Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-01-07
NIGHT HUNTING IN ELK COUNTY.

BY JOHN OF YORK.
The sun within an hours travel of the
western horizon, when Tom W, Hank s.,
Dill F., and Brooks, started from Ridgway
for the Five Mile Lick, in canoe, not over
nineteen feet long, up a stream so narrow and
rocky that nll had to sit quietly on the bottom
of the frail vessel, or run pretty fair chance
of being upset. On each side OF the Clarion.
COR Stump Creek, or Big Toby-the stream has
three names,) high thickly wooded hills rose
up around us, and the banks were closely
stocked with gigantic pines, the present wealth
of that wild region. The crows and ravens
were slowly vending their ways to their homes
in the depths of the forest, and some of the
night birds had begun to pipe their organs,
preparatory to the monotonous concert which
was about to come off.
How gloriousy quiet is the hour of night
fall in those grand old woods Not breath
of air moved to ripple the clear water of the
river, in whose depth even in the twilight, we
could see trout, bass, and other delicious sport
rewarders, enjoying their evening meals upon
the silly insects who continually threw them
sclyes upon the surface of the water, as if for
the purpose Of being devoured by the fnies.
The only annoyance was the armies of punlsies
(gnats), that swarmed about Us, and kept
hands and cigars tolerably busy in the work
or scif-defence.
'That time does the moon rise % asked
Dill, raising his dripping paddle out Of the wa
ter. and leaning upon 1.-THE very life-picture
OF the hunter and river man.
'Not fore two in the mornin." replied
Brooks, the man addressed shave you any
tobacker7"
Eyes pitching him a quid, "and III bet
you quart that I'll fetch six year old before
moon-rise will you bet !''
sWell, don't mind the cost of the Ticker, :"
said Brooks, ''but bet with John, there he's
up here the new county business, and they
do say that thar's "brads" about. IIow's that,
old Sceldelfy 20
"Oh, agreed; I'll take Dips bet, and make
You another"
''Come ou--plank your sentiments. 'Tsint
every city boy kin pick buck like old long
shot there, with the paddle.'
"Well a quart that l kill the first crtter to-
night; mind, kill one before you do; If nei-
thcr kills, it's draw bet.'
The bet was made, and silence grew over
the party. We had just passed Mill Creek
Mouth, when something resembling footsteps
wcrc heard on the bank above, but some rods
ahead Of us. Tho stream had been damned
below, and ran very slow and rode upon
its dark surface as still as night itself. Dill,
whose fnick ear never mistook a wood sound,
noisclessy turned the canoe into an eddy,
and all sat in breaihlcss silence, waiting for
the enemy. Presently, the footsteps were
again heard, and approached nearer and near
or the edge Of the water.
"Au old hc-one - said Din, in a scarcely au-
dible whisper, at the same time cooking his
rife without u click.
The deer came on, evidently for the purpose
of drinking, and stopped on the low bluff, as il
To reconnoitre. We could just see his form a
gsinst tho dusky sky, but in the deep shade
below he could not discover us. Dill, who
had not moved from his kneeling position in
the bottom Of the canoe, now slightly raised
his tall figure, drew his rife to his eye, and
brought the muzzle to bear upon the obscure
object above him. We all held our breaths.
A low sharp whistle from the hunter to cause
INC DuCk 10 Slalts TWO EhtihE ~ Yes NSit
turned towards the place whence the SOUND
proceeded. Crack went the rife, and heavy
plunge into the water followed. But to our
nstonishment, the buck rose and strucksout
,or the opposite side of the river.
And now the fun began. The shot, instead
of being, as we guessed, in the bucks head,
had lodged in his shoulder, and he was not
<,o;,~ tor r;xa ~, for that
"Pull away, boys" shouted Dill, at the
same time grasping setting pole, and forcing
the canoe across the stream with astonishing
velocity. The deer snorted and plunged, III
his agony, aud was fast losing ground until he
got into deep water. We were five rods above
him when the pursu:r reached the current,
we little ahead in the race across the river.
The buck saw this, and knowing from instinct
that he could use his wounded limb to more
advantage in the water than on land, turned
his head down stream.
"Let me have 4 crack at that fellow" said
10 Dill.
''Pop away; but I'll bet a pound Of tobacco