The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-01-06
VOL. vi,
A HUNTING ADVENTURE.

OF Ontario, Canada. had spent sew
oral days fighing for picksrel among the
Thousand Jslanus, oh the River St.
awfehce, with tolerable success,
Thanks to tho experience of my Kings.
ton boatman. But the weather pecame
too hot, even in this latitude, for such
sport, and the fish refused TO bite, so l
was fain to wander about the sleepy
little City Of Kingston, or watch the
soldiers at their afternoon drill, on the
slopes Of the fort, their red coats strong.
ly contrasting with the green swarl Of
tho parade-ground. II was always
source OF wonder TO me how the people
inanqgea 10 enjoy life in so dull place,
Tor there was no hustle, no commercial
signs scarcely ever visible.
One evening I sat on the sllotel.stoop
quietly smoking a cigar, when two Of
my garrison friends, Major Pomfret
and Capt. Hardinge, came up from their
quarters and invited me to Join them in
hunting tramp to the great Pine Bolt,
as the lumber district is termed. Both
Of these gentlemen had only been in
Canada few months, having come
with their regiment straight from India.
They were enthusiastic sportsmen, and
talked iheessantly Of stalking bluc bulls
htd antelopes, or shooting tigers and
theetahs, while their rooms down OF tho
barracks were full Of rare skins and
other trophies Of the Indian jungles, SO
that / readily fell in with their latest
hunting programme.
We were TO go by steamer up the Bay
Of Quinte to BclleYille, q bustling little
town, and afterward push on by wagon
for Madoc, village then becoming fa-
nous for some gold mines that had Just
been discovered. The best part Of TINT
night was occupied in packing up, 80
that when the Belloville steamer cast of
her moorings tho following morning we
were on board, and balo goodbye to
sleepy old Kingston and her odd-look-
ing, old.iasllioned Martello towers.
The trip up the bay was pleasant one,
tho scenery being charming and n per.
feet surprise, and late in the afternoon
we arrived at tho queer little Belleville
wharf, as 1t stood among n colony OF
stoam saw.mills, huge piles Of lumber,
hnl acres Of rough logs huddlcl togeth-
or by endless booms.
A good nights rest at the hotel re-
freshed us, and ut daylight the nGxt
morning we started for Nfadoc in light
wagon, another following with Our hunt
Ing gear. Aftera rough ride Of ncarly
three days we fo,ind ourselves entering
the confines Of the Pine belt. Nothing
Ia more impressive than these vast
forests OF pine trees. Over one hundred
miles in width, and extending from
British Columbia to the Bay OF Fundy,
the belt OF timber affords nh almost in
Sxhaustiblesupply Of that lumber known
all the world over as Canada pine. So
dense is tho growth OF these immense
trees that scarcely any undergrowth is
met with, while the ground is softly
carpeted with decaying Pine noodles.
The sun seldom penetrates these forest
solitudcs, and the woods aro very cool
md pleasant in Summer. Here and
there we como across n natural opening,
which abounded with all sorts OF small
game.
Long before we reached the Pines the
road had become indistinct, and We
were compelled to trust entirely to our
French- Canadian guides, whom We Ind
engaged with their pack Of dogs at Ma
doc. Camp was pitched tliat evening
at tho side Of beautiful little lake
bearing the Indian name OF Satcll. .katch-
n-wanna, our Rppetites being sharp set
for the mess Of fish which francois Ind
caught, while Antoine and jerome, tho
other guides, were pitching the tent and
preparing the large fire SO necessary in
hunting expeditions.
AS the shades Of night darkened in
upsn tis, We could hear the cries OF the
,wood.fowl and tho pleasant gabble Of
the wild duck us they noisily fed among
the reeds OF the swamp near---sounds
which gaye us abundant promise OF
sport the next day. A couple Of pipes
and some startling stories Of Indian
iungle-hunting from the Major prepared
is for bed, md we slept dreamlessly in
front OF tho fire until sunrise. Francois
proved himself true guide, for he
reused us as the sun rose, and soon had
us out on the lake in couple Of bark
canoes kept hung up TO tees. We made
considerable havoc among the ducks by
the time the morning mists had disap-
peared, for the birds were deliciously
innocent Of danger, so We finally gave
up tho work in sheer pity. The after.
noon WINS occupied in fishing, and at
supper we decided to push further on to
the northward in hopes Of larger game.
A twenty.milc trump, for it was use
less attempting to take the carts along,
led lis to another lake known as 0sh-a-
wa.hala, where We established our head
quarters, jerome and Antoine being
sent back for more supplies. AT the
end Of two days We found ourselves
very comfortably fixed, and enjoyed
fishing and duck-shooting TO our hearts
content, tho Mnjor being lucky enough
to bag q fat buck while he was saunter.
ing among the openings.
Every night we could hear tho mo.
notonous COO Of the pigeons, and
rs they promised to be diversion, II
was finally decided that q day should be
devoted to them. Pigeon.shooting in
the woods is q peculiar sport, for the
hunter has to trust entirely to his eye
and car. Moving slowly and silently
through the dense forest, the pigeons
mournful cry is at length heard. You
stop and listen, and when tho bird
ngain utters his note you carefully trace
him TO his tree, usually finding him sit
ting OH bare branch near tho top,
wholly unconscious OF danger. The
woods resound with the discharge OF
F.. 4 y II