, 1889-08-29
RATS I!

80 '''+ssn-'a-.4 sAh'a1 sui O4i -'AN.i
La. ;l,l. . number OF local Iinlrods,
regarding reports oi deer being seen in
large numbers on WILDLY Island. Dave
RUlfin, who has reputation in his native
state oi being great coon hunter, con-
icrred with Deputy Sheriff Jones, and
they decided to get up party and so:
George Sislcy, Stan Latimer, John Nc.
Inucs and Charlie Finn were invited,
but Charlie could not go with the party;
he and George Trenholm went over
later The BOYS reached the camping
ground late Monday afternoon. Having
supplied themselves with a quantity OF
cure for snake bites, and Sarsaparilla
and IRON and Spades to help them along,
thew had little to trouble them and not
not much OF Z desire TO hunt that night.
Dave RufIin had left his partner at the
store, and had agreed TO pay the expense
oi having his meals sent to him from the
Delmonico, and it rather bothered the
Gentleman from North Carolina to do
something whereby he could make ex-
pcnscs. Sisley had put a substitute in
lis place at the ARGUS Office and he was
not ayerse to making expenses. McIn-
. peS suggested that the party 60 the lake
and hunt muskrats, remarkng that or
Giuary skins brought $3.50 each, while
silver tips would sell as high as 5000.
. George and Dave calculated that
{ one OF each would pay their expenses,
/ lunch and all. Dave enthused so much
( tkat he wanted to 90 at once, but was
persuaded by the old timers" te wait
( ntil dark. At nine thirty they had
completed their preparations, buCkled
! on their armOr and started. Deputy
! Sheriff Jones agreed to pilot George and
Dave on their way to the upper end Of
/ the lake, then he would return to the
other boys and hunt with them along
the end nearest the camp. Jones as
end was easier to get than the wilder
| ones near the camp. Before starting out
! Dave and George, according to instruc-
tons, placed white rags around the gun
barrels, so they could see the sights.
Dave took a tonic before starting, and
. George fixed himself against snake bites.
| Jones and McInnes walked with the
boys part way around the lake and left
( them. They had not gone far, how,
! ever, before they heard splash-George
/ had stepped into a ditch. Jones and
/ Mac returned 10 camp and told the other
boys OF the exploit, and they were con-
Yulsed with laughter, or else something
went down the wrong way. They re-
manned around the fire and told stories
| until bed time, when they retired. About
/ three 4. m. they were aroused from
/ peaceful repose by loud shouts in the bari
! tone voice of Sisley calling fer Spades
/ He was answered by that individual, and
on entering he inquired if the other party
/ had returned. Each one of the jokers
answered except Jones. McInnes asked
Dave if he had seen him, being told that
! he had not, Sisley looked around the
room. McInnes had effectually hidden
the deputy sheriff, and George did not
| find him. Being somewhat alarmed, he
went to the door and called the familiar
name in a concert pitched voice. Get
| ting no reply, he discharged his gun
several times without getting a response.
The boys suggested that a search party
| be organized If Jones did not return in
an hour. Before the time expired Jones
made his presence known by giving a
yell. When the hunters were asked if
/ they had gotten any game, Dave said he
was standing at the side of the lake when
Rlonstrous big musk rat, presenting
more the appearance of kangaroo than
any thing else, bobbed up before him.
His eyes seemed to be of enorm GUS size,
and Dawes gun being loaded with bird
/ shot, he knew it would be useless to fire,
so he ran over toward Sisley, intending
| to gain time and lead his gun with buck
shot. In his hurry to make the distance
| between he and the rat he lost his buck
shot cartridges, the ''largest muskrat on
record" disappeared and Dave missed
| the opportunity oil his life. George said
lac did not see any rats, but they kept
umping around in the water at fright
ful rate. He felt sure that, had it been
lighter lie would have shot enough of
them TO have made him temporarily in
dependent. The boys did not for a mo-
ment imagine that they had been fooled
until they landed here Wednesday after
noon, and learned it was the usual trick
played on newcomers who visit WILDLY
Island. 1t is not healthy for any one to
say "rats" 1" to either OF them.