The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-11-22

was obliged literally to worm myself along,
pushing the gun ahead. Close behind me
came the setter q Feuhs a teyre,r but
showing BY her every moremsss how keen
y she enjoyed the sport. Some distance
further, and ! found it impossible to pro
coed. fer depression in the ground show
ed the brown head Of the leading drake,
as he stood relieved from the Hock, which
we're hnddled under the bank in an eddy
formed BY the stream. Knowing I could
get no closer, quickly gathered myself
and cooked my gun, fearing that they
might spring at any moment was none
toe soon, for the drake having sighted me,
sprung from the water, and the aoek fol-
lowing, made the air whistle through their
cutting piniOns. | covered the leader, and
dropped him at about fifty yards, and still
lying, gave my left barrel to the devoted
flock, knocking three sclean out of time"
and wouading fourth, which lowered
moment and then went down with loud
splash on the far side Of the stream.
At the word, Fan, darling forward, com
nenced retrieving at once, and to such
good purpose that very soon three out Of
the five were laid at my feet. The others
gave more trouble-One in particular.
which was wing-tipped, ducked, and skulk-
ed, 50 as to defy the utmost exertions Of
the dog. Finally she neared him, and
when be went under she followed suit, and
emerged with the bird 10 her mouth, the
water dripping from her silky ears and
coat, as gaining the banks she trotted up
to me with the greatest satisfaction at
having performed her part so well, reeeiv-
ing in return the words of praise she loved
to hear. Upon returning to the train the
hunters professed themselves much pleased
with this palatable addition to our store of
supplies, as wen as the manner in which
killed the birds flying, which to them
(neyer having handled sshOt-gan) seemed
quite remarkable. ffs4
After this scarcely day passed without
my killing ducks of some kind, which were
invariably cooked in portable Dutch
oven, which we had with US Mallard
and pintail, with few teal, green and
blue winged, were the principal varieties
We encountered, and which, being far re-
moved from the sea, were invariably fine
favored
Upon the most elevated hill-tops we no
ticed, from time to time. pile of stones,
with one or two bison skulls, or pole and
flag surrounding it. These were the In
dian signal-stations or look-outs, from
which any tribe happening to be in the
vicinity gave warning of the advance of an
enemy, or when herd was in view. A
warrior, usually one Roted for bis sharp
vision, occupies one Of these stations, and
there sits, his keen eye taking in each
movement in the Plain below, Should
herd of bison suddenly appear, he stands
up, and taking of his blanket, waves ii to
the village beneath, communicating to
them the location of the herd, their num-
Der, and whether migrating or feeding !
In moment all is activity in the hereto
fore quiet lodges, the men pour forth, pick /
cts are drawn, girths, frightened, and an /
excitement Of a corresponding nature e1-
hibited as when the bugle-eall of Boots
and Saddles rings through the camp
Doubtless stations overlooking the Plain
had been the scenes Of communication to
many an exciting hunt or bloody massacre.
These places are also used as landmarks
BY the different tribes, and serve as points
between which to ford the rivers or to d.
rect parties for the purpose of hunting or
trapping.
We had been out for some days, and /
had as yet found no opportunity of coming
into direct contact with one of the foxy
quadrupeds that nightly treated us to a
serenade wherever our camp Glanced to
be located. l refer to the barking wolf,
or coyote CAMS latraus.) These animals
are too well known to require deserip-
ton, but seem to occupy an intermediate
size between the wolf and fox, though
nearly three times-as large as the latter,
infinitely more feroeioas if eornered. and
quite as cunning. To trap one has gen
orally been thought By most persons mot
professional hunters) as next to an impos-
sibility. One Of these, an ex-eolonel Of
cavalry, more renowned by the way for
heading squadron than for any knOwl-
edge Of such matters, considered the at
tempt to trap coyote as a great waste
Of time; ;" others said they vould scent my
hands upon the trap and refuse to 60 near
it, TO all of which turned deaf ear, for
having the made wolf study, felt eompe-
tent to carry my point without any side
council.
Feeling sure the thing could be done, /
took large dOuble-spring NewhOuse trap,
such as are used for beaver, and set 1t ae-
eording % my knowledge Of the animals
habits, in place which seemed likely to
be frequented by them. Next morning,
upon inspecting il, ! found it entirely IN
disturbed say entirely, for therein by :
my satisfaction 1t was time enough to
repudiate the experiment when the game,
hosfag seen, refused to bite. Upon my
return my companions renewed their OBJ
jections, and recommended dose ofstrych- !
nine as being far less srOable and yastIy
more effective. Ihastened to inform them
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