The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1878-04-26
DAILY INYELLIGENCER.
Friday, April %. 1878.

GROUSE HUNTING As We have
heretofore mentioned grouse hH.tiug Is
the sport Of the season Bus a.:aough
it is a pas.ime in winch the practical
sportsman can participate lin a high
feather" We would hardly advise the
uninitiatcd 10 essay it unless we'll pre-
pared to endure the chagrin Of defeat.
There is no soch thing a. putting salt
or the birds tail In this case, or resting
over his tail 20 fire at his head. The
Sportsman must not only be good
marksman, but an exceptional one TO
meet with any degree of success. In
hunting the bird he must be governed
by sound When be hears a bird boot.
he goes to work and searches for him in
the top Of one of the highest trees,
either by the aid Of glasses or through
the telescope OF patent rife. The
next step and by far the most difficult
pne, is to send ball unerringly into his
breast and bring him down from his
lofty position. If the bird is not hit
he will not condescend to fly away, but
resolutely maintain his position hooting
the while as each deafening bang Of the
rifle re- echoes through the surrounding
woods and dies away III the distance.
A few days ago. Fred. Young, Cap
tains Libby. Smith and -. Of the
brig -, (then loading here) started
out from Port Blakely for q grouse
hunt Each member of the party was
equipped with first-class rifle. pair of
glasses and an abundance of ammuni,
ton They had proceeded but short
distance when they were greeted by the
familiar boot of grouse perched on
the top Of tall tree. just off the trail
Capt. -, being novice, it was
decided TO give him first choice, and
he started off elated over the idea of
securing the first booty. The remain
der OF the party kept on. and soon
separated in different directions. They
shortly heard the crack Of the Cap
tain's rifle; again and again it re-cchoed
through the woods. times without mum
Der and still he seemed TO remain i'm
the same place. Finally the afternoon
wore into early evening, and after the
rest OF the party had secured
a number Of grouse each. they came to-
gether by signaling one another. No
response came from the Captain. He
had long since ceased to bang away,
and though they fired signals for him
he responded not. So. concluding that
he had gone home, they sailed forth
also. But what was their surprise on
reaching the hotel to find that the Cap
tain had not yet arrived. An hour or
two wore away and evening was merg-
ing into night. when the captain came in
with his face all blackened and swollen
from the back action of an overloaded
rifle, utterly demoralized. Not grouse
had he, and he declared that he had
spent his last charge of ammunition all
In the vain attempt to secure that one
poor grouse at which he had been firing
all the afternoon, charge after charge,
loading heavier. and ramming his pow
der harder each time Until finally the
rifle had nearly knocked his head off
'And yet" says he las / fired away
the last charge at him. he looked down
at me. AS turned away disgusted and
with an aching face. and said. hoo-hoo-
hoop! threw down the rifle. and
said. You. I'll be back tomorrow
with "A back load of ammunition" He
said he'd marked the spot aud swore
he would go back next morning and
get him.