The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-09-09
THE RULING PASSION.
A CoMIcAL EPISODE IN THE LoosA
sCooNA SWAMP.
The Man who Went Fishing When Ho
Went Fishing-Attacked by Wild
Cats He Keeps His Eye on tho
Bob.
corresnondonse Of Tho Appeal

'OIfthnbuutnNt Ol INC Appeal
CorFEEymLE, Miss, Sept "A young
gentleman of this place gave TnE APPEAL
correspondent the following account OF a
recent adventure in the Loosa Scoona
swnmps Although the young men re-
quostcl that fictitious names be used, the
people Of Co!Ircyllo will readily recognize
the characters
On the 2Glh Of last month John Howard
and I decided to spend a day hunting and
fishing at aud near Round lake in the
swamp OF Scoona river Grand prepara-
tons were accordingly made the evening
before, and the hack in which we intended
going ordered 10 be in front OF our rooms
at 3 O'Clock in the morning
II Is only about seven miles TO the lake,
aud We expected to arrive by the time the
time the first strraks OF dawn glintod the
eastern horizon. had promised 10 room
with Howard that night, aud after every
thing had been packed IN huge baskets
ready to place in the hack, We threw our
selves on the bed, thoroughly exhausted
but filed with thoughts of the pleasures
the morrow held in store Tor IA.
care nothing about fishing tackle, ETC.,
and have no desire Tor the acquaintance
OF the llnny tribe until they have been
prepared iOr the table, but my companion
made up all DEFICIENCIES In that line, rs lac
WIS an ardent lover OF the sport lie
cared rs little for hunting of which ! am
very fond, MS ! did Tor fishing. Neither
OF us could sleep Tor any length Of time rs
Howard kept rolling over and muttcring
"llushl don't mako any noise for I'm
getting ahilc and think lisa gOgglc-cye.'
Ia some way the hours at last glided by
and rs the vehicle drove up at 3 We
entered and were soon Whirling away 10
Round lake, the great resort Of Colircvill-
inns IN search OF sport. just az ! was
getting light enough 20 sec We reached our
destination, aud my companion, vino had
haiicd his hook ON nearing the lake, lcapcd
out and was soon fishing away for dear
lie.
After assisting the negro in removing
our baskets, | seized my gun with about
thirty rounds Of cartridges. aud approach
ing Howard smd: AS do not expect 10
find very much game | shall only be alb.
sent short while. You can look for my
return IN un hour
lANMNNNlH WIN Nll llAillNf liNh vi AllN
face, aud with feet lmccl ~ though hc
expected To b. suddenly jcrkcd into the
clear, blue walcr Ol the lake by some sub.
marine monster. was closely watching his
float as II tossed On the gently undulatlng
waves. lie replied ln his usual style.
Hush, hush I'm getting bite, and
th!nh o.. u trout.
II was dlsmally dark in the swamp, and
heavy clouds overhead prevented any
hopes Of It growing lighter. Indeed, il
was evident that 1t would soon Ice raining,
AMI ~ ] left camp IL was with the full de-
termination not 10 go far.
After VA hours walk ! suddenly heard
the wcll.known whistle OF a wild turkey,
US Il sent forth plaintiyc cry Tor IT, mate.
Killing turkeys is the true spOrisman's
delight, ~ no game Is more cunning. 1t
Is possible To cfrcp upon deer o: other
game without being seen, but upon the
wild turkey never.
fastening forward nsrapidly "a possible,
but being careful to make NO noise, On.
dcayorcd Ia get near enough Tor shot. II
was raining 10y this time. and the wind
bad commenced Ia blow in a manner that
WIS not nj all pleasant
In some way the turkey know that was
approaching, and managed 10 keep about
the same distance ahead al the time. On
and on We went, in anl ont OF tangled
vines aud long, tall cane, until several
miles had been triNyr,cd. II was impos.
shlc 10 got In a shot, aud ! was hnnlly
forced 90 give up the chase. IL il hard
matter Ia make u turkey ily when il Is
raining, aud knowing hc would keep up
the running game until night, | turned
and began futmciug my steps
After walking lpr about fifteen minutes
Il Became evident that | WIS lost. Tho
oycrhangiug clouds ohscurl the sun, aud
Il was impossible 20 tell which was north,
south, east Ur west stopping Tor icW
moments Ia consider the situation. heard
un omluuur roaring, which told Oi an ap-
preaching storm.
The lightning began Ia dart from the
dark bosom OF tie clouds, aud the falling
Ut dead limbs and rotten trees couplcd
with the sharp clap Of thunder. which iol.
lowed each flash, kept upa din that wp-
appalling, especially NJ TO one IN uy silu.
alton.
lluuying forward, hut taking care no,
a. approach dead timber, | walked ou and
ON iur miles hoping 81 iinl the river or
some familiar territory. Finally, worn out
With walking and thinking 10 dangerous 10
Keep un, ns the timber was now falling In
every direction, ! seated myself under a
low beech aud waited fUr tie storm 10
abatc. II was not conso'lng 90 reflect that
] should be forced 10 remain over night In
that dismal place, with clothes dripping
wet and no prospect OF a fire.
Then them was another thing which
bore heavily on my mind. Several
bears had been seen in that locality.
II Ia true Il had been some time ago. but
Il IN astonishing how bears will weigh ON a
fellow mind. Ia two " three honr, the
rain vvasyd and | again walked onward.
suddenly u occurred to mc that the cloud.
generally came from the southwest, aud.
taking my course from that, after an
! hours walk, | came IN sight of camp.
ScNcrul fishing canes could be- seen
sticking IN the banks OF the lake, bat
neither Howard nor the colOrcd man who
drove ~ could be- seen.
Ihctc WIS q small lagoon with log OK.
| tending across u near by, aud thinking
/ perhaps they Wcru there, | walked up thr
| cmluukmcnt and looked over 4 udi.
| Cruus, and at the same time, serious spec.
/ laclr met my eve.
Howard aud the negro Wcrr standing on
| the log, ono at each end making threaten,
| ing motions with thUir canes AZ two larrr
| Wild cats, ono OF which was ON either side.
/ The animals worC evidently bont on reach.
/ Ing the two, but were AFRAID ut the canes.
/ Tho Wild cat does not often take the
offensive, but Whom lao does ho Is nc
| uitHu tHH