June vj, 190S.] 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
471 
Tic — if 
PO 
40' 
-19'- 
by K., could all, from my point of view, have been 
included within a twenty-inch circle. I readily covered 
the entire three, fired my right barrel and lowered my 
gun, satisfied that if it was a possible thing, I must 
have gotten them all. Such proved to be the case; 
one dropped dead at the shot, a second fluttered at 
once to the ground, while the third continued its 
course for a little and then slanted slowly toward the 
earth, striking it at quite a distance from me, but where 
K. could walk over and pick it up. Although an old 
sportsman who had seen many birds killed, he said 
that, to him, was one of the most surprising shots he 
had ever seen. From his point of view the birds were 
twelve or fifteen feet apart, and that they could have 
been covered and killed with a single barrel seemed to 
him incredible. To me it was of course a very simple 
matter; I knew they were all practically covered, and 
that my ammunition was of the best; if I had failed to 
get them all, it was merely because they were out of 
range, and it would have been useless to have fired the 
second barrel. I didn't go into detail much over the 
matter to K. ; he was far and away a better shot than 
I was, and it was a pleasure to me to have surprised 
him. I merely told him when he asked why I hadn't 
fired my second barrel that I could readily see that 
they were all hit, and as I contemplated giving them 
away, I didn't want them all shot to pieces. He 
amused himself the rest of the day by calling me Capt. 
Scott, Davy Crockett and other names of historic shots, 
and would" occasionally ask me why I took the trouble 
to carry a double-barreled gun, when a single barrel 
was all I needed to kill a whole flock of ducks? I 
haven't, seen the poor fellow for several years. His 
health has failed, and I understand he is now an 
invalid. If perchance this meets his eye, I hope_ it 
will recall pleasant memories to him, while it explains 
how I made that phenomenal shot. 
The Dakota winter eventually terminated our field 
sports and kept us close to the garrison for several 
long weary months. Spring came at last, and with it 
the clangor, of wild geese going north. One bright 
sunny day we again set forth for the Cottonwood to 
see if it afforded any prospect of spring shooting. We 
visited the pools carefully, one after another, but found 
nothing. It was evidently too early for the :ducks._ We 
drove on down toward the dam as far as practicable 
and went on and reconnoitered that water. On it we 
found a few wary ducks that flew long before we came 
within range — a spring duck seems much better edu- 
nothing. It was evidently too early for the ducks. We 
our horses, ate our lunch, and enjoyed the pleasant 
sunshine as we stretched at length on the ground, 
chatting with each other, while the horses fed and 
rested. After a while we hitched up and started for 
home. As we were getting near_ one of our favorite 
pools on the return journey, the driver stopped the team 
and we discussed the probability of finding anything 
on it if we should get out and approach it carefully. 
Our guns were in their cases in the bottom of the 
wagon; we were dull and lazy from our lunch, and 
spring fever was upon us. We readily agreed that, as we 
had found nothing on the pool some two hours pre- 
vious, it' was conclusive evidence that it still contained 
nothing; so we told the driver to go on without our 
getting out of the wagon. The trail ran quite close 
to this pool; it was mainly turf, entirely free from 
stone or anything on which the wheels could make a 
noise; the horses trotted gently and quietly along. As 
we came near enough to look from our seats in the 
wagon into the pool, our eyes were greeted with the 
sight of a flock of wild geese standing on the nearest 
shore, their black necks erect in the air, resembling 
the flower stalks on a big bed of tiger lilies, and not 
more than thirty yards away from us. Of course they 
saw us in that instant, and as our guns were in their 
cases, we offered no impediment to their safe and hasty 
departure for lands unkn'own. We counted sixteen as 
they flew away. As they finally disappeared into space 
K. and I gazed sadly at each other, but said nothing — 
words were inadequate. _We have never passed that 
pool since without recalling how our indolence lost 
us a fine bag of geese. . Wm. T. Flynn. 
On The Pacifi-, April 18. 
Summer Rooftrees. 
All communications for Forest and Stream must be 
directed to Forest and Stream Pub. Co., New York, to 
receive attention. We have no other oMce. 
I. — ^An Inexpensive Cottage on the Unit Plan. 
It is the purpose of the Forest and Stream to repro- 
duce from time to time plans of inexpensive bungalows, 
shooting boxes and camps of a more or less permanent 
character. 
There is a growing tendency in this country for homes 
in the country where the occupants can reside for periods 
of varying length during any season of the year and 
where they can enjoy the beauties of nature. Many men, 
both bachelors and those with families, enjoy and have 
enjoyed visits to the country where they owned or rented 
camps. It was there they spent their vacations, holidays 
and week ends. Most of these camps are such in the 
truest sense of the word, and while these health and plea- 
sure seekers are housed in tents and shacks their vaca- 
tions are not sufficiently long for the discomforts to over- 
shadow the enjoyment. 
Those who are content with very primitive abodes are 
comparatively few and as they grow older they look for 
places that will afford them more comfort. We shall 
not endeavor tO' show how man can have city conveni- 
ences and comforts in the woods, but to enlighten them 
regarding serviceable and substantial low cost cottages 
of the most simple kind where they can always find at 
any season a dry bed and a tight roof. 
In these days the men are not the only members of 
the family who look forward to sojourns in the woods 
or along the coast, and now that they are so frequently 
accompanied by their families the question of proper 
. houses naturally arises. How best to overcome the diffi- 
culties that arise and solve the problem is what we pro- 
pose to demonstrate. 
Americans demand a private and seclusive home life 
nowadays, and after a winter in crowded quarters in the 
town the summer hotel or boarding houses with their 
expensive quarters, poor food, noise and excitement do 
not satisfy those who really demand a rest and change, 
and where good food and quiet, simple surroundings are 
essential. 
The houses which we shall illustrate in these columns 
will all be structures of low cost, simple design and con- 
struction that can be erected either in the woods or on 
the seashore. 
We have heard from so many nature loving persons 
that we feel we know what will strike the popular fancy 
and answer the purpose in the fullest degree the demands 
of the majority. 
We assume that these cottages will be built where the 
price of land is low and where the surroundings are at- 
tractive. Not far from most large cities there are tracts 
of land to be had at a moderate figure, and most men 
who really love out of door life are hardly happy on a 
restricted area, particularly when they are to have a 
home of their own, even though it is of the most modest 
sort. To own one's place in the country is something 
which very many men look forward to, and an unpre- 
tentious place affords the owner a satisfying feeling of 
proprietorship. As a matter of fact, the small cottage 
has many advantages over the larger and more costly 
affair. In the first place, the original investment is small 
and the house can be left at any time by simply locking 
the door and closing the shutters. There is no danger 
from thieves as its contents are of too simple a descrip- 
tion to attract house-breakers, and the risk from fire is 
small and is usually taken care of by insurance. 
There are no caretakers to give trouble, and when one 
wishes to return the house is always ready. A fire is 
soon started and supplies are all that is needed to begin 
housekeeping again.^ The old clothes, such as one wears 
while on an outing' are always ready. In fact, nothing 
has to be thought of when planning a trip to the country 
home except the articles of food which would have to be 
secured anyway, and the most necessary things can be 
had at the farm house near by or at the village store. 
The house illustrated this week is simple, and simplicity 
will be the keynote of all the buildings we reproduce, 
that can be built for a few hundred dollars anywhere in 
this country. 
The house is designed on the unit plan. This system 
was adopted in this case to give the prospective builder 
a wide choice in the number of rooms he might have in 
his cottage. The house, as it stands, is a small structure 
and could be built by anyone having only a limited 
knowledge of the use of tools. 
Starting at the beginning, the first block on the plans 
is the living room, 12 by 18 feet. If a mgn's needs were 
very limited a small building of just this size could be 
put up with the porch extending along the front. This 
would, of course, necessitate cooking, eating and sleeping 
in one room; a combination which is objectionable to 
some. The big chimney gives a fire-place in which cord 
wood could be burned and affords all the opportunity for 
the cooking of food. Where doors are shown on the 
plans, windows could be substituted, except in the case 
of those that open on the front porch. Bunks could be 
built along the side walls or the occupants could sleep in 
hammocks. This, to our minds, is a cleaner, healthier 
and more comfortable method. To save expense the 
small bay window could be done away with and the three 
windows placed in the front wall. This bay, however, 
would not cost much, and the window seat will afford a 
very pleasant lounging place. 
Now, by adding the rear wing containing the kitchen 
we satisfy those who prefer a separate apartment in which 
to prepare their food. This addition gives a sizeable 
room 8 by 13 feet with ample light and ventilation. If 
so desired it could be left without a ceiling and open to 
the ridge pole. This would make it cooler and, as the 
space above would not be particularly useful, it might 
be well to do so. 
A range or stove can be placed in the big chimney and 
this would facilitate the cook's work. A sink with drains 
on either side under the rear windows would simplify the 
work of cooking and cleaning up. At one end of the 
chimney by the door to the living room are shelves run- 
ning from the floor to ceiling where china and glassware 
could be kept and where it would be handy to both rooms. 
The closet reached from the kitchen is for pans, pots 
and provisions. The iee-chest could also be placed here 
if the house boasted one. Passing through this closet one - 
reaches a small porch. At first glance this may seem 
superfluous, but if the cottage is to be used in the winter 
it will add much to the comfort of_ the occupants. 
During bad or stormy weather it would be necessary 
to keep the doors opening from the living room to the 
front porch closed altogether. As an extra precaution 
it would be well to put on rough storm doors outside. 
Solid board shutters for all windows should be provided 
and closed at night and when the cottage is unoccupied. 
If the front door were kept permanently closed during 
the fall and winter, entrance to the house would have 
to be made through the kitchen. The small rear porch 
would protect the door to tlje kitchen closet, and fire 
wood sufficient for several days' use could be piled there. 
By entering the house through the kitchen pantry, cold 
winds, snow and dampness are kept out of the living 
quarters. The porch should be placed so as to be on the 
most sheltered side of the house and the plan could be 
reversed if necessary to meet all requirements. Coming 
from the rear porch into the closet the outer door is first 
closed, snow is then shaken from one's garments or, if 
wet, they could be removed before opening the door to 
the kitchen and entering the house proper. 
If still more room be required, we now add another 
wing in the shape of a bedroom which is 10 by 12 feet. 
This room is of good size and is intended for two single 
bedSjOne to be placed on each side of the end window. If 
the number of guests or the size of the family demanded 
it, the second wing or unit containing another bedroom 
could be added on the other end. 
The cottage is now complete with living room, kitchen, 
two bedrooms and a porch 7 feet wide extending along 
the entire front. 
All the rooms are well lighted and doors and windows 
have been placed opposite one another to afford cross 
ventilation. This should make the cottage very cool in 
summer. 
In v.-inter a roaring fire in the big fire-place would keep 
