The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-13

- n1ght waiting tor the dog to bark upr
u u In our happy hunting grounds barring our
visits, nothing ever happens to diminish the
coon population unless it be acute indigestion from
overlooking.
Heavily timbered woods, with the help of cultivated
farm lands, surround little lakes, and small brooks
everywhere-tnat is, part OF the year they do
The six-mle ride from the station is finished about
shutdown. Frank, red-aced and eoatleSs, in the keen
evening air, meets us with his nvarabe greeting:
1T will be fine night for tracking, boys.
This had the ring to it, but considering il part of
his duty as host, not unduly elated.
No time wasted getting into old clothes, and
after supper we were ready tor an early start.
The owner took of the climbing spurs and a
well-hlled lantern and Bob lead, while carried the
pump gun and axe.
and after half hours climbing struck the bed of
a dry brook. Here Bob slipped and, after giving
himself good shake. he disappeared from the circle OF
We sat there enjoying the smell of the woods and
hoping he would start the biggest yet But the old
brook was not as good as 1t looked, Tor IN few
minutes we heard Bob coming in, and after he had
counted with poke OF the he started on
again.
Suddenly, when he had been off for time, we
heard him give zip down the hillside; then stone
josted down from vale and all WAS quiet Soon he
Come on said the owner, whose word is law, hes
up And the scramble to get to the music began
Bob is fine tree dog and this means his lungs are
good and that he is not afraid them So We had
little trouble to locate him.
darkest night with small lantern and never hurt him.
self? | have gone in hurry this way over ground |
would to tn IN the day time anu thought
nothing OF H.
The tree Bob was marking tall, slender oak,
which leaned slightly the lake, and our arrival
he stopped his noise, showing he could play the gentle
man even if his hound mother did marry beneath her
Now you must know that the owner of the dog is
king at every coon hunt until the game is freed then
all equal.
Therefore began to see the coon in every part Of
the tree and got quite peevish when my eyesght
questioned Just 10 back myself up offered to shake
him out, and, the the ground sees the whole
fight, | was allowed this honor.
Climbing spurs were unnecessary, so without delay /
worked up TO the first branch, and near the
top The coon at the end of the topnost branch,
facing in, and from the way it curved and swayed |
knew he a good one.
Look out In the lake." / yelled TO the owner, who
had Bob by the collar to start him right, and at the
second shake the jumped
Bob had him before he had gone feet. and as the
water shallow the decided that the shore
what he needed
By the time got down they we're having 1t out on
the edge of little point, thirty yards below where
they went in, and the coon was making noise enough
for six.
The lantern showed that Bob had shoulder hold
which he was gradually working toward the throat and
the coons snar changed to the cry which plainly
tells he has had enough.
Three years old. by the rings his tall said the
owner, who knows jokes after we had looked him
over And then. being past youth. we turned for
home
Does he feel heavy?" asked the owner, looking al
my back
Yes" I replied. but it's good heavy.
And he smiled and understood; which is why he is
my friend R. A.