New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-17
A PAIR OF LYNXES.

known as Stepan. or Stephen. is no less re-
n,arkable as a teller OF capital hunting yarns
than he Is in his own legitimate avocation as
woodcraftsman. Whether Stepan draws upon
his experience for his facts-and his experience
IS certainly uniQue-or upon his imagination,
which is fertile. ] really do not know. Stepan is
n Russian peasant. and therefore II is his birth
right to lie Nevertheless ! am accustomed to
believe the greater part of what he tells me as
lie resting upon the heather at midday dur
ing the luncheon intervals because ! have my
self more than one occasion seen this tai
ented individual perform feats in woodcraft
somewhat similar to those he is in the habit OF
describing The following is one of his yarns;
and do not think there is anything in it which
the reader cannot be asked TO beieve-if ne
likes:
II was once" said friend Stepan. spending
the night in midforest. waiting for the capercail-
xics to begin their morning tournaments which
would not be until 8 o'clock at the earliest
AS you are aware, the hours of the night
spent thus are apt TO hang somewhat heavily
upon ones hands. unless one passes them sleep
Ing comfortably with ones feet close to the fire
but then, If you are alone there is the danger of
not waking in time for the caporcaizie jaunt
Therefore preferred to remain awake and listen
10 ln' VOICES vi lilt SlSiliilS
ling Of the pines over my head. or tho occasional
distant ling Of a wolf. that most melancholy
Of all the voices OF nature.
"Then il struck me that this would bc an ex
celiont opportunity for me to precise some OF
my animal calls, an accomplishment in which
ns you know. | have attained some little pro
hciency.
IL howl"d first in the character OF a wolf
l;py inc hot I milo Of RI
some Of these gentlemen within range Of my
smooth-borc which had taken the precaution
to load with slugs But though howled my
best for half hour, found that my friends
were too far away. | could hear them but they
could not hear me- for their natural howlings
travelled further than my artificial tones. Then
! bethought me that my lynx-ca might he
growing rusty from disuse. and started cater
wauling like the vericst starving lovesick
lynx that ever roamed the woods after prey or
partner.
"Thero Is not much chance Of calling up a
lynx in part Of the country. for these ami
mails very rare, and scarcely ever honor our
particular portion Of the forest with a visit:
therefore my caterwaulings were designed more
for practice than anything else, though. Of
course one always family hopes. What was my
surprise, then, when, after had called for no
longer than five minutes OF so. distinctly heard
my cIies answered from. apparently. a distance
Of mile a mile and a half
II was tremendously excited. for had never
killed lynx. and, this being the only Russian
animal which had up to now successfully dcGcd
all my arts Of woodcraft felt that. could I
only succeed tonight in calling up this gentle
man or lady and adding him or her to my list
Of victims, should die happy when called upon
to hid farewell to these hunting grounds In
favor Of yet happier ones
$50 sat silent for a few moments. for It was
necessary to allow my pulses to resume their
natural beat. for at present they were throbbing
like a steam engine. | knew that if attempted
50 call up that willy creature while under the in
hucnce Of excitement should soon bctray my
self for man and no true lynx So. as say /
paused while. and pondcrcd what had best be
done My lynx yelled away meanwhile. cvi-
IDENTIFY as delighted with the prospect Of meet o.
Ing me was with the HOPE Of getting a
nearer view Of him. ! decided to put out my
fire before took any further steps toward
securing an interview with my friend for if one
thing is more certain than another ii is that
anything worthy Of the name Of a lynx would
never approach within quarter Of "A mile Of "A
bonfire. So ! stamped out every bit Of blazing
wood and scattered the cmbcrs and did so not
without some sinking Of heart. for If the lynx
should take his time about approaching my
place Of ambush il would be mighty cold waiting
for him this bitter frosty March night Then
having by this time subducd the excited bcatings
Of my heart sufficiently to warrant "A careful re
turn to cautcrwauling, ! took up a strategic
position behind thick cump Of bushes