Bbc. 31:, igoi.] 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
447 
Another tenderfoot was taken into the woods by the 
writer to a familiar and promising place. The new man 
had a double-barreled gun — rifle and shot combined. 
After a long watch a fat and beautiful deer came into 
view about 100 yards distant. "Shall I shoot?" "No; 
wait for a broadside." "I think I can fetch him now." 
(The deer was feeding toward us.) "Well, wait; you will 
have a better chance. Then aim high; let both barrels 
go at the same time." I did not feel the assurance of 
my friend regarding his skill, so told him to aim for 
the junction of neck and shoulder and shoot both bar- 
rels at once. Soon the broadside was on, and I said, 
"Now." After much effort to pull trigger and a long 
wait, the old gun roared. The deer looked, hesitated 
a moment, saluted merrily with the flag, and was off. 
My friend looked up in amazement. I had listened in 
vain for the sharp rifle crack, and said, "What's the 
matter?" "I — I — guess I pulled the wrong trigger!" 
The rifle barrel was still cocked, and the unexploded car- 
tridge in place. The woods rang again^ but this time 
to explosions of laughter. He wants to try again next 
year, and as he is a good fellow he will be welcome in 
our camp. 
The game law, as it now stands, is neither respected 
or observed by a large number of the residents in the 
Adirondacks. Whether guides or other residents, the 
great niajority view the present law with disfavor. Its 
operation creates dissatisfaction about guiding and the 
opportunity to earn, and disgust as to the preservation 
of game. One guide told me, "For seven years before 
this law I had earned on an average $250 by this time, 
and now I have earned only $50." He had a family to 
support. Another guide with a family said, "The "deer 
are not worth anything to us, except what we can eat. 
Why should we take an interest in their preservation?" 
This is substantially the view of most. I was told. "Not 
one man in twenty thinks differently." Let it not be 
supposed that these views are peculiar and confined to 
some narrow locality. These statements represent con- 
versations with men from widely scattered places, and 
among the most noted hunting resorts. One guide 
said, "The law will have to be changed, or in ten years 
there will be no deer to speak of outside the private 
preserves." I beg, therefore, to suggest some provi- 
sions for a new game law. 
1. Open season, Aug. iS-Oct. 31, both inclusive. 
2. No person to be allowed to kill more than one 
deer each season; except a man with a family resident in 
the Adirondacks, to be allowed two deer. 
3. Jacking to be allowed Aug. 15-31, inclusive. 
4. Hounding to be allowed Sept. 2S-Oct. 15, inclusive. 
Only bucks to be killed before the hounds. 
_ I am aware that these provisions are liable to oppo- 
sition; nevertheless, I believe such a law would make 
for the real preservation of the deer, and I beg to offer 
the following considerations in support of the sugges- 
tions: 
1. Such a jaw would suit that large class of sportsmen 
who are obliged to take their vacation in August and 
return home early in September. 
2. Would suit the many who believe in hounding. 
3. Would give opportunity for selection of bucks 
and sparing of does. (A few years ago, during a big hunt 
with dogs, seven does were thus spared in one day.) 
4. Would suit the still-hunter by giving him the best 
of the season. 
5. Would greatly lessen the liability o.f the accidental 
shooting of men in the woods. 
6. Would suit the great majority of residents in the 
Adirondacks, whose sympathy with the game law and its 
enforcement are indispensable to that end and to the 
preservation of our noble game. Many said to me this 
fall, "Such a law as you propose would be respected 
and generally observed." 
7. Would promote the happiness and well-being of 
the greatest number, which is the professed object of all 
law. , Juvenal. 
In Camp on Spanish Peak^ 
Once upon a time five of us had got together at my 
ranch on Rita Azul, Colorado, and had been on a suc- 
cession of hunts during October and November. We 
had killed deer, turkeys, mountain grouse, and a good 
deal of time. We at last rounded up at the home ranch 
with a wagon load of game, and very tired, so the boys 
concluded when I proposed to go to Trinidad and sell 
what meat we did not want that I had better go, and 
decided that they would stay at home and rest. We 
skinned out about thirty hindquarters of deer and ante- 
lope, and Madam Inez "(my home cook), an Indian lady 
of uncertain age and by no means an uncertain temper) 
put each one separately in a clean 50-pound flour sack. 
We put some hay in a big wagon, laid in an open wagon 
sheet and packed the venison carefully so as not to 
bruise it; also eighteen grouse and about a half dozen 
turkeys; then covered them with the rest of the sheet 
and my camp blankets to keep the dust out. On top of 
the load went two big bucks whole, and it was ready. 
My foreman, Miguel, hitched up two Texas ponies and I 
saddled another. Dearden, Ted and York each gave me 
a list of what they wanted, and we pulled out. 
I rode in the wagon to keep my horse fresh, and just 
before we got to town I dug up some of the grouse and 
tied a couple on each deer horn and laid two turkeys 
- between the deer. It pays to have a load look attractive. 
I got on my pony, who was fresh and felt just lovel3^ 
and we drove into town and stopped before Davis & 
Sherman's supply store. I did not want anything just 
then, but we wanted the load to attract attention. Miguel 
held the horses and looked as wise as possible, while I 
went in and got a cigar and saw Smith, the chief clerk. 
When I came out my load was being looked over by 
several men who were asking Miguel questions. I knew 
them all but two men who were examining the deer. 
One of the strangers was a big. rosy, red-faced man, the 
other was small, thin and wiry looking; both were dressed 
in corduroys that fitted though they were old and camp 
ai d travel stained. "Is this your wagon?" inquired the 
little man. "Where did you get the game?" 
"Killed it forty to eighty miles' east of here." 
"What have -ou got?" 
"Thirty hindquarters of venison, aix turkeys, eighteen 
mountain grouse, and the two bucks." 
"Did you and the Mexican kill them?" ' 
"Not all of them. There are five of us that hunt to- 
gether. We killed these and mora in the last ten days." 
"Are you a cattleman?" 
"Well, yes, I guess so; I have got a ranch and about 
150 head." 
"Oh, you are a Yankee, ain't you?" 
"Yes; but whv did you think so." 
"Because you said guess instead of reckon. I would 
like to see you this evening and make your acquaintance." 
He dug up a card which said, "Lieut. W " and 
handed it to me and I told him my name and told him 
that the only card I had on me was the ace of spades. 
He looked a little queer and the rosy man grinned. 
"If you hadn't said you were a Yankee, I wouldn't 
have offered you that card." And I at once apologized, 
and told him that I was only jokin!y, and that I had a card 
case at home, bat that most people here do not use them. 
They went away Avith an "Au revoir" from the rosy 
man, who seemed to understand me and I knew we 
would be friends if we ever got acquainted. The little 
man was a trifle stiff, like most army officers. After I 
had given away a little game to a few friends, we sold 
the rest to a butcher for about $60. Miguel went to the 
Mexican quarters to see his Compadre with five Mexican 
dollars in his tobacco pouch, and I went to the hotel, 
where I met Messrs. W. and T. They wanted to go up 
to the head of the Purgatoire (Rio de Las Animas) on 
a hunt; were expecting an eastern man on the stage that 
night and wanted me to go up there with them in a day 
or two. "Well, gentlemen, I will tell you how I am 
fixed. My three hunting companions are down on my 
ranch; I can't go without them. We have a big outfit 
of wagons .and horses. If you would like to have us all 
go. I guess they would like to go along. I have an Eng- 
lishman named Dearden, Ted Harwood, Gen. Harwood's 
brother, my most intimate friend, and Addison J. Whit- 
man, commonly called New York. He is a cowboy who 
is a good hunter. They are all good fellows. York works 
for me summers, Dearden i-s rich and is trying to pay our 
expenses, though we don't let him always, but is very 
peculiar — as clean as a cat, bathes every day, and is 
rather fussy. He is paying New York wages at present, 
though I don't know exactly what for. Pretty much all 
York does is take off his hat and look wise when he does 
anj'^thing for him, and Dearden accepts it without a smile. 
I am — " Then I told them who I was. 
Mr. W. studied a moment. I thought he was study- 
ing expenses, and told him, "If the boys go they will have 
a wagon and separate outfit and I don't expect you to 
pay any of their expenses." 
"I was not thinking about that. T. and I can get along" 
with anyone; but, excuse me for saying it, you people 
seem to be a queer combination, and our other man is — 
well I am not well acquainted with him. He will be my 
guest and I want him to have a good time." 
"Well, I don't know; but if the boys want to go I'll 
take chances, and if Mr. X don't like my style I'll fetch 
you back to Trinidad at any time." 
"All right. When can we start?" 
"I'll start Miguel for home in half an hour and the 
boys will probably be here to-morrow night and start 
the next morning." 
I found Miguel in a Mexican tendahoon (saloon) dis- 
cussing various things with his Compadre, told him what 
I had done, and in a few minutes he rode up to the hotel 
on my pet horse, took my letter to the boys and disap- 
peared down the road bound for the ranch. 
"You seem to have that Mexican well trained," said 
T. 
"No, he is my friend, He would do anything I asked 
him to; but I also generally do anything he asks me to 
do for him. He is my cook. A good hunter. None 
better. Honest and a good man in the way that a Mexi- 
can is good." 
"Is there good hunting at the head of Purgatoire?" 
"Yes. Sometimes very good when the deer commence 
to come down from the snowy range for winter, and this 
is about the time. I propose, if it suits you, to camp near 
the head of the north fork of the Purgatoi.re, between the 
Spanish Peaks and the snowy range. There is timber, 
good water and the deer cross from one mountain to the 
other quite often." 
W. went to iiis room and T. and I went out down town 
and proceeded to get acquainted. I took him to every 
place of interest I knew in town, wise and otherwise. He 
was a very nice fellow, and at about 12 o'clock we finished 
the evening by going into a Chili restaurant and eating 
some tamales and a bowl of chili, and went home to the 
hotel to bed. 
Barlow & Sanderson's stage from Kit Carson rolled up 
at about 7 next morning, and Mr. X. alighted with a 
travel-sta-'ned grip and a .45-70 Sharp's rifle in a well- 
worn leather case. I am not going to describe him for 
you, Mr. Reader, might know him, and I am going to 
tell a true story. I respect him for his good qualities and 
I never will go hunting with him again for reasons which 
I will hereafter set forth in this story. In all probability 
he' would rather go out with five Brazilian apes than go 
again with our crowd. He was duly introduced to me. 
We had several mutual acquaintances in the East, but I 
didn't talk much to him. He had been on the stage from 
noon one day till 7 A. M. next morning without sleep; 
but after a bath and breakfast he was as fresh as a daisy, 
and looked fit to fight his weight in wildcats. We went 
down street and he and W. proceeded to buy supplies 
for a two weeks' hunt. W had a tent and camp outfit 
and they proposed to hire Miguel if he came back as a 
cook. I told them that Miguel would be back at 5 
p. M. if he was alive and his horse didn't get away from 
him. He came to the hotel at about 4. on my horse, and 
driving his hunting jackass packed with his blankets and 
mine, and my 12x14 tent with the poles dragging Indian 
fashion. Diabalo (the burro) looked rather sad, as 
Miguel had cracked him 'hrough at a fast gait for thirty 
miles, and my good little horse was a little tired. When 
X. saw old Miguel with his long muzzleloading rifle 
across the saddle in its case of buckskin, with its long 
cleaning rod sticking out of the muzzle, and his foot- 
long kn'fe in his belt, he smiled for the first time. 
"Is that your man, Mr. D ?" 
"Yes." . 
"Well, if he is as good as he looks we will have a 
good hunt. Can he talk English?" 
"No, not much; but he can understand if you talk 
slowly and distinctly. Do you speak Spanish, Mr. X?" 
"No." 
I didn't tell him so, but I was glad of it. 
"Where are the boys, Miguel?" 
"Coming, will be here in an hour. In the big wagon; 
York is driving the saddle horses; Ted is on the wagon; 
Al. is asleep." 
"Go put up the burro and Lead." Lead was my horse; 
his full name was Leader because he used to lead a band 
of horses, but his pet name was Lead. I will not tell 
you all his good qualities, but I hooe to see his bright 
eyes and his beautiful form again when I end this weary 
journey and take my place in the happy hunting grounds 
with Miguel and my other friends, good men and true, 
that have gone before and left me here alone — for I am 
old in years though still young in spirit, and they are 
almost all gone. 
The wagon came in after awhile. The boys went to 
clean up while I took their wagon down to the store and 
put in the supplies that Dearden saw fit to order. When 
I came to supper, I introduced the gang to each other, 
and we proceeded to get acquainted. Mr. X cottoned to 
Ted and my little Englishman, but I could see he didn't 
like me one bit. Perhaps I talked too much. T., York 
and I went out after supper and did the town, ably 
assisted by Miguel, and had a funny time. I hate to go 
to bed and equallv hate to get up. and wh-.n the boy 
called me next morning and I had driven him away and 
York came un. he told me that Mr. X. ■ as anxious to 
start. So I told him to hitch up and pull with the wagons 
and Miguel; that they could all start if they wajited to, 
only leave me Lead and my saddle and that I'd be there 
by the time they .^ot ready to camp. Miguel knew the 
road. I still felt sleepy, and so sleot some more and got 
up and at dinner put on my old clothes and by dark rode 
into camp. They were all there, well up the north fork, 
camped in a beautiful saucer-shaped meadow by the side 
of the swift-running water imder some big cottonwoods. 
The camp looked homelike as I rode up. W.'s tent, 
Dearden's little bedroom tent and my old big one were 
all up, and I could smell meat broiling and the delicious 
aroma of good coffee and frying bacon. The horses were 
eating grass, they had all been fed grain and Miguel's 
burro was standing tied to a tree, and occasionally 
sounding his trumpet with a loud hee-haw. 
I told the boys that we had better move six miles up 
stream to within about a mile of its head; and in the 
morning we moved and camped in a glade of about 
twenty acres, with the stream running through it at the 
southwest corner of the southern Soanish Peak. There 
was good hunting all around. There are some mountain 
sheep around the Peaks. At that time they were not 
protected by law, and Ted and I crawled around on those 
confounded old mountains for three days after them, and 
then we got a stand on six. Ted killed a ram at about 
200 yards with his .50 caliber needle gun; I devoted my- 
self to a fat, dry doe and she fell over a bank about 
forty feet and was, as Ted said, "Somewhat mushed." 
We had to cut them up and pack them about two miles 
on our backs. The ledges were so rough that we made 
two trips, and hung the meat in a mountain oak. Ted 
took his horns into camp and I packed in a hindnuarter 
of the doe for a change of meat. Mr. X. killed a black- 
tail deer the first day and one or more every day he was 
up there. But how he worked — up at 4 o'clock making 
life miserable to Miguel till he got breakfast, out before 
light on foot or horseback, not in till after dark. He had 
a wonderful sense of direction, and could come straight 
to camp in the dark from anywhere. W. and T. did not 
hunt much, but moved around w'th hammers and magni- 
fying glasses, pounding rocks and making notes. In the 
evening Ted. Dearden, York, Thompson and I used to 
play poker till quite late, and at times make a little noise. 
X said it reminded him of a pack of hounds in full blast, 
and that he couldn't hunt all day and stand such an infer- 
nal racket all night; so we moved our tent about 200 
yards on the other s'de of the little grove from 'X.'s, and 
continued our innocent pastimes. 
X, told Mr. W. that he didn't believe that I amounted 
to much as a hunter; he said that a man who played 
poker all night and slept half the day in a good hunting 
country had poor taste. It got to me, of course, next day, 
and it made me study some, for it was about true. So 
I told my troubles to Miguel. That night we went down 
to the Plaza, horseback, leading Diabolo; bought 200 
pounds of salt at five cents a pound, by the way, and 
took it up a side cation where there was a spring and 
an alkali lick that the deer used some, and salted the 
lick good. I knew that if X. didn't find it I'd be all 
right, so I got York to stall him off over toward the 
head of the Huerfano, northwest from camp, for a couple 
of days. X. almost walked the legs off poor York both 
days, but the deer found the salt and told their aunts, 
uncles and cousins all about it; and the evening I went 
there w'th Miguel the mud around the spring was all cut 
up with deer tracks. We took the big square camp lan- 
tern with a reflector and a heavy blanket to cover it, 
Dearden's 8-bore double shotgun and my rifle, Winches- 
ter model '73. We pickered the horses away back, and got 
on the bank about forty feet away from the spring, as 
far off the trails as we could get. The wind came down the 
canon in fitful blasts, and it was dark and inclined to be 
siormy. The rocks and banks made the air change and 
eddy at times and some of the deer got a smell of us, 
but finally they began to come in right, and when I 
punched Miguel with my foot he pulled off the blanket. 
The light glared down in to the lick and showed six or 
seven very much surprised blacktails. I got two and 
Miguel one out of that bunch. Then we went down and 
carried them up the lank before we bled them. We had 
a crack at several bunches before day, and when we 
hung them all up we had ten. Miguel had to go back 
to get breakfast, so we put for camp, and I went to bed. 
Miguel called me up for breakfast. I remarked that I 
thought that it was about time for me to go out and 
get a load of deer, for we must go home pretty soon. 
I got York to cook for the day in Miguel's place, and 
we went out and trimmed up the deer so that the buck- 
shot wouldn't show, and Miguel killed another buck with 
his own rifle. We then packed them all down to where 
we could reach them with a wagon, got them down to 
camp and had the forequarters out and the saddles hung 
up on a long pole by night. That evening we packed 
