The Forrest City times., 1899-06-30
PISCATORIAL.


 disc, especially St. Francis county. Con- tigious to Forrest City are over fifty lakes. principal among which are Blackfish Lake, Long Lake, Fishing Lake, Island Lake, Horseshoe Lake, Keithley Lake. Round Pond, Blue Lake, Burnt Cane, Rose Lake, Ottar Pond, Old River and the beautiful St. Francis. The lakes are filled with the finest of game fish, trout, black bass, speckled perch and striped bass. The dense forests and cane brakes adjacent 10 these lakes and rivers are the home of the turkey, deer, bear. squirrel, and many Wild and ferocious beasts. It is indeed poor hunter or angler who cannot fill his bag or string in days hunt. Perhaps Forrest City has more experts with the rod and line than any town in the state, and not day passes during the season but what some previous record is broken. Last week camp fish and hunt was or. ganized, which is graphically described by one of the participants
 LONG LAKE.
 After several daysof anticipation, on Monday night of last week at 9 o'clock. our party of anglers, composed of Jas Harris, of Wynne, S. P. McDqniel, Matt Grasmick and Pat Scott, loaded two horse wagon with camp equippage, pro- visions, etcetera, of which the best DOT ton was etcetera, and by the way this unmentionable article or articles usually disposed of by the word etcetera, is one of the finest remedies in the world for snake bites, and is indispensable on pro- tracted fishing excursions and camp hunts. as it is a sure preventative of malaria and keeps the participants from consuming such quantity of lake water which was made for the little fishes to swim in. The wagon with its load of equippage, etc., and all. was placed in charge of Henry Wyley for safe transportation while our party climbed into two-horse hack and made the start for Long Lake-the sports mans Paradise.
 The moon being bright and the night just cool enough to be pleasant and roads Tn fairly good condition, the trip was made without incident until we reached the lake road proper. It had not been travelled since the overflow, which had left considerable driftwood and logs across the road, and this together with the fast disappearing moon, made pro. gress rather slow and difficult, but thanks to good torch, in the hands of our guide we reached our old camping ground al 0. k. about ? o'clock Tuesday morning We were all exhausted and sleepy, be- ing tired our from the effects of the long drive, and decided not to pitch the tent accordingly we took our cots and quilts beneath the spreading branches of the thickly folaged trees and turned in fol few hours rest. Soon the God of slum. Der had stolen our senses and left us in natures dreamland, with nothing to dis turb the enchanted stiffness except the musical chirp of the night bird, and the cheerful crackle of the bright camp fire.
 We were astir betimes. all of us being much refreshed from the few hours re- spite from worry care. The first view of the lake revealed the fact that no boats were in sight, but some of the party, after taking refreshing draught from the jug of etcetera," just for the stomach's sake set to work to arrange camp, while others were catching log pearch from the banks for breakfast. after which Matt and my self shouldered our guns and started on a hunt for squirrels, as well as boats. We had not gone far before Matt found one and knocked him out at the first shot, bul he lodged about half way to the ground. and while he climbed the tree alter his game, went in search of others which found only short distance away. and standing in one place, killed three out of four shots, the last one being out of range. By this time Matt had overtaken me and little farther on he brought down another. About the same time was favored with the same luck. At this iuncture we had reached the foot of the lake. but the slough was so full we were compelled to walk a mile further before we could cross, which we did on fallen log. After short walk, we came to Blue lake but found no boats, until we reached the upper end, where We found large dugout capable of carrying eight men. We went on until we came to the cabin of an old colored man, and made a deal with him for what boats we needed and their transportation to our camp, for the nominal sum of 25cts. The old col ored man with his two boys and wagon and team hauled the boats over as per agreement. On my return. shot four fine young ducks and could have killed twice as many more, but did not need them.
 As we were expecting another party