Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1885-04-13

"a is escape Injury. ian many oI them
bear che brand 6 an owner.
But occasionally pitched battle takes
place between some savage old ''tusker
and III exnsperated picker. which usually
ends in the death Of the brute. it is q
dangerous encounter. however, even
when well armed. for the brush and tho
sweet-bfiers are usually more than waist
high. and a boar's motions arc very rapid
and uncertain.
This introduction was necessary be-
fore beginning my story, in order that
may be understood.
Our home 10 on the south side Of Red
river; and having made uD an outfit,
something as above indicated, and pro.
cured q six weeks stock Of bacon, lard
aud corn meal, we set Of on the morn
ing Of the 4th Of October with old
luck lone Of our horses harnessed
into q farm wagon, containing tent,
blankets. etc.
Fording the river. we went ten or If
teen miles up Cache creek, to tract Of
timber which he had previously pros
pected. Il was q good piace for nuts.
and one not likely to be visited By other
pickers.
Our method Of disposing Of the nuts.
which, otherwise, would accumulate on
our hands, or cause much waste Of time
in hauling across the river. was . very
convenient one. We were within half a.
days drive of one Of the numerous
freight roads into the Territory and tho
'sfreighters' returning without load, from
trip to one Of the northern posts, or
agencies, willingly gave US two dollars
bring to them; for they were sure TO sell
them ct an advance Of from twenty five
to fifty cents per bushel.
There is no trouble il catching q
" freighter at the creek crossings, on
almost any morning or evening.
Our camping place was near little
tributary Of the Cache, called the Deep
Red, in the midst Of the pecan and hack
berry woods. For the first two weeks,
we did not see man except the passing
freighters. By the afternoon Of the
fourteenth day, We had gathered over
fifty bushels Of nuts, for which we had
received from the freighters over one
hundred dollars; more than enough for
our freedom money! till january There
seemed no limit TO the quantity Of pecans
on the trees. Turkeys were plenty; and
IS yet we had not heard hog, nor seen
o trace Of one.
That afternoon AID took old
Buck and the wagon, TO go up the
creek few miles after load of 'windfall'
nuts, which we had scraued together on
the ground under the trees, the afternoon
before, leaving me to pick as usual, nearer
the camp. We had seen deer signs on
the creek, and he took our breech- load
ing carbine "a Winchesterl along with
him. There remained to me only the
light shotgun.
Bring back a deer" called to him,
as he drove out through the timber.
and / viii have q turkey all cooked
when you get here
s.I'll do It, " be said. Have your tur-
key ready, for shall be hungry"
For three or four hours was busy,
rapping limbs with my pole and gather
ing the nuts that fell; and, in fact, eame
near forgetting the turkey altogether. in
the castles was building for expanding
the three hundred dollars which hoped
70 clear that fail, and by which could
AAOAG = kt0u0 tO4A " 4NSW > 0AA &N4ANA
Boston. The late afternoon sun-rays
falling in between the hickory trunks, at
last reminded me Of my duties as cook,
and hastily taking my fourth sack. load
Of nuts 60 camp, | loaded the shotgun
and started for my turkey.
From previous experience / knew that
the creek bank was the place TO look for
them at this time Of day; and, indeed,
had scarcely reached il when Q plaintive
Yeap. yeap, yeap, yop, yop. yopl" came
to my ear from few rods below. The
bird had evidently strayed away from ks
mates, anu was complaining loudly its
separation. had "a make my way very
cautiously through q thick growth Of
young hackberries, but at lengthreached
the desired position, and peerihg through
the bushes from the top Of the bank, was
rewarded BY the sight Of q fine young
gobbler trotting back and forth upon Q
sand bar on the opposite side Of the
creek. The turkey seemed bewildered
and unable to decide which direction to
take: but IN 4 moment ] raised my gun
and the stricken turkey lay dead On the
sand.
With the report Of the gun, however,
quite another sort Of game turned up.
Close ct hand, ID the thicket, ! heard .
surprised Whooghl whooghl then q
crash ii the brush followed By the angry
ch0pl chopi chopl Of D bears jaws.
Knowing how rapid these brntes some
times are I'll their rushee, I lost 10 time
in jumping down to the partly dry bed
of tie creek. and wadinQ quickly
s4,n.sst< &1.a &.,oknw rastr,l4k nm INV turkey