The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1896-10-30
IN THE 9UIGKsAEDS.
By Il. IRVINE LYEDs.

TO stories into which the element OF
danger largely entered.
We mad ali dutifully told some old
/ time adyenture-with certain additions
that seemed absolutely necessary IN
der the circumstanees-all except our
host, who had been given the last place
on the list. so that the series might close
robed in the richest colOring.
He was a hunter of wide and varied
experience and a man who had given
a great deal of intelligent thought to
the mysteries Of wOodcraft. Conse-
quently, whatever he said upon the sub
ject was always listened to with defer
ence.
We therefore settled down a little
more comfortably in our chairs as he
began;
in my younger days 1 spent more
time in the woods than do now. Not
that like hunting less, It has as great
attraction for me as ever, the Odor Of
the woods is as sweet TO me as the scent
of powder is to the old war horse; but
many things claim my time now and
keep me from wandering.
THE little adventure 1 am about TO
tell happened in Nova Scotia, 20 years
ago, when was quite a young man.
ut is not generally known that GER
tain parts Of the province contain some
of the finest hunting grounds magma
bic. Miles and miles of virgin forest,
acres of spruce and pine averaging fully
60 feet in height. crowded together on
moss-green groundwork, almost close
enough to shut out daylight. Then
there are parts overFun with high
naples, birch and beech.
Many a day have ! crept through
the deep, shady glades and over the
long. sioping hills. But am rather
wandering from my story.
"TlI just show ycu where my adyen-
ture happened"
Raising, he took down an atlas from
a shelf.
Just here at the north" he con-
tinued. "See that headland? That's
the place. Twice a day all the water
in the basin seems to rush around that
point, and away up into the mainland.
1T is marsh land along there, and the
point is called Minudie marsh. 1t is a
very large tract of land, said to con
tain 5000 acres, shut in from the sea by
nine miles of dyke. tits perfectly level,
dotted all over with barns and hay
stacks; and in the autumn also with
men and horses, busily at work cutting
broad leaf" or marsh hay.
One not acquainted with the place
could easily become lost, for the barns
and haystacks. extending in every di-
rectiOn, are all alike IN size, shape and
color. It was near this marsh that
had located myself for the hunting sea-
son, on account of the excellent sport
which it afforded in the shape of almost
every kind of water fowl, and also be-
cause hot many miles away were woods
in which moose and caribou were plen-
tiful.
THE autumn that year had been very
dry, so that there we're, comparatively
speaking, 10 birds on the marsh. With
out knowing this, however, one day
set out for few hours shooting.
i tramped the best part of the aft
ernOOn, without success, and. as did
not care to so home without bagging
something, ] determined to shoot
peep on the mud fats.
Il rolled up my trousers to the knee
and started. sinking fully six inches in
the soft mud at every step, ! walked
about for some tine, getting shot now
and then ard wandering far cut upon
the flats, until a rushing noise behind
made rue turn quickly around.
THE bore was comiHg-a bank of
tumGIing, seething water, quite three
feet high, tearing about as fast as man
could run Time to Ice getting back
thought i. 1t will not take long for the
tide to cover the flats / stood and
watched the tidal wave for a moment, |
then started quite Ieisurely for the
dyke, shaping my course directly for
it.
After having gone so yards or so,
! came TO gully, between eight and |
Ten feet wide. at the bottom of which /
flowed a little stream. 1t ran nearly /
parallel with the dyke, and in order to /
reach the marsh had either to cross
il or go away up and around. Not car !
ing 10 Iergthen my disagreea6le tramp /
for it was no fun dragging ones feet /
out of the mud at every step-I decided /
to hold my original course. The sides
of the gully locked soft and treacher- /
Gus, but IS taking a running jump I /
thought ] could clear the dangerous /
part.
Il stepped back a few PAGES. and. /
firmly grasping the gun, started. had /
the effect The bad footing /
would have, and SOW my mistake the
moment ! sprang; but 100 latel
Il landed On tlc other side Of the
stream, in What seemed to me the soft +
ost Fart of the mud. Ny weight and
the impetus Of my jump drove me into
The mud kuee-deep.
AT first was inclined to laugh at /
my plight. but that feeling speedily
gave way to one OF anxiety. when ] real
lied that was swiftly sinking.
II endeayored to draw my feet out,
put when ! tried to iift one the other
went further down. A cold sweat broke
1ut on nv forehead. was In a bed Of