Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1911-12-29

sounded to the barking OF wolves o.
the yelling OF panthers. Under simi.
lar circumstances and surroundings
the average modern hunter would
starve If he did not first die of fright.
Life in camp is replete with pleas
ures for those who enjoy a bit OF
roughing it. The pure and invigorat-
ing air exhilarates the brain-fagged
city toiler when he reaches "a lodge
In some vast wilderness" The petty
worries Of his daily grind are speedily
forgotten amid the beauties OF his en-
chanting environment Life discloses
a new meaning to the man In for
est.
A Reckoning Fire.
At night there greets his eyes when
returning from days hunting the in
viting camp. Soon a CHEEKY fire OF
blazing logs before its entrance sends
forth curling flames that beckon him
to an hour of ease and comfort while
recounting with his companions the
various haps and mishaps of the day.
His ravenous hunger having been sat
ised the pipes are filled and the stories
begin. Good luck If the ruddy glow
Of the fire discloses in the outer cir
cles of its light the hanging carcass Of
a fine deer some one of the party has
succeeded in bringing down during the
day. Minute details of the tragedy, for
1t Is at once tragedy and a triumph
when deer is done to his death, are
told by the successful hunter. which
recalls other instances of like nature.
and so the stories go on. They are
usually ended by the guide, who. II he
is worth his salt. can tell bigger and
better story than any of the others.
In restful attitudes about the cheer
ing fire, their pipes aglow. the hunters
are silent moment after the last
story while they watch the sparks
streaming in threads of wavering light
toward the black dome above. The
guide has completed his preparations
for the night and joined the group.
Somewhere in the awesome darkness
without night bird utters a plaintive
note and then from down toward the
landing there echoes through the for
est with startling force a deep-voiced
questioning call
"Whoo-whoowhoo. who-whoo. to-
whoo "h?"
whats that?" cries out the nervous
young fellow who is having his first
experience in camp life. He springs to
his feet and peers into the gloom
whence came the solemn interroga-
ton, but before answer is made to his
wild question thrilling. weird shrek
sends his hair-raised hat aloft and he
nearly plunges through the fire In a
hasty retreat to the side Of 1t next the
camp. The unrestrained laughter of
his companions is SO reassuring that
he tremulously joins in; but he does
not return to his former place In the
circle.
"Nothin' but an OWL" explains Nick.
the guide. "Pesky critters Sometimes
they'll keep feller awake half the
night with their 'tarnal racket"
"Drat the pesky critters!" cries the
irate guide. and filings last brand of
the dying fire aloft to frighten them
away.
After all is quiet again the solemn.
mysterious silence of the forest night
is broken once more. This time It IN
the booming crash Of dead tree that
falls with startling effect.
"Going to storm tomorrow, sure. "
grumbles Nick. always does when a
dead tree falls on still night, like
this"
The sleepy hunters once more set
tie down to their repose, reassured BY
his explanation. The fire gives a last
futter Of flame. A rabbit patters BY
on the dry leaves and then-silence.