Fergus County argus., 1886-12-02
A GREAT DEER HUNT.
~.xc. O,v. In the snowy Mountains
A TrrriI,ic storm. Hunting Mountain"
Lion. Etc, Etc.

Nimrods-Juhn W. Beck, Chas. ii. Will
iams and the writer, took their departure
from Maiden Tor a deer hunt among the
foot hills of the Snowies. After day of
ha ri travel the party camped about two
mile. south Of the east fork OF Big Spring
their tent in IA small coulee
or draw by the roadside in the midst OF
binding wind and snow storm, the Ike oil
which has rarely been seen in the snowy !
range. After n hasiy supper oi bacon ana. /
bread. the weary hunters unro!led their /
blankets for night of reposs On the (
ALLEGED beautiful SNOW" We all took
rooms on the ground ioor. out of eompui- /
sion rather than from choice. Contrary To
our usual custom we retired early, Tor pro +
lection against the storm. Sunday morn
ing. after another feast ON bacon and bread
the party proceeded ON their journey,
reaching the head of Fiat Willow early in
the afternoon Seeking II camp ground
beneath shcltering rocks and towering
pines. some two miles distant from the
new Billings road, the party made perna-
nent camp and spent the remainder oi the
day in getting up wood, preparing their
bunk and constructing IA wind-break Tor
the horses The upholstery OF our bunk
was quite original and unique. A large log
was laid in front Ito prevent Charley Will
iams from rolling out) and brush was laid
parall and interviewer with the tops "i
pine boughs Al this upon foot of snow
with numberless robes and blankets made
"A bed fit for the gotls-especiaily the god
Of war, with whom we communed IN oar
dreams by night and in our thoughts by
day.
/ The storm hung around like poor reia-
ton and hourly gathered in intensity II
appeured to have brought its knitting ana
was going to stay all the week. An inva-
sion of the grub" box revealed the iaet
that our potatoes were frozen harder than
billiard balls bread had to he cut with an
AK; apple and ounce butter and In iact
everything but couple Of linen towels
was frozen beyond recognition. 1t looked
like bacon and bread for II steady diet.
But when We contemplated the feast OF
Juicy venisou steak our spirits rose much
faster than the Thermometer which seemed
to be down, with "Old Probabilities" sitting
ON top OF it. Another meal with the usual
bill of fare except that apple butter graced
the table, or rather the log.
Monday morning was looked forward t"
with bright anticipation. The hunt was to
he inaururated The chief hunter Of the
marty was to be determined. \ quaken-
, aspen thicket one-half mile distant was to
be the scene of our exploits. We marched
. out of camp in single file into snow four
teen inches deep ON the level, while nc
accurate measurement could be obtained
of the drifts. We found no trouble in fol
lowing Beck's trail. 1t had been planned
than Mr.. Beck should enter the thicket to
the right we the center, Mr.. Williams t.
the left. The left brought Mr.. Williams
: near "a cowboys cabin which he entered
Immediately and took IA much needed res
Of three hours duration. John Beck hat
not been in the thicket ten minutes befor
b. sharp and rapid firing was heard. w
J. struck a deer track and followed it TIVE
miles when upon close inspection discovered
that the animal was going the other way
Returned to camp with one pheasant
D
several Others. Williams returned iron
his still hunt in time to get supper. Nor
bacon.
;. The first day clearly demonstrated tina
Mr.. Beck was THE hunter of the part,
Mr.. Williams was installed cook. with
hermit to rest whenever he felt tired, whie
was most of the time. We were assisne
e dor N
snow melter-having camped where thel
was no water Weburnt up the first kett
Of snow, permitted evaporation to col
sumo the second, and smoked the third
badly that the horses wouldn't drink !
Tuesday passed and no venison. The SUI
ply of bacon was running short Beck In
seen "A number Of deer. and badly wounds
one. "Wednesday came, the next day wa
Thanksgiving. \ sumptuous dinner q
bacon, bread and frozen potatoes star,
us in the face. There was council OF W;
Tuesday night, aid IA strong resolve MAJ
to break the monotony. Beck had d
covered that his gun was shooting owe
-, lie had sighted through posiofice pige'
hole So long that the sight on the end
his gun barrel looked like "a man = hea
and when he returned from hi. numero
hunts it had become second nature Tor n
to say nothing for you" The sunk
cheeks of the cook and his craving al
tite east n gloom over the camp. lie spoil
re- Il will go forth on the morrow. ] will 81
not ut the cabin. but hunt the wild deer
"a thicket and ON prairie. will travel ma
miles" The last part of the sentence to
-. his brother warriors by surprise. The s.
timcnt was greeted with ugh y "ugh..
''' The morrow came and the cook and
u, chief hunter started out with determil
to tion and two Winchesters. The gun her'
ing went to inspect the new Billings road, Il
ing his gun alon: for protection agai
=. SNOW birds. Night came and the hunt
also. Beck had made a miraculous ri
IN and downed a iawn. Williams, to ma
"h sure of his Thanksgiving dinner, took
.e. shot at the animal after it was de
nd Fresh fawn steak now graced our ru,
I'VE table. 4 new hunting ground had b
tn found, where not only deer but mount
n lion abound. IL was resolved to h
"a Thanksgiving hunt in the new fields.
wounded deer and the chances of She
,ui ing n mountain lion aroused the enth
on asm of the gun herder. The cook
at seen ;he mountain lion and he was {
ian yeniently tired and would stay at h,
:. T. "A. II,