Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1909-05-31
SUR DEER HUNT

were there prospecting for timber
lands and. being keen sportsmen, de-
cided to avail themselves Of the chance
Of a lifetime to enjoy a deer hunt on
horseback.
Our sportsmen anticipated no trouble
In securing large and variegated pack
Of hounds. 1t was therefore without a
misgiving that they refined In their
horses beside the rough rail fence sur
rounding a rude log cabin. Seated in
the open door Of the cabin was a sor-
rowful looking woman. who listlessly
| eyed our party through the half closed
lids Of her watery blue eyes.
Good morning, madam" ventured
the spokesman. ''Is your husband at
homer"
''ln the first place, my name amt
madam" the woman replied drawling-
ly. IAN. in the secon' place. my hus-
ban amt 'ome. Ell yer the shift come
ter rest i'm. yer'll be 'bleeged ter ride
farther"
She was assured that the party had
no designs upon her husbands liberty,
but to secure the loan of a pack Of
hounds was their mission.
1--WE amt got no houns an never
had none." she replied, still suspicious.
as she walked to the fence. Say, thar,
| ing to the hand of one of the party,
"ain't that thing err dimont?"
ut is" the owner Of the diamond re-
piled. "Would you like to look at it?"
he asked. drawing from his finger a
| ring in which small diamond was
set.
"An' ken l take 1t in my own han'?"
| she asked eagerly.
"Certainly," was the reply. PUT it
on your finger and see how it looks
there"
With the light Of other days shining
in her faded eyes she tremblingly
pushed the ring on her bony, knotted
forefnger Then. with a sigh. the
ring was withdrawn and returned to
the owner.
"Whut wuz 1t yer said erbout want
in ter borry some houn's?" she asked
| after moments silence.
1--WE simply wish to borrow the dogs
for tomorrow, when we intend having
deer hunt"
"Waal." she replied hesitatingly, II
reckon l kin get yer some" Then,
| walking briskly to the cabin door she
| took down a long COW horn that hung
on a nail and. placing it to her lips.
blew three loud blasts.
1t was not great while before a
man who carried in his hand long
barreled rifle appeared on the far side
of the clearing and cautiously ap-
preached the party.
Hits all right, Jake" the woman
shouted. "They amt after yer"'
The sun had just risen the next
morning when the party again drew
rein at the cabin.
Morning. gentlemen! Light an
have er snack. Waal. eff yer won't yer
won't, reckon. I'd go TIL yer. but
I've got some business to tend ter over
yam" the Arkansan added apologetic-
ally. pointing to the woods back of the
cabin. Better take thish yeah hawn
er tn dawgs won't foller."
With the pack trailing behind the
party rode away. Soon they reached
the edge of the river bottom. and the
hunt began. The sun was we'll on to-
ward the meridian before a sound was
heard from the dogs.
The hunters whipped up their horses.
stumbling and floundering through the
| switch cane and vines, and they were
| pretty we'll spent when stretch Of
open woods was reached.
''There goes the deer" shouted the
foremost one of the hunters. Its a
| buck with magnificent antlers!"
| Then it was noticed that the cry of
| the dogs was becoming louder. Nearer
| they came. Louder and louder swell
ed the music. The air became full of
| 1t, and the echoes in the hills awoke.
1.-The deer is doubling back" cried
one Of the party. Lets get ready for
him."
On came the hounds, their voices be-
coming clear and distinct. A crashing
and laundering in the cane was fol-
lowed Immediately by the deafening
| report of both barrels Of a shotgun. A
dense cloud of blue smoke hung in the
| motionless air, enshrouding the men
and blotting out the canebrake. Then
! the smoke was scattered by gentle
breeze. and the one who had fired was
! seen leaning on his gun. pale and trem-
bling.
"A clear miss! Why didn't you wait
| until you had better sight Of him?"
T-er-didn't see It at ALL" l man.
| aged to reply. that sinking feeling in
my stomach having become by that
time somewhat bearable.
"Well. why did you tire?"
IT don't know" answered meekly.
The sun was hanging low in the
west. and the frosty chill Of Novem-
| Der night was stealing over us as we
struck higher ground and open woods.
The dogs, still In full cry, We're not far
| ahead of us. and we whipped our
| horses into a swinging gallop.
| Soon we saw In front of us clear
| ing and in it's center a log cabin sur
rounded by the usual rail fence. AS
~. % tl,, al, o,;,