New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-11-27
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
pERns OF THE ADIRONDACK WILDERNESS
THE RAGING sTUNiP-TAILED RABBIT SEEKING
WHOM NE MAY DEvoUR.

THE RAGING sTUMP-TAILED RABBIT SEEKING
WHOM ne MAY DEYoUR.
To the EdfLOr Of The Tribune.
SIR: As / see in the papers the annual land
presume perenna) accounts OF fierce encounters Win
bears deer and other animals I'm the Adirondack wilder
ness would like 10 add my tribute TO these Hens Oh
information and unbcef do this the more readily ana
frankly because my experience proves the dangerous
character Of an animal hitherto considered harmless
Not long ago returning to camp late In the a.el
noon alone after fairly successful days hunting mao
,Ied three deer and large she-bear. This game had
an one shoulder while with the other hand carried my
y,n and led the two cubs of the bear. was hurryhs
across the carry (which may add, was the leading one
from Bottle Pond to "Queen Lake y when was
startled by a loud cracking in the nderDrush Just
ahead Of me. stopped promptly. not from fear, but
uosy when there sprng into the trall In front OF me
large rabbit OF the cdVLd sfinnpta species. He had
doubtless been attracted by the smell OF blood from the
oamo carried The uncommon keenness OF the animal
scent is shown by the fact that had used only WIN
chester rife and the game bed very little The prey OF
New-York sportsman, who uses DuokSnOt on hlh' MI"
anime would been like an itinerant slaughtei-hos
ana drawn beasts OF prey from whole township But
nv the vyay The rabbit showed disposition to
lin, anon me at once, but stood crouchng In the path'
Iabing his sides with his tail and emitting sharp gances
from his pink eyes knew because had been toiu 30
nv guides that a bear, deer or cat woud attack man
without SAYING grncc' Dut no euldt
heen full enough 20 warn Inc OF q rabbit HoWeNci Pto
cedents are OF little value In emergencies anu IA
o-cd hastily 10 drop game and raise my f1e nlu
hardly moved finger before the low growls OF te
ade ma desist What was TO dot IL was Rettlg hIS
Throrgh an opening in the trees could see the mus
rUnsed with color the valleys yelled in shadow, and me
whole great earth growing quiet with the hs " IN, a
coming night The only path to camp was over Ihe e
bodv Of he rabbit II dropped my game ana rsh oavh,
be would have deyoured IL all before morning ana 10 PIE
would believe had killed IL ut being well estaDlsheu ~
The kdirgndacks that the only who tells the tlh y
he who saws nnthing Various thoughts psse, tniousn
mind as held my Wild enemy az bay WIN the tIa
,iona nowar OF the human eye. Iife with its memories
an houc of dcfeat-thesc thoughts Joined with the
craving foy delayed supper fired me with the bravery VI
desnar sprang fercely NJ the Zoe; but ne was 700
0nick for ME At one bound he cleared my mead Ms car
ist g,ozGnr my rife and taking the sight and hhiineI
clean of He landed plump In the mouth OF one OF us
Cn,'s vino had climbed To get out OF danger sur
rised MI the audiences and size ~ the mouhful Deloe
the cub cOnld recover himself or realize the dcspctW
character of lis assnilant hc had swallowed the raODI
t,,do I 1oo.rd the cub, and leaving him the largest
c.reaSs to make out his meal hurried into camp
have fold this tale without any OF the usual attempts
nj embelshment It's truth alone gives II unqueness
and interest. q, an, ..... r,ntcr
and summer have been I'm their deep. hidden places.
have never bear wildcat that WOulu 1Ot run ~
1ight ~ man I have caught faWns with my nands'
rfnrefl 'mid creatures after their mother hau peth
hunted 10 the death by hounds more savage ana recent
les Than wolves. confess look for the time when te
finer instincts 81 humanity, the true sportsman spIi
will forbid the killing OF deer IN front OF dogs Iheh VII
hunting assume some OF lis primitive poetry ana cbI
paths OF ,yondrous beauty; and the staying one be
feat OF skill aud marAsmanshiP not revolving HauBh
Camp Prosit, Nov. 5, 1888.