St. Landry democrat., 1890-10-18
CAPT. Scott ard tie Gcoh.
THE TRUE STORY TOLD FOR THE FIRST
FINE NORTH OF THE POTOMAC.

THE TRUE STORY TOLD FOK THE FIRST
TIME NORTH OF THE POTOMAC.
Probably all of the readers of the Forest
and Stream have heard of the story OF
Capt. Scott and the coon, but will VEN
ture to add that not one of them who lives
north of Mason and Dixon's line could re
peat the tradition correctly. Anyway,
will tell it as Keeper Smith narrated it.
Capt. Martin Scott was Virglnian and
an officer in the regular army. The coon
episode happened some time in the year
1880. Capt, then Lieut.. Scott, was sta
toned at Fort Smith, frontier post on
the Arkansas river which was commanded
by Capt. Bradford who was the author OF
the famous story. 1t was very common
recreation for Scott to shoot the darling
chimney swallow on their darling cratic
flight with bullet from his long Ken
lucky rifle. This is degree of skill al
most incredible, for there are few shots OF
the pres ent day who can kill three out OF
five with the improved breech- loader.
Lieut.. SCOTS boon companion was QUAR-
termaster Van Swearlngen, who, like
many other amateurs, imagined that the
rifle was bound to kill something when ne
was at the big end of it. He was great
| admirer of the lieutenant's sporting gifts
and loved to bask under the lustre OF his
companions great skill.
One day dog freed coon in tall COT
tonwood tree down in the lowlands, a
short distance from the *ort, ano the dog
not being able to climb the tree, COM
menced barking to attract some ones az
tention. The story goes that the coon'
sitting in q crack of limb looking down
in supreme contempt at his four footed
foe, at last growing tired of the monoto,
nous yelping, he hailed the dog and told
him to shut his jaws, that he had no IN
tention of coming down. This made tne
dog more angry, and he continued ms
yelping Again the coon called to MIN
ironically and advised him not to break q
blood vessel, and the coon was 50 pleased
with his joke that he wrapped his tail
around a limb, swung himself in the air
and laughed until he showed every tooth
in his head. You will laugh on the
wrong side of YOUR mouth soon, said the
dog land here comes one who will make
YOU do it you thieving, misunderstanding,
carrion- eating, loud-smelling old vsrmlnt'
you"
"Who is he, you handy legged, stump
tailed, egg sucking reptile = cried the coon
as he repaired to the shelter OF the tree.
Its Lieut.. V an SWeSIlARcA, sAo"ioo
the canine.
The coon grinned until his eyes dissp-
peared in his face.
Little Van," he grunted derisively
"why, he may shoot and be BANKED. III
be. my valuable hide against your NANCY
pelt that he don't get me out of this tree.
Van Swearingin appeared and blazec
away at the coon, who did not even conde
scend to hide behind branch. Having
shot all of his ammunition away, the
auartermaster retired in high dudgeon
Shortly after another figure appeared OF
the scene, and pouring some fresh powde
in the pan, prepared to fire.
Whats his name? inquired the coon
"Scott," yelled the dog.
"Who?" inquired the coon, fearful!
agi,ated.
Lieutenant Scott" bayed the dog.
"Martin Scott" squealsd the animal
"Tm gone coon. Cap'n Scott, Cap'i
Scott, don't FIRE I'm coming down s.
saving. he folded himself in ball AM
dropped to the ground and yielded his lif'
to the dog without struggle.-for'st an
Stream.