BO-4 
A Week's Camp and Quail Hunt 
in North Carolina. 
Editor Forest and Stream: 
Thinking it would interest some of the readers of jrour 
yahiable paper, I tlioughi I would tell them of a ca,mp 
and quail hunt that myself and several other members 
oi our gun club enjoyed dining last Christmas week. Our 
party consisted of T.'S. McDearrnan, M, F. Parham, C. C. 
Cooper, J. B. Marriott, W. H. Edwards, Master William 
Williford, myself and our cook, Jim. As to dogs, we 
were well supplied with some very fine ones, McDear- 
rnan having two setters, Parham one, Marriott two and 
myself two setters and two pointers, aiid. 50Joe oi theiu 
as fine as ever wagged a tail. 
■ Bright and early Monday morning, Dec. 26, we loaded 
ouf wagons with camping outfit — tents, stoves, cots, camp 
stools, cooking utensils, and in fact, everything that could 
be needed for a pleasant and comfortable camp — and 
headed our teams toward the happy hunting grounds, up 
in Nash county, on Swift Creek, about twenty miles 
away. . 
•Both men and dogs were full of enthusiasm and anti- 
cipation of the happy time coming. 
.:The dogs were running, jumping, barking and frisking 
over the fields in the most happy manner. Some of the 
boys pulled out the old long bugle, and blew ear-splitting 
blasts that could be heard for miles and miles on the 
light frosty air. Oh! what a time. Dear reader, if you 
are a sportsman, I know, that even now, you can feel 
some of the glad anticipation that was ours on that happy 
morning. 
The roads were in a fair condition, and our journey 
was very pleasant, and while we did not do any regular 
hunting, we succeeded in bagging about twenty birds that 
were found along the roadside, the dogs doing excellent 
work. 
We arrived at our destination about 4 o'clock with 
eyerything accounted for except that poor old McD. had 
succeeded in losing his overcoat, gloves and rubber 
boots. 
We located a place to pitch our tents on a beautiful hill 
near the creek ; then all went to work with a will to make 
catnp, and we succeeded in getting things fairly well 
fixed by dark. 
The n^t thing in order being supper, a steaming pot 
of hot coflfee was soon made, and all gathered around the 
"festive board." There were cold hani and eggs, baked 
turkey and possum, bread, butter, etc.. But my! didn't 
those boys eat. It would have made a hungry wolf shed 
tears of grief to have seen them. 
Supper over, we gathered around a cheerful log lire 
to tell yarns of exploits that were past and those still to 
come. Before we bad been sitting long, up walked our old 
friend, W. M. York, who owns a largt and magnificent 
farm near by, and who is as fond of sport as any of 
us. We had a good old-fashioned handshake all arouiid 
andTThearty welcome from friend York, whose heart is in 
the right place, and who will ever have a warm spot in the 
hearts Cf each and all of us. 
A very amusing incident occurred during the evening. 
Some of the negroes in the neighborhood, hearing the 
melodious notes from the old camp bugle, came down to 
see what was up. They stood around the fire for some 
time without saying anything, but curiosity soon got the 
best of one of them, a^nd he asked : "Sny, boss, what am 
dis for?" - 
. Some of the boys told him that it was a show, to which 
he replied: "Sho thing. I'se glad you come. What hab 
you got to sho' ?" . 
We told him that we had a very fierce man-eatmg bear, 
but he had gotten away from us about an hour before, 
but was around close by in the woods, and we would 
secure him in the morning. 
"For de Lawd, boss, how is I goin' to git home wid dot 
b'ar lose in dese woods ?" 
■ I replied that there was only one way, and that was to 
outrCin the bear, as he would surely be killed if caught. 
In the meantime McD. had quietly gone up the hill in the 
woods, and was growling and snarling at a terrible rate. 
You just ought to have seen that negro's eyes. They 
looked as large and as white as saucers, and all he said 
was: "Good Lawd, Pse gone." 
And go he did. We never saw such running nor heard 
such a fuss as that negro kept up in my life. He went 
and he stayed too, for that was the last seen of him during 
our camp there. , , . , , 1 , 
About an hour afterward another lank-sided colored 
gentleman walked up. dressed and bedecked in his best 
clothes and finery. After standing awhile, he asked: 
*'Say, boss, does you took pictures here?'' 
"Why certainly," I replied. "That is our busmess. 
We will open up to-morrow morning, and will make 
everybody's picture free of cost for the first day. So come 
down and bring your girl, and tell everybody m the com- 
munity about it." He seem.ed pretty well pleased, and 
soon left us, but I don't think he slept any that night, for 
early next morning the darkies came in from all direc- 
tions and we had to explain to them that our camera had 
got broken and it would take us a week to get a new one. 
We left our cook, Jim, to keep camp while we were out 
shooting, and he reported that they continued to come all 
during the day, but he would send them off with some 
kind of an excuse. I don't think we will try the picture 
racket again in that section. , • , , , 
It was now getting bedtime, and we decided to make 
plans for our shooting next day. Three of our party-- 
Cooper, Edwards and Marriott— did not come along with 
us but were to join us on to-morrow, so there were only 
four for Tuesday's shooting. Friend York said he would 
take two with him, and it being so arranged, we bid our 
friend good night, "turned in," and slept the "sleep of the 
When the first bright streaks of dawn appeared in tlie 
East, all was astir in camp. F:verybody was getting ready 
Iris gun. shells, and hunting clothes. It was arranged 
that McD and Parham should go with Mr. York, and 
they were soon off. That left Master William and me to 
<thift for ourselves, and as there were some necessary 
a*i-artg«jnents to make for our comfort in camp, we de- 
cided to do this before we left. , , , 
. Getting through about 11 o'clock, we shouldered our 
gutis and were off, taking my four dogs— Prince, Rover, 
Don and Joe. The first three named were "tried and 
true," and as good as the best, but old Joe was an un- 
known quantity to me, and here 1 must tell how I had 
come into possession of him. 
About two weeks before I was walking up the street 
with a friend, when we met a hungry looking negro with 
a string in his hand, and at the other end of the string 
was tied a long, lean, lank-sided "yaller dog." I saw at 
once it was a pointer, but by those not up in "dogology" 
it would be taken for a hound. 
"Hello, Colonel," says I, "do you wan't to see that 
dog?" N(3w when I. w^ant to please a negro, J always call 
him Colonel. 
"Yas, .sar, dat's what I fotched him fUr," replied the 
negro. ■• 
■'Well, what is good for?" I asked him. 
"Well, boss, lemme tell you 'bout dat dog. I buyed him 
fur er coon dog, but I ain't kotched narry a coon wid him 
yit, an' I don't 'spect dat dog am got much 'quaintance wid 
er coon no how. Yas, sar, an' dat ain't all, he won't even 
regumnize a coon when he meet him in de woods. So, 
sar, I com' to de concludenient dat 1 sell him. an' I 
fotched him 'long." 
"Will he set birds?" I next asked him. 
"Well, now, boss, I don't know so much 'bout dat, but 
I tell you what he do dis morning: I was comin' 'long in 
de old field, when dat dog, sar, just stop right still an' hold 
his nose right straight, and hold his tail right straight, an' 
dar he was, sar, just like dat, and I swar to goodness I 
thought dat dog done run mad, But fust think I knowed 
up jumped de bigges' gang of pattiges you ever see. Now, 
sar, if you calls dat sottin' birds, he sho' will sot dem." 
"Well, what is your price on him?" I a.sked. 
"I axes two dollars fur him, sar, an' he am wuth dat to 
make sausingcrs out of." 
I handed him the money and took charge of the dog, 
but don't think I will try any dog sausage yet. 
We, started out taking all four dogs, but I was a little 
doubtful of Joe, and kept my eyes on him pretty close. 
BETWEEN SEASONS. 
But I never saw a dog cover a field more prettily in tny 
life. He just took it all in. 
We had not gone far when little William yelled: 
"Look, Mr. Harris, just look at old Joe." I looked, and 
there he was as "stiff as a poker." The other dogs back- 
ing nicely. We lined up for our first shot, but 1 cautioned 
William to be particular and to take pains, and be care- 
ful. When we walked tip a very large covey flushed, and 
bang, bang, bank, went our guns. 1 dropped two and 
William scored one, which were retrieved nicely by 
Prince and Rover. We bagged our birds and went for 
them again, but it \vould take too much space to give a 
detailed account of that evening's sport. We found birds 
plentiful and did some good shooting. 
We arrived in camp, just before night, and found the 
other party just getting in with a bag of forty-one, while 
William and myself counted out thirty-four, making 
seventy-five for the day. In the meantime our three lag- 
ging comrades had arrived and were gladly welcomed. 
Jim had prepared a sumptuous supper, and after this we 
all gathered around the cheerful camp-fire and enjoyed a 
good smoke with pipes and cigars, which is always a 
solace' to the weary hunter. 
Don't you wish j'ou could have been there, brother 
sportsmen? , • , 
After a good night's rest every one was up bright and 
early, eager to get at it again. Breakfast over, we divided 
up in twos, each party going in different directions. I had 
for a partner that day Mr. Edwards, a good companion 
but a poor shot. 
We did not find birds so plentiful, but succeeded in 
bagging thirty-six, and to my great joy, I managed to 
get in shooting distance of a very fine old turkey gobbler, 
which I neatly downed with my right barrel, and poured 
the contents of mv left into him "just for keeps." He 
weighed 2olbs., and was a beauty, but I estimated him at 
500 before I landed him at camp. 
Upon counting up all bags that day, we found over 150 
quail, one turkey and lots of hares and squirrels. 
A nice day's .sport, don't you think so? 
We invited several gentlemen, who lived in that com- 
munity, down to camp that night, to help us devour a bar- 
rel of fine oysters which we had carried up for the occa- 
sion, and you may be sure it was a jolly and enjoyable 
occasion. . , , , 
The next day Parham was sick, and could not go out 
with us, but the others had a fine day's sport, and made a 
good bag. York and Marriott each killed a fine turkey. 
° Another evening around the camp-fire, and all were 
readv for bed; but one of the boys— it won't do to call 
names— ate so much supper that he had a "night mare,'' 
and came very near running into the creek before he 
could be caught. But he was all O. K. ne.xt morning. 
Cooper and McD. went off possum hunting that night, 
but they did not bring any game back. - ^ 
Friday was our last day, and the boys did not- do any 
hard work, but managed to bag nearly a hundred birds, 
- As usual, we had a pleasant time around the camp-fire 
that night. But I believe every man was sad at the 
thought that early next morning we were to break camp 
and leave that happy hunting ground^ But, alas! all 
things must end, and accordingly early Saturday morning 
stakes were pulled, tents downed, wagons packed and all 
was in readiness to start for home, when I pulled out my 
old pet—the long bugle — and blew one long and cheerfttl 
farewell blast, that echoed and re-echoed across the hills 
and dales of those beautiful hunting grounds. 
i shall never forget this trip. It was both enjoyable and 
successful, having bagged 325 quail, three turkeys and 
.scores of hares and squirrels. 
If any of our brother sportsmen in the North care to 
come down to Dixie and join us in our next Christmas 
camp and hunt, we will give them a hearty welcome and a 
good time. C. H. Harris. 
RocKv Mount, N. C, 
On Papskanee Creek. 
Albany, N. Y. — Editor Forest and Stream: _ About 
the 8th of the present month there was a great flight of 
ducks here, a large proportion of which harbored about the 
neighborhood of Papskanee (as it is spelled on an old 
country map) island. There has been a pretty steady 
freshet in the Hudson for a long time, and the ducks 
were using on the lowlands and bogs east of the island. 
One day last week two of our local gunners, Harry H. 
Valentine and Mike O'Donnell, went in the former's duck 
boat to get a crack at the wildfowl as they came on the 
flats at night to feed. Two live decoys and a dozen 
wooden ones were important auxiliaries for the sport, 
but alas (don't say "chestnut"), the birds had nearly all 
"lit out" the previous Saturday and ouly ail old blackey 
and a woodduck fell to Harry's repeater. A pair of splen- 
did blue herons were flushed out of a marsh, one of 
which, the female, fell to Mike's Francotte, but its mate, 
though fairly hit with a couple of charges of«No. 4 from 
Harry's Winchester, managed to get away. The loss of 
the bird was greatly regretted, as it was a "plumed 
knight," and would have ,gone to the taxidermist's 
where Madame Heron is now awaiting a sort of resur- 
rection into a semblance of life. Had the boys gotten to' 
the marsh the week before they would have secured a 
big bag of ducks, as Harry is an experienced ducker and 
both are crack shots. 
I often wonder if that dear old boy. Col. Fred Mather, 
knows how Papskanee Creek looks to-day. I, iny.self, 
can remember when it was navigable by skiffs its entire 
length, barring a carry where the railroad cut -the strdam 
in twain, but now it is only when a river freshet is on 
that a boat can get in it, and when the water level is nor- 
mal the creek is a long and gruesome ditch. On either 
side of the embankment where the railroad crosses it the 
bed of the stream is filled for a long distance with a. 
deposit of ooze, a rank growth of weeds and aquatic 
grasses, garnished, like some hideous salad, with masses 
of vegetable slime. On the longer reaches of the creek oc- 
casional open spaces are met with and one of these, at 
Staats's Crossing, is still fishable for "little fellers,';' but 
"the green mantle of the standing pool" is in evidence 
everywhere, and the ill-smelling vapors that are. exhaled 
therefrom are glorified at times by the sunlight .with .al- 
most prismatic colors. 
By the way, I have known this stream ever since I was 
a "kid" (good while ago, that), but I never heard ' it 
called Papskanee by any of the gunners and fishers I have 
known. Many of my friends have fished the stream and 
have hunted the bogs and lowlands for snipe and duck 
from the Greenbush swamp to Castleton, but to all these 
worthies it has been, and is still, known as the "Ded crik." 
May I be permitted m these notes to express the hope 
that Col. Mather may for many years to come grace the 
pages of Forest and Stream with his interesting recitals. 
Especially interesting are they to one who has been 
familiar with .some localities he has mentioned ; who has 
known a few of the "men he has fished with," and who, 
like himself, long since passed the noonday of life. 
Horace B. Derby. 
QueBec*s Attractions* 
New York, April 14. — Editor Forest and Stream: 
During the Sportsmen's Show in March I had an opportu- 
nity to learn how little the Province of Quebec was knowm 
to the American sportsman, though situated as it is only 
within a few hours' travel from this great metropolis. 
The exhibits from the Province of Quebec fully demon- 
strated to the sportsman and angler the game and fish- 
ing that is to be had in that section of the country, and 
unlike the State of Maine, may I venture to say. is still 
unknown to the gunner. I therefore think that it would 
be a good move on the part of my Government to ap- 
point an advertising agent in all the principal cities ol 
these United States to advertise the country and give the 
necessary information regarding the hunting and fishing 
territory, and also to promote a tourist travel which would 
in my opinion increase the revenue of the Province and 
make our American cousins more familiar with Quebec. 
H. F. Tuzo. 
Between Seasons. 
Whiting, Feb. 24. — Editor Forest and Stream: I in- 
close a photograph of my two dogs, Gid and Duke, two 
sports between seasons. These dogs never flush a bird 
and know where all coveys are within two miles of their 
homes. They also enjoy going fishing almost as much 
as going out for birds. 
This picture was taken by myself, an amateur, and as 
I have never seen any of this style of picture in your 
paper I thought to send it. W. L, L. 
The Forest and Stream is put to press each week on Tuesday. 
Correspondence intended for publication should reach us at the 
latest by Monday and as much earlier as practicable. 
v.. 
