Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1893-10-27
Correspondence Of the Sentinel.
LAKE BROWN,
Garrett County. Oct. 10. 1893


little after noon, whilst seated on the front
yeranda enjoying one of our reveres, almost
intoxicated from the voluptuous atmosphere,
watching the mellow golden light which
was reflected on the water Of the lake, until
each little wave formed from the gentle
breeze was mass of heaving roseate gold,
that Mr.. Browning approached us and asked
II we would not like to go to the camp on
Meadow Mountain that his son "Dick" had
gone and would be Joined by his brother
Nathan and friend from Sang Run--that
William, his brother, who was here at the lake
engaged in the construction Of the Matching
houses for trout,was now melting his lead and
will be off in few moments, that the cabin
at the camp was warm and comfortable at
night with big fire all the time, finishing
the sentence with the assertion, that you
will find it something altogether new from
anything you have ever seen, and have not
the slightest doubt that we will return with
plenty Of game"
The very mention of such suggestion
seemed to fill US with awe. We had read
something of this mountain, and what We
had not read had been told US by those who
had "been there" We knew that if it was
the home of wild and rugged beauty and
towering forest, the cradle Of hunters and
where every stone is consecrated by legend,
we had likewise learned that it was the
cradle and home of rattlesnakes and wild
cats, and that on these very same stones
they would come to bask in the warmth OF
the sun. We realized that this fear was re.
moved from the fact that with the first frost
they make for their dens and remain until
late in the Spring. We had also been in.
formed since our arrival here, that on this
very mountain, commencing at the pace
of the encampment, was the great laurel
thcket, five miles thick and three wide. II
is so very thick that it is next to an impossi-
bility to make ones way through-that
here the bear, other wild animals, and the
deer come to conceal their young. In the
possession of these facts no wonder that we
should hesitate and think well over the
matter.
We were here to see all that we could of
this country-not only to see but 10 inquire.
We would have five experienced native
would be the event of our life, so we mus
tered up the courage and concluded to go
and in Il lew moments informed Mr.. Brown
ing.
Taking on additional flannel, which made
three In all, another coat, with heavy over
coat, we started to find Mr.. Browning, who
was somewhere about the premises engaged
in giving directions to be carried out during
his absence, when in the rear of the kitchen
building We came upon Mr.. Browning, who
was engaged in loading an old English rifle.
From accounts we had read, he was an
exact personation of Old David Crockett.
He had just empted charge of powder
from IA little brass charge which was attached
to an old horn which one might have sup
posed was taken from one of the cattle that
left Noah's Ark. Then he took from an
old leather pouch or bag, equally US old as
the horn, piece OF rag about the size OF
dollar note, mostened the centre Of the rag
with his tongue, placed it over the muzzle
of the rifle, then he put one OF his own manu-
featured bullets on the rag and pushed it
down with his hand. Taking from his pocket
a knife large enough to kill an OK, trimmed
off the rag and then drove the bullet down
with a ramrod. Having placed on cap, he
remarked, "now, am ready" We said to
him, why not the Winchester rifle or Win
chester gun-those hunters we have crossed
seemed to have them. mo-" he replied, 81
like this old dog, whenever he barks there
is something there, and all you have to do
is to go and get it,"
learned that this rifle was brought over
from England in 1900, and became the prop
erty OF Mr. James Drane, of Upper MARI
boro', Prince Georges county, who was the
grandfather of Richard l.. Browning and
brothers. That at sometime subsequently,
to 1915 Mr.. Drane moved 10 Accident, this
county. After his death VIM. Browning, the
father of these boys, purchased It, 1t had,
therefore, not only become an heirloom,
but it is known to every hunter in this re
gion, and that upon one occasion William
Browning, on big wager, drove tack at
20 yards nine times out of nine.
1t is interesting TO see these old hunters
start out. They take not particle OF cover.
ing, nor have they any out at camp. The
only thing beside their gun, ammunition and
dog is a sack, with rope fastened to either
end, which they throw over their heads and
round under one arm. This sack contains,
as general thing, some cold wheat or corn
bread, thick bunch of raw fat meat a
cup of butter, bottle of ground coffee and
some uncooked potatoes and onions.
The base of one portion of Meadow Noun
tain is about mile and a quarter from Lake
Brown, but the situation OF the camp to
which we had To make is some four miles
1t was near sunset when we reached the
tattered cliffs Of the mountain, and as We
turned around To look at the face OF the
country through which we had Just Travelled
anu uOW lLC HCdNCuo huu Ihi VII
what a view opened upon our vision. Far
as the eye could reach for miles and miles
nothing could be seen but a succession of
mountains bathed in the crimson glow OF the
fast sinking sun. Their towering grandeur
and massive build seemed embematical OF
those mighty principles which underlie the
best government ever designed by man.
Here and there in the far dist"- were
weird and gloomy places, fit g for
angry demons to dwell. lmm6u. at
the base of the mountains, extending TO the
base OF Negro Mountain, was wide ravine
covered with immense timber. 1t was an
other lrightful picture and seemingly wrapt
in wicked and black sublimity.
Continuing our journey for some half
mile through thick bushes and over rocks
we reached an open court about the dimen-
sion of the sixteenth of an acre This was
the place OF encampment-known as Camp
Sims" and familiar with the hunters of this
section for the past thirty years. This small
space OF ground is densely surrounded by
the finest pine timber-many OF the trees are
from 1876 to 175 feet tall, and from To feet
in diameter, reminding US much OF the many
illustrations that have appeared in the pic
torial magazines OF the California forests.
Among this timber are immense white oaks,
CurIeu maple, CHESTNUT anu spruce pine.
Many OF the large and tallest pines are limb
less and leafless, which have seemingly de
fled the fury of the storms for centuries, and
now like some battered and scar beaten
warrior, stands sentinel over the majesty Of
this wilderness Of beauty and isolation.
The cabin rests under one Of these tall
pines and oaks on the one side and huge
spruce on the other. 1t is built Of large pine
and oak logs 10 by ~. These are chinked
with small pieces Of wood and then stutfed
with moss gathered from the ground and off
the rocks, and in many places on the inside
and outside boards are nailed. The roof is
slanting, about six inches fall, about four.
fifths is covered with boards put on length
wise. The opening, which is at the tall end
is for the smoke TO escape. At this end on
the inside and up against the logs there is a
thick layer OF rocks, and extending foot OF
two down each side Against and on these
rocks the fire is made. On the side Of the
cabin is doorway Of 3x4 feet Around the
sides on the inside are wooden forks on
which the guns are placed at night. The
sacks containing the grub are placed in q
thick wooden box and hid, in the absence oi
the hunters in the laurel bushes-at nigh