April 37, 18»a.J 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



A Tale of Kansas. 



El Dorado, Kansas, April IS.— Editor Forest and 

 Stream: A year ago last fall Judge C. A. Leland, Willianl 

 H. EUet and others, were on the Arkansas River, west of 

 Wichita, goose hunting. Geese from the north alight in 

 great numbers along the Arkansas wheat fields to feed 

 on their way south. They feed during the day, and at 

 dusk go to the islands and sandbars for the night. One 

 evening, just as it was getting almost dark, Mr. Ellet 

 noticed a goodly number on a sandbar at the head of a 

 small island. The river banks are low and there is but 

 little protection. Circling around the island he got a fair 

 shot with both barrels, just as the geese commenced to 

 rise. 



He killed or wounded sixteen geese, capturing f om'teen, 

 two getting away in the darkness of the evening. All 

 the fourteen taken to camp were full grown, some of 

 them being very fat. 



Mr. EUet, some years ago, killed three deer at two shots 

 — aright and left. Col. Mnrdock, of the Wichita Eagle, 

 and D. D. McDonald, of this place, took seventeen black 

 bass from the Walnut in sixteen minutes last fall, the 

 smallest weighing IJlbs. It was evening and the bass 

 were biting ravenously. They baited their own hooks 

 with live minnows, but did not string the fish, throwing 

 them in the bottom of the boat as they were caught. I 

 sat in the end of the boat timing them as I threw them 

 live minnows as they wanted them. The reason that I 

 was not in it was that I had taken down my rod prepara- 

 tory to quitting. An honest farmer sat on the bank 

 within three rods of our boat, is alive and well, counted 

 the catch, marked the time, and will support this state- 

 ment. McDonald had a Chubb l5oz. bass rod, while Col. 

 Murdock used a steel one. Of course they "yanked" them 

 in without any foolishness. T. B. Mtjrdock. 



Rifle Facts and Theories. 



I SUPPOSE some people will say I am a "crank" on the 

 subject, but I can't help it, and only hope I may be the 

 crank which will set the wheel of inquny moving. I 

 shoxild be very glad if some other rifle "cranks" would 

 answer a few questions for me, and set my mind at rest on 

 the subject. 



1. Will a slow twist and shallow grooves, such as are 

 seen in the "86 model Winchester, give a greater velocity 

 than a more rapid twist and deeper grooves, the same 

 charge being used? 



3. How does the rate of twist affect the trajectory? 



3. Will a buUet from a rifle with a quick twist pene- 

 trate further than one from a rifle witli slow turn? 



i. Are Shai'ps rifles more accurate than the '86 model 

 Winchester? 



5. Can any one kindly teU me the reason that the Win- 

 chester Co. use such exceedingly shallow grooves in all 

 their rifles, at least from .23 up to .50 caliber? They 

 probably have very good reasons for it at all ordinary 

 hunting ranges, but I like to know why. Other rifles 

 have slightly deeper grooves, rather more rapid twist, and 

 seem to me at least to give better results, i. e. , more deli- 

 cate accuracy. I think I could give a pretty good guess 

 at the right answers to the questions I am asking, but 

 there is notliing like being sure. I want some of the 

 ' 'veterans" to be kind enough to take this matter up and 

 hope othei"s will ask questions. I flatter myself I know 

 ^something about rifles, but am woefully ignorant in many 

 resp<3cts concerning them. I think Forest and Stream 

 will' make a change for the better in some of my ideas, 

 and will at least give me some new ones. 



L. D. VON Iffland. 



Another Two-at-a-Shot Record. 



Tranquility, N. J. — I have noticed two instances in 

 your valuable paper where two woodcock have been 

 killed at one shot, but not in either case did the experts 

 say how they did the miracle. About forty- five years ago 

 I did the same trick just as easily as rolling off a log, and 

 [ will teU you how. I was out on the 3d of July looking 

 for birds, and crossing Little Swamp was walking in a 

 cow path, when up jumped an old bird and I had her 

 well covered, and at that instant a young bird started in 

 the same direction. From some cause I dropped my gun 

 below the young bird, and in the act of shooting I noticed 

 the old bird lOin. above the young one and 40ft. ahead, so 

 I divided the difference and killed them both at the one 

 shot. C. S. S. 



Ontario Bird Notes. 



Belleville, April 13. — During the winter we were 

 visited by the pine gTosbeaks, also by a pair of strange 

 birds, said to be northwest magpies. Local ornithologists 

 tried, but in vain, to secure a specimen. Robins, crows, 

 blackbirds and other spring immigrants arrived from 

 their winter homes about the 1st inst. The robins were 

 the first immigrants to be noticed here. R. S. Bell. 



CONGRATULATORY. 



Wilkes Babre, Pa., April II.— Hearty congratalations on the suc- 

 cessful issue of tlie Delmonico woodcock case. It would never have 

 been heaxd of again, after the first notice, if Forest Ajto Stream had 

 not taken it up. It is a great victory for you and for law-abiding 

 sportsmen generally. E. W. L. 



Febrisburoh, Vt.— Editor JTorest and Stream: Accept my sincere 

 congratulations on the happy result of the long-delayed Dehnonico 

 case. Having got through the apparently endless woods of legal pro 

 ci'astlnation, you have a good right to crow. R. E. Robinson. 



Ch-Ittanooqa, April 10.— Editor Forest and Stream; I congratulate 

 you on your Dehnonico victory. Now watch the deer. I know for a 

 fact that a hotel keeper in Buffalo, N. Y., served venison sis weeks 

 after the dose of the season, and had a couple of buclfs hanging up 

 in his pantry, but the bill of fare read, "Antelope steak, '■Curried an- 

 telope," '-Antelope pofc-pie," etc. Dr. Kidd might also catch Delmon- 

 leo on fish almost at any time, especially on brook trout. 



Lookout. 



The Msh Laws of the United States and Canada, in the 

 Game Laws in Brief," cents. In the "Book of the 

 '■' Game Lcms " ifull text), 50 cents. 



ON THE NORTH SHORE. 



"Superb Service and Elegant Equipment." 



This is pronounced b^' every one who travels the Richmond & 

 Danville Raih-oad. The" passenger traffic of this line has increased 

 wonderfully within the past year. The famous '"Wasliington it South- 

 western Limited," operated" between New York and New Orleans, 

 Memphis, Augusta, Chtirleston and Savannah, has increased the 

 business to such an extent that to accommodate the travel another' 



PiiUmau vestibuled schedule equally us fast as the hmited will be put 

 n between New York and Southern cities, within a few days.— ^dv. 



The Return Trip.— I. 



"To sit on rocks, to muse o'er flood and fell, 



To slowly ti-ace the forest's shady scene, 

 Where things that own not man's dominion dwell, 



And mortal foot hath ne'er, or rarely been; 

 To climb the trackless mountain all unseen; 



With the wild flock that never needs a fold; 

 Alone o'er steeps and foaming falls to lean; 



This is not solitude; 'tis but to hold 

 Converse with nature's charms, and view her stores unroll'd. ' i 



Agreeably to promise, I again come before the readers 

 of this interesting and enterprising paper with my return 

 trip from the North Shore of that great reservoir, which 

 sends its cool and crystal waters from the snowy regions 

 that lie against the great Arctic belt, through that con- 

 necting range of lakes — Huron, Erie, Ontario — into the pic- 

 turesque St. Lawrence, which goes wandering along 

 shores ever beautiful, into the vast, salt, dread, eternal 

 deep. 



It was an early August morn, with a gentle north- 

 east wind, a light sun that beautified the landsca,pe, a sky 

 enveloped in the most dehcious of opaline tints, and a sea 

 in the gentle moan of a lullaby, when we arose with our 

 hearts firmly set for the return trip from Jackson's Cove, 

 even if we had to depend solely for our motive power upon 

 the aspen blades. 



After a hearty breakfast, which was not at all hurried 

 in its preparation, the emj^hatic order went out for a 

 prompt dismantling of the camp, which the boys did not 

 reaUy rehsh, as they desired to tarry till a favorable breeze 

 offered. We, however, would have no trifiing delay, and 

 so they started in to execute the arbitrary decree after 

 they had washed up the china ware. Their movements, 

 when they commenced work for embarkation, lacked 

 activity, but in a short time, seeing that we were on to 

 their slothful tactics, as well as getting into a savage 

 humor, they got down to earnest labor, and then every- 

 thing went with a Inurricane rush. 



Provisions were dashed into their respective boxes; the 

 Sevres landed, with an utter disregard of its priceless 

 value, into its compartment; knives, forks and spoons 

 went merrily jingling into their allotted places with the 

 ring of honest himdred-per-cent. coin, and then the silver 

 service, embracing only a teapot so antiquated that its 

 value could alone be computed in three figures, was 

 jammed along with the tableware, as if it were nothing 

 but common American tin, made during tlie McKinley 

 campaign. All the kitchen utensils and provisions being 

 ready for their covers, a lively nailing of the same, and 

 they were in due form for shipment. The tents came 

 next, and down they went with a whirlwind speed, and 

 on being folded and corded, were also billed for export 

 duty, as were the beds and bedding. 



Everything now duly prepared for the boat, the boys, 

 after mopping the perspiration from their lofty brows and 

 rugged faces, loaded up, and commenced carrying the in- 

 numerable boxes, bundles, packages, etc., to theghttering 

 beach, and which they threw down with a perfect indif- 

 ference to breakage. Their- blood was up as well as ours, 

 but we knew when they got to swinging the heavy oars 

 in a placid sea, they would be as meek as Mary's Httle 

 lamb. 



Having everything at the landing, the loading of the 

 boat commenced, and as it was no small job it somewhat 

 allayed the feverish blood of the more industrious half- 

 breeds. The heavy boxes of provisions first went into the 

 boat, then mattresses, tents and kitchenware found safe 

 lodgment upon them, and in the interstices at the sides 

 went our satchels, rod cases and other small packages 

 which go to make up the essential comforts of camp life. 

 When the last piece of our cargo was aboard and in place, 

 Peter really "smole a smile," and the astronomer's face, 

 although dripping wet from toil, shone out with the radi- 

 ance of a sunbiu-st. They were again in happy spirits, 

 and the panacea of the oars was not at all necessary for 

 allaying their heated blood. It was seldom they dis- 

 played any moroseness, and when they did, it was not as 

 an usual thing manifest to an extent that* disturbed our 

 serenity. As we have said in our last letter, they were 

 good men, the best we ever had, and would not hesitate to 

 employ or recommend them to others. 



The boat being ready for departure, each one of us, as 

 an absolute ruler of the camp, should have gone over our 

 quarters to see if anything was remaining, but this time 

 the j)i'ecautionary measure was omitted, much to our 

 sorrow, as the sequel will show. The boatmen, who were 

 now in as big a hurry as we were, strii^ped to the buff, 

 and on taking positions cheerfully cried out, "All aboard!" 

 and aboard we got, and then as soon as the river was in 

 direct line for our course, they sent her cleaving the un- 

 rufiied waters with a merry cadence that tinkled Hke the 

 notes of a silver bell. The boys even took the tranquil 

 situation of the elements good-naturedly. There were no 

 head winds to battle with and no scuds to fright the soul 

 of the ever profoimd delineator of the heavens. They 

 chatted merrily as they dipped their oars, and even Peter 

 of the mournful voice attempted to rival the notes of a 

 sweet piping bird that charmed as from a swaying reed. 

 Ned and I buried ourselves in oiu- books, and as I was in 

 the midst of the great chariot race of "Ben Hur," you 

 may well imagine the far-reaching beauty of shore and 

 chfi which lost itself in bright light, were for the nonce 

 relegated to oblivion. 



The lake had become as smooth as molten silver, and 

 the sun came down upon us with such powerful rays, 

 that a damp handkerchief in our felt derbys was abso- 

 lutely necessary for comfort. Not till the Arab steeds 

 had won the race did I lay my absorbing book aside, and 

 then when I took in the alpine hills, and the solid bul- 

 warks that fined the shore with towers and bastions 

 shattered like the ruins of a,n inclosure demolished by 

 artilleiy, did I fully realize the grandeur of the Divine 

 Master. Here the terrible, the sulalime, and the beautiful 

 meet together in the same view, the eye roves from 

 mountain to moimtain and then falls upon the dreamy 



loveliness of the green forest as it rushes down into the 

 valleys and to the shore. "It seems as if nature had here 

 wrought results beyond a conscious purpose. It is a place 

 where majesty and beauty have their own excuse for 

 being. You forget yourself in the unconsciousness of 

 nature. It would seem as if you could go no further, and 

 even the desire is lost in the glory that is before you." It 

 is rugged, grand and supernal, beautiful beyond compare, 

 when its hving green is painted in morning or sunset 

 dyes, but when the live thunder leaps from crag to crag, 

 and the lurid hghtning flaslies upon the inky clouds, then 

 there is a picture of sublimity — 

 "Up where the airy citadel 

 O'erlooks the surging landscape's swell," 



that needs a Dore properly to illume. 



We had been gone for about three hours before any in- 

 cident arose worth mentioning, then there came little 

 I'ipples, scarcely discernible, merely pulsations of a zephyr 

 breeze, and so light and strangely tranquil as to cause no 

 comment. Soon, however, another and another came 

 with increased tremor, and as I anticipated, the prophet 

 of the stormy god axose and said, "Me no like it.'^ Then 

 he rested a while on his oars, took a survey above, looked 

 along the shore as if for a place of refuge, and after a 

 moment or two resumed the steady di^ with the blades. 

 He was evidently serious, proformdly so, but he was 

 silent and oppressed. Finally the breeze perceptibly stif- 

 fened, and as it was a head one, the work at the oars be- 

 came more toilsome. He was fairly dying to unburden 

 himself, for he doubtless had formed a forecast relative 

 to the weather that he wished to announce. Ned by way 

 of relieving his analytical (?) mind inquired: 

 "What of the weather?"^ 

 "No good, blow sure." 



"It is simply a noon breeze and will soon die away," 

 said Peter in response. 



This settled the weather question for a while, and noth- 

 ing more was heard but the regular stroke of the oar, and 

 the surge of the water at the bow; stronger and stronger 

 grew the breeze, and harder and harder the work for 

 the earnest toilers at the row-locks. At last Emery 

 suggested going ashore on what appeared to be a few hun- 

 dred feet of gravelly beach, and wait awhile and see what 

 would be the result of the elemental disturbance. As Ned 

 and I were indifl;erent about the matter, we agreed to the 

 proposition as much to relieve the men as aught else. In 

 we went, and when we reached the shore, instead of find- 

 ing it a gravelly beach it was, much to our surprise, very 

 uniformly paved by nature with large white boulders of 

 at least ten or twelve inches in diameter. The bank was 

 moderately steep, but with the boat unloaded we could 

 manage to puU it up. Emery, however, espying a few 

 rocks just below us,which made a very small cove, thought 

 it a good place to harbor the boat, and there he took it, 

 "We sat down on the hot glistening boulders and inter- 

 estedly watched the boys maneuver with the shapely 

 craft. Emery wanted things one way and Peter another, 

 and so the two had a perfect circus of it for a while in 

 their polished language. Emery ordered the load out of 

 the boat and Peter in hot and frenzied haste commenced 

 throwing it with considerable violence on the shore, and 

 in one or two instances into the water. Thinking it about 

 time to caU a halt, we insisted that no more things should 

 be tumbled out, but that they remain undisturbed for the 

 present. Peter, in explanation, said the old man wanted 

 to boss him too much, and as he was captain of the craft, 

 he would have no more of it. As they were nephew and 

 uncle, we knew the incipient revolution would soon blow 

 over, and the clarion of peace ring out in soothing notes.- 

 We remained here fully an hour, during which time 

 we took our lunch. The breeze soon let down and we 

 again loaded and launched our craft and cut into the 

 broad lake, which was but slightly roughened, and onward 

 for the islands of the Twin Sisters. 



The meridian sky was rich in its deep azure, with here 

 and there a few lace-like clouds edged with tints of sur- 

 passing beauty, fleeces "fit for angels' robes," and which 

 "Ai'6 fail' resting-places 

 For the weary dead on their way up to heaven." 



Off where we strike Aguam Harbor, two sail-boats, like 

 infantile toys, showed up in the sparkling sixrface, with 

 their canvas scarcely discernible and ahnost motionless. 

 Nothing aside from these could our strained vision per- 

 ceive unless it were the white pinions of some hungry fish- 

 hunting gull as it wheeled in the bright sun. The boatmen 

 were silent as sentinels, while we lolled on the soft bundles 

 at our backs, gazing far ahead with radiant hope, where 

 the horizon blends with the waters, as if looking for a 

 lost Atlantis, or the fair land in the sxmset regions where 

 the sea has music sweet in its gentle roar. 



On reaching the Aguam Islands the boatmen, whose 

 faces were flushed and in beads of perspiration, rested a 

 few moments from their wearying work. Peter, after 

 bathing his face and taking a goblet of water, suggested 

 stopping long enough at Aguam to permit him to grind a 

 couple of dull-edged axes. This being agreeable to us we 

 consented, but there was evidently something else ihat 

 the crafty Peter desired in this visit, and that was, I opine, 

 a chat with the Hebes, the daughters of Mr, Schiling, the 

 Hudson Bay agent. As Peter was a widower, it was but 

 natural that he should dehght in the company of\ these 

 lovely half-breeds. It being but a mile and a half ahead 

 to the abode of these fair divinities, the boys, when they 

 took the oars, swung to their work quite vigorously, and 

 soon had us to the destination desired. On landing in the 

 immediate front of the graces' comfortable home, Peter 

 hurriedly grabbed the axes, followed by Emery, and made 

 hasty steps to the woodland mansion. Ned was a good 

 second in the race, as he also had an axe of some kind to 

 grind, but it was with the agent alone, and not wishing 

 to remain in the bhstering smi, I followed in Peter's foot- 

 steps and brought up on the front porch, where the girls 

 were afl engaged in some kind of needlework, while the 

 mother was at the doorway busily knitting a gill-net for 

 the faU fishing. Peter spoke to the girls as he quickly 

 passed to the grindstone in the rear, Ned made a detour to 

 to the stone, while I took a chair that was kindly prollered, 

 and did my best to entertam these really handsome half- 

 breeds. One of them called Fanny had raven tresses of 

 incomparable beauty, a soft and pensive grace that suited 

 well her forehead high, and a form as faultless as a queen. 

 "Plato himself had not survey'd. 

 Unmov'd such charms as she displayed." 



She had been fairly educated and was the only one of 

 the three who could speak English fluently. When I 



