The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1911-11-17


OF his day at will More often than not
| he quietly slept beside a log or be
meath some sheltering bush. although
the gloomy forest aisles about him re
sounded TO the barking Of wolves or
the yelling OF panthers. Under 'siml-
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
new meaning to the man In a for
est.
A Reckoning Fire.
At night there greets his eyes when
returning from a 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 Deen 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
it is at once a tragedy and a triumph
when a deer is done TO his death. are
told by the successful hunter, which
recalls other instanceSof like nature.
and so the stories go on. They are
usually ended by the guide. who. If he
is worth his salt, can tell a bigger and
better story than any Of the others.
In restful attitudes about the cheer
ing fire, their pipes aglow. the hunters
are silent a 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 a night bird utters a plalntive
note and then from down toward the
landing there echoes through the for
est with startling force a deep.voiced
questioning call.
whoo-ah?"
Whats that?" cries out the nervous
young fellow who is having his first
experience in camp life lie springs 20
hts feet and peers into the gloom
whence came the solemn interroga.
ton. but before answer. is made to his
wild question a thrilling. weird shrek
sends his hair-raised bat aloft and he
nearly pIunges through the fire in a
hasty retreat 10 the side OF Il next the
camp. The unrestrained laughter OF
his companions Is so reassuring that
he tremuously joins in; but he does
not return 10 bis former place In the
circle
"Nothin' but an owl" explains Nick
the guide "Pesky critters Sometimes
they'll keep a feller awake half the
night With their 'tarnal racFet"
"Drat the pesky crittersi" cries the
irate guide. and filings a 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 n Is
the booming crash Of a dead tree that
falls with startling effect
Going 70 storm tomorrow. sure"
grumbles Nick Always does when
dead tree falls on a still night. like
this"
The sleepy hunters once more set.
t'e down 20 their Jose reassured BY
his explanation The FIRE gives a last
futter OF fame a rabbit natters by
on the dry leaves and then-silence.