Dec. 24, 1898.] 
mountain. John comes back, and is telling" how neatly 
lie escaped, when — "There is another one, John, and he 
is almost black." 
"A silver-gray," excitedly whispers John. 
"No, just a little red shows on his back." 
"He is the blackest fox I ever saw running wild." sajr-s 
John. 
Down the ledge comes the black. He looks at the old 
red under the spruce. Then he jumps on him, and they 
roll and tumble over and over each other in the snow 
like puppies playing. Then the black gets up and goes 
off down the hill, and the old red goes back to his spruce. 
Owgh! owgh! owgh! The hound- is coming nearer 
The fox gets up and jumps up on a big boulder near the 
point of the hill and listens, then goes back and lies 
down, 
Owgh! owgh! owgh! Louder and louder camcs the 
sound. Again the old red jumps on the boulder and 
listens. This time he finds the hound is coming sure, and 
he climbs quickly up the ledges and disappears over the 
ridge. 
Sport is coming, but his voice does not have the cer- 
tain sound that it did. His fox has been playing over 
the bare ledges in the sharp wind and sifting snow, and 
the old dog is bothered to find the cold scent, so John 
calls him and puts him on the fresh track going on to the 
mountain. Then there is a furious run to the eastward. 
We climb quickly to the mountain top and stand in the 
biting wind on the highest summit for miles around. A 
magnificent panorama is spread out around us. The 
Minks, Kearsarge, Sunapee, Lovell, Monadnock and a 
hundred other peaks shining in their winter white, with 
the steel-blue ice of Lake Massassecum in sharp contrast 
almost beneath our feet. Another "stray" is watched 
coming across the pastures. Then Sport is heard bringing 
his fox back from the east. The sharp crack of John's gun 
rings over the mountain. The handsome red skin is soon 
off, and we make our way down the mountain after such 
a day's sport as is rare indeed even in the memory of old 
fox hunters, and of which the mere killing is but a very 
small part. D, R. Marshall. 
New York Bench Show. 
The judges for the twenty-third annual show of the 
Westminster Kennel Club, to be held in Madison Square 
Garden, Feb. 21-24, are as follows: 
Miss A. H. Whitney, Lancaster, Mass.. St. Bernards 
and Newfoundlands. 
John Davidson. Monroe, Mich., bloodhounds, deer- 
hounds, greyhounds, foxhounds, pointers and all setters. 
R. F. Mayhew, New York, mastiffs, collies, old English 
sheepdogs, bull terriers, Airedale terriers and fox terriers. 
J. Blackburn Miller, Newburgh, N. Y., Great Danes. 
Edward L. Kraus, Slatington, Pa., Russian wolfhounds. 
H. K. Bloodgood, New Marlboro, Mass., all spaniels 
(except toys). 
John H. Matthews. New York, bull dogs. 
John R. Buchan, .New York, French bull dogs. 
Frederick G. Davis, Boston, Mass.. Boston terriers. 
George B. Post. Jr., New York, beagles. 
G. Muss-Arnolt, Tuckahoe, N. Y., Dachshunde and Bas- 
set hounds. 
O. W. Donner, Milton, Mass., Irish terriers. 
Dn M. H. Cryer, Philadelphia, Pa., Dalmatians, 
poodles, all terriers (except bull terriers, Airedale ter- 
riers, fox terriers and Irish terriers), pugs, toy spaniels, 
Schipperkes, Pomeranians, Italian greyhounds, whippets 
and miscellaneous. 
Points and Flushes. 
The calendar of Spratts Patent Limited. 239 East Fifty- 
sixth street, New York, issued for 1899, is elaborately il- 
lustrated with portraits of typical dogs of different breeds, 
with descriptions of their race characteristics, elaborate 
sage advice on breeding, feeding, doctoring, training, 
etc. Poultry and cats also receive attention. The edition of 
this calendar being limited, extra copies will be sent only 
on receipt of 7 cents per copy. The San Francisco 
Branch is at 1320 Valentia street, San Francisco. 
@moqmg. 
Canvas Canoes on Florida Waters. 
Visitors to Florida who are fond of an outing, if 
they intend to winter near water, should provide them- 
selves with Parker B. Field's small book, "Canvas 
Canoes; How to Build Them," published by Forest 
and Stream, and with it to assist them construct for 
themselves craft to explore the rivers and numerous 
lakes. Our canvas fleet, built four years ago, .with the 
aid of this book, on lines that differed slightly from the 
original plan to insure stability when Ashing, is still in 
fair condition. We have used our boats during that time 
on the lakes around Auburndale, on the Gulf the St. 
John's, near the Atlantic Coast on the Halifax, and 
even went through the surf on the coast several times 
without accident. They were afloat nearly every day, and 
were hauled ashore after each trip. At some places, too, 
the beaches were rough with litter; at others with sharp 
shells. Such an experience was a fair test of canvas 
boats. 
We had no end of pleasure in our canoes. Auburn- 
dale, in Polk county, Fla., lies in a nest of lakes, vary- 
ing in size from large ponds to small seas, each of them 
as round as a watch, and the water in them is as clear 
as crystal, as sweet as drink from the ''moss-covered 
bucket," a dream of plenty to thirsty fishermen. These, 
lake chains are only grand systems of filters, some of 
them connected by small runs, others separated by sand- 
hills. Their intricate arrangement is known to a few 
surveyors and to birds. They are so blue that they con- 
trast. sharply with the sandy shores and the brilliant pine 
forest around them. One resident told me that there 
were seventy lakes within a radius of five miles. He 
had not counted all of them either, for I found a number 
afterward that he did not know about The one on the 
FOREST AND STREAM, 
north side of town, two miles in diameter, was the gem 
of the collection. 
This lake was our playground, our front yard almost, 
where we spent much of our time canoeing. Our small 
decked-over craft' were 13ft. long, 3K wide, and low in 
the water. The new Canvas when freshly oiled was yel- 
low. The remarks of a native the first time he saw us 
out were, "Durn me ef they hain't a-rowing on a. board, 
that 'ere are sure dangerous"; sentiments that were re- 
peated afterward by one of his numerous children every 
time we passed their pier; and when we. rigged our 
boats with small sails the young of this family were 
so sure they knew us that they stood off and addressed 
us in loud tones if we met on land, as though shrieks 
and yells were the only sounds likely to penetrate our- 
brains. 
The mother of this brood did washing ashore under 
a large oak, with moss-hung limbs, while children fought 
on the landing and fell overboard for amusement. There 
never was such a happy family. Calm days buster's yell 
and baby's shriek crossed the lake and came back unim- 
paired. And I had to go Up there often to catch bait, as 
it was a famous place for minnows. To the extreme left 
of our landing there was a small outlet run that led 
under a bridge and through a jungle of scfub growth 
and mess to another lake. Further around the shore, 
built out from the pine woods, was a pier, where an ac- 
quaintance played a cornet at times to bring us luck 
while fishing. Directly opposite our pier there was a run 
from another lake, and to the right over the way a high 
pine hill, where girls came out afternoons to yodel and 
sing songs, asking whether we loved them as they loved 
us and such questions, while we cut bait, fished for 
fish, and said nothing. 
Volition was almost sufficient to move our boats when 
the lake was smooth; the breeze smacked them through 
waves when whitecaps were running. Bass, brim and 
speckled perch were caught in numbers that raised a 
cry against fish. Ducks were hunted at the "flies" till 
all the leaves near such places were pierced by shot 
rain. There were sailing races on windy days, when 
spurned waves flung spray over us. Then there were 
other afternoons that I lay on my back in the bottom . 
of my canoe, with feet scattered around deck, and allowed 
the breeze to drift me at random till I could not decide 
whether the butcher birds and mockingbirds singing 
on shore were port, starboard or overhead; whether the 
sun was setting off my left ear or painting a glow 
against my shoe soles — and I did not care. Once I 
awoke near shore after dark to learn geography by 
searching the bank; then marked time with paddles to 
find home and ascertain whether it was this evening or 
to-morrow morning. 
Cruising parties were formed occasionally to explore 
the margin of our own lake, or go through runs to ad- 
joining lakes. All Florida scenery near water is draped 
with moss yards long. Some of the large trees that 
stood in exposed places, were noticeable on windy days; 
with scalps and whiskers lashing the air, with woolly 
garbs greatly agitated, they squirmed and capered till 
timid folks were disposed to shun them. Those miles of 
whirling, unkempt shores would have made a barber 
shout. And those evenings when the glow in the west 
made the lake seem enchanted were memorable. Some- 
times a bright moon sparkled the way home; sometimes 
the sky was shot with myriads of brilliant stars. Black 
nights the lake sang a coronach like that of sorry mul- 
titudes. All of this was delightful. Our debt to the 
author of "Canvas Canoes" is a large one. 
H. R. Steiger. 
A Novel Canoe Tent, 
A canoe tent of entirely new form has lately been in- 
vented* by Thos. G. Winter, being a combination of can- 
vas canoe and shore tent. The frame, of the. canoe is 
made of a system of light strips and ribs of simple con-' 
struction; light in weight and easily transported. The 
canvas cover is so shaped as to make" a perfect A tent 
when set up on shore, but it may be fitted over the frame, 
drawn tightly by means of straps, and converted into a 
watertight skin for the canoe. The combination is now 
being made by D. H. Heckman, the canoe and yacht 
builder of Kennebunkport. Me. 
Atlantic Division Officers. 
The prolonged absence of Vice-Corn. F, C. Moore and 
Purser J. C. Mowbray, of the Atlantic Division, made it 
necessary to elect new officers, and a special meeting was 
held on Dec. 3. The following officers were elected : 
Vice-Corn., H. C. Allen, Park Island C. A., Trenton : 
Rear Com.. N. S. Hyatt, Shattcmuc C. C, Sing Sing; 
Purser, Arthur H. Wood, Park Island C. A. The Execu- 
tive Committee members are Thos. Hale, Jr., and W. C, 
Lawrence. 
CANOEING NEWS NOTES. 
The annual meeting of the Rochester C. C. was held on 
Dec 12, the following officers being elected: Capt. C. 
F. Wolters; Mate, L. P. Newton; Purser, Al. T. Brown; 
Chairman Regatta Committee, E. R. Buller; Chairman 
Commissary Committee, C. B. Wolters; Chairman House 
Committee, J. Clifton Baker; Chairman Entertainment 
Committee, J. R. Davy; Fleet Surgeon, Dr. Frederick R. 
Smith. The club has at present an active membership of 
fifty-three, with six non-resident members. The limit 
on the active membership is sixty. 
The Y. R. A. of Massachusetts is now engaged in a 
very thorough revision and extension of its rules, to em- 
brace additional restrictions on cabin details, a limit to 
ballast and sail, and a table of scantling. We hope soon 
to publish the rules in complete form. 
BIS 
The Capabilities of Small Yachts. 
Clinton, Dec. 12. — Editor Forest and Stream: As the 
seagoing capabilities of small cruisers are being discussed, 
I send I he following extract from a letter in the Yachts- 
man of Nov. 10, written by Mr. H. Warrington Smith, of 
the R. T. Y. C. : 
"We hear square or transom sterns heartily abused — 
and not without reason — on all sides. Yet most, of the 
hookers and crabbers round the Land's End and Lizard — ■ 
mere open boats of 20ft. or so — are almost entirely 
square-sterned and straight stemed ; these boats are ac- 
customed to make their haven in every weather in every 
mouth throughout the year in one of the most riotous seas 
about our coasts, and are very rarely lost. 
"By way of direct contrast, take the long-bowed, sharp- 
sterned Norwegian pilot-boats; and here vou have an- 
other type of craft which, of all others, is renowned for 
sea worthiness. 
"And then, while some swear by the Scotch lugger or 
the West Coast pilot boat, another who has been off the 
coast of Nova Scotia will tell you that the one ship for 
him is the bluff-bowed schooner of those seas, with her 
long masts and infinite main boom. 
"The Bombay boat, the Malay proa, and the Chinese 
junk are again instances of distinct types of craft which, 
when handled by those who understand them, are able to 
face and live through the wildest weather; although, ow- 
ing largely to the Eastern carelessness as regards gear 
and so forth, a far larger percentage of them is probably 
lost than with any European type. 
"Do not these considerations suggest that, given a fairly 
sound structure in the shape of a boat, good material in 
gear, a certain amount of luck, and the man, or men, who 
understand the game, if really heavy weather has to be 
faced, the chances are the concern will come out all right 
at the end, and that those on board will thereafter dili- 
gently swear by that type against all others? 
"But I must go on to add that I agree entirely with Mr. 
E. F, Knight, and many others, in the opinion that small 
vessels may easily (and especially in the neighborhood 
of the land) meet with weather too heavy for them — 
generally in the shape of one or two big seas — if that es- 
sential factor we call luck be absent. I think that many 
seas in the act of breaking may absolutely overwhelm 
anything* in boat form, and that the Dogger-Bank in 
winter gales may be quoted in support of this notion." 
I altogether agree with the opinions offered by Mr. 
Smith, and would emphasize the point that seamanship h 
at least of equal importance with the question of desig';. 
This point has to my mind been overlooked in the corre- 
spondence, both in the Field and Yachtsman. Of course, 
in discussing the behavior of various craft under adverse 
conditions, seamanship must be taken as a fixed factor 
and a fair average assumed, disregarding alike the incom- 
petent lubber and the skilled professional. Experienced 
cruising men understand this, but a novice might easily 
be led astray by the testimony of a well-salted veteran to 
the effect that a yacht of a certain size and type will take 
care of herself in any weather. All that the. best ship can 
do is to give her crew a fair chance to take care of her. 
A novice usually asks "Is such a boat safe?" or "Is she 
safe in any weather?" assuming that safety is a definite- 
factor of the yacht's equipment, whereas safety is alto 
gether a condition and a very variable one at that. It may 
be reasonably defined as the maintaining of a favorable 
balance of power among the various forces that constant- 
ly seek to compel the boat to sink or swim, capsize or 
stand up, work to windward or drift to leeward. Under 
fair conditions the chances may be so largely in favor of 
safety that danger is not supposed to be present. Under 
adverse conditions the ratio of chances may be reversed, 
and it is then the part of seamanship to utilize the few 
favorable elements to the best advantage in order to avert 
disaster. 
I do not wish to raise a fog of theory over a point that 
is essentially practical, but the cruising man who trusts 
altogether to a design for safety will miss the mark as 
certainly as the racing man who trusts altogether to a 
design for speed. All that either can obtain is a fair 
chance to realize the desired end by means of good sea- 
manship. In cruising especially the limits are set by the 
man rather than by the boat. As an illustration, I would 
suggest Kunhardt's "Cruise of the Coot," published some 
years ago in the Forest and Strtc\m. I trust that some 
day this will be issued in book form. As an example 
of what can be accomplished under adverse circumstances 
even with an indifferent boat, it is worthy of the attention 
of every cruising man, while as a story it is far superior 
to the average "ham and eggs" cruise that gets into print 
in the various current yachting magazines. 
In conclusion I want to compliment Mr. Wicksteed on 
the design of Zulu, published in this week's issue. For 
some time I have been hoping that a man conversant with 
local conditions would turn out a fast knockabout espe- 
cially suited to the lower lakes, where in the summer 
light winds are varied with fierce squalls and choppy 
seas. In Zulu admirable provision has been made for 
these somewhat exacting conditions, and I should like to 
see a whole tribe of such yachts afloat. 
William Q. Phillips. 
The new year will probably witness an important con- 
solidation of two of the Sound clubs, the New Rochelle 
Y. C. and the Corinthian Fleet of New Rochelle. The 
two have existed side by side on Echo Bay for some 
years; in company with the Huguenot Y. C, a mile or so 
away on New Rochelle Harbor, drawing their members * 
mainly from the city of New Rochelle. The N. R. Y. C. 
has had its club house on the main land, while the Cor- 
inthian Fleet has had the old mansion on Harrison's Isl- 
and, about 200yds. distant. For some time past a move- 
ment has been on foot to consolidate the two into one 
strong club, utilizing the very favorable site of the fleet for 
the large club house of the yacht club. The arrangements 
are now nearly completed, and it is probable that the 
union will begin early in the new year. The change will 
be of advantage to all parties, the two clubs, the yachts- 
men of New Rochelle, and the Sound yachting generally. 
The Merrit-Chapman Wrecking Co. has raised the 
yachts Alsacienne, Rival and Halycon, sunk at Port Jef- 
ferson in the recent gale. 
