Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1876-02-17
SHOOTING IN NEVADA.
"Quail on the Wing"---Three Days
with Dog and GUN.
BY CRUcIBLE.

A short time ago, while sitting by
the fire smoking my pipe and watch
ing the snow fall like feathers, I could
not bit think what a rare time it
would be fol- deer stalking. From
that my mind wandered to other
field sports, which seemed to be also
in the fancy of my white and red
Irish setter, Bess, who rose from near
my feet, walked to the window,
yawned and, returning, laid her head
on my knee, as much as to say,
Lets take a tramp" Before my
mind was made up letter was hand
ed to me, which on opening found
to be from an old friend and ardent
sportsman, one who never 6inches
from any kind of weather when there
is game ahead, who has proven his
steady nerve and skill in many
close match, kills his birds clean, is
kind to his dog, never brags and
always carries good-sized flask.
The note read:
DEAR CRUcIBLE :-Eureka-come
soon as possible-quail like bees
around a hive-fetch Bess.
Yours, BRAD.
From the brevity of the note l
guess he went off half-cocked. what
do you say, Bess, to quail hunts"
From her eyes l think she under
stood; at any rate, returned an an
swer in the affirmative. The follow
ing morning Brad. and myself, well
wrapped up, with our guns and Bess,
seated in small spring wagon,
might be seen picking our way over
the frozen road bound for the shoot
ing grounds, some fifty miles distant.
At 7 p. NJ. we were lost, cold and
hungry, and l for one wished had
not started; but a few minutes later
we discovered a light some distance
ahead and for which we made
straight line. Fortunately we found
an old friend, who received us with
open arms, ushered us into room
where blazing fire was cracking
the warmest welcome. Our host set
the demijohn on the table and then
went to attend to our team. Upon
his return we sat down to warm
supper, and how we did eat l blush
to record the fact, and so blushing
| dismiss it. On the following morn
ing, refreshed by hearty breakfast
of muffins, eggs, creamy coffee and
other goods, and anxious for the fun,
we again started for the hunting
ground yet eight miles further, where
we arrived at about A. NJ, and
drove up TO the house of another old
hunting friend whom Brad, it APP
pears, had notified of our intended
crusade. He welcomed with the
good news: Plenty of birds, boys,
along the river and i'll the old stub
ble" The wind was blowing great
guns, regular Washoe zephyr, with
an occasional flake of snow, but as
yet little had fallen at this place.
Still, nothing daunted, we donned
our shooting coats and boots and got
our guns out, Brad. having his old
muzzle-loadcr, No. 10 Green, while
l had No. 10, 74-pound Greener
breech-loader and Laddle & Kaed-
ing No. 10 muzzle-loader; but l
chose my little breech-loader on this
day. Bess watched our preparations
with silent interest. At last we are
all ready to start. Before getting
300 yards from the house, Bess, who
is few steps in advance, snuffs the
air and then looks back at us. A
wave of the hand and she commences
beating the ground. In few min
utes she comes to stand. Imagine,
dear reader (and if you are sports
man l know you cam, the feelings of
two men who had not enjoyed a good
days shooting for the season, draw
ing up to their dog, who couches
her breast almost to the ground, her
eyes shining, saliva dropping from
her mouth and her tail lashing from
side to side, while the hot scent comes
to her sensitive nose. We, too, are
anxious to see what that small patch
of dry stubble and weeds contains
not over 80 feet wide or 60 yards
long. Brad. was the first to break
the silence, saying, as he stepped to
the right hand edge while l took the
left, "a box of Bouquet cigars, Cruce,
that kill my first brace" "Done,"
l reply, and speak to Bess, Son
steady" She takes three or four cat
like steps and again stands like
rock. AT that instant quail runs
out and takes flight directly in front
of Brad. He lets it pass, turns, fires
and makes clean miss, but kills
with his second barrel. AT the report