S64 
FOREST AND STREAM, 
[Nov. 7. I903« 
K. M. Martin, Hamilton, on Aug. 11 caught a small-mouth 
black bass in Blackstone Harbor, length 18^^ inches, girth I2V2 
inches, weight 4 pounds 12 ounces. 
W. S. Howel!, New York, on July 24, caught a small-mouth 
black bass in Charleston Lake, length 21 inches, girth 14% inches, 
weight 4 pounds 12 ounces. 
R. J. Koffend, Orillia, on July 25, caught a small-niouth black 
bass in Lake Couchiching, length 21% inches, girth 14% inches, 
weight 4 pounds 9 ounces. 
E. N. Baer, Newcastle, Pa., on July 23 caught a small-mouth 
black bass in Clear Lake, length 21% inches, girth 16 inches, 
weight 4 pounds 8 ounces. 
Fred Barker, Toronto, on Aug. IS caught a small-mouth black 
bass, length 20 inches, girth 15 inches, weight 4 pouttds 4 
ounces. 
Rev. Dr. Lindsay, Rochester, on Aug. 28 caught a small-mouth 
black bass in Muskoka Lake, length 20% inches, girth 14% inches, 
weight 4 pounds 2 ounces. 
Geo. Hughes, Toronto, on Aug. 14 caught a small-mouth black 
bass in the Rouge River, length 18% inches, weight 3 pounds 
9 ounces. 
A Walk into the Wilds. 
This is merely the story of a trout fishing excLirsioii 
during which very few trout were caught, and those not 
remarlcable for size. In fact, the fishing was so poor 
that for most of the time we desisted from fishing en- 
tirely, and were content merely to lie about the camp, 
or leisurely stroll about in the unbroken forest "far from 
the madding crowd," and observe such signs of animal 
life as may be found in such a wilderness. So much as 
preface to the narrative. 
In May my brother and myself struck out. with pack,-, 
on back, to travel through the woods ten or fifteen mile.<; 
to Tea Creek, aiming to strike the headwaters of the 
East Fork. We had an interesting outing of three day;-., 
and caught many fish. In August, 1903, we set out over 
practically the same ground, and it is of this latter trip 
we write. Many men have made far greater journeys in. 
the course of a strenuous life, experienced sensations of 
greater fatigue and hunger than we, and remained silent. 
They may, too, have been more profoundly impressed 
with the "pleasure of the pathless wood" than we, yjt 
lacked the desire to transcribe their inmost thoughts on 
paper, so that all that run may read. 
The tribe or sect of Natm-e Worshippers. ho\vever,_ 
becoming more numerous every day, some by adoption 
and others to the manor born, and they yearn to ex- 
press something of that which we "can ne'er express, yet 
cannot all conceal." Of these Thoreau was the most 
brilliant exponent, evidenced by the esteem in which his 
hooks on nature study are in demand. 
All people have by them a means of locomotion, no 
matter how poor they be, that, if properly used, will carry 
them at very slight cost into a fairyland of enchantment, 
the world of outdoors. In other words, legs are made tr 
walk on. In no other way than by walking can one 
achieve that absolute freedom of movement, a kinship to 
the wild animals and savages, with their magnificent de- 
velopment and endurance. 
We set out at 4 A. M. strong in purpose to reach our 
destination by noon, and begin the sport. This we ac- 
complished by hard walking over very steep_ and rough 
ground, through all but impassable thickets, interspersed 
with fallen timber. We aimed to strike the "low place" 
on Spruce Knob (S,ooo feet), where in a very small area 
the head springs of Tea Creek, Laurel Creek, and 
Crooked Fork of Elk River are found; and the unwary 
woods runner is apt to follow either of these streams by 
mistake. A "blaze" is to be looked for in this "low 
p.lace," which leads in rather a circuitous manner on to 
the waters of Tea Creek. This high mountain is a resort 
for bear. We observed the fresh tracks of a bear in a 
muddy place, and also saw where one had lain in the 
weeds. 
We located the "blazed trail," which in due course of 
time brought us to the fishing grounds. 
But so far as fishing went, wc were foredoomed to dis- 
.•ippointment. Our most diligent eft'orts failed to secure 
more than a dozen small trout. We hastened to camp ai 
the forks and falls, where a log shack was built twenty 
years ago by a man who acted as claim protector for a 
large tract of land owned by a syndicate. .A. wilder O: 
more beautiful spot could not be i nagined. The ]5lace is 
wholly remote from any route of travel, only reached by- 
hard trailing over rough mountains, or following the bed 
of the still rougher stream. 
We made our camp here for two nights, and while w 
suffered privations from the -lack of bread and othc • 
things to eat, thoroughly enjoyed the "boundless coi- 
tiguity of shade." 
Upon visiting a deer lick near by, we found the fres'i 
and muddy tracks of a deer. Wc observed that aftc- 
taking up our abode in the camp various species of Iiirc's 
that inhabit the deeper woods came and lingered abou 
the camp, as though attracted by tlie proximity of huma.i 
beings, or by curiosity. . 
Aside from getting wood, doing the necessary cookmg, 
bathing in the large pool below the falls, our time wa ^ 
partly occupied in inscribing on a «>g of the shaci-;, 
smoothed with the ax, the following sentiments: 
"A book of verses underneath tlie bough,, 
A Jug of Wine, a loaf of bread, and Thou 
Beside me singing in the Wilderness, 
Ah, Wilderness were Paradiss enow!" 
Also : 
"There is a pleasure in the pathless wood; 
There is a rapture on the lonely shore; 
Tliere is society where none intrude 
By the lone sea, and miisic in its roar; 
I love not man the less, but Nature more. 
Krom these our solitudes in which we stray, 
Frotn what we may be, or have been before; 
To mingle with the Universe, and tell 
What we can ne'er express, yet not all conceal." 
May we never get too old, or bound by the conver> 
tionalities and love of ease, to appreciate the peculiar 
ecstasy of "running wild" in the woods for a season, 
even only a day or two at a time. Surely we ought tn 
take time to examine and admire the natural world which 
the Creator pronounced "very good." 
The reminiscent pleasure of the trip is much added lo 
- by the photographs we were able to secure with the lit- 
tle pocket kodak that accompanies us on all our ex- 
. cursions as a matter of course. These souvenirs help in 
a wonderful way to recall the scenes and experiences of 
the past. The picture catches the "fleeting shadow," and 
freshens the image in the mind j'ears after. The 
memories of a life rich in varied experiences and worthy 
deeds is the base of the formation of a noble character; 
just as the reverse of ignoble deeds weighs down the 
mind to lower degrees of degradation. 
On the morning of the third day we set out for the set- 
tlements. By this time the grub was out, and breakfast 
was very light. In our hurry to get back to the base of 
supplies, we struck out by what we figured to be a nearer 
way, and on top the mountain found ourselves above the 
clouds and really lost. After trying for some time .'to 
get a direction, we struck ' dowh the first waterway, 
Near view of part of falls." 
though we realized it was taking us back toward the 
starting point, and after six hours' walking we struck 'J'ea 
Creek again, about one mile below, the- Forks! The 
stream proved to be the Twin Licks Run^ and wc; man- 
aged to get a number of trout from it. At the mouth of 
this rtm we were fifteen miles from home, which distance 
we walked by the "long," but familiar, way, arriving at 
7 P. M. We estimated the day's travel over very, rough 
country at thirty-five to forty miles. ■ ■ 
Judged by the hard standards of actual achievement, 
net much is accomplished b\' such a trip. - But the 
CAMP AT THE FORKS — ^PRIMORDIAL, . MAN. 
senses of .seeing, hearing and smelling are trained to sen- 
sitiveness; the body made used to endurance, and "hard 
as nails," fit to enjoy living. ' ^ 
We have observed that after a few days spent in the 
woods and with their scent in ;our nostrils, we could dis- 
tinguish smells, and almost follow a deer by scent, we 
have imagined. The bushmen of Australia are said to 
possess unusual olfactory powers, almost equal to that of 
tlie dog, and follow game by trailing with eye and nose. 
Nature equalizes her gifts by giving to one species keen- 
ness of vision, to another acuteness of hearing, smelling, 
etc. ; and each is developed by the needs and enviroii- 
ment of the individual — an "evoltition of sense.". 
Most of us cannot, like Thoreau, walk four hours daily 
in the woods and fields for we have employments that exact 
nvr licst cliforts; but we can occasionally experience the 
feeling of the priiwrdial man by .a walk into the wilds. 
Norman ,R. Price, M.D. 
West Virginia. 
All communications for Forest and Stream must 
be directed to Forest and Stream Pub. Co., New 
York, to reoeive attention,' We have no other o£&ce. 
MassachusettslFish aad^Gatr'* 
^ Boston, Mass., Oct. 31.— Editor Forest 
The work of distributing the product of the hatcheries 
and aviarifes by the Massachusetts Commissioners for _ the 
year is"iiearly completed. In addition to the 90,000 finger- 
ling trout mentioned in a former letter, there have been 
distributed 1,000,000 trout fry, 2,500,000 pike perch fry, 
400 Mongolian pheasants, and 200 Belgian hares, these 
figures of eac^h variety being about double those of any 
previous year. With each consignment a deputy is sent 
to see that they fall into proper hands and are put out 
in a suitable manner so as best to serve the purpose 
fpr^v^hich the State maintains its rearing establishments.' 
All this is an advance on the method of distribution .in 
vogue a . few years ago. The Commissioners express 
themselves as highly gratified with their success in pheas- 
ant rearing, and (in addition to those distributed) are 
holding 125 yotuig birds over to be liberated in the 
spring. The birds are sent out in flocks of from six to 
ten in suitable boxes, and grain is scattered about before 
they are liberated so as to induce them to remain about 
the locality where they get their first taste of freedoin. 
A friend just returned from Warchani informs me that 
he saw three of these birds in the woods a mile Or two 
from the. village. Probablj'- those were birds that flew 
out of Mr. E. D. Jordan's preserve iti Plymouth, as I 
believe that is several miles nearer the spot where the 
birds were seen tlian any of the places to which birds 
haye been sent by the Commission. Among sportsmen 
who.se views I haye learned there seems to be less doubt 
of the ability of the birds to stand the cold of our win- 
ters than of their substantial value as game birds, Some 
say they are "runners," and will not flush well before a 
dog. However that may be, in case they become plenti- 
ful, they, .yvil I .fiirnish an added attraction, , to the covers 
and by-ways. , In the report Of the Coiiimissioh for 1902, 
Capt. Co.llins snys:, "There is no. apparent reason ,why 
the Mongolian pheasant should not do almost as well 
here, a? in Orego'n, where it is concededly the foremost 
game bird of the State," That those which have been 
liberated the past few years aire breeding, aiid in many 
cases rearing large broods in a wild state, there is no 
doubt. 
At New Bedford several Sunday gunners at Fall River 
have just been fined in the district court. The violations 
occurred at Horse Neck Beach in Westport. Six inen 
were "pinched," among them Mr- J- F- Sullivan, a proini- 
n< nt mill official, and .Mr. A. A. McCaulis, secretary of 
the Fall Riyer Boa.rd of Trade. 
On Sunday last, the reservoirs in Winchester in the 
neighborhood of the "Fells" were bedded with thousands, 
of game birds. The birds seem to be aware that within 
the limits of the reservation they are protected, and theix 
(hey congregate, assured of a "haven of rest." Within 
the last few years several reservations have been estab- 
lished by the Massachusetts Legislature, includiiTg the 
upper portions of Mount Wachusett, Mount Tom'' (pro- 
visionally), and Greylock. Several trustees of these lands 
liaye been on a vi.sit to Berkshire the past week, among 
them President Elliott, of Cambridge, Mr. John Wood- 
bury, secretary of the Metropolitan Park Convui'ssion, 
ajicl Charles .Rackeman, pf Boston. While tlie.-e reiicr- 
vit'ions !Were not 'Set . apjirt for the express' purpose' of 
g:i.me preservation, they will un.questionably prove valu- 
?h\e .as. game refuges, and .will contribute in no slight 
degree to tlie, increase of game, in the country surround- 
ing them. As an illustration, it is recalled that the 
regions arornd the Blue Hills Reservation, consisting of 
several tho.usand acres, have had a great iiacrease in the 
?b;nadance of auail since the Hills became a part of the 
park system of Greater Boston. The sportsmen of the 
?.tate, foreseeing these benefits to bird and animal life, 
'I'ive been warm advocates of bills that' have come be- 
fore- our legislators from time to tifil* for the estab- 
lishment of reservations. For similar reasons the friends 
rf triie:, sport, shottid do all , in their power for the estab- 
lishment of national refuges for gatiae. 
,'^^nong• Massachusetts hunters recently returned from 
Maine with game are A. D. Thayer, of F'ranklin; F. H. 
Neal, S. A. Ordway, F. S. Snyder, and F, E. Woodruff, 
of Boston. Those who have secured a moose are J. B. 
Baxter, M. Crabtree, of Boston, and two Worcester 
sportsmen. T. FI. Wheeler, Boston, brought out a bear. 
Mr. and Mrs. H. W. Spaulding and several friends 
liave b^en occupying the private camps of Mr. W. W. 
Spaulding, . of Haverhill, at Lobster Lake for several 
days, and Mr. Spaulding has brought out two deer. 
The shipments from Bangor for the week ending Fri- 
day,, October 23, were 399 deer, 33 moose, and 4 bears. 
For the corresponding week of last year they were 550 
deer, 29 moose, 2 bears. The shipments of deer for the 
season up to that time show a falling off of 276 from 
those, of last year. 
A record load of game was brought into Machias by 
Messrs.. J. W. Day and H. E. Kilton. It consisted of an 
enormous bull moose, three buck deer, and a milk white 
doe, all shot in the vicinity of Chain of Lakes, a region 
noted for big game. Mr. Kelton had a thrilling expe- 
rience in getting the moose, his first shot, fired from his 
canoe, only maddening the beast. His second was a miss- 
fire, and then he was obliged to paddle for dear life. 
Finally he succeeded in sencHng a rifle ball into a vital 
spot of the animal, which put an end to the battle. The 
great preponderance of bucks brought in from the 
Kineo region, being about 3 to 7, indicates prime condi- 
tions for sport. _ _ ^ " 
One result to be expected from the license law is that 
hunters are showing unusual persistence in their efforts 
to secure a moose as well as their two deer. They will 
naturally go to those sections where moose are reported 
to be al3undant. Messrs. W. Fitch, of Winchester, and 
Charles Darling, of Boston, have gone into the woods 
from Patten, and Messrs. E. H, Gould and Dwight Fos- 
ter, of Beverly, have gone to Shin Pond and Seboois in 
the hope of securing moose. A comparison of reports 
from various sources indicates that the number of htm- 
ters in the Moosehead region is hardly half that of a 
year ago at this season, but nearly all have been quite 
successful in securing game. The first week of November 
is likely to witness a large accession to the number of 
visitors at the camps. Mrs. W. Fenlason, of Boston, is 
reported to be the first non-resident woman to secure a 
deer in that part of the State this year. 
FroTO New Hampshire comes a, report of a sad shoot- 
