The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1892-11-18
A THANKSGIVING HUNT.
How the Mighty Nimrods Fnrcd-Dinner
In the Forest.

| IN the tOrest
In broad and general way hunting
parties may be divided into two great
cln,ses-those that people hear about and
those they do not.
The writer has in mind hunting
| party Of the second class--that which
| appears not on the written page, nor is
| found in the mouths of men. 1t went
for big game, and got but little Of it. 1t
went out with plenty of wagon room in
which to bring back venison, deer and
antelope to tickle the stay at homes
| palates, and returned, the wagon space
still unoccupied and carrying 10 load
but that Of solid, soggy, destroyed
hopes. Yet the party was successful
! In way.
| There were days--a week of days
! that the party walked or rode over the
hill and plain without getting u shot at
anything. The members became dis
trustful Of each other and cast glauces
! that plainly asked, "Who is the Jonah
of this tripy' For they were hunters by
instinct and training-not Of littlo se&th.
cred birds, but OF game that it takes
brains rs well as powder and lead to
reach. They knew the haunts of the
game that they wanted--dcer and ante
lope-but they were peIpetually to wind
ward, and game fed the country before
them. After n week of disappointment,
Of muscles aching with unrewarded toll,
of a steady bread and bacon diet oppos-
ing n rising appetite, desperation took
the upper hand.
I'm getting pretty sick of bacon,"
said one.
1T looks like that is ell we'll get"
said another.
1t was at this juncture that the party
happened on small bunch of wild cattle
1t was the first meat on the hoof with
which their eyes had been blessed. 1t
was an exciting moment, and the leader
of the party rapturously brought his rifle
to his shoulder and shot down yearl;ng
heifer.
"a deer at last! Look at the antlors!"
he yelled, capering gleefully about.
you are mistaken; it's cow" said
more conservative member
The leader looked doubtfully at his
prize and shook his head. II admit that
appearances are against me-" said he.
"But-so excited-hadn't shot u gun for
so long-sick of bacon-no, 10; you're
mistaken. 1t is deer meat"
So this lawless, reckless party took
hind quarter and journeyed on. The
next day deer was actually seen and
killed. Hope revived, and the party es-
timated the probable result of the trip,
with large balance on the credit side.
The third day from the opening of the
season the route led through a beautiful
oak country. Underbrish there was in
plenty, and the enthusiastic leader Of The
party looked wisely about as he observed
to another, SHOULD think we ought to
run across some mast hogs in here
Strangely enough, at that moment
sedate old black and white sow hove in
sight, with her progeny trailing at hcr
heels. With a poriier's usual disregard of
consequences she was moving straigE.
against the face Of providence. The
leaders gun was ready, and in q mo
ment the choicest Of the litter was a
victim Of maternal imprudenco. The
mother galloped away with no apparent
regret, and the brothers and sisters Of
the deceased Went gallop;ng after.
That ght-ThaEksgiving eve-tha
party camped in a sheltered canyon.
There was spring of clear water in
which water crosses grew. There was
", ,,lnpt,, No
was wood for roaring campfire. Who
so happy, SO well coatented, as the hunt
ers as they sat about the blaze, pullia;
contentedly at their pipes and thinking
OF the grand and varied feast they would
have on the morrow? There were bacon,
pork. beef and venison; there We're
onions, potatoes and canned tomatoes.
-four, salt, pepper, baking powder. The
next day these should be combined in
the most appetizins form. A stew with
dumplings! The choicest of meats, roast
or boiled!
In their minds eye they beheld them
selves fattening upon the good things
that their rifles had procured or their
forethought had provided.
Twenty-four hours later this was an
accomplished fact There was nothing
left 70 eat. But the fire burned gayly
and the pipes smoked as pipes should.
Complacency and lethargy possessed the
party.
II don't feel as though I'd ever move
again, said the recumbent leader.
"Mebbe it's just as well if you don't"
said strange voice, and the strange
owner of it stepped out into the fire.
light. He had mean looking gun in
his hands, and the mugzle pointed group
ward.
~ just brought few friends along to
help you keep Thanksgiving" he con-
tinued, and under the spell of his words
Or gun-the party remained statu-
esquely motionless.
II kinder thought you would like to
pay for that shote of mine you killed
yesterday" he inquired.
And at the same fiOa TIL co11a,+ &c..