The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1895-09-27
They Slew Big Game.

Cushman, "Stan" Hopper, the Cascade
mountain guide, and young man
named Farmer, have just returned tc
civilization from an elk hunt on the
"divide" of the Olympic range. Fol
over two weeks Ried and Hopper
hunted from morning to night, Farmer
meanwhile taking care of the camp
and still there were no signs of big
game. Hopper, however, had one last
place in view and hoped that all else
failing, he would he able to wind up his
hunt with killing.
1t was clear, sharp morning when
he and Reid turned out for their last
effort, and, as they slung their rifles
and started across the mountain, each
Was praying inwardly that luck would
favor their efforts. Every now and
then they would cross patches of clear
snow and the crunching sound given
out told that the thermometer was still
dallying with cold places. Finally
they were well located cn the direct
lead to the valley in which their hopes
were centerod, and, as luck had it,
the wind had veered around SO they
could advance for the time being with
impunity. Hopper was in the lead
and had just come out i'll small clear
space on the mountain side when he
stopped short and leveled his telescope
ut IL dark spot about Il quarter of a
mile down the valley. Imagine his
delight and the feeling of excitement
that passed through his whole frame
as he saw clearly outlined on bank of
snow the forms Of six bull elks. They
were lying down, taking things Gas
easy as you please" and unconscious
OF the danger that lurked not more
than Il quarter OF IL mile distant.
Now the real fun of the hunt com
mcnced, and as the hunters crept care
fully down the mou tain side, they
held their breath every time twig
snapped or the slightest noise was
heard 1t seemed to them as if there
was II death-like stiffness and every
step or move they made created sounds
that would be heard in the far distance
Once they came TO IL clear space that
was in clear view of the game, and us
they slid over it, hugging tbe ground
rs closely us possible, it seemed to them
their chances OF success were very
finely balanced. Fortune favored
them and the woods were reached
again without the slightest intimatior
of their presence having reached the
noble game. They were now coming
within range and ledoubled their pre-
cautions. Step by step they advanced
until hardly 300 yards separated them
They stopped and watched the elk al
they lay huddled together. Once in {
while one of the big fellows with hi
great branching horns would stir him
self, get up and, after walking around
little, lie down again.
The hunters advanced carefully un
til they were within It's yards. The
telescope was leveled again, and for {
long time the hunters had the unusual
pleasure of watching band OF wild ell
in their mountain fastness, uncon
scious OF danger. Suddenly twis
cracked. The hunters held theil
breath. There was sudden uneasi
ness among the animals One that
had been standing stuck his magnifi
cent head up into the air and shifted
again and again. 1t Was now evident
that, although the exact danger could
not he located owing to the direction
of the wind, yet the band knew that
something was wrong.
.,c critical moment had arrived
Each hunter chose his game. Hopper
took the one standing and Reid the
O.e that lay upon the ground facing
him. swiftly as possible they ad
van,'ed few yards, rose into firms
pas t.on and brought the heavy rifle,
dnwn upon the noble creatures. Two
loud, sharp reports were heard, and il
tic :winkling OF an eye every anima
Was III the move. They sprang up a
ii by reflex action, but appeared dazet
AT the attack, and, not knowing wher
together in a mass, all heads up in tin
air. That moment was what tn
hunters wanted, and once more tn
rifles spoke, and the leaden missile
went on their deadly missions.
Now the band scattered as if b
magic, and in the twinkling of an ey
had disappeared Ir the woods. Not
however, until the hunters had givel
them several shots on the run. Hou
per's elk made IA short run, but. wound
Ell unto death, fell and expired
Reid's game made wild rush for tn
woods and went tearing down tn
mountain side, leaving trail of bloc
behiAd him. Reid gave chase. bu
lost the trail, owing to the brush. H
kept on, however, and after quartz