Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1878-05-20
A-hunting Of the Deer


from the deer's point of view. l happen
to be in position, by reason of lucky
Adirondack experience. to present it in
that light.
Early in the morning of the 23d of
August, 1877, doe was feeding on Ba-
sin Mountain. The night had been
warm and showery, and the morning
opened in an undecided way. The wind
was southerly it is what the deer call
dog wind, having come to know quite
well the meaning of "a southerly wind
and cloudy sky" The sole companion
of the doe was her only child, charm
ing little fawn, whose brown coat was
just beginning to be notified with the
beautiful spots which make this young
creature as lovely as the gazelle. The
buck, its father, had been that night on
long tramp across the mountain to
Clear Pond, and had not yet returned
he went ostensibly to feed on the succu-
lent lily-pads there. "He feedeth among
the lilies until the day break and the
shadows flee away, and he should be
here by this hour but he cometh not"
she said, "leaping upon the mountains,
skipping upon the hills" Clear Pond
was too far off for the young mother to
60 with her fawn, for nights pleasure.
1t was fashionable watering place at
this season among the deer and the doe
may have remembered, not without un-
easiness, the moonlight meetings of
frivolous society there. But the buck
did not come he was very likely sleep
ing under one of the ledges on Tight
Nippin. Was he alone? II charge you,
by the roes and by the kinds of the field,
that ye stir not nor awake my love till
he pleases.'
The doe was feeding, daintily crop
ping the tender leaves of the young
shoots, and turning from time to time to
regard her offspring. The fawn had TAX
en- his morning meal, and now lay curl
ed up on bed of moss, watching con-
tentedly, with his large, soft brown eyes,
every movement of his mother. The
great eyes followed her with an alert en-
treaty, and if the mother stepped pace
or two further away in feeding. the fawn
made half movement, as if to rise and
follow her. You see, she was his sole
dependence in all the world. But she
was quickly reassured when she turned
her gaze on him; and if, in alarm, he
uttered a plaintive cry, she bounded to
him at once, and, with every demonstra.
tion of affection, licked his mottled skin
till it shone again.
1t was a pretty picture-maternal
love on the one part, and happy trust
on the other. The doe was beauty anG
would have been so considered anywhere
as graceful and winning creature a:
the sun that day shone on. Slender
limbs, not too heavy hanks, round anG
luminous, intelligent, affectionate eyes
How alert. supple, free she was Wha
untaught grace in every movement
what charming pose. when she lifted
her head and turned it to regard he
! child You would have had compan
ion picture if you had seen, as I saw
that morning, baby kicking abou
among the dry pine needles on a ledg
> above the Ausable, in the valley below
while its young mother sat near, witt
, an easel before her. touching in the col
or of reluctant landscape, giving
; quick look at the sky and the outline o
> the Twin Mountains, and bestowing ev
cry third glance upon the laughing boy
g Art in its infancy.
The doe lifted her head little, wit
quick motion. and turned her ear t
e the south. Had she heard something
!, Probably it was only the south wind i
the balsams. There was silence all abou
e in the forest. If the doe had heard any
J. thing, it was one of the distant noises {
: the world. There are in the woods OF
= casional meanings, premonitions {
e change, which are inaudible to the du
It ears of men, but which have no dout
the forest folks hear and understand.
l. the does suspicious were excited for a
e instant. they were gone as soon Wit
g an affectionate glance at her fawn. sh
! continued picking up her breakfast.
t. But suddenly she started head erec
e eyes dilated, tremor in her limbs. ST
II took step she turned her head to Il
&c south she listened intently. There VIZ
!, a sound-a distant prolonged note, bel
y toned, pervading the air, shaking the a
le in smooth vibrations. 1t was repeate,
N The doe had no doubt now. She shoe
: : like the sensitive mimosa when a foo
: step approaches. 1t was the baying
hound 1t was far off, at the foot
r the mountain. Time enough to fly. Tin
d enough to put miles between her and Il
he hound, before he should come upon b
'e fresh trail. Time enough to escape aw;
=, - through the dense forest, and hide
e. the recesses of Panther Gorge. Ye
at time enough; but there was the fawr
'u The cry of the hound was repeated. mo