Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1883-03-08
New Series-Vol. 23. No. 10

we can get them. We will take the rab
bit shot yesterday, and place it OVel
beyond the knoll right under the hill
and the foxes will probably come VI
there to eat it. We will watch for them
and shoot them If we get sight of any
What do you say to tryingP"
Il say let's try it. 1t would be better
than sitting around here doing nothing
I'd just like shot at a fox with my
new gun. l think | could fetch him OF
anything else that hadn't hide tougher
than q bear"
II am glad to know you have faith in
your gun, and in yourself as u marks
man, replied Harry. I'VE may need
some such skill before tho winter is
over, and every bit OF fur we get counts
so much. Perhaps you may get silver
gray fox, or even black one. believe
their skins have sold as high as S75."
by JoveF said George, 81 just wish
we could one; and we have a good
chance, too. L think, being up here
nights"
The arrangement was carried out as
agreed, and not without good results
for only the second night after placing
the bait the boys lay behind clump Of
hemlOck trees, concealed entirely from
view, but where they could keep sharp
watch on the remains of the rabbit. Ii
was a cold, clear night, and the moon
shons brightly, casting on the white
snow beautiful shadows of the tall and
stately naples that reared their tops
high in the air. But the boys paid little
attention to this. They were watching
for the fox.
"Hsrkp' said Harry, in & whisper
"There! what is that moving down be-
hind those trees?"
That's something alive, as sure as we
are bere," replied George.
Here he cOmesl see how cautious he
is and how be snuffs the air. By Jove.
that's fox as sure as I'm alive, and ht
is going straight for the baitw
I'D like shot at him." said George.
"but, according to our agreement, you
shall have it. Isn't he 4 big one, though ?
Just watch him steal up. while be looks
about to see if anything can hurt him.
81 don't care much; you may shoot
first, it you want to-" replied Harry,
land if you don't kill him, I'll give him
a shot too"
The temptation was too great fol
George. He needed no urging. The fox
had now reached the bait, and, judging
from his manner, was evidently taking
his first meal for the day. The boys
placed their guns at their shoulders and
took aim.
"Now's your timer whispered Harry.
''Shoot at his head so as not to spoil the
skim George obeyed. Bangl went his
gun, and off started the fox. He had
gene but few steps. however, when
the sharp report of Harry's gun rang
through the forest, and the fox jumped
suddenly in the air, turned a somerset,
and fell dead.
The boys FASTENED to where he lay
and found beauty-deep red with
black points. They took him to the
camp. skinned him. and put away the
carcass for other bait They were nat
urally much elatsd at their capture, and
it sharpened their appetites for more of
the same sport.
have now shown my readers how
the boys were located, and what their
daily work and pleasure was.
From the time they captured the first
season nothing especially exciting OF
unexpected occurred to them. They
went steadily on with their sugar max
ing and had, all the way, splendid sue
cess, as the run was an exceptionally
good one. They made about 300 pounds
of sugar Of the finest quality, and had
on hand several gallons of syrup.
Their fox hunting proved Il great
source of pleasure and profit to them.
They captured ten foxes and some small
er game. They gradually extended their
hunting ground further and further
from camp, uutil they had placed one
bait near the stream, at the base of the
great hill. or mountain, as it was called.
This was nearly mile away. in . the
thick forest, where it was gloomy and
solitary. They would not have dared,
or even thOught of going i'll there Al
night when they first went to the camp,
but they had grown bold from theil
luck, and now, with the view of captur-
ing another fox before returning home,
and possibly black one at that, they
were willing to risk trip into the
place where animals far less timld than
the fox, with fiery eyes and savage Ma
lures were sometimes found.
This bait was placed early one morn
ing, and the same evening, after getting
the work done up. the boys started for
the base of the mountain. 1t was sniff
ciently light so that they could see TO
travel easily, and t.uy proceeded rapid
ly mot without some misgivings, how
ever,) until they were near their desti-
nation. BY looking up they could see \
great dark outline, covered thickly with
spruce trees, that seemed, in the night, |
but black and gloomy mass. Not far
to the right the guTglirg, sound of the
stream, together with the scraping,
creaking noise caused by the chafing of
some gigantic naples, made the whole |
forest dismal. The boys began to grow |
nervous, and wished themselves back |
in the camp; but. as they had come so
far, they determined to push on.
They had reached the stream, and |
were creeping along cautiously. as they |
approached the place where the bait had |
been put. The trees here were close to
yether, and their heavy tops shut out SO
much of the light that it was difficult |
to see. They had become so wrought !
up that they almost imagined some hOr-
rible animal would dart from the BRAN |
ehes above them, and they dared hot |
oOk up lest their fears might prove
true.
Thus, with their guns cooked ready |
for nse, they we're advancing, when |
there suddenly came savage, snarling |
sound, that almost froZe them in their |
tracks, and caused their hair to stand on
I'M u .I.Ns, ,s.-l,N
Of two glaring balls of fire, not twenty |
yards from them.
Both were too terrified to speak or 10
retreat, but they instinctively placed
heir guns to their shoulders, took hasty |
aim and fired. Quick as flash the
naddened and wounded animal, with |
'rightful snarling. starred for the boys,
and, with terrible leap. went straight
for Harry Bancroft's head. Again the
boys were ready for him and dealt him a
Ii h.. ofn f,ff fl,atr