Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1886-04-23

TO DO so, soon began 10 lctl tDa'
they were hunters. They became
uneasy at home; every thing about
them became disagreeable; the
house was too warm, the feather
bed too soft, and even the good
wife was not thought for the time
being a proper companiO2 the
mind of the hunter was wholly oc.
cupied with the camp and chase.
have often seen them get up
early III the morning at this season,
walk hastily ont and look anxiously
to the woods, and snuff the au-
tumnal winds with the highest
rapture, then return into the house
and east a quick and attentive look
at the rifle, which was always sus-
pended to joist 10y a couple of
bucks horns or little forks his
hunting dog understanding the in
tentions of his master, would wag
his tail, and by every Establishment
in his power express his readiness
to accompany him to the woods.
A day was soon appointed for
the march of the little cavalcade to
the camp. Two or three horses
furnished with pack saddles were
loaded with -four, Indian meal,
blankets, and every thing else req
uisite for the use of the hunter.
\ hunting camp, or what was
called halffaced cabin, was of the
following form: the back part of 1t
was sometimes a large log: at the
distance of eight or ten feet from
this two stakes were set in the
ground few inches apart, and at
the distance of eight or ten feet from
these two more TO receive the ends
Of the poles for the sides of the
camp; the whole slope of the roof
was from the front to the back (;
the covering was made of slabs,
skins or blankets, or, if in the spring
of the year, the bark Of hickory or
ash trees; the front was left en-.
tlrely open; the fire was built d.
rectly before this opening; the
cracks between the logs were filled
with moss, and dry leaves served
for a bed. 1t is thus that couple
of men in few hours will construct
for themselves a temporary but toll
erably comfortable defense from the
inclemencies of the weather; the
beaver, otter, muskrat and squirrel
are scarcely their equals in dispatch
in fabricating for themselves a
covert from the tempest.
4 little more pains would have
made a hunting camp n defense
against the Indians. \ cabin ten
feet square, bullet proof and fur
niShcd with port holes, wOuld have
enabled two or three hunters to
hold twenty Indians at bay for any
length of time; but this precautiOn
| believe was never attended to;
hence the hunters were often sur
prised and killed in their camps.
The site for the camp was select
ell with all the sagacity of the
woodsmen, so as to have it shelter
ed by the surrounding hills from
every wind, but more especially
from those of the north and west.
An uncle of mine, of the name of
Samuel Teter, occupied the same
camp for several years in success
sion. 1t was situated on one Of the
southern branches Of Cross creek.
Although | had lived many years
not more than fifteen miles from
the place, it was till within very
few years that discovered its sit
uation, when it was shown to me
by gentleman living in the neigh
borhood. Viewing the hills round
about it, | soon perceived the sa-
gacity OF the hunter in the site for
his camp. Not a wind could touch
him, and unless by the report of
his gun or the sound of his axe, it
would have been by mere accident
if AN Indian had discovered his con-
cealment.
Hunting was not mere ramble
in pursuit of game, in which there
was nothing of skill and calcnla-
ton; on the contrary, the hunter
before he set out in the morning
was informed by the state of the
weather in what situation he might
reasonably expect to meet with his
game, whether on the bottom, sides
or tops Of the hills. In stormy
weather the deer always seek the
most sheltered places and the lee
ward sides of the hills. In rainy
weather in which there is not much
wind, they keep in the open woods
on the highest ground.
In every situation it was requi.
site for the hunter TO ascertain the
course Of the wind, so as to get to
the leeward of the game. This he
effected by putting his finger in his
mouth and holding it there until it
became warm then holding it
above his head, the side which first
becomes cold shows which way the
wind blows.
As it was requisite too for the
hunter to know the cardinal points,
he had only to obse the trees to
ascertain them. The bark ofan aged
tree is thicker and much rougher
on the North than on the South
side. The same thing may be SAID
of the moss, it is thicker and
Al. than on fha