JULY 16, 1898.I 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
4 3 
do a little more than the next man, and he would face 
death a dozen times over rather than do less. 
Mac has a strong character, and like most strong 
characters it is somewhat one-sided. It is possible at 
times for his persistence to become stubbornness, and 
his. pride a stumbling block. However, such occasions 
are rare, and in proof of it we got along together six 
months without a quarrel. 
I doubt if I ever saw a more plucky fellow. He was 
raised in a country lacking lakes or rivers, or even ponds, 
and had never been in a boat, with one or two possible 
exceptions, yet he braved fierce storms on the lakes at 
a time when, owing to low water, their perils are far 
above the common. Mac was a quiet fellow, and un- 
communicative about himself. We were attracted to 
him by his self-control and courage on the train going 
west. We were traveling by the Canadian Pacific, and 
a big gang of railroad laborers had taken possession 
of the train. A postal card which Herington indicted 
from dictation for Red Bill, one of the crew, will give 
an idea of their morals and manners in general. It 
was directed to his wife and ran: "Boys all right; 
having good time; all having their whisky. With com- 
pliments to their creditors, Wra. Hewitt." 
Some of the car windows had men's feet projecting 
out of them. One fellow at stations flourished a salute 
with a pair of gray socks that had once had white toes. 
Scrapping was the order of the day. The air was full 
of vile insults. Some one of Red Bill's companions 
would stumble down the aisle and perhaps fall against 
another man, "You blank blank son of a blank, get off 
my feet or go to blank," etc. To which the other re- 
sponded with offended dignity, "Lemme tell you, pard- 
ner, me mother was a lady, and if you call me 
I'll let you know I'm a gentleman." Such 
encounters generally resulted in a scuffle, and the mutual 
friend and peace-maker would aopear on the scene, hustle 
the men apart and swear roundly at both, favoring neither 
in his choice of epithets. "If I was as drunk as you are," 
he says to number one, "T'd thank anybody to swat me 
on the nose;" and to number two he suggests a special 
train to carry his feet and give room for other people. 
Several of the meanest drunks of the lot got up some 
fancied grievance against McKercher, but he had the 
moral power to silence them, and in so doing won our 
sympathy. The ice was broken, and soon all five of us 
were discussing plans and projects, and a mutual under- 
standing was reached. 
Mac was added to the party, and soon won a first place 
in the esteem of all. 
A Gale on Lake Bennett. 
Owing to Mac's disinclination to speak about himself 
I was not thorouehly aware of his complete ignorance 
of water craft. I had an idea that he knew how to 
row. and that while not much of a sailor he would have 
no_difficulty in handling his tandem boats in a fair wind. 
Clad in heavy Mackinaw clothing and hip boots we 
stood in water half-way up to out thighs, while the icy 
wind from the summit of Chilcoot hurried the clouds 
across the face of the moon, and held our final consulta- 
tion before committing ourselves to the tender mercies 
of Lake Bennett. It was midnight and October, and 
crackly fragments of ice were sailing with the current 
and hitting against our legs. The sail was raised on 
Mac's boat, and flapped and slatted and banged at the 
rate of a thousand a minute, making the little craft to 
which it was attached quiver from stem to stern. My 
own boats were anchored near by. At the last there was 
a moment of hesitation, and Mac suggested a trial trip 
with the two of us together, so that he could get an idea 
of how the boats handled. 
Off we went into the spray-laden darkness, the little 
12ft. leader tugging at the other boat with a taut tow 
line and churning the water under her bows. There 
was a strong weather helm that made steering very diffi- 
cult, and at times it was necessary to jibe the sail to do 
anything at all with the boats. The deadening of the 
steerage way, caused by the drag of the towed boat, 
made the trouble. 
We sailed down a few hundred yards to the opposite 
shore of the lake, which here is very narrow, and there 
made a reach back nearly to our starting point. 
Finding that we could not row effectively against the 
wind we got out and lined the boats the remaining dis- 
tance. 
Mac was nervous, but he would not listen to a post- 
ponement of the start. I gave him what suggestions 
I could with regard to steering, and after having helped 
him off followed with my own boats. 
The boats were loaded heavily, and though the little 
sails pulled like a team of horses they did not move 
through the water at a rate of more than three or four 
miles an hour. This was plenty fast enough, however, 
for Mac. In less than five minutes he found himself 
in difficulties. His boat persistently sheered over toward 
the west shore of the lake, and out of the misty gloom 
ahead an old wreck on some very jagged rib-like rocks 
loomed up. Do what he would, he could not make 
his boat point elsewhere than at this black obstacle, upon 
which the waves were breaking in a way suggestive of 
wetness and unpleasant consequences in general. At the 
last moment, however, he succeeded in jibing, and passed 
the danger by an appallingly small margin. 
We were soon out in a wider part of the lake, and 
the waves momentarily increased in size. A bend in 
the lake made the east side a lee shore, and toward this 
some inscrutable power drew Mac's boats. Becoming 
aware of the danger, he tried running free toward the 
opposite Shore, and got his boat broadside to the waves, 
which washed completely over her at times. Next she 
came around head to the wind, pointing for Skagway 
instead of Dawson City. 
It was all I could do to keep Mac company in his 
evolutions, and I began to realize that he was battling 
with a new and untried art. I shouted to him directions, 
but the wind carried away much of what I said, and 
though he got his boat before the wind again I saw that 
he was bound to go on the lee shore. Near us the pros- 
pects were a little more favorable than further down 
the lake, and I decided that the only thing to do was to 
get ashore and reorganize our demoralized forces before 
we were drawn under the beetling crags below, where 
shipwreck was inevitable. 
By some lucky chance we managed to gain the shore 
under the lee of a slight projection. The shore was 
a precipitous cliff, running down into deep water, but 
we got footing on a narrow ledge, and with oars and 
pieces of driftwood managed to keep our boats from 
pounding to destruction on the rocks. 
This thing could not continue indefinitely, however, 
and I asked Mac if he thought he could row across the 
lake to the protection of a bay dimly discerned on the 
opposite side. Then I learned that he had never had a 
pair of oars in his hands, and that he was no better oars- 
man than sailor. 
Here we were in the tightest kind of a fix; in danger 
of losing our provisions and outfit, and ignominiously 
ending our expedition at the very beginning, simply 
through lack of information on a question that any one 
would have thought would have been thoroughly dis- 
cussed before starting. Undoubtedly I had taken too 
much for granted, but then Mac and I had been much 
separated on the trail, and our opportunities for conver- 
sation had been few and far between. Not till that 
morning had we known what provisions the other 
members of the party had assigned us in the division, 
for the appetites of the party had made big inroads into 
the individual purchases of supplies, and the deficit had 
to be borne by all alike. Many things had to be taken 
on faith in the rush of getting off, and our present 
difficulty was one of the direct consequences. 
We could not stay where we were-, for the boats were 
in danger any minute of pounding a hole in their sides 
and going to the bottom. It was necessary to cross the 
DICK AND GILL. 
Clinging to the wire fencing' is seen a pet otter, of which Mrs. 
Willson will write in a later sketch. 
lake, and as no help could be expected from Mac in 
rowing it devolved upon me to pull all four boats over 
to some place of safety. 
The two tandems were made fast to each other, and off 
we started with 48ft. of boat arranged in a very limber 
jointed construction. It was impossible to make any 
headway against the wind, so I laid a course parallel 
with the waves, and it required quick work to keep my 
oars submerged. Fortunately we had covered with 
canvas the cockpits of both passenger boats before start- 
ing, and this kept out a large portion of the water which 
continually swept over the boats. Mac lay flat on one 
of the boats and had all he could do to keep from being 
tossed overboard. Occasionally it seemed as if the boats 
would roll clear over. 
The first few hundred yards was the hardest tug. It 
was plain that Ave were going to leeward, and decidedly 
uncertain whether or no we were making enough head- 
way to clear the point below. Moreover, I was afraid 
of breaking my oars, and there were other reasons why 
the moonlight row was not altogether pleasurable, 
f About 3 in the morning, however, twenty-four hours 
after the time of last arriving, we pulled into a beautiful 
little landlocked bay, with sandy beach and limpid water 
that looked as if it had been especially created for tired 
wayfarers like ourselves, and anchoring out our boats 
we spread our sleeping bags just above high-water mark 
and turned in for a much needed rest. 
J. B. BURNHAM, 
A Train's Race with Two Deer. 
Saratoga. — On the Adirondack Railway the New 
York express train had an exciting race with two deer. 
Near the station known as the Glen the deer jumped 
across the track, plunged into the Hudson River, and 
swam to the opposite side. The contest of speed was 
highly enjoyed by the passengers.— New York Evening 
Post.' 
A Double Resemblance.— Farmer Oatbin (sadly) — 
"Children are jest like a brood of young quail. As soon 
as they get old enough, away they go from the old nest 
in every direction." Farmer Corncrib (more sadly) — 
"Ya-as; jest like quail. As soon as they mate, away 
thev come back to the old feeding-ground again." — 
Judge. ,. £12. , 
Florida Pet Cranes. 
There is a charm — a picturesqueness — in a scene 
taken from the south land. It is evening; and we see a 
tropical yard, graced by tall live oak trees, from whose 
branches trail the sweeping Spanish moss. Here and 
there is an orange tree, from whose boughs chirp the 
mockingbirds. On the grassy lawn the Irish setter pup 
plays with a rug he has purloined from the doorway. 
A maltese cat sits tiger-like, cautiously moving her tail 
to and fro, intent upon a bird on the limb above her. In 
the background, cut off from the large lawn by a wire 
netting, are two quaint, winsome otters. As they dart 
hither and thither, peering through the netting, now up, 
now down, now into the bath and out again, rolling and 
tumbling, they add life and zest to the picture. 
Central in the scene are two large whooping cranes, 
one pluming himself, as is the custom of birds at even 
time; the other, more laggard, is finishing the day's play 
— dancing and bowing at an imaginary plaything he sees 
in the grass. 
One morning a countryman brought an ungainly, 
frightened and half-starved young whooping crane to 
the door, and out of pity for the innocent thing we 
bought it and turned it loose in the yard. Imprisonment 
to this unreconciled bird was painful, and he kept up a 
constant cry — his gosling voice being little but a "squeak, 
squeak; squeak." For the first few weeks the bird was a 
constant care, but when the period of homesickness 
wore off he began to show intelligence, each day de- 
veloping new traits until he became the greatest pleasure 
as well as a delightful study. In his youthful stage he 
wore such a dejected, crestfallen appearance that it was 
a surprise to see him now develop into a proud, in- 
dependent bird, carrying his head erect and moving with 
a stately but most Indian-like gait. 
Soon the mind of this untamed bird seemed to unfold 
and grow, and an intelligence equal to that possessed by 
the high-bred dog manifested itself. He courts compan- 
ionship, following us like a dog about the grounds. 
Where the negro is at work there Dick appears, digging 
with his long beak like a sexton. Early in the morn- 
ing he regularly appears at the bedroom window, turn- 
ing and rattling the slats of the shutters, and with a 
soft, coaxing chirp seems to urge the inmates to arise. 
Breakfast hour finds him on the dining room piazza, 
and if permitted he enters the room and helps himself 
to cakes or bread from the table. On Sunday after- 
noons he finds his greatest enjoyment, for then it is 
that his master is present and permits him to make 
himself "very much at home." He stands at one side 
by the hour, just pluming himself, then gently pick- 
ing at shoe buttons and finger rings. Occasionally he 
is indulged in a favorite pastime — that of taking the 
hairpins out of his mistress' hair. 
In nature he is as gentle and affectionate as a kitten, 
and as he has never been teased he has no enmity 
for anything except a dog. One night he was attacked 
by a strange dog, and since then his hatred for any 
canine other than the home dog is intense, and as 
soOn as his eagle eye detects a strange dog he gives a 
cry of alarm, and in the most quiet, sedate, but stately 
way walks out of range into some retired corner. He 
is more valuable than a watch dog, for at night, should 
any strange object intrude the premises, he quickly gives 
a warning in a voice so loud and clangorous as to wake 
even the "seven sleepers" themselves. 
Dick has always been inordinately fond of his master, 
whom he makes every effort to please. It is at his com- 
mand that he will dance, bowing and twirling in the 
most graceful manner; then circling with wings distended 
around the yard and back again to bow and courtesy 
as before. Another very pleasing recognition of his in- 
telligence is the manner in which he always welcomas 
his owner. He recognizes the horse and carriage as 
far as his eye can reach, and long before the bird is in 
view his voice is heard trumpeting a greeting, which is 
continued until the master reaches the gate, when at 
the single command, "Louder, Dick!" he throws his 
head back and gives forth a long, gurgling note, indica- 
ting joy and pleasure. To no one else will he give 
this welcome. It is unique and peculiar — for his owner 
alone. 
When Dick had grown into a handsome, stately bird, 
the monarch of the lawn, we were fortunate in procuring 
a mate for him — a timid, shrinking, soft-eyed bird. It 
was touching to see this young thing cuddle up to the 
large bird, who treated it with supreme indifference 
until his presence grew monotonous. With stately tread 
Dick would move away, but the young bird would follow 
after. At length "patience ceased to be a virtue," and 
becoming exasperated with that young, chirping-voiced 
creature ever at his side, Dick drove him off, repeating 
it until the little crane grew shy and frightened of him. 
But as the new bird had been gotten for Dick's edifica- 
tion it was decided that he must yield his supremacy 
and allow the young bird the privilege of the yard- A 
good whipping with a keen switch conquered Dick, 
and within a few days the two birds were enjoying 
each other's society, going about the yard neck and neck, 
digging the grounds with heads together and roosting 
side by side at night. 
The power of imitation was strong in the young bird, 
whom we christened Gill, Gill not understanding that 
Dick's welcome greeting was for his master alone, soon 
in his baby voice joined in, but did not know to make 
the distinction, and so greets all passers-by. 
In character the crane is very much like the dog; he 
is easily controlled, lias much sense and affection, and 
courts friendly recognition. He is fond of music, and 
comes up on the veranda and through the French win- 
dow, and with a contented "chirp, chirp," listens to the 
piano, while he occasionally plumes a feather. In dis- 
position these pet birds are very different. Dick shows 
more affection than Qi\\, who is inclined to be pugna- 
cious. A stranger's appearance in the yard causes Gill 
to seat himself flat on the ground, which, with beak dig- 
ging the sand in a nervous manner, indicates his anger. 
The visitor, all unconscious of offense, passes by, when 
