The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1911-03-10

autumn eolors, varying II
hues from bright yellow
TO deep purple, and inlaid among the
deep green of the pines and eedars
, making a magnificent landscape. AS
we ascended the mountains we came
upon a camp Of Siwash Indians, and
Judging from the number of buck In.
dians with them it appeared certain
that they would kill all the game in
the hills. or drive It so far up to the
summit OF the mountains that a white
man would not be able to get a shot.
We made up our minds to go after
the goats at the earliest moment. after
reaching camp, which we intended to
establish at high elevation. because
the mountain goat inhabits the least
accessible solltudes.
The North Fork of the White River
runs through the camp ground, max
ing a narrow and deep canon of sew
eral hundred feet with the most exaui.
site scenery consisting Of waterfalls
dashing over the cliffs, and through
small meadow Of stream grass and
rushes. Looking up through the
canon we could see the glacier peaks
from the foot Of which springs the
White river.
Our guides, Bill and John, began
gathering wood for the night. and pre-
pairing supper, while Neil, Ross, and
myself, attended to the erection of
the tents, and general Investigation
OF our surroundings. Ross and I
climbed up a dizzy summit that hid
our camp from the main hill, to see II
we could discern any game. On
reaching the top of the cliff we did not
see the sign of a goat, but stood scan
ming the hills for half an hour. Pres
entity we saw white spot leap across
narrow opening between two clumps
Of bushes, about half a mile from us.
and well up on the range to our right. |
Then we saw another, and still an
other and then the fourth goat. While |
we were watching these, a herd of |
eight goats passed the opening, and
made their way leisurely down to a
slide, where they stopped and began |
feeding. We saw that it was up to us
to plan our strategy to gain a posi-
tion above them where we could begin
operations.
The mountain goat is extremely eau
tious and observing, and when pur-
sued will never go down hill unless
when wounded, when they will often
hide in a clump of bushes, or in the
creYiees of rocks, rather than expose
themselves to punishment.
| have often watched goat try sew
eral times to get from one cliff to an
other, that were separated by a small
chasm, which it could easily lean
across, but rather than take a chance.
1t would walk for half mile out of it's
way so as to reach the other side in
safety When hard pressed by hunt
ers 1t Will, of course take leaps that
It would not otherwise do in it's mo-
nents of leisure. A goat, when pur-
sued, will climb along shelves of rock
IN the walls of precipices, with appar.
ent unconcern, walking in places that
would completely shatter the nerves
II any one who attempted to follow it,
We had breakfast about four o'clock
he next morning, and packed our {
unches, loaded up with ammunition.
rranged our gunnysacks and ropes ;
N our pack straps, and started for v
he hills. We agreed that myself.
With Bill, the guide, should work our
'ay among the crags on the other :
ide of the sheep and secure an adj
antageous position above them. while
loss, Neil and John should get below
hem and drive them up past the posi-
on l would occupy Bill and I climb 81
to an almost inaccessible position at
mong the crags, overlooking the tt
anon, where we could see both the al
erd and our companions. III
With John leading the way and to
oss and Neil following, they made a st
9tour and got below the goats, and &C
ere they began to shout. The herd al
five broke up into two sections, two oil
the animals heading for the canon W
lat | commanded, and the other st
rec broke off in a westerly direc at
On, heading for thicket of alder and es
illow, which offered them for the Hi
ne being complete security. tn
At this moment Bill, the guide. with tn
oss, made bee line for the thicket wi
e sheep were heading for, in the sh
pe OF intercepttng them, while Neil to
ed his gun at the two sheep that hil
ere rapidly approaching my posi- lily
m. The animals were soon within
nge and, of course had no suspicion
at was located right above them
king careful aim, | singled out the
lding goat and fired ! knocked him
wn and he fell on his side. kicking wo
'iously. The other goat was wound wh
by Neil, who was in hot pursuit the
after falling to the ground. got At
it's feet again, and kept on heading de,
the top Of the canon. Signalling tio,
Neil to go after the goat that was ba1
ng on the ground took another thr
1t at my quarry and succeeded in fin,
cling him over. AS soon as Neil anr
up to the goat I had disabled he Tb,
a bullet through it's head, killing hor
animal completely. It required and
ee more shots from my rifle to kill if
hardy animal that was working it's tho
7 into safety. | signalled to Neil TAX
go back and rejoin Ross and the day