The Afro-American advance., 1900-02-24
Adventure with a Wildcat
By James Otis.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
THIRTY-FlvE years ago, when the

THIRTY-FlNE 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-
tions was plenty, the boys were in the
custom of having a shooting match"
at least once each year. All the young
fellows living within radius Of five
miles would meet, choose two captains
by ballot, and these officers would alter
rately name fellow as his man." aft
er the method adopted at spelling
matches, until the entire number had
4 been assigned 20 one side or the other.
In that section of the country where
the writer lived, the parties or sides
usually numbered about so. making 100
in all, who for five days were at liberty
10 hunt in any portion of the state, sub
ject 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 OH Monday morn
ing, 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 a certain
number of points-as, for instance. a
moose, bear, deer or wildcat counted
for the hunter 500, wolf, 300; fox,
200. and so on down, even TO a striped
squirrel. 1t was only necessary to
bringin the ears of animals or the wings
OF birds, and the total amount captured
by each side would be compared, those
having the smallest number of points
being obliged to provide the dinners and
a 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
rye 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 in
that vicinity more abundantly than
elsewhere.
Quite naturally each fellow was eager
20 get moose. bear or deer, and in
striving after this large game, the
match was often lost, those winning
who industriously bagged everything,
regardless of individual scores, but
trusting that the total amount would
b 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 our camp was always
located at Squaw bay, on Moosohead
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, VIC suffered quite as much from
the cold as If il had been mid-winter.
The roads were frozen hard. and al
though We had fairly good horse, we
were ten miles from our haltinC-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 n road, il having
been made by the umbermen for use
only in the winter season, and the
last habitation We had seen was ten or
y miieL away.
We were disappointed In not having
reached the end of our journey. for
time was very precious TO US; but II was
of no use TO grumble. and we set about
making ourselves as comfortable as pcs
sible for the night. by building Fons-
irg 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 glowir Goals.
The long ride had tired us. and II was
rot many moments after we had eaten
our supper Of toasted bacon. bread and
coffee before we were sleeping sound
lF. despite the many uncomfortable in
tgaalities in our mattress Of earth.
We made TO pretense Of keeping
watch. for neither believed that we
Should be disturbed by any dangerous
animals, and this earelessness was bit
terry repenied.
II seemed as II had hardly fallen
ssseep, when 4 was aroused into
sar'--d consciousness by a piercing
aeream, followed Immediately by the
p'unging and kicking Of the horse.
There's wildcat around here. Dan
saAd, in matter Of fact tone. az he
eFaSled from under the wagon, "and IL
re rot careful. our nag will bid us
Fa''c-ag. III make sure tia, he hasn't
Pped his halter, while you start the
IRE again.
Don't leave here urtfl you can see
Nat Won arc about" I replied. ns !
faFFd the Goals together Wildcats