406 
FOREST AND STREAM 
[Nov. ^1, 1903- 
On the Stream. 
he Menmt 
Editor Forest and Stream: 
As I read Forest and Stream from the outside of the 
iirst page to the last line on the back cover, ahnost, the 
articles on Kipling's "Red Gods" did not escape me, and 
I am "moveid to remark." 
I have read many of Kipling's v/ritings diligently and 
carefully, as some of my friends thought them to be of 
much worth; but disappointment has been mine in almost 
every case; as, to me, there was nothing grand, inspiring 
or even pleasing, where I had been led to expect much. 
I am moderately of Mr. Brown's opinion in regard to 
the lines he criticises. To me there is nothing pleasing in 
a landscape where burnt timber is the most prominent 
feature, while "raw right-angled" doesn't fitly describe any 
iog-jam I ever met. (I hauled around and over several 
this summer.) 
A "bar of sun-warmed shingle" isn't so bad as calling" 
a big-mouthed bass a trout, as is done in the south. I 
would rather repose on a grassy bank in the shade of 
even a burned tree, in the majority of cases, at the time 
of the year that I go trout fishing. It's a softer seat and 
more conducive to dreams. 
"Shod canoe poles" I pass, as I never heard one, and 
my experience was all confined to ten hours of one day. 
There were four of us, my brother, J. A., his com- 
panion, the professor; "Old Ike," his last name is Watson, 
and no mean fisherman, either, and myself, cruising in 
two sailing canoes bound for Lake Superior ; but when we 
got to the mouth of the St. Mary's River, "The wind 
it hauled ahead, so we kept her full and by and laid her 
to the wind just as close as she would lie" (I heard two 
sailors sing that over twenty years ago), bringing up at 
the mouth of the Massassauga River about sixty miles 
east of Detour. 
Here we heard from some lumbermen who had just 
come down with the drive, of a lake "up country" thai 
was full of large trout. One man had caught a grain sack 
full on a Sunday. 
A council of war was immediately called in the store 
near by of the H. B. F. Co., whose agent became ours till 
the professor had bought a birch bark canoe (price $6) 
and hired an Indian ; Old Ike had hired an Indian and 
canoe, while J. A. and I declared thai where one Indian 
could paddle his craft two white men could follow, the 
agent letting us have his own canoe. 
We paddled and portaged and then paddled some more, 
till one morning the "silent smoky Indians" (they 
laughed, shouted and sang, and were very jolly after get- 
ting acquainted) appeared with four cedar poles. 
"Hello, Dave," called Watson to his Indian, "what are 
those for?" 
"Lots of rapids to-day, got to pole." 
■"How far do we get to-day?" 
"Mebbe ten mile." 
This was new work to J. A. and me; but we allowed 
that where one S. S. I. could pole, tAvo while men could. 
However, we were careful to be the last to embark. 
"Racing stream" is good. No other word so perfectly 
describes what we negotiated that day ; but it needed occa- 
sionally the adjective "roaring," where a slip of the pole 
meant a smashed canoe if not worse; and the poles could 
not have been heard to click had they been big as top- 
masts and shod with cannon balls. 
Of course our poles were not shod, and were thrown 
overboard the minute we got through with" them. I be- 
lieve, though, that a shod pole could be heard some little 
distance under some conditions, as I know that a pike 
pole striking stones gives out a sharp sound, which, how- 
ever, I am certain would be absolutely drowned by a 
racing stream combined with a log-jam if they were in 
the near vicinity. 
Kipling's "log-jam at tlie end" may have been any dis- 
tance from the "bar." 
Hemlock, fir, spruce, and even cedar may be, and are, 
all right if you have someone to pull them for you. We 
used to cut them when we were young and romantic; laler 
we just spread our blankets and slept, never more soundly. 
When "l am reading Forest and Stream I am often 
tempted to .seize my pen and walk on the writer of some 
article. For instance, birch bark canoes as built by the 
Indians, as described in the issue of October 10 under the 
title of "Canadian Indians Buih First Canoes." 
I'll just quote a little: "Eighteen feet long and more 
than four feet wide," "weighs about fifty pounds !"^_ "The 
white man has never improved much on the fashion of 
canoe building set by the red man." "A canoe built at 
Sunnyside is stronger than a bark canoe at the expense of 
being twice as heavj'." 
As well say that my split bamboo rod, a,utomatic reel, 
silkTine, gut leader, and flies at $1 to $1.50 a dozen were 
not an improvement on the Indian's cedar pole and bone 
hook. 
I feel that I am becoming irritated and may be tenipted 
to say that it is bad enough toi read such things in the 
Brooklyn Eagle, but worse to see them^ copied in Fore.st 
AND Stream, especially in the canoeing daparlment, and 
can only account for it by supposing that the canoeing 
editor is where-I wish I could be— in a canoe off hunting. 
"Well, well," as the old Quakeress .snid to her husband, 
"all. the world is queer but thee and me, dear; and some- 
times even thee is a little queer." V, E. M. 
Tkaverse City, Mich. 
A Bigf Mttscaltingfe. 
Theresa, N. Y., Nov. ii.— Dr. J. E. Kelsey, of this 
place, has just reported to me that a muscalunge weigh- 
ing 52 pounds was caught in Muscalunge Lake yesterday 
by a Mr. Brown, who resides at the head of that lake^ 
which is about three-quarters of a mile from the foot of 
Red Lake, where I have spent two months of my vacation 
this season. J. L. Davison. 
FIxtfjra. 
FIELD TRIALS. 
Nov. 23.— Robinson, 111.— American Championship Field Trial 
Association trials. H. S. Humphrey, Sec'y, Indianapolis, Ind. 
Nov. 30.— Chase, City, Va.— Virginia Field Trial Association 
trials. Charles B. Cooke, Sec'y, Richmond. Va. 
Dec. 1.— Clay City, Ind.— Indiana Field Trial Club trials. C. F. 
Young, Sec'y. 
Dec. 5.— Thomasville, Ga.— Continental Field Trial Club trials. 
John White, Sec'y, Hempstead, N. Y. 
All communications for Forest and Stream rnust 
be directed to Forest and Stream Pub. Co., New 
Yofkj tp receive attention. We have no other office. 
The Maryland Field Trials. 
Chesapeake Beach, Md., Nov. 9. — This picturesque 
place, which was destined to outrival Monte Carlo, was 
the scene of the first annual and successful field trials 
of the Maryland and District of Columbia Association. 
It is beautifully situated on the western shore overlook- 
ing the Chesapeake Bay, with its glistening sandy forlorn 
race track, countless outbuildings of stables, casinos, and 
boardwalks that recall the palmy days of Coney Island 
(but without the crowd). An ideal hotel and club house 
Avith modern conveniences, all bespeaking an outla}-- of 
thousands of dollars, the grim shadows of which mean 
money lost in an investment that died an unnatural 
death. Arrangements had been made for a special train 
connection with Washington and Baltimore at Hyatts- 
ville, and it was a happy and jolly crowd that met with 
the best dogs that this section could produce. 
The hunting ground covered 3,500 acres, through a sec- 
tion of rough hills and swamps that proved poor ground 
for field trials. Owing to lack of cultivation the fields 
were overgrowm Avith dense sedge grass and weeds, 
v/hich impressed the members that birds can only be 
found in numbers where food can be had. 
Monda3^ the first day, was an ideal one as to weather. 
The Derby for dogs whelped in 1902 was the only event 
decided, owing to the late arrival of the train. Promptly 
at noon the judge, Mr. Royal Robinson, of Washington, 
announced that the start would be made. 
Only iowr dogs were entered, and it took until dark 
to adjudge the winner. The entries were Rappahannock, 
owned by R. E. Seeger; Count, owned by George Dobbin 
Penniman, and Lady Lou, owned by Grayson H. Gent, of 
Baltimore, and Bird West, owned by Mr. J. L. McCor- 
mick, Trappe, Md. 
First — Count, a setter by Scamp, out of Polly. Comit 
is owned by Mr. George Dobbin Penniman. 
Second — Bird West, a setter bitch, by Pennington's 
Dash, out of Bird Wise, by Document, owned by Dr. J. 
L. McCormickj of Trappe, Md. 
Third — Lady Lou, a pretty little setter gip, owned by 
Grayson H. Gent. 
Fourth — Rappahannock, a pointer, by , Billdad, out of 
Sappho, owned by R. E. Seeger. 
The first brace was put down at i :io. Monday, within 
half a mile of club house. 
Count, a setter by Scamp, and Rappahannock, a pointer 
by Billdad. The pointer being in bad form was out- 
classed; yet both dogs showed well, the setter more in 
ranging. After an hour and forty minutes neither dog 
had pointed. Birds were flushed in the swamp but the 
judge could not see the dogs. 
The crowd following the handlers was ordered to go 
slower, and nearly all being new men at field trials it was 
not reasonable to expect that the trials would be run 
without some breaks. 
The second brace was started immediately after the 
judge ordered the first dogs to be taken up. They were 
more successful, running into a covey of ten birds ten 
minutes after the start. The dogs were Lady Lou and 
Bird West. Bird West scented the covey, and, while 
circling them. Lady Lou came up and found them. Bird 
West went to a point, and Lady Lou immediately back 
stood, the pair making a beautiful picture. They were 
held that Avay for about a minute, when their handlers 
shot over the birds. 
The judge could not decide the winner, because both 
were perfect, and the search was continued. Bird West 
pointed two more single birds, while Lady Lou was un- 
successful, thus giving Bird West the victory. The final 
trial, between Bird West and Count, only lasted about 
a half hour. Count getting the prize through his indi- 
viduality. The day's sport ended wn'th the deciding for 
Ihe thii-d and fourth prizes between Rappahannock and 
Lady Loit, the latter getting the third prize. Rappahan- 
nock was sick and in poor form, tliis^ being the excuse 
for him not doing better. The north and northwestern 
section of the beach were the directions selected for to- 
day's trials, and it was learned afterward that the birds 
were more plentiful to the south. Judge Robinson said 
after the trials, considering the briers and brush encoun- 
tered, all of the dogs did fairly well. About twenty-five 
people, mostly from Baltimore, followed, the dogs, and 
Avhen the visitors returned to the hotel they were glad 
to take a rest. Those who came down in the Baltimore 
party were: T. C. Dodge and W. L. Kidwell, of Wash- 
ington; G. H. Gent, William R. Armstrong, Dr. H. P. 
Hill, John T. Higgens, T. W. Lloyd, F. C. Arthur, Henry 
W. Walker, George Dobbin Pennhnan, McDonald R. 
Kemp, and George P. Mordecai, of Baltimore; J. L. Mc- 
Cormick, of Trappe, Md. ; Roland T. Seeger, Joseph A. 
Abbott, of Baltimore. 
Tuesday was a beautiful morning, but the scenting 
conditions were poor, the day being warm, the earth dry 
and dusty. Such conditions were rather discouraging, 
yet an enthusiastic crowd followed the trials, which were 
begun promptly at 8:30 o'clock. Rox, an English setter, 
the property of Mr. G. L. Nicholson, of Washington, and 
Mr. Philip T. Hall's pointer Roy were the dogs selected 
to goon the first brace. From the call of the judge until 
they were ordered in, the dogs worked in a most diligent 
manner. Both showed much independence and ranged 
very widely. At the end of forty-five minutes, during 
Avhich time neither dog managed to get a point, the judge 
called the pair in. 
The pair drawn for the second brace were Dr. J. L. 
McCormick's Mack Ewing and W. R. Armstrong's Dan 
of Woodcliff, After working tweiity-fi,ve minutes Maclc 
Ewing came upon a scent and he pointed beautifullij 
He flushed at the order of the judge, and it was seen thai 
he had sent up a woodcock. Dr. McCormick brouglil 
down the bird in fine style. The work of Dr. McCorf 
mick's animal was excellent throughout. During th] 
next twenty-five minutes neither dog came upon anything 
and they were called in. 
The pair of the third brace was Dr. McCormick' 
liandsome setter Jim Thompson and T. C. Dodge's Couri 
Rex of Heathcote. The dogs worked well, but there wai 
"nothin' doin' " in the way of birds, and during thi 
three-quarter-hour hunt neither animal scared up a singi 
bird. 
The party had by this time traversed a distance of fiv? 
miles to the northeast of the city. Lunch was taken, an- 
al 12 :3o the trials were again resumed. The pair selects 
were again resumed. The pair selected for this turn wa 
T. Conrad Dodge's Flash of Heathcote and Dr. H. P' 
Hill's pointer Dan C. The dogs had been out only 
short time when two coveys were flushed. 
The next pair to go out and try conclusions was Mr 
Martin McCormick's English setter Tramp and Mr. Syl 
vester D. Judd's Mallwyd Prince. They did excellen 
v\'ork. and were followed by the pair that ran the lasi 
brace. They were Mr. Sylvester D. Judd's Florenc* 
Price and Dr. B. Holly Smith's pointer Nero. 
A meeting of the board of governors took place las^ 
night, after which the annual meeting of the associatioi 
was held. The following officers were elected : Georg 
D. Penniman, of Baltimore, President ; T. Conrad Dodge 
of Washington, Vice-President ; William R. Armstrong 
of Baltimore, Secretary-Treasurer. The above, with th, 
following, constitute the Board of Governors : Philip 1 
Flail, of Washington; J. Alden Houston, George P. Mot 
decai, Franklin Upshur, B. F. Westcott, Grayson H 
Gent, of Baltimore; Royal Robinson and H. L. Nichol 
son, of Washington, and Dr. J. L. McCormick, of Trappf 
Maryland. 
The grounds are probably as good as can be found i 
Maryland, and with the sowing of grain food wouL' 
undoubtedly make an ideal field trial grounds. The wors 
feature is the swamp and thicket where the single biri, 
work is done. Mr. Royal Robinson, the judge, was ver; 
liberal and painstaking, and gave his entire attentio: 
gratis. President George Dobbin Penniman, who bean 
a striking resemblance to President Roosevelt, was 
conspicuous figure during the trials. The success of th 
meet in a great measure is due to efficient work 0 
Mr. T. Conrad Dodge and Judge Robinson, of Washing 
ton, D. C, who arranged for the grounds and accommo 
dations of the members and visitors. 
Jno. T. Higgins. 
81 
A Case of Adoption. 
Seymour, Texas.^ — The quail are very plentiful in ou 
part of the country this fall, and there being plenty o 
cover they lie well. While out last Tuesdaj'^ with m- 
pointer Bob, I had rather a novel experience. Bob i 
usually very steady, and seldom m2,kes a false poinl. W 
had fotmd several coveys of birds, so when the dog bcga 
to road along the creek we were on I got ready for an 
olher bunch. As he approached the creek bank he pointec 
drew, and pointed again, finallj^ coming to a fuU stop an 
straightening out. I had moved up almost to him whe 
the worst scared coyote I ever saw got out of the cree 
bottom and left the country as if he had a lighted bom- 
attached to his tail. Bob appeared to be nearly as dum" 
founded as I was. He was somewhat crestfallen, ai 
quite doubtful of that creek while we were on it. 
A few days ago one of my foxhound bitches whelped 
shortly afterward she lay on three of her puppies, whic 
were removed. But the bitch seemed exceptionally nei 
vous about their loss, counting the remainder over an 
over, and finally getting for them around the kenr.e 
She did this a number of times, but finally seemed sati- 
fied they were gone for good. 
The next afternoon a Scotch deerhound bitch whelijec 
and at the first sound from the pups the foxhound, QueeJl 
became half crazy, and made several efforts to get to thda 
through the kennel partition. I stayed with the deelH 
hound till supper, when I was obliged to leave for aboi 
fifteen minutes. I left the one puppy Avhich had com 
rolled up in a blanket for fear of its being crushed durini 
my absence. On coming back the pup had gone — wher 
I could not imagine till I found that Queen had somehoi 
got to it, and, taking it from within the blanket, cor 
veyed it to her own apartments, where it was curled u! 
with her pups apparently perfectly satisfied. 
[Bob's point w^as an odd one, but we think not une> 
ampled. We have heard of quail dogs pointing deer thv; 
lay close, and it is a common experience to see dogs poit 
a cat, a skunk, a turtle, a snake, or a hen. In many c 
these cases the dog unquestionably meets with a scei, 
which he does not recognize, and stops, endeavoring t 
locate the object emitting the odor and to discover wh; 
it is. This, we presume, was the case with Bob. I, 
traveling over the ground which he hunts, the dog mu. 
meet with many odors, some so familiar as to be at one 
recognized, others totally strange to him. We know s 
little about the sense of smell in the "lower animals," an] 
about the sensations conveyed to the brain through tb 
olfactory nerves, that almost all theorizing on this sul 
ject must be based on conjecture.] 
fl 
11 
^ Take inventory of the good things in this issue 
^ of Forest and Stream. Recall what a fund was 
given last week. Count on what is to come next 
Q week. Was there ever in all the world a more 
^ abundant weekly store of sportsmen's reading?. 
All communications for Forest and Stream mi 
be directed to Forest and Stream Pub. Co., Ne 
York, to receive att^ntioji. We have no other o&i 
