with good firewood. 



"I don't see much fun about that kind of an outing, 

 there is too much work," you say, but that is to be ex- 

 pected and, of course, we do not look for a full measure 

 of leisure for the first few days until things are some- 

 what "camp-shape." By this time supper is ready and, 

 with the exception cf bearsteak, our menu is quite civil- 

 ized, excepting, of course, that we have said good bye 

 to milk in our coffee, with sundry dainties, and, hence- 

 forth, will take it as the Kentackian does his whisky — 

 straight. Supper over, M, hitches up his horses again 

 for Ms return nome, and after seeing him out of sight 

 down the tote road, I resume my fit of industry and get 

 a good bed built up in one corner of the tent, and of this 

 bed I must tell you, for its comfort is grand : Four 

 crotches driven into the ground so that two poles laid in 

 them will be about I6in. high, across these two poles 

 other smaller poles are laid slat fashion, then upon these 

 we piled small hemlock twigs to a depth of 6 or Sin. — 

 coarser ones at the bottom with butt ends all one way, 

 then the fine ones on top. Over this is spread a piece of 

 potter's cloth or a rubber blanket, then good heavy 

 woolen blankets until it is soft enough. "Sheets?" why 

 bless you, nor white goods of any kind — all clothing and 

 bedding is as far as possible of woolen, and up there one 

 can crawl in between blankets of a July night and not 

 lose a minute's sleep. 



A Moonlight Row. 



After completing the sleeping appurtenances, we go 

 down to the lake for a row and &pend an hour cr so whil- 

 ing away in the bright moonlight ; just drifting about and 

 talking of the pleasures of such a life, while the little 

 boy in the bottom of the boat has laid his head on bis 

 mother's knee and gone to sleep, dreaming of the fish he 

 will catch and the bears he intends to kill: for, like other 

 children, he is full of life and hope. Once in a while we 

 drift in shore and send a flock of water fowls scurrying 

 up the lake; then as it grows later we occasionally see 

 two bright spots in the shadows of the pines, and pres- 

 ently a deer steps down to the water to drink. Such 

 scenes as this we are accustomed to and can witness 



without any desire to shoot at this season, as the deer are 

 properly protected by the laws of the State of which we 

 are guests and the freedom allowed sportsmen in the open 

 season are considerations too binding to permit of unlaw- 

 ful killing of the State's game. Like all true sportsmen, 

 we are so thoroughly appreciative of the pleasures and 

 privileges of a resort to such a glorious place that no 

 abuses will be permitted, and though deer may be seen 

 every day, and within sight of the tent are partridges, or 

 as they call them up here, sage hens, raising their young 

 broods, yet no desire to kill is felt until the season is law- 

 fully open. 



Even my 10-gauge Remington is laid away till autumn 

 and only the rifles are carried on our trip to secure our 

 safety from a stray bear or an occasional wolf. Mattie 

 uses a .82 Marlin repeater, which is well adapted to her, 

 and her marksmanship is good, as is evidenced by the 

 specimens in our collection— an eagle, two cranes, one 

 great Northern woodpecker, a porcupine and soine other 

 miscellaneous trophies ijreserved by the taxidermist. 



Bass for Breatcfast, 



But by this time we have rowed back to carap, fast- 

 ened the boat for the night and will retire. At daybreak 

 next morning I am out and gathering up my fishing 

 tackle, row quietly out into deep water, where a full 

 mess of bass is caught for breakfast. In fishing as well 

 as hunting nothing is taken more than to supply present 

 needs, for of all abominations (Proverbs 12: 27) is the one 

 who ruthlessly catches or kills only to throw it away, 

 and as our stay here is to be a good long one, we want 

 no unnecessary fuss to drive away the fish and game. 



After cleaning th3se I have caught and settitig them 

 aside in a pan of clear, cool lake water, the next job is to 

 get a supply of wood for our helpmeet and companion. 

 As the chips begin to fly I hear a little stir in the tent; 

 looking aroimd I see a daintily wrapped tigure emerging, 

 fresh as the morning daisies. Somewhat anxiously I in- 

 quire as to how my wife enjoyed the night and her ex 

 periences thus far in camp lite, for it is an uncertain ex- 

 periment to coax a city girl off into the woods. 



The dear creatures have such a horror of snakes, bugs 

 and mice, but this particular little woman has accom- 

 janied me on several minor expeditions and acquitted 

 lerself honorably, so the fair reader can imagine tnat my 

 questions were answered satisfactorily. 



Taking a short stroll around the camp and vicinity and 

 an exhilarating drink of water from the lake she returned 

 to the tent to prepare breakfast, 



"Hello there, son; where are you, and how did you 

 like that for a night's sleep?" as the little fellow sat up 

 among the blankets rubbing his eyes. "Oh, papa, ain't 

 this fun, a real tent off in the big woods, and just think 

 of what fun we can have here all the time," Then like 

 a flash he was otit of bed, climbing into his clothes, so 

 anxious to be out and around that he could scarcely eat 

 any breakfast. 



Now it will take us a couple of days to get things fixed 

 up in shape to really begin our outing, so I will leave the 

 reader to follow Mattie and Walter in their rambles and 

 walks around the lake while I devote my time to more 

 arduous tasks about camp. 



"Get lost?" Well some women might, but my wife is 

 not in danger of it as she is provided wit^ a compass that 

 has a small map of the territory we are located in, said 

 map being made after my trip through that section the 

 fall before, and then, too, she carries the little Marlin all 

 the time and two shots, our help signal, will start me on 

 double quick to the rescue. Of course in these strolls 

 alone she will not get more than a half mile from camp, 

 and as I know the country thoroughly I could reach her 

 if necessary in a very short time, Bears at this season are 

 not troublesome at all, and I have faith enough in the 

 finger that pulls the trigger to assure me that the little 

 .32 would do its duty. 



The reader may think that our preparrations have 

 been somewhat extensive up to this time, but I will say 

 here that this is to be an outing in every sense of the 

 word, and in all probability one that will last for me at 

 least till the spring. Mattie and Walter will remain 

 with me until cold weather (providing of course no 

 sickness or accident occurs) so that she may try her hand 

 on game both large and small; then she will return to the 

 city, while I accompany her as far as the railway station, 

 to guide back a party of chosen friends, who have come 

 up solely for a shooting and among whom is my particu- 

 lar friend Frank B., who will remain with me for the 

 winter and spring trapping. 



With the coming of the gentlemen we shall abandon 

 the tent and construct a substantial log camp in anticipa- 

 tion of long cold storms, but hold on, they have not come 

 yet, and I must not get so far ahead of my story. 



"Outdoor Sports for Women." 

 The work being done up now and nothing to do but 

 fish, row, bathe and roam through the woods, I must 

 tell you of the new life it is putting into us all. I am an 

 enthusiastic believer in "Outdoor sports for Women," 

 and children, and having such examples of its virtues 

 daily with me, I can fairly note the happy changes in my 

 companions. Our fare is simple, hearty, easily prepared, 

 while the work is almost nothing. As the food tastes 

 better from Mattie's hands, I prefer to have her cook, 

 though not because I can't, and I do all the dish washing 

 and (iirty work, leaving her to the many little pleasures 

 of leisure. When it rains, we simply remain in the tent, 

 reading, writing, or 1 make such additions to my map as 

 have been suggested in our roamings. This map is serv- 

 ing a double purpose, that of keeping me in a spirit of 

 close observation of my surroundings and as a very use- 

 ful article when our party comes up. It is largely to 

 this purpose that I am devoting it, for after an experi- 

 ence one fall in a strange locality, I wisely concluded 

 that an accurate map would save many weary walks, 

 and when a fellow downs a 2001b. buck four miles from 

 camp, along toward the close of a November day, he 

 naturally wants to know the quickest route to camp 

 and supper, especially if there is snow on the ground, but 

 of such an experience more anon. 



Berries and a Bear. 

 Sometimes we devote rainy weather to repairing cloth- 

 ing, etc., cleaning up the guns, cr occasionally would tise 

 the lighter rifle or revolvers for target shooting. This 

 necessitated reloading shells, a further source of cccupa- 

 tion. Walter had seen some toy birch bark canoes on 

 one of our trips, so I made a whole fleet of them for his 

 amusement. He had also a little airgun using BB shot, 



which afforded him much diversion, but as we were 

 favored with very little unpleasant weather, the time 

 was passed quite agreeably. A neighboring huckleberry 

 patch alTorded many a relishing dish, and we dried not a 

 few for winter use; then a little later, when blackberries 

 began to ripen, we had many a feast, and it was on one 

 of these expeditions that Mattie had a full opportunity of 

 testing her valor and aim. We had b^en gathering ber- 

 ries until, tiring of it, we sat down to rest and eat some. 

 I had walked oft' a little distance co look at a curiously 

 grown tree, and while gone heard a scream followed by a 

 shot back where the folks were. I turned and ran back, 

 just in time to see a fairly sized bear go off through the 

 brtjsh, but not too late to send a few farewell mementoes 

 with bim. Assuring myself that all was well with the 

 berry eaters I took up the trail. 



About a quarter of a mile I found bruin sitting up lick- 

 ing his wound. As soon as he discovered my presence 

 he assumed an attitude of defense, but presenting as he 

 did such a fair mark, my first shot passed right through 

 his heart, dropping him dead even while I was throwing 

 the lever of my gun for another shot. 



The killing of these two bears is recorded in very few 

 words, no great excitement or tussle called forth, as we 

 often read of. This may be attributed to two circum- 

 stances, first, both were good shots, secondly, the mod- 

 ern magazine or repeating rifle is a terrible weapon, both 

 in penetrating and in speed of operation, and it re- 

 quires more than an ordinary black bear to stop one of 

 those 260 grain balls. But, dear reader, life was not al- 

 ways as smooth as when we were introduced to the 

 presence of a bear. The otber two that fell to our lot by 

 the following spring, gave us a little more ,to remember 

 them by. 



Here we are a mile from 'camp, a woman, boy and a 

 lot of berries to take care of, also a dead bear to hang 

 and dress, but as it is early in the day, there is no hurry 

 only on account of the last mentioned feature. I always 

 prefer to get an animal dressed as quickly as possible 

 after it is killed, as it is handled easier and is less objt c- 

 tionable for many reasons. Going back to report my 

 success with bruin, I enlisted Mattie's assistance in my 

 work. Together we got him hung up between a couple 

 of trees, and when 1 removed the hide we found where 

 the .32 ball had struck fairly enough, bnt in missing any 

 of the vital parte, had merely caused pain enough to 

 start him off. By the way, the aforesaid scream came 

 from the throat of our brave little boy, who found a reol 

 live and very present bear loose in the woods, much 

 dift"erent from his ideal as formed from acquaintance 

 wich tame ones in menageries, and his courage fell cor- 

 respondingly, until his fears found vent in a yell. But 

 once dead and safely placed, he had courage to approach 

 and examine the cause of his fright. Mattie, too, felt 

 much better then than before and ever afterwards, con- 

 cluded to carry her own gtin when we went away from 

 camp, if there was any danger of my absenting myself 

 from the party more or less. 



This bear afforded us a great deal of meat and consider- 

 able gun oil. When brought into camp we immediately 

 salted some and started more to smoking for winter use, 

 for it would not do to waste any, and in fact that bear 

 was partaken of until we were all nearly tired of bear 

 meat. "Didn't you have any dogs?" No, not a dog— -we 

 have no use for curs, and as it was not open season for 

 game a sporting dog would bave been a useless featxire. 

 Then the laws distinctly prohibit hunting deer with dogs, 

 so that we had no use for a hound, and as one dog will 

 drive more game than five men, we did not want one on 

 that account. Some dogs may be brought in later for 

 use on birds and as retrievers in dtick shooting. 



We found plenty of diversion and excitement dtiring 

 the remaining warm weather, but nothing worthy of 

 recording here. Our camp life is one continual repetition 

 of leisurely fishing, rowing and walking excursions, 

 which, with plenty to eat, are bringing color to the faces 

 and flesh to the bodies, renewing life and spirit. Truly 

 there is no remedy for the minor, and some of the major 

 ills of life, like that afforded by nature in the seclusion of 

 her fastnesses. Those burdened with domestic and busi- 

 ness cares should try a season like the one herein de- 

 scribed, for it is an efficacious medicine and one easy to 

 take. 



Day after day passed rapidly over ottr heads until we 

 found the season open for smallei- game, then taking 

 advantage of it, we secured several substantial meals 

 from the feathered denizens of the forest and lakes. 

 With the advent of cooler weather, we feel like taking 

 more extended rambles, during which the most likely 

 places for larger game are noted carefully, and left as 

 undisturbed as possible for future use. 



The Camp Company Changes. 



At last draws very near the time for the arrival of our 

 gentlemen friends and departure of Mattie and Walt for 

 the comforts of city life, so we gather up and pack in the 

 trunks the things of feminine and juvenile utility, and 

 almost sadly start out to the nearest settler for a team to 

 take them to the railroad. Certain it was that I should 

 sadly miss the companionship so congenial and pleasant, 

 yet with all enthusiasm Mattie assures me that she will 

 look weekly for the letter detailing success in the chase, 

 and Walt even has exacted the promise of a young fawn's 

 skin to have stuft'ed for his own, together with sundry 

 trophies so dear to a boy's heart. The farewtlls said, it 

 was a hard job surely, hut over now, and away down the 

 track I watch the rapidly disappearing train bearing my 

 loved ones away ; yet in an hour will another loom into 

 sight, and as she pulls in 1 see some familiar 4ooking 

 boxes, etc., standing just inside the baggage car, btit 

 leaving that to the care of the station agent, I hasten to 

 welcome the boys. Here's Tom, Frank and Doc, with 

 two friends whom we will introduce as Hank and Joe, 

 making with mvself six in the party. We get our 

 "truck" all loaded up and start back to camp as soon as 

 possible, for it is getting late now and travel is not pleas- 

 ant after dark in that country. 



Nothing occurred to cause any excitement on our trip 

 in, and immediately after arriving the eating, sleeping 

 and unpacking preparations are entered into with vigor, 

 Tom and myself are elected cooks, Frank is water man, 

 while Doc, Hank and Joe will get up an appetite and a 

 goodly woodpile at the same time; that being our arrange- 

 ment while together, everything runs smoothly in the 

 prescribed channel. 



Dtiring the last few days of Mattie's stay I had gath- 

 ered up sufficient material for bedding and wood enough 

 for a few days at least, so that we could devote all the 



