The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1886-12-02
The Cruise of the Belfast Deer Hunters.
GENERAL ORDER NO. /

The Cruise of the Belfast Deer Hunters.
GENERAL ORDER NO. l.
Members of the Belfast Deer Hunting Club, with
their arms, AMMUNITION, stores baggage, ETC., are
ordered to report rain or shine, on board sch.
Leo, at Lewis wharf, Wednesday, Nov. 10th, at 10
O'Clock p: NJ Failure to comply with this order
will be followed by severe punishment-liquid ia
lions will be shut off, and the offender condemned
to ten days mental labor in camp.
GEO. f. JOHNSON, Commodore.
Such was the order issued to the members of
the Belfast Deer Hunting Club on the eve of their
annual departure for the interior of Mount Desert.
The objective point for this seasons trip was
the same as last year-Northeast Harbor but the
mode of conveyance different. Last
the trip was made Lehind Mr.. J. F. Wilson's hand
some span of black horses harnessed to an emf
grant wagon. The journey by land has many ad-
vantages but to avoid the monotony of again riding
over the same route it decided to make the
trip this season by water. The club numbered six
one more than last season, and in personnel was
somewhat different. Mr.. Charles r. Coombs
manned at home, and DR.. S. w. johnson and Ii. f.
Mcdonald were members. The remaining
four were the same as last year-Judge George Z.
johnson, jefferson f. Wilson, Willard E. Page,
and the Journals Local
When the company assembled on Lewis wharf
agreeable to general order No. the outlook
not propitious. 1t was raining and there was no
wind. The sch. Leo, Capt John c. Condor, was
lying at the wharf awaiting orders. The commo
dore, aware of the delay incident to a departure
of this kind, and remembering the shortness of a
November day had decided it to be the wsest
course to have the party shipboard at night, to
take the advantage of an early start in the morning
THE LEO
is small fishing schooner owned by Capt. John c.
Condor, of Belfast She was built in Bangor by a
Roman Catholic and named in honor of Pope Leo.
The accommodations of the craft not in the least
catholic, for they are narrow, cramped and alto
gether inadequate. They were only intended for
three men, and to cramp eight persons below decks
was too much for comfort. To make more room
Capt Condor built a bulkhead in the forward
hold where bedding was placed, and here six per
sons could sleep provided they laid "spoop fash.
ion," and packed as snug as sardines in a box
THE START.
At II p. M the rain ceased and the wind came
off gently from the Northwest and it was decided
to make start The land lubbers of the company
had sought their hunks while the able seamen re-
manned on deck to help get underway. Early train
ing to the life of sailor enabled the Local to be Of
great service to the captain. Sails were hoisted
and with Page ahead in dory the Leo stood out
of the harbor. All was quiet on shore. The full
moon gave faint glimmer while the light on
Dice's Head, Castine, sent Il welcome ray across
the waters of the Bay. Turtle Head was rounded
and Cape Roster reached before daylight. The
captain did not care to enter Eggemoggin Reach in
the night so anchor cast off the Cape and all
hands being weary turned in for nap. Shakes
peare SAYS
Can snore upon the flint, when resty soth
Finds the down pillow hard"
And such snoring as came from that crowd in the
forward hold! How weary they must have been.
There We're ten distinct SHORES. One came from
Befasts representative elect, while the remaining
nine came from the captain. As all things have an
ending so had the snoring. At daylight we got un-
der way and before gentle breeze the Leo passed
Pumpkin Island and entered
EGGEMOGGIN REACH.
The waters of the Reach were alive with sea fowl,
while occasionally a seal, the dog of the ocean,
would poke his nose above the surface and eye the
passing schooner. The guns We're got on deck
ready for shot. Never party better armed
than the Belfast Deer Hunters. The Commodore
had Marlin repeating rifle of forty-fiye calibre
that throws very destructive bullet. DR.. 5. W.
johnson had single shot Frank Wesson rifle,
warranted to shoot accurately 100 yards. Page
had a single shot Remington rifle that closely re
sembles the WessOn and is equally accurate and
destructive. Wilson had Marlin repeater. Nc
Donald had an Evans, gun designed by a Waldo
county man, the magazine of which holds thirty
two bullets. The Scribe had Colt repeater forty
four calibre, sixteen shooter. Besides these
rifles there were numerous shot guns. Capt. Con
don had an Evans rifle, and intended to put in an
occasional days hunt while waiting for the
pany. Several birds and seals were shot, but we
did not stop to pick up the game. DR.. Johnson
shot the tail feathers from loon and the last seen
of the fowl he was headed for Bucks harbor drag
ging his stern in the water. Page in speaking of
the merits of his rifle remarked that she would kin
game so far off that it would spoil before it WAS
reached unless he sailed his cartridges.
The sail through the Reach even at this season
of the year is fine one. The thriving villages of
Sedgwick and Brookline are left on the port hand,
while the populous town of Deer Island, which
forms side of the Reach is left on the sarboard
hand. Mid way of the Reach stands a large
chimney a monument to the silver mining craze
which swept over Maine few years ago. \ short
distance from the chimney is hole in the earth
from winch the alegeu ore was taken. Inc Smelt-
ing works have been taken down. 1t was here
Belfast man sank a considerable amount of money.
The remainder of the passage was uneventful.
Bass Harbor Head was passed, Long ledge, foam
ing and breaking with the heavy sea rolling in
from the ocean was reached, and here the Leo was
hauled to for North East Harbor, where we arrived
just as the darkness of night came
NORTH EAST IIARBOR
is enjoying n boom well as the other summer
resorts on Mount Desert Island. Here are located
the elegant cottages of President Elliot, of IIar-
ward college, and of Bishop Doane of Albany, y.
\ and Erastus Corning, wealthy gentleman, of
Albany, is building an expensive summer house
for next seasons occupancy. We counted ten new
buildings in course of construction, and many
more will be built another spring. Everybody
was busy and the ring of the joiner's hammer was
heard in every direction 1t is believed by many
that North East IIarbor is the coming resort of
Mt Desert. The harbor is an arm of the sea
making into the mountains to the north of Gran
berry Islands, between South West Harbor and
Seal Harbor. A small island on which is Il light
house, guards the outer entrance. Inland rise
North East Harbor, kimball, Brown, Sargents and
Colt mountains, only n trihe inferior to Green
mountain itself. Water Is taken from IIadlock
pond, above the village, to supply the summer
cottages. The poorest land readily commands
$1,000 per acre, while the most desirable lots are
not for sale
Next week we will get into camp and kill cecr.