414 
FOREST AND STREAM, 
|May 23, 1896. 
watch him stagger around and try to get toward us, his 
strength failing all the time. Then he would make a 
sweep with those immense antlers and the dead limbs 
and small trees would be broken like reeds. He finally 
went down. We soon had bis throat cut and began to 
akin out the head, while Van went for Doc and the 
horses. He found Doc up a tree, where he had gone 
either from fright or to get his bearings; he claims the 
latter, so we let it go at that. By the time they returned 
I had the scalp off, and it didn't take long to saw the skull 
apart. Van tied the scalp on his horse while I mounted 
Booky, and the horns were, after some trouble, taken 
aboard with me. They rested on the pommel of the 
saddle and were ugly things to handle. I had a circus, I 
can assure you. My broncho seriously objected to carry- 
ing those horns, and every time he glanced back he had a 
bucking fit immediately at both ends. Oh. I tell you it 
was fun. Sammy, you would have enjoyed it. 
We had scarcely gone 100yds. when Van suddenly 
slipped off his horse and fired, knocking down a fine bull, 
telling Doc to go get him; but he rushed in on him too 
quickly, and the bull, in his last efforts, gained his feet 
and the edge of the timber and ran and rolled down a 
precipice and was lost, Van went in to look for Doc, and 
while they were in tho timber a fine, large, six-point bull 
walked out to within 25yds. of where I sat, on Booby. 
He advanced with head and mane erect. The horse had 
his head down grazing and did not see him. This bull 
stood there for perhaps a minute and only turned to leave 
when the horse raised his head. He would stop every 
few yards and look back, wondering possibly what that 
monstrosity was. What would I not have given for my 
camera to-day. 
When the march to camp was resumed the sun had set 
and we had fifteen miles to go in order to make camp, 
part of the way over windfalls that would make your hair 
curl in daylight. We didn't even have a moon until 
about 9 o'clock. I had enough before we had gone a half 
mile and on several occasions felt like throwing the horns 
away. Sometimes we would pass between trees too nar- 
row to admit the horns, they would catch and pull me 
back on Booky's rump; that was a signal for his heels to 
shoot upward and he would land me on his neck, then to 
get me off that part of his anatomy he would walk on his 
hind feet for several yards; it would have the desired 
effect. Oh, it was a pleasant ride. My position at times 
was ludicrous in the extreme, yet in spite of it all I had 
to laugh. Once when he objected, and I was in the air, I 
thought of these lines from Hudibras, and I fairly yelled 
with laughter: 
After many strains and heaves, 
He got up to the saddle eaves, 
From whence he vaulted into th' seat 
With so much vigor, strength and heat, 
That he almost tumbled over 
With his own weight, but did recover 
By laying hold of tail and mane, 
Which oft he used instead of rein. 
Doc and Van thought I had gone crazy. We now 
halted, and Doc took one horn and I the other. This was 
a great improvement. 
I repeat I shall never forget this ride. Talk about hur- 
dle and steeple races, they are not in it with the ride over 
these windfalls, loaded as we were. With any other man 
than Van Dyke, and with other horses than his, I could 
not have been tempted to have made the return to camp 
that night. We reach it about 10 o'clock, not very tired, 
but all-fired hungry. It seems to me that is our chronic 
state always. 
I am now ready to say to you that Ed. E. Van Dyke is 
without exception the beBt guide, hunter and rifle shot on 
game I have ever seen. I have hunted with some clever 
men, but none are his equal. He can tell you almost 
every time where his bullet has struck the game fired at. 
Aside from his hunting qualities, he is a most excellent 
guide; careful both with men and pack, never taking 
any risks with either, trustworthy and honest, knows 
every acre of ground from Montana to Colorado. I don't 
believe his equal lives in Montana. 
Sunday, Oct. e. — Still delightful weather. The Judge 
is getting restless again and wants Van to take him to 
Cooke to-morrow, so we shall in all probability break 
camp and move back into our first Bear Camp. I shall 
hope to have a letter from you when he returns. With 
kind regards to all the boys, I am with best wishes, 
Wabash. 
Canoe Lake Camp, Wyo., October 7.— We broke camp 
bright and early this morning and took the trail back 
over the divide toward High Camp or Bear Valley. Poor 
old Roany looks like some horned monstrosity, with his 
load of horns, and has to be led in order to keep him clear 
of trees, etc. There is one thing about hunting with Van 
Dyke; he gives you an opportunity to see all there is to 
be seen, as he never takes you the same route twice, hence 
our ride to-day is entirely new and as usual very beauti- 
ful and rugged. We traveled for miles along the ragged 
edge of the divide, which in places was scarcely wide 
enough for a horse to walk, down mountain sides so steep 
that one could scarcely realize his ability to make it in 
safety. But then we are on Van's horses, and I believe 
they can go anywhere a goat can. When it becomes too 
slippery to walk they simply put all four feet together 
and slide. So far we have had but one accident, and 
that was going up an almost perpendicular wall to-day. 
Coally's pack was a very wide one, and in making a sharp 
turn the pack struck a projecting rock and upset her. She 
rolled 150yds. down the mountain and landed against a 
clump of pine trees. When we got down to her she 
wasn't much the worse for the roll, and with a little help 
was on her feet, with only a few skinned places on head 
and limbs to show for it. This accident delayed us some 
little time, as the pack had to be gotten together and car- 
ried up the divide and repacked. The sun was now set- 
ting in a sea of gold and we had to move on rapidly, as 
darkness would soon settle down. The descent on the 
. other side of the divide was in snow, knee deep, while on 
the side we went up there wasn't a particle. Camped in 
the valley at 7 P. M. Supper was soon cooked and dis- 
patched. We were not long in hunting our beds. This 
has been a hard day's work. 
Tuesday, Oct. 8 — Van says this is Indian summer. The 
days all seem alike,- yet how different. The beauties of 
the surrounding country are so varied and beautiful that 
lfc.islike an ever-changing panorama. Van and Doc got 
into a : large>and of elk, and shot three, principally for 
meat, as we needed it. The Judge and I went out for 
something, wasn't particular what old thing we ran 
against; mine was a porcupine, which I declined to dis- 
turb, and the Judge's was a brown bear, and they were 
both disturbed — that is, the Judge and the bear. He 
says that for quite a while it was an open question with 
him whether or not he could keep the sand on top. He 
eventually quieted down, and the noise of the creek did 
him a good turn, as the bear couldn't hear him approach- 
ing. He had been looking for bears ail day (when he 
wasn't looking for camp) and ran on to him, feeding 
along the creek, shot him three times and missed him 
once for luck. We heard the shots and thought he was 
lost, as it was getting late. Induced Lee to mount his 
broncho and go in search of him. He had scarcely gone 
fifteen minutes when we heard a shouting and out came 
the Judge a-straddle the broncho, which at any other 
time he wouldn't have touched with a 40ft. pole, and 
yelling, "I've got him, I've got him, and he's as big as 
this horse." I went back with him, and found a nice 
small bear which would weigh about 2501bs. , but with a 
beautiful pelt. Now, you can imagine the condition of 
his mind when he shot him. Toasts to "The Judge." 
Wednesday, Oct. 9. — Snowed for about an hour this 
morning and then cleared. The sun smiling and as beau- 
tiful as ever came peeping out from behind the gray 
rifts, and all nature seems glad again. 
Lee, our packer, left this morning, and I assure you we 
were jolly glad of it. I believe he could do more swear- 
ing to the square inch than any man I ever heard. He 
kept me covered with goose flesh half the time. 
All the elk which we didn't use. for meat was snaked 
down to different parts of the valley and draws, and used 
as bear bait. Had lots of fun with Daddy; he steered the 
train with guy ropes; he says, "Cap, that's the darndest 
pullin' I ever got; why, I didn't make mor'n six jumps 
down the side of that mountain, and the only way I 
stopped her was by taking a half -hitch around a pine tree 
that I ran ag'in'." 
Thursday, Oct. 10, — Clear and warm. Visited the bear 
pen and baits, but no sign. Rest of the day we loafed 
around camp, played cards and smoked, and swapped 
lies. Ben amused himself with making "b'ar grease." 
Friday, Oct. 11. — Same style day as we have been hav- 
ing. Van and Ben start for Cooke City. Ben is going 
home happy. And we are happy because he's happy, 
though we do not grudge him the trip. 
Saturday, Oct. 12. — Just the same kind of a day, only it 
is my birthday. Visited the bear baits, but Pop drew the 
lucky straw and a bear as well. Came into camp on a 
trot. "Say, Cap, I wish you and Doc had gone with ms, 
you'd have seen sport." It proved to be a very fair-sized 
grizzly. Van returned from Cooke with supplies. 
Sunday, Oct. IS, — Thermometer seems hot and feverish 
this morning, so we all went to the creek and took a cold 
plunge. Broke camp en route for Red Lodge. Trail lay 
along the beautiful and picturesque Crandall Creek. 
Camped at night on the creek in a little piece of timber. 
It is the stillest night I ever remember; not a sound of any 
kind. It is Camp Silence. 
"All is gentle; naught 
Stirs rudely; but,'congenial with the night, 
Whatever walks is gliding like a spirit." 
Monday, Oct. 14. — Clear and warm. Had trouble in 
packing the horns, and didn't get away until noon. Still 
on Crandall. Just before reaching the canon we pass by 
a mountain of white marble. Some specimens lying along 
the trail show it to be of good quality. Here is another 
exquisitely beautiful and charming cafion. The walls for 
quite a distance are perpendicular. On one side the moun- 
tains rise several thousand feet high. I could not resist 
the temptation to photograph the scene, a copy of which I 
inclose. 
Tuesday, Oct. IS. — Feels like a May day. Broke camp 
about 11 A. M. and went down Van Dyke's Stairway, a 
series of steps of rock, some of them 5ft. high. A frightful 
place for horses to attempt, but Van says, "That's only 
play for them animals." After witnessing their descent 
of this place I am willing to swear that they can go any- 
where. On reaching the valley we follow the hillside 
above the creek, and soon pass the spot where Crandall 
and his chum we killed by the Indians. Crandall was, I 
believe, a friend of Bill Hamilton and Liver-Eating John- 
son. Two more interesting pioneers are not be found in 
Montana. The ride through the valley was indeed a charm- 
ing one. Here and there remains of the buffalo. I got 
off the horse and picked up a few teeth as memen- 
tos. 
Going out of the valley northeast we cross Clark's Fork 
and move on toward Table Mountain. Electric Peak and 
Old Bear Tooth loom Up in great style. Cross one corner 
of Table Mountain and camp in Devil's Gut. This iB an 
interesting place, being a narrow valley inclosed by high 
and precipitous mountains. Along this end of the valley 
are remains of some kind of pens built of fallen trees and 
high enough to hide in comfortably. Van says, "They 
were built by the Sheep Eaters years and years ago to kill 
game from." The Indians would conceal themselves 
while the game was driven from the other end of the val- 
ley; at this end it wasn't over 100yds. wide, so that the 
slaughter must have been great. Four men could hide 
conveniently in each pen and there were perhaps 100 of 
these "shooting boxes" scattered around. 
Wednesday, Oct. 16.— Crawled out this morning about 
6 o'clock and heard a noise down the cafion, which I be- 
lieved to be a deer or elk. Without waiting to dress I 
slipped into my moccasins, grabbed my rifle and went to 
investigate, and ran on to a small grizzly. 
He was standing rear end on, so fired and struck him. 
He immediately turned and made for me; second shot 
caught him back of shoulder as he turned, down he went, 
but was up instantly and coming like a locomotive; third 
shot missed him completely, and in throwing out shell it 
stuck. By the time I got in a new one he was within 
25yds. of me. Sammy, I was so cold when I fired the 
third shot my teeth were chattering, but when that cussed 
shell stuck the perspiration broke out all over me and I 
was as hot as a furnace. I must have been having one of 
the Kid's "fever and ager fits." The nearest tree was 
*100yds. away and up hill. In an instant I thought of 
everything, home, friends and country, and wished for 
more home and lees country. Then by some hook or 
crook the old shell dropped out and a new one went in. 
Dropping on one knee I blazed away and caught him full 
in the breast; he went down, never to get up. Talk about 
your Turkish, baths! The whole thing happened in less 
time than it takes to tell it, but in that time I lived about 
ten years. 
Broke camp at noon and started northeast toward the 
Sheridan trail. 
The section of country has enough fine granite to sup- 
ply the world. It is equal if not superior to the finest 
Westerly granite. Many beautiful little lakes are nestled 
here among the mountains and are fed by the eternal 
snows and glaciers. Camped on the Little Rocky in front 
of Heffener's Glacier. 
Thursday, Oct, 17.— Weather perfect. This is our 
last camp. It has been several days since we pitched our 
tent. That is one of the advantages of a sleeping bag. 
The ride over the divide was interesting. On the very 
top we found a bog which in places had scarcely any 
•bottom. The trail led along Line Cafion. In one place 
there is a very narrow trail along a bluff. There is 
scarcely room for a horse to pass along; below there is a 
sheer 500ft. fall. Some years ago a noted hunter by the 
name of Legg came over this trail with his saddle and 
one pack horse. The pack was in the lead; suddenly he 
stopped and began to snort. Legg looked up and there, 
not 50ft. in front of him, stood a big bull elk, disputing 
the right of way. The elk advanced, the pack horse 
tried to turn, lost his footing and went down over the 
mountain. Legg quickly slipped off back of his horse 
and drew his rifle, took careful aim and fired; the elk fol- 
lowed the pack horse, with a bullet in bis brain. We 
reached the A. O. trail about 3 o'clock, and it was dark 
when we got down it. We reached Red Lodge, cold, 
tired and hungry, at 9 o'clock. Van and I rode in ahead 
to hunt grub, but alas, there was a wedding in town and 
the restaurants were all closed. At Delmonico's the 
Chinaman said "No sabe," which translated meant no 
supper. We then rode through the town on a dead run 
looking for food, and every fellow at home grabbed bis 
gun, thinking the town was being "held up." We final- 
ly got into a store and bought all the cheese, cakes and 
crackers the merchant had, and struck out for the hotel. 
I don't think five men ever enjoyed a lunch as we five 
enjoyed that one. 
Friday, Oct. IS.— Cold and windy, looks like snow. 
Packed up and left for home at 3 P. M. Stayed over 
night in Billings. Was entertained very pleasantly at 
the Billings Club, thanks to Mr. J. D. Losecamp. It was 
through his kindness we had the pleasure of seeing 
photographs of Bill Hamilton and Liver-Eating Johnson, 
perhaps the only photos in existence of these two men. 
You remember, some time ago, of reading an article on 
Bill Hamilton in Forest and Stream, contributed by 
that able correspondent, E. Hough. There is great 
character in Bill's face. 
Saturday, Oct. 19.— Left Billings at 9 A. M, Glad 
again to get into the Northern Pacific dining car. Mr. 
Austin, Ass't Gen'l Pass. Agt. of the Northern Pacific 
road, had arranged two or three days' duck shooting for 
us at Perham. On arriving there, much to our disgust, 
the lakes were frozen over and the flight had come and 
gone, and but few remained. Still I thank him very 
much, as he did all it was possible for a brother sports- 
man to do to give us a good time. Expect to arrive in 
town on the 24bb, at 4 o'clock, provided we don't run up 
against Ben's friend in Chicago. Wabash. 
SPRING NOTES FROM THE YELLOW- 
STONE PARK. 
About the middle of April, the snow was 4ift. deep on 
a level over much of the Park. In some parts of th e tim- 
ber it was less, and again more. Now it has all disap- 
peared about the Mammoth Hot Springs, but there is still 
plenty of it after passing through the Golden Gate. 
The first robin was heard here on the 10th of April, and 
bluebirds are to be seen at any time in the hot country 
where they winter. Swans, geese and ducks were all here 
early in April, and many of them have now passed on to 
their more "Northern summer home. 
Things in the Park seem to be getting on well, and the 
season is opening early. It ie believed that the roads will 
be completely open by June 1 — something that had never 
happened before, previous to last year. 
Game is very plentiful, and has wintered well. Elk, 
deer and sheep are especially numerous. Late in April, 
Scout Morrison saw sixteen sheep on the north side of the 
Yellowstone River, not far from the mouth of Hell Roar- 
ing Creek. A week later eight were seen on the same 
side of the river, but a long distance from Hell Roaring 
Creek, and the same day the same person saw five more 
on the south side of the river. Elk have been seen in 
great numbers all over the Park, and they are abundant 
close to the post. 
Many white-tail deer are now to be seen near here, 
while a few years ago this species was very seldom met 
with in the Park. Deer are now abundant and tame. 
Little is heard about the buffalo. People here who ought 
to be well posted claim that there are not ten head in the 
Park to-day. 
New York Game Law. 
Governor Morton has signed the Sanger bills, which 
are now laws, forbidding the use of jack lights for deer 
hunting at all times except from Sept. 1 to Sept. 15 in- 
clusive, and forbidding deer hounding except from Oct. 1 
to 15 inclusive. Hounding is forbidden at all times in 
counties of St. Lawrence, Delaware, Greene, Ulster and 
Sullivan (except in towns of Highland, Cumberland , Tus- 
ten, Cochecton and Bethel). On Long Island deer may be 
hunted on each Wednesday in November, by hounding or 
otherwise. 
The open season for black and gray squirrels, hares and 
rabbits throughout the State (except Long Island) has been 
made from Oct. 15 to Feb. 15 inclusive. Ferrets forbidden 
except in Wayne, Onondaga and Oswego counties. 
That Old Maryland Terrapin Statute. 
Harrisburg, Pa., May 14.— Editor Forest and Stream: 
I have just read your editorial on "Salmon, Ducks and 
Terrapin," which reminds me of a conversation I had with 
a gentleman who, in company with others, had been eat- 
ing terrapin with President Cleveland. If my recollec- 
tion is not very much at fault, he told me that one of the 
gentlemen produced a certified copy of an old Maryland 
statute whi jh prohibited owners of slaves feeding them 
more than a certain number of times a week on terrapin. 
I shoujd like to see the act in print, Eugene Snyder. 
