The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-09-20

THEY SLEW BIG GAME
Adventures of Three Hunters in the
Olympic Mount aims.

Olympic Mountains
Frank r. Reid OF Buffalo. who has been
holding down claim near Lake Cusn-
man. Stan" Hopper, the Cascade noun
tain guide, and a young man named
Farmer, have just returned 20 clvlIza-
ton from an elk hunt on the divide OF
the Olympic range. For over Two weeks
Reid and Hopper hunted from morning 10
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
falling. he would be able 10 wind up ms
hunt with a killing
IL was a clear. sharp morning when he
and Reid turned out for their last effort.
and. as they slung their rifles and start
Cd across the mountain. each was praying
inwardly that luck would favor their ef-
forts. Every now a.d then they would
cross patches Of clear snow and the
crunching sound given out told that the
thermometer was stfn dallying with cold
places. Finally they were well located on
the direct lead 10 the valley in which their
hopes were centered. and. as luck had IL.
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 in a small clear space on the mountain
side when he stopped short and leveled his
telescope at a dark spot about quarter
or mile down the valley. Imagine his
delight and the feeling of excitement that
passed through his whole frame as he saw
clearly outlined on a bank Of snow the
forms OF six bull elks. They were lying
down. taking things "as easy as you
please" and unconscious of the danger
that lurked not more than quarter of q
mile distant.
Now the real fun of the hunt COM
menced, and as the hunters crept care
fully down the mountain side. they held
haf~ t,-se@4 J. 4
or the slightest noise was heard. 1t SEEM
ed TO them as If there was a death-like
stiffness and every step or move they
made created sounds that would be heard
In the far distance. Once they came TO a
clear space that was in clear view of the
game, and as they slid over it, hugging
the ground as closely as possible, ii SEEM
ed TO them their chances of success were
very finely balanced. Fortune favored
them and the woods were reached again
without the slightest intimation of their
presence having reached the noble game.
They were now coming within range and
redoubled their precautions. Step by step
they advanced until hardly 800 yards sep
arated them. They stopped and watched
the elk as they lay huddled together. once
in while one of the big fellows with his
great branching horns would stir himself.
get UP and, after walking around lit
tie. lie down again.
they were within 175 yards. The telescope
was leVeled again, and for a long time the
hunters had the unusual pleasure OF
watching band of wild elk in their noun
tain fastness. unconscious of danger. Sud
denly a twig cracked. The hunters held
their breath. There was sudden uneasi-
ness among the animals. One that had
been standing stuck his magnificent head
up into the air and shifted again and again.
IL was now evident that, although the
exact danger could not be located owing
10 the direction of the wind, yet the band
knew that something was wrong.
The critical moment had arrived. Each
hunter chose his game. Hopper took the
one standing and Reid the one that lay
upon the ground facing him. Swiftly as
possible they advanced a few yards. rose
into firing position and brought the heavy
rifles down upon the noble creatures. Two
loud, sharp reports were heard. and in the
twinkling of an eye every animal was on
the move. They sprang up as If by. reflex
action, hut appeared daZed at the attack,
and. not knowing where it came from. for
the moment came together in a mass all
heads up in the air That moment was
what the hunters wanted, and once more
the rifles spoke. and the leaden missiles
went on their deadly missions.
Now the band scattered as if by magic,
and in the twinlxling of an eye had disap-
peared in the woods. Not. however, until
the hunters ndG given them several shots
on the run. Hopper's elk made a short
run. but wounded unto death. fell and ex-
pired. Reds game made a wild rush for
the woods and went tearing down the
mountain side. leaving a trail of blood be-
hind him. Reid gave chase hut lost the
trail owing 10 the brush lie kept on.
however. and after a quarter of mile run
saw big form standing directly back of a
tree. 1t was the elk. and as soon as Reid
sighted him ne sighted Reid. The elk
swayed slightly. and II was evident 70 the
hunter that loss Of blood was telling.
wounded elk. however, is a dangerous AMI
NAL a close quarters. so Reid approac hed
him Very cautiously. keeping the tree be
tween>him and the wounded monarch Of
the forest. The elk made a move, but at
this moment Reid stepped 70 one side.
hTough his rifle 10 his shoulder. and with
Unerring accuracy sent bullet crashing
through its skull.
Each elk weighed about 30 pounds. and
had antlers with SIX pro1Es. The pack
horse was brought mp the mountain 20 get
the meat, hu. in crossing bad place
slipped ana went sailing down the noun
tain side /. 000 feet before a stay in pro-
cecdincs was obtained. This ended all hope
Of bringing oUt more than a small portion
OF the meat a. that time. As soon as pos
sible they returned from their cabins.
thirty miles distant. hut found that big
wolves had gotten away with the last YES
tige OF the great hunt.