The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1886-12-23
The Cruise of the Belfast Deer Hunters.

The Cruise of the Belfast Deer Hunters.
NO 4.
Deer'is the only game at Mt. Desert worthy of a
trip of fifty miles. Smaller game is plentiful but
no hunter ever thinks of shooting grouse or rabbits
while in pursuit of deer. Ruiled grouse, or part
ridge as they known in this vicinity, are very
plentiful at Mt Desert. During day spent in the
Southwest valley these birds We're encountered at
every turn, and all agreed that they had never be
fore seen so many cartridges. In tramp of half
mile as many as fifty birds were seen. a good
hunter with partridge dog could load a team in a
single day. We did not kill single partridge, nor
did we learn of any hunter shooting one, although
there were hundreds of people in the woods daily.
The hunter goes out with rifle and does not care
to waste shot at such small game, and he does
not go out partridge hunting exclusively with a
shot gun for fear he might deer. As it is i'm
possible to hunt with both rifle and shot gun, the
partridge enjoys immunity from the hunters.
Rabbits were also very plentiful and several
were Killed by our party but no use was made Of
them The rabbit when started up would run a
short distance and then squat on his launches and
saucily eye the hunter. The temptation to shoot
was too great to be resisted and many fell victims
to the unerring rifcmen.
One day one of our party discovered large
eagle near the mountain top, and Mr.. Manchester,
the younger, informed us that from time almost
1mmemorial pair Of eagles had nested on this
mountain. Every year the same birds were seen
In the same place, and strange to say hunter has
ever been known to shoot at them. Occasionally
one of the eagles visits the abor in search of food
HOMEWARp BOUND.
Friday, Nov. 18th, it was decided to break camp
and start for home, the Commodore issuing gener-
al order No. , to that effect. The dunnage and
game were boated across the pond and conveyed
to North East HarbOr and the intention was to
make an early start next morning The harbor
was full of vessels, wintlbound, and the chances
for getting to the westward were discouraging.
saturday morning the wind was northwest, dead
ahead; but if it did not blow too hard thought
we might beat as far as Bass Halbor sail was
made, the anchor catheaded and the leo headed
for the outer entrance. When we reached Long
ledge the schooner hauled-to sharp by the
wind. The Northwestern increased as the morning
advanced and the wind came bowling down the
passage past Bass IIarbor Head. On the star
board hand Long ledge breaking, sending
huge showers Of spray into the frosty air, while
to the leeward Bunker's ledge was keeping up the
same chorus. The little schooner carcened over,
heaved and jumped, but the wind was too strong
for her. 'lou had better reef the foresail" said
the captain to the able scamen. A Single reef had
been taken in the mansail before we started. 1t was
but a few minutes work to reef the forcsail and
then as the gale was increasing it was decided to
put about and make Southwest HarbOr The h:r-
Dor was well filled with western bound coasting
vessels, the majority of them Nova Scotans. The
morning was bitter cold, but on board nearly all
the Province vessels the sailors were working in
the rigging. On one sailor was seated in a
boatswain's chair talring down tine main TOPPING
lift, while others were scrapng and elushing down
the masts. 1t inhuman to work men in such
exposed places ON so cold a day.
SOUTH WEST HARBOR
the first of the summer resorts on Mt Desert
and there are several summer hotels here but the
attractions Of Bar IIarbor, North East IIai.bor amt
other places on the island, have allurcd away the
summer visitor, and the place is on the wane
One of the finest hotels here i, the Dream House,
owned by Mr.. Nathaniel league, the father-im-
law of Mr.. George W. Swift, of Belfast. Mr..
league is now in this city and the hotel is for
sale. The village is a very attractive one but
lacks the mountain scenery of its rivals.
Here rcplenshcd our Harder With Holsters
and clans. Gwen have the wind northeast to
morrow" said Mr. Wilson that evening ~ can
tell by the scrotch in the milky way he ,ad after
taking an observation of the heavens. Sure
enough the Wind was northeast sunday morning
and we started before daylight. Later it showed
making the passage very uncomfortable. The
wind lasted us until midway Of the Reach when it
came of from the old quarter, northwest. Com
modore johnson did considerable steering and
learned to box the compass. From the Reach we
had a dead beat to Belfast, where we arrived at
eleven o'clock Sunday night. All that broke the
monotony of the homeWard passage occasion
al shots at ducks and seals. Page made one phc
nomenal shot with his Remington ritlc that should
not go unnoticed. An oldSquaw one of the many
variety of sea fowl to be found in our waters
was sitting on the surface at least 800 wards dis
tant. Firing of hand, Page took on tie top of the
birds head with bullet. The boat was launch
ed and the beheaded fowl picked up.
Monday the deer were dressed and divided
among the hunters, and subsequently, distributed
among their numerous friends. We were gone
ten days and the entire expense of the "trip was
$3.50, which divided by six made Il very small
amount for each. Certainly one of the adl antages
of an expedition to Mt. Desert is its cheapness,
but it is doubtful if the Belfast deer hunters Will
repeat their visit there. The next uip will he to
the interior of Maine and until then we viii take
leave of the Deer Hunters of Belfast. R.G u.