Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-09-05

obliterated every trace left by previous
travellers.
Pushing along slowly and quietly. often
stopping 10 listen and TO watch, you
emerge after several miles into the edge
of a slashing or clearing bordering on
the shores of the mountain lake. Here
you take your positions on the top OF
stump or a fallen tree. you stand ike
statues on a pedestal, with clear view
OF the waters edge, waiting the appear
ance OF your game. The hours pass,
the sun gently sinks down behind the
opposite mountain. The charm of the
dying day in the woods is complete. Not
a sound is heard except the chirrup or
the small nuthatch as he industriously
pecks away at the bark on the dead tree
nearby.
You have about decided TO return TO
camp; your companions are not ready
to turn back; it is growing dark in the
woods. yet the twilight will linger some
time yet in the open, enabling you to see
the sights on your rife. You take
another look around, you scan the woody
shores in hope the big buck will come
out again. where your guide has inform
ed you he had seen favorable signs ana
fresh tracks on a previous trip of ex-
ploration.
Are your eyes deceived? A Slight
tremor passes over you. You look again.
Yes, a moving object energies from the
shadowy background on yonder shore.
again it moves, again your nerves are
attacked with the ague; your compan-
ions are intenty waiting your signal TO
act. Now your buck steps forth clearly
relieved against the clear water beyond.
Holding his head high in the air. he
III ain
fed that he is prudent to venture forth
from his retreat while It is yet light
At your suggestion your companion
takes the first shot. You stand ready
I'm case of a miss. Bang, speaks n WIN
chester; bangl goes another. You see
the deer leap into the air and turn in
a dash for cover. WAS he hitT' you
ask I'm unison. Away you all go. over
fallen logs into DOGGY muck, toward the
shore The thought occurs: How will /
be able TO get the game home and out
over such a tangle of fallen timber!
You presently find more accessible
passage, and soon reach the spot No
deer is there. but you see the tracks,
the broken twigs and trampled brush.
Your companions call 10 you that there
are blood stains on the leaves. Back
i'm the brush you go and find the deer
lying head down, having fallen ex-
hausted in his last vain effort to flee TO
safety.
Hastily stringing your prize to a stout
pole he Is carried on the shoulders OF
two of the party back TO camp. Much
difficulty is encountered getting out or
the swamp and fallen timber to the trail. !
However. when this is reached although !
ii Is nearly dark, the return trip TO camp 1
Is easy.
Being down the mountain side. and 4
with the Joy Of success and the prospect I
of a hearty dinner awaiting you at camp,
your steps are quickened, and what
seemed 10 be a tedious climb Of several
miles now Is covered in remarkably short
time As you draw near you hear the
voices Of the boys talking, you are back
again. quickly letting your latest prize
buck to the ground, and investigating a
very tired and bruised shoulder
A few moments later and another deer
hangs in front Of camp.
Unless you are very fortunate, this will
be the very best day of the camp. TWO
deer I'm succession like that do not fall
TO the lot of every outfit. And the JOY
of feeling that you have accomplished
something that entities you TO the re-
spect of your fellow-sportsmenl 1t IS
great enough to last you through all
the months of business that are to come.
II will furnish you a topic for conversa-
tion the following winter. Talk Of the
seventh heaven of happiness! How Is it
nossihle for one to reach it more COM
nleteIv than TO bring down deer In the
Adirondack forests?
1