River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1900-02-22
Adventure with a Wildcat
By James Otis.



THIRTY-FIVE years ago, when the
northern part of the state of Maine
northern portion of the state of Maine
was even more sparsely settled than il
is now, and when game of all descrip-
tions was plenty, the boys were in the
custom of having a shooting match
a. 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.
II hat 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
TO 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 on 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, a wolf, 300; a 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
rive there.
The writer and his chum usually
drove so miles to M~oosehead lake, the
time occupied in going and returning
being looked upon as well spent, since
the larger animals could be found in
hat 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 industriously bagged everything,
regardless of individual scores, but
trusting that the total amount would
be 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 Moosehead
lake, where we had never failed to make
a 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 as if it 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 beer driving during the last
two or three hours of the day over the
merest apology for a road, it having
been made by the lumbermen for use
only in the winter season, and the
last habitation 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 it was
of no use to grumble, and we set about
making ourselves as comfortable as pos
sible for the night, by building a rous-
ing fire. The horse was tethered close
by, and our only shelter was the wagon,
under which we lay or IL blankets,
with our feet neal 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
~, despite the many uncomfortable in
capabilities in our mattress of earth.
We made no p~retense of keeping
watch, for neither believed hat we
should be disturbed by any dangerous
animals. and this carelessness was bit
terly repented.
1t seemed as if | had hardly fallen
asleep, when | was aroused into
startled consciousness by a piercing
scream, followed Immediately by the
plurging and kicking of the horse.
Theresa wildcat around here Dan
said. in a matter of fact tone, as he
crawled from under The q land if
we're not careful, our nag will bid us
good-by. I'll make sure hat he hasn't
slipped his halter, while you start the
FIRE again"
Don't leave here until you can see
what you are about!" l replied. as
raked the Goals together. wildcats
are not the most pleasant neighbors.
and"
The frantic %plunging and neighing
of the horse interrupted me. and, re-
gardless of the well-meant caution, Dan
went toward the animal to quiet him.
&materials for building the fire
we're damp with frost, and it was some
time befare l could coax out ever the
smallest flame. While l was working. |
could hear pan talking to the horse.
and Iefore l finished, l judged by the
sounds that he Fad started toward me.
Looking up, 1 could just distinguish
the shadowy outlines of his form, and,
at the same instant, / saw a black mass
drop from the trees directly upon him,
A sharp cry of pain, a low, fierce
growing, followed Immediately by the
noise of a scuffle, told me what had oc-
Cured. The wildcat had, after the nan.
ner of his kind, dropped or leaped upon
Dan the moment he moved away from
the horse.
"Help-quick! He's killing mel
shouted Dan.
And 1 sprang to his assistance as soon
as l could secure my gun.
1t was almost impossible TO distin-
Cuish the combatants as they rolled
over and over on the ground in the dark
ness; and even had it been daylight, !