Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1860-03-01

ened, though we set out according to the agree
ment Of the night before | kept but one dog,
Bat he was full blood and finely trained, and
we went over through Col. Wheeler back pas
ture, and pitched into the woods, striking bee
line for the Flat. We were less than half Il
mile into the woods, in dark gorge or ravine,
though it was properly neither, but kind OF
triangular hole, at the base of three hills, when
we came plump upon couple Of deer, feeding
quietly by a little brook We all saw them in
the same instant, as we came round clump of
hemlOcks on knoll, and knew that the only
chance Of killing them then was by firing in
stantly and without exchanging word, we
all by common consent let drive together, with
out Of course, ones knowing which the others
were shooting at. As very natural conse-
quence, we all fired at the one the iurtherest off,
leaving the nearer and the fairer mark for the
others. The further deer was shot dead, and
the nearer bounded off in an instant.
The dog was off somewhere, and didn't come
up till we had bled the deer and vas preparing
to skin it, The rain, which had commenced
falling slowly as soon as we entered the woods,
now poured down steady shower, while the
Aeecy clouds that sailed over, and the massey
clouds that rested ON the hill tops, lett no doubt
but that it would continue to rain all day. We
therefore concluded to turn back and get some
dinner, AMI bring team from the Colonel's to
get the carcass, and call our day sport about
half failure.
We were absent about an hour and half, and
when We returned it was raining straight down
without an effort, just as it had been all the
time we were gone, andj just as itlooked as though
it would for the next twenty -four hours We
came up tile same way we went down, and the
same way that we went in the morning, but
when we came to the spot, nothing was to be
seen of the deer. We looked all about the place,
but could find no trace of the missing carcass
There was no possibility Of our being mistaken
in the spot, as the surroundings were precisely
the same, and the blood where she fell still chung
clotted to the leaves.
We spent some time in searching for many
rods around, and finally abandoned the attempt,
and proposed to return without it, when the
quick eye of Tom discovered the identical deer
In the crotch of large birch tree, at least TWEEN
ty feet from the ground, There it hung like
the Cat in the Fable, fast enough, but with moth
ing visible to account for it, 1t looked wholo
and neat, as teaggh placed there by our own
hands, and we was very 10th to go back without
it. But how to get it was the great difficulty.
can't account for that, said |, unless
there's larger game straying about than I have
ever seen.
l can count fort, said Tom, though you II
prob'ly think that I'm might wild, but aint.
I've seen bigger game n either on you, and
what's done that amt nothing less n cata-
mount, anyhow.
A catamount!' said Len
Yes, and morn all that we amt in no very
safe quarters. I'm thinking, neither but wish
| could see the varmint though, that's all I'd
ask jist now,' said Tom, again peering up into
} the tree tops.
There amt no catamounts in this region,
| Tom,' said l, 'nor never was You must be
. mistaken this time. [ am thinking that per-
f h0ps big bear might have done it, though |
r never heard of such thing. If we could get
the carcass, and kill the animal that carried it
s up there, we should make out pretty fine day s
sporting, after all. But if we can't kill the
bear, or whatever it is, we must get the deer
= back at all events. Come, Len, set your wits
to work, and let's get home out of this
g Hark"
A slight rustling was heard in the tree tops
| over head, and then it was still again.
Nothing, guess, said l. We might as
well be getting that carcass down.
r Heavens = exclaimed Tom Burke, who had
worked his way couple of rods up the hill.
What is it p asked Len and in breath.
Come and see, said Tom, dryly.
! Well, that as catamount, said Len, as soon
as we came in sight of the animal
All that | could see was large head, looking
over the crotch of a big maple, that looked tc
= me like the head of lioness that had seen in
a menagerfe
Now, said Tom, look out. understand
these varmints better n either on you, and you
both jest make tracks up the hill ten rods or So
only keep me in sight, but don't come nigh till
; holler'