Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1900-03-08
Adventure with a Wildcat
By James Otis.
THIRTY-FIVE years ago, when tn
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OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
THIRTY-FlVE years ago, when the
northern part of the state of Maine
northern portion of the state of Maine
was even more sparsely settled than it
is now, and when game of all descrip-
tons was plenty, the boys were in the
custom of having shooting match
at least once each year. All the young
fellows living within a radius of five
miles would meet choose two captains
by ballot, and these officers would alter
nately name a fellow as his man" aft
er the method adopted at spelling
matches, until the entire number had
been assigned to one side or the other.
In that section of the country where
the writer lived, the parties or sides
usually numbered about 80, making 100
in all, who for five days were at liberty
to hunt in any portion of the state, sub
iect only to such rules as were laid
down by the respective captains.
1t was necessary that every member
should present himself at the rendez-
vous at three o'clock on Monday morn
inc. give his solemn word that he had
no game either in cages, traps or snares,
and then the fun would commence, to
be ended not later than nine o'clock
on the following Saturday forenoon,
when all were obliged to turn over their
game to the counters.
Each animal or bird scored certain
number of points-as, for instance,
moose. bear, deer or wildcat counted
for the hunter 500, a wolf, 300; a fox,
2OO. and so on down, even to a striped
squirrel 1t was only necessary TO
kringin the ears Of animals or the wings
Of birds, and the total amount captured
bv each side would be compared, those
having the smallest number of points
being obliged to provide the dinners and
ride for the entire company.
Great secrecy was maintained by all
as to their destination when the start
was made. the boys usually hunting in
couples, and, Of course, doing their best
to visit all the most likely places for
game before their opponents could ar
rive there.
The writer and his chum usually
drove 50 miles to Moosehead lake, the
time occupied in going and returning
being looked upon as well spent since
the larger animals could be found III
that vicinity more abundantly than
elsewhere.
Quite naturally each fellow was eager
to get a moose. bear or deer, and in
striving after this large game, the
match was often lost, those winning
who industrousy bagged everything
regardless of individual scores. but
trusting that the total amount would
he the largest, although not presenting
quite such a brilliant array Of game.
For three consecutive years Dan Jor-
dan and myself had been chosen on the
same side, and cur camp was always
located at Squaw bay, on Mocschead
lake. where we had never failed to make
good bag Of big game.
On this particular year the match was
begun late in October and as we start
ed out on our long drive before day
light, we suffered quite as much from
The cold rs if ii had been mid-winter.
The roads were frozen hard, and al
though we had a fairly good horse, we
were ten miles from our halting-place
when we were forced to camp for the
night.
We had been driving during the last
two or three hours Of the day over the
merest apology for 4 road, it having
been made by the lumbermen for use
only in the winter season, and the
last babitation we had seen was ten or
~ miles away.
We were disappointed in not having
reached the end of our journey, for
time was very precious TO us; but 1t was
of no use to grumble, and we set about
making ourselves as comfortable as pos
sible for the night, by building rous-
ing fire. The horse was tethered close
by. and our only shelter was the wagon
under which we lay on our blankets
with our feet near the glowing Goals.
The long ride had tired us, and it was
not many moments after we had eaten
our supper of toasted bacon, bread and
coffee before we were sleeping sound
ly, despite the many uncomfortable IN
eoualities in our mattress of earth.
We made no pretense Of keeping
watch, for neither believed that we
should be disturbed by any dangerous
animnla, and this carelessness wa5 bit
terly repented.
1t seemed as if / had hardly falleT
asleep, when was aroused lnt'
startled consciousness by piercing
scream. followed Immediately by Tx