The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1875-01-30
PERSONAL "REMINISCENCES OF AN
OCTOGENARIAN.
BY THE LATE DR.. GIDEON LINCECUM.
From The american Sportsman.

From The american Sportsman.
The prairie being many miles in extent,
there was no possible chance for the deer to
have got out of sight by running in that
short time. l would GO and see what went
with it. l would be sure to find the old
doe, dropped down on her brisket, legs
doubled up under her, neck extended al
full length, with her jaws fat on the
ground. There is no doubt of the fact that
they watch until you look in some other
direction, when instantly they drop in the
grass. come to this conclusion from the
fact that have several times seen the
mother doe standing on duty, on the prai-
RE, and that she invariably disappeared
when was looking in another direction.
Old bucks will do the same thing when
they think you have not observed them.
1t has happened two or three times to me,
when riding through the prairie, that
have discovered the head and horns of a
big old buck in the high grass, not very far
off and, if l turned my attention for a
single moment, he would disappear; then,
riding out to the place, find him on his
brisket with outstretched neck, like tho
doe.
On another occasion, riding on a low
bluff on a small creek, the bluff being over
grown with high broom straw, and but
twenty-one feet from where l was passing,
lay very large buck, squatted down in
the grass. ! could see only his large ant
lers standing up in the grass. / knew if /
stopped or showed any signs that | had
discovered him, he would bounce up and
clear himself. didn't alter my gait, but
was out of sight and hearing of him. !
tied my horse and crept back, and found
him just as expected: lying in the same
place, head up and chewing his cud. l
was on my knees and not exceeding twenty
feet from him, and the straw was so thick
that couldn't see plain enough to make u
safe shot. l must get him to stand ny
somehow. So, in low, murmuring tone,
with my hand over my mouth, | said:
"Well, old fellow, you are SO happy in the
belief that your little piece of deception
with me is success, | wouldn't shoot you
| if my days hunt was not a failure The
strange Sound alarmed him, and he stood
up, and, as is nearly always the case. he
cast his searching eyes and spread his
sound. I altering ears in the wrong direc
ton. | on my knees, the chance was good.
The bullet passed into the back of the head.
. lie was a fire fat deer.
There ale many other instances of ;hcir
squatling pollcy-some very interesting |
could name but deem what have already
said on that topic satisfactory. We will
return to the little, rich, level patch OF
weeds and ripe plums on top of the noun
tain. They had been very abundant, and
what few really ripe ones | found that had
escaped the deer that day were excellent.
! | descended the mountain in an easterly
! direction, which. in the course OF two OF
three hours brought me i'll a more pleasant,
wide reaching valley country, and finally,
! towards evening, considerable stream OF
night, dashing water. | had, few hours
before reaching the little river, shot nice
little doe, and did not have to go hunting
at that camp; but undressed myself and
horse, and we both went into the water
and took good washing.
SO that my fire might not invite an I'M
welcome guest, cooked my meat before