Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-03-06
W. d. WALLACH.
Catching snipe In Bags-Hsw to do it.

In one of his sketches Of 'sEgypt"-which
means Southern lllinois-Hazael Greene, ESQ,
gives the following account Of q snipe hunt
The Egyptians have a custom Of taking the
green ones a sniping, I'D est, sniping those
who are from the East and whs are not posted
with reference to all the things practiced with
in the American Egypt. No matter how we'll
man Eay be educated, or how grest NAV be
bis accomplishments, or how polished his man
ners-he is a green one IN their estimation, nm.
les. be knows all about the ways Of the woods
The Egyptians have custom OF snipins them,
Gid te saT! Very we'll sniping them is the
ford; and now we will commence in a rounda-
bout way, to tell you how it is done.
"A fine evening this," said native, burst
ing into our presence.
Very"
Nice night for snipes, kinder think"
"sniPe' Are they plentiful in this re-
gion?'' - = 40.
Plenty GsiIy, I'd tell man they was
Why, SIR, no longer ago nor last week, me and
two ether tellers, We went cut and cotch four
bag-fulis.'
HCaught them Why, how upon earth did
you manage it 90 said we, looking forward to
new item for Wilkes's Spirit.
Yes, cotch 'em; and we done il easy
enough. Drove them into the bags, sir-dreve
same as you'd drive quails into a net Four
or five Of Us going out to catch lot to- night
See bow it's done, if you feel like going with
Us"
Of course We felt like going how could we
feel otherwise?
A little after dusk found us on our way to
the snipe swamp, all anxious for the sport.
Our company was made up as follows: Six
Egyptians; John Anderson Augustus Javer,
from New York city, now visiting an Egyptian
relative; Hazael Greene, ESQ. author of A
Tour Of the American Egypt" and two empty
sacks.
a. Hara,s H. rl... L ..:r, ,, -, -,
Egyptians, when we had reached the edge of
marsh, about two miles from the village.
Now, you two fellers what don't know how
to drive, you hold open the bags, while we as
knows goes into the swamp and drives 'em
out"
The " two fellers" referred to were John
Anderson Augustus Jayer, from New York
city, and your narrator. OF course, we were
willing to assist in the sport as much as we
could, and 80 they stationed Us at favorable
points, about one hundred yards apart in
structed as how to hold the sacks open with
their expanded mouths near the ground, and
desired US to remain immoYable and silent, and
to keep constantly putting away with lighted
cigars, In order that the fire would Ishow and
attract the snipe into the sacks. We confess
that after having taken several philosophical
views Of the matter, we did not exactly like
what was going on; but we held the bag,
nevertheless.
h6HAuS arranged US 10 rnelr entire liking,
the six Egyptians struck out on their drive.
Away into the swamp went they, Kissing and
showing, and Shaking bushes with right good
will for few minutes, then all became silent.
And silence reigned sWfally supreme for at
least halt an. hOur-not leaf rustled not an
overhsnging branch scraped against its fell
lows, and
THE ticking Of my watch, boys
Was all the sound heard 4"
Pretty soon heard voice, Hello, Greene"
Aye, aye, sir"
Caught any snipe yet ?"
This was from Jehn Anderson Augustus Ja-
yer 10 make sure we got up and shook the
bag, after which we felt warranted in reply
ing:
No! Nary snipe; bat think the contemp-
tl6is snireS have caught u.s."
And 50 they hsd-leastwise such was our
conclusion on coming together and holding
council Of war. We were indeed sold, and
with feelings none the best in the world, we
siung our sacks up into the fork Of a sapling,
and rolled out for home. 1t is needless to add
that We found the six Egyptians already there,
and that they laughed heartily while we didn't,
not being able, ourselves, to see where the
laugh came in.