He bad not gone far when he found a wood road, aud calling his 
uncle, the/ followed on and soon saw a light gleaming from a cubin 
window. They found a squatter's family named Wyer, and con- 
clndea to tarry through the night. Xext morning, taking Wyer 
with them they went down the river in a canoe to dress thairgaroe. 
Wyer was an old and sagacious hunter, and thought there might be 
some wild beast afoul of the carcass, hence paddlsd the canoe softly 
along as near the banks as possible. When they turned a bsnd in 
the river and conld see the place where they killed the moose, they 
discovered a smoke cnrling up among the trees, and supposed some 
hunter had found their prize. But what was their surprise to And 
some of their neighbors, who, thinking they had met with some 
mishap, had followed their tracks, and seeing the raft and moose, 
supposed them drowned, and were poling up and down the stream, 
hunting for their bodies. The moose was so tall thet. being turned 
upon bis back, when taking oS the skin, his fore-feet reached seven 
indies above the head of a “very tall man.” The meat was nicely 
dressed aud carried to a landing, tnence taken with an ox team to 
the home of the Whitneys, Wyer, of course, receiving a share for his 
assistance. It has been said by many old hunters that a moose 
eould not be trapped, bnt in this instance, we And an exception. 
Steve Whitney is turning gray, but he will never forget his tirstand 
only moose-hunt, and even now, when falling of the adventure, be- 
comes very much excited. 
LETTERS 

Orders to Doqs- 
* Trentox, N. J. 
Editor Rod axd Gun: 
In your paper under dale ol June l-ith, I see a letter under the 
above heading, signed ” W. G. B.,” in wtiich the writer asks me to 
inform him what he is to do when sending his dog to retrieve a 
dead duck that had fallen in rice or tall s'rass, and thereby prevent- 
ing him from seeing his dog when pointing dead. If the writer 
above-named is much given to duck shooting, I would by all means 
advise him to get one of the regular retrievers used on the Chesa- 
peake, as they are superior to all others for that kind of work. II 
he cannot do that, let him alw'ays allow' a reasonable spice of time 
to elapse — after sending his setter for a duck — to allow him to find, 
and point it, before giving the order to “fetch.” Such cases as he 
mentions arc constantly occurring in cover shooting, and it depends 
entirely upon the good or bad judgment of the sportsman w'hether 
his dog shall be kept fully up to his proper training, or allowed to 
acquire new' and bad habits. Recapper. 
Texas, Sportsmen, etc- 
Houston, Texas, June 2. 
Editor Rod and Gun: 
I would like to tell you how we do things down here with our 
rods and guns and pointers and setters, but it is not the season to 
talk of such things, except pot hunters, with whom there is no close 
season, there being in our State no game laws. I want it understood 
however, that we have some sportsmen in the proper sense of the 
word. Men, whose guns have been oiled and put away in their 
cases, where they will rest till the 1st of September. We hope, at 
the next session of the Legislature, to have a game law' passed, 
when we will organize ciubs, and see that offences agaiust such law 
are properly prosecuted. 
We have here, many true sportsmen, a good supply of fine guns, 
w’ith not a few imported dogs, and w ithal, no law under which w'e 
can punish the pot shooter for killing the prairie chickens aud qnail 
while upon the nest. We have here as fine field shooting as can be 
had anywhere, some instances of which I may give your readers this 
Fall. And hope soon to be able 1 3 report favorably on the game 
law' question. Pinpin. 
How to Load 
Amesbury, Mass., June 5. 
Editor Rod and Gun: 
I have looked carefully in every paper for several months for in- 
formation in relation to charging ihe gun. If you will answer 
through your valuable paper, myself w'ith others will be greatly ob- 
liged to you. I have used the gun upwards of a dozen years (in the 
right sea.son for game) and have done some nice shooting, but still 
I am not satisfied. There is a number of us here who have talked 
and argued, and I said I w'ould drop a line to you for youi opinion, 
or any of your many readers. My gun is a muzzle-loader, II gauge, 
8)^ pounds. Now in regard to the charge— Apothecary weight, 2 
drs. powder, IV oz. No. 7 shot. This is my sUtiidutd charge, and I 
shoot all day and not have a lAme shuuidcr; in fact, there is scarcely 
any recoil. Other sportsmen about here shoot3Vto4 drs. i>owder, 
and you w'ou’d think it would take their heads off if yen w’ere there. 
I cannot shoot 3 drs. of powder in my gun wlihout a recoil w hich 
would use me up in firing less than a dozen times, not only the gun 
I now' have, but others which I have had. Last fall, while the ducks 
were around, I had some very good fun, and all the charge 1 used 
was 2 drs. powder, 1 1-4 oz. No. 7 shot, and at from 30 to 40 yards. 
In quite a number of cases I have sent No. 7 shot clean through 
the breast aud out of the back of woodducks and teal w'hen they 
passed my cover, I should judge, from 30 to 40 yards; although I 
have killed them as far as (K) yards w ith the same charge. This last 
spring 1 shot 50 muskrats, and w'hen they W'ere out of the water, at 
from 20 to 4J yards, I would drive No. 7 shot through thcb»nlyto 
the skin on the other side. When in the water swimming I have 
scut the same size shot into Iheir heads, which would be all blond 
and brains. On the average I w'onld kill ten rats out of every twelve 
charges fired. hat I would like to know is, how docs my charge 
compare with your charge or the many spoilsmen w'ho read 
your paper? What weight is used to measure powder to get at the 
drachms? A few questions I would like to ask of you. or the many 
readers of your paper. 
1. Will a choked bored gun always shoot closer than one that is 
notchoked? 2. Is there such a thing as some,kiuds of powder of dif- 
ferent makes or in the grains that will throw* the shot wild? 3. Will 
four drachms powder throw* shot closer than a smaller quantity 
of powder? 
A friend of mine has one of Parker's breech-loaders. Last fall 
when the rail were here we had some fine sport. One day he went 
alone, and in order to have everything convenient be laid his car- 
tridges, which were metallic shells, op some )iay in the stem (the 
hay was w’oll trod or pressed down). During the tripof two or three 
hours two of the loaded shells some way got hidden in the hay. and 
when he left the Iluat (it was a )»mall gunning lloat) he did not see 
them, and so left them. About a w'eek after he asked me if I had 
seen any shells a? ht missed two. I told him I had not. That w as 
the last of September. When I touk my float out when the ice 
made very late in the fall, in clearing oat I found the cartridges all 
loaded down at. the bottom. 1 had a board across with the hay 
on top. They got under the board and had lain there ail that time. 
Sometimes the water from rains would completely cover thsin; in 
fact, they were in water most of that time. I tried to keep the 
water out, but it was a w’et place under the board where the car- 
tridges laid. The outside wad was soaked. He put them in his 
gun and they both exploded first time. The powder was dry. I can 
furnish proof of the above if rconired. G. F. G. 
Watertown Forever. 
OwEoo, Tioga Co., N. Y., June 5. 
Editor Rod and Gun: 
1 have just returned from the Watertown Convention as a dele- 
gate from our recently organized Sportsmen's Club of Tioga 
County. Being the only reoreseutative of a new club, I naturally 
felt a little “gnu shy,” but I must say, aud tbankfiilly too, that I 
received such a hearty welcome from the different club members 
that I never thought of being a stranger among so many. 
The Jefferson Club of Watertown are gentlemen sportsmen of 
the purest w'ater; they did everything in their pow'er to make it 
pleasant for one and all of the delegates, and I feel justified in say- 
ing that from all I could learn, the Watertow’n Convention was a 
success as perfect as perfect could be. But it is not alone to tbe 
VV^aiertown sportsmen that I wish to extend my thanks; two or 
three other clubs were very kind to me. The Monroe Club of Roch- 
ester did everything to make me feel at home; they invited me to 
their tent and allowed me the privileges of their own members. 1 
accepted, and have no doubt they thought I enjoyed their kindncsi. 
Then there was the Leather Stocking Club of Oswego to w hom 1 
am indebted for great courtesies. But of all the genuine, kind 
sportsmen I met there, the President of the Albion Club has shown 
me more favors, and entirely disinterested too, than any other mem- 
ber of the convention. This gentleman allowed me the use of his 
own gun, a fine Loudon Clarborough, and he even loaded shells for 
me and assisted me while shooting. I hope that he may see this 
letter to know how 1 appreciated his kindness. May he enjoy 
many more years of health and strength to hanule the rifle and his 
good Clarborough. 
Such a mcctiug as the Wateitowu Convention ought lo be at- 
tended by every sportsman in the State (not including of course 
pot-hunters or market shooters) they w ould all feel better for it and 
have something pleasant to think about for six months to come. 
C. F. W. B. 
That “Narrative-” 
Claremont, June 11. 
Editor Rod and Gun: 
This is the first time I have addressed you under the new name — 
long may it wave — but that dog’s tail calls me forth. You say that 
“the enly objection to ‘shamrock’ is that some one had docked his 
tail, which was an ouliage on so noble a looking animal.” Now 
that some one being “yours truly,” 1 rise to explain. “We can't 
have all things here to please us,” or “Shamrock” w’ould now- 
swing full length of stem. “One of those things which no feilow' 
can find out” ma^le it rather necess ry for me to curtail that afore- 
said caudal appendage to the extent of the two first joints. Ilow'- 
ever, it will not detract from his looks when he gets age aud feather. 
“Shamrock” is only nine months old, and yet he was second among 
old dogs, and a fine lot the}* were loo. When he gets matured and 
in full feather he will be a hard one to beat for looks, and having the 
very best of Irish blood in his veins, being a grandson of the famous 
“Plunket” on both sides, he should make a clipper in the field. If 
the pictures of Col. Hutchinson’s noted “Bob,” whose name graces 
the line of “Shamrock's” pedigree, look like him, and f understand 
they do, then “Shamrock's” head was made from the same mould 
as the illustrious “Bob’s”; in fact, the puppy is a copy of “Bob” 
clean through, except the tail, perhaps. 
It is strange how many “best dogs” there are in this country. 
Had you seen that “best dog” off his chain as did several besides 
myself, you would have wanted something besides his actions to 
substantiate the owner s remarks as all the dog did was to bark. 
If this meets the eye of any of the gentlemen whom I met at Water- 
town, they will readily recall the cucumslances of our being sho vn 
what “ ‘that dog’ would do if it was uuly a li Id trial.” The remark 
by a Certain one that “a wet sponge stiifffd down that throat would 
add to our comfort, if not to his,” was not well received by the gen- 
tleman who took it upon himself to show off his “best dog.” But 
a truce to such, or 1 11 be getting into bot water by talking about 
other canines than my OW'D. lu a word, under the able manage- 
ment of our friend “Mohawk” the show was a complete success, 
although Watertown is a very awkward place to get at. The prizes 
offered should have drawn together a much larger number of dogs, 
for they w’ere simply magr.ificei)t, and though I got no medal, yet 
1 m going to have that diploma of mine when it comes, framed with 
a gilt edge, though “all is not gold that glitters.” But the “pup” 
did well among aged canines, and when he gets of age, look out for 
breakers. He will be the “best dog” if 
r. B. Excuse these rambling remarks. 1 only sat dow n immedi- 
ately on receipt of Ron and Gun, to explain that tail business, lest 
you might think it was cut w ith malicious intent. It was done for 
the dog’s good. A word to “Dogw'hip.” Ills telegr.ani, though 
sent with good will, will uot let h.m off. He should have been on 
hand. Nimuod. 
California Quail. 
San Francisco, June 5. 
Editor Rod and Gun: 
In reply to the courteous inquiries of your correspondent, “Re- 
capper,” as to whether, in my opinion, the California qii lil could 
be introduced into the Eastern and Middle States, and if protected, 
would they be likely to survive the severity of your winters, I beg 
to state tnat, judging from reports rtceived and published in our 
pape. s of the condition of the weather east and west during the 
mouths of December, .laiiuary, February aud part of March, andtlie 
effect it has upon your eastern game birds, more particnlarly the 
quail, I should answer that the California quail can readily be in 
troduced into any of the States named, aud would probably do well 
mini your severe^’ cold weather set> in, but that a winter such as 
the past one has proved to be, would kill ofi’ every bird, even if pro- 
tected by every means in the power of sportsmen and farmers. 
You are probably aware that we have no extremes of cold weather 
in California, although in summer in the interior, the w'eathcr is at 
times, excessively warm; for instance, in the great valleys of the 
Sacramento and San Joaquin it often runs up to 95®, even 100®, in 
the shade. 1 have seen snow fall even around San Francisco, but 
this rarely happens, and it never remains over six or eiaht hours on 
the ground; so you will observe that our temperate climate is par- 
ticularly adapted to the bird. They aie not found in Oregon north 
of the Rogue River, so 1 am informed by sportsmen, and 1 can speak 
from my own experience in that State, that I never saw one there, 
only variety known being what we in California call the Moun- 
tain Quail. Oregon is a much colder State than California, and has 
quite severe winters, more like those of Ihe Southwestern States; 
hence, the fact, I believe, of the California, or Valley quail, not 
being found there. The Mount lin Quail, both of California aud 
Oregon, is, on the contrary, a co d weather bird, and in this state is 
frequently found above the snow' line, and on the edge of it. 
In your Southern States, however, such as Georgia, Alabama, 
Tennessee, etc., I think the California quail would do well: they 
are an exceedingly prolific bird, and in favorable seasons, bring out 
two broods, from thirteen to twenty-five in each. Some go so far 
as to state three broods, but this fact, if it be true, never has cemc 
under my observation. 
I sincerely wish that the California quail could be introduced and 
propagated in the States east of the Rocky Mouuluius, for I am cer- 
tain they would prove a valuable addition to your list of game birds, 
but I am afraid the severity of your winters will preclude the possi- 
i>ility of their ever becoming so, unless indeed, as already observed, 
in the milder States of the South. 
I should have been much pleased fo meet “Recapper” in Califor- 
nia, and although he cannot pay us a visit at present, he may do so 
at some future day, when, if he does me the favor to call, 1 shall do 
all in my power to extend to him a California welcome, and if dur- 
ing the shooting season, will show' him quail enough, with excellent 
opportunity for shooting them, until his desires arc fully satisfied. 
He need not bring either dog or gun, for I can furnish both that are 
good of their kind, about eqo: 1 to the best. J. K. 0. 
Ke Can’t Lie. 
Providence, June 9. 
Editor Rod and Gun: 
I would like to send you a glowing account of our fishing in this 
State, aud recount big days among the trout, but my love of truih, 
a /a George \V., w ill not allow me to draw’ upon my imagination, 
and “facts are stubborn tbings.*’ The brooks have beeufishtd 
faithfully a d often, but very few’ of the “speckled beauties” have 
been brought “to grass,” and I have beard of no large ones being 
caught. No State has streams better adapted to tbe propagation and 
growth of trout than ours, and not many years ago they were plenty. 
One rea,*Jon of their decrea^ie, if not the only one, lies, I think, in 
the fact that our laws have not been properly enforced, and people 
have taken trout when aud how they pleased. Our Association pro- 
poses to remedy this evil, perhaps eradicate it; anyw'ay, we shall try 
hard. An amendmeut has already been made to our laws, making 
the dose time on trout from July to January, which, if eniorced, is 
thought to be a good oue. Tautog are quite plenty, aud are fur- 
nishing good sport to “the hand liners.” There have been large 
hauls of scup, or porgies, and the market has been glutted. They 
sold last week at wholesale for a cent per pound. A few* striped 
bass have been taken in the river, but they are scarce, as yet. The 
disciples of Nimrod are anticipating great fun this fall with dog and 
gun among the quail. Very favorable reports are being brought in 
constantly from the country, and th^ prospect is that they will 
be plenty. Indeed, old shooters afilrm that they will be more 
abundant than they have been for years. May the gods grant it! 1 
do not hear much about the woodcock, but presume we shall have 
our usual quantity. Our game aud fish associaiion is progressing 
finely, and w’ill be in good working order next fall, and will do ail 
that can be done for the protection of fin and feather “Deacon.” 
Sparrows- 
rLXAS.\NTVIl.LK, N. Y., Jiiiie 14. 
Editor Rod and Gun: 
In The Rod AND Gun of June 12th, I see an article about the 
tyrannical disposition of llie House Sparrow, by Dr. T. M. Brewer, 
and us he claims that the House Sparrow is not so lyraniiical or 
ineddlcMiine us the robin, bluebird, the wliite-bellietl swallow, the 
wren, or nearly all of our common birds, and as I differ in opinion 
with Dr. Brewer. I will stale u few facts that have come under my 
observation in the past six weeks. 1 have six bird houses in my 
yard, and the sparrows occupy two of them; one house has beon oc- 
cupied by raari ins for the past four years, but when tbe martins 
came back this spring they found that a gentleman and lady epar- 
row had taken po^-session of their house in their ab^eIlcu. The mar- 
tins lit on the house and the sparrows Hew at them and foug hi 
them off as they would alight. The marlins left and have come 
buck every morning for the last two weeks only to find the sparrow s 
too warlike to suit their Quaker principles. Two little wrens made 
their appearance and commenced building in an unoccupied box, 
and a Mr. Light passed the remark that the sparrows had better let 
the w rens alone, or they would find their match in lighting ipiali- 
tics; but after the wrens had worked Iw'o days in building their 
nest, the male sparrow went into the w'reu’s house ui.d fought him 
out and drove him away, w hich proved to me that tuc spuiiow was 
the best fighter. The little chippy birds feed around my door and 
pick up tlia smalt crumbs of bread, aud I have aeeu the spariows 
fight them and drive them away repeatedly. A 3Ir. Acker, this 
spring, wanted me to shoot all the sparrows there were on his place, 
as they fought and drove away the w'rens and bluebird*. Now as I 
live over ‘JoO miles from Boston, I dtm't have the opportunit) o ' 
studying the disposition of the birds in that locality, but this niiu h 
I do know, if Dr. Brewer will come to Plcasantville. where I reside, 
I will show him some as meddlesome, cranky and lyraimica! House 
Sparrow.H as there is any need of. Dr. Brewer wants to know why 
all the European wTiters, English, Swedish, French, (iennan and 
Italian, never found it out. and why did they leave it lu a lew Amer- 
ican observers to liiid out ' 1 would like to know whai C'tJuinbus 
discovered this ConCiueiit for; why did he uot leave it for some one 
else to find 2i)00 years later? \V. B. C. 
