Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1912-01-17
DEER HUNT IN TEXAS
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ed not much sign of game. After
meal at which / acted as cook-the
boys named my biscuits Ballast
Tight''-all set out from camp to
prospect. Not much sign of game:
One buck made a run for life and
saved it, the cause being, Mr.. Lot
tin forgot his gun was on safety. l
Just drop suggestion here; deer
hunt will develop more excuses than
any unframed mind can grasp. AT
ter a nights rest we decided to seek
better hunting ground. So, Friday
we went on toward the Pecos,
camping in four miles of it that
night. Mr.. Loftin made little
round, came in and reported deer
in the range. Saturday morning all
took TO the hunt with renewed in
terest. One deer was seen by Muir
ray and signs of deer plentiful. At
noon we moved mile nearer the
river and pitched camp at the head
of a canyon where we found good
water in the pot holes of the rock.
We made a hasty meal and started
out. About the middle of the after
noon Murray was the first to sight
game; a panther was slowly moving
down a canyon about $50 feet below
him and about 800 yards off. Eight
times his 80 barked out and silence
came. On his place of safety he sat
and meditated. Finally remembering
Daniel Boone he descended the
steps and cautiously drew near
enough to send deadly shot. l re-
frain from expressing the cause of
Murray's being in the top of the
tree with his gun thrown away and
his hat lost.
The evening had about spent it
self when about sun down Murray
again was the one to sight game.
Nine times his so rang out, then
silence. We are all in camp except
Murray. There it is again, eight
times we hear the shots in the dusky
twilight. We waited, about dark he
CAME in. We were all eagerness to
know the number he had killed. He
was not sure what damage had been
done but badly crippled buck was
Just able to save himself from
being. brought in. a look at the
ground Sunday a. m. called for ex-
plantations but on a deer hunt you
must allow margin for vivid i'm
aginations. The Sabbath was OBJ
served to marked degree, yet, we
had our first meat on that day.
Monday a. m. we started out IN
earnest and again Murray was the
first tc sight game, bunch of deer
some four or five hundred yards
distant and down in canyon came
in view. His 80 was at once put on
trial, Shot after shot rang out clear
on the delusive void. The echoing
sounds rebounded from the cliff. The
deer seemed under delirium and in
stead of retreating came nearer and
nearer until they came within reach
of the Kissing lead. Two fell as
Murray's trophies; one left the 9th
ers and started up the canyon when
Elmore Loftin and Gilbert had an
inning. GilbertSclaimed his first re-
ward from his 3O3. Ranger was on
the scene and the scent of game put
new life into his declining years.
After dressing the game in hand,
Murray went for Johnnie to pack 1t
to camp. Mr.. Loftin and | had only
heard the shooting from distance.
SO, We must yet hunt and hope. As
I was sounding a rugged mountain
side | saw signs that bespoke the
presence of havalenes, or musk hogs.
Elmore went in the cave until be
felt dust knocked in his face by
some retreating animal. Excitement
ran high. Gilbert's adventurous side
gave him courage to go into the
cave until his feet We're just discern
ible. 1 went some Is feet round in
parallel direction with the cave
when crevice was discovered. Sc
curing long stick l thrust it in the
opening when business picked up.
Backing up seemed natural gift of
Gilbert's, for time is not measured
in denominations short enough to
time his retreat out of that cave.
With bound he was on his feet
with So3 ready for slaughter. We
all had our guns trained on the
mouth of the cave where dust was
being raised by the inmates of the
mountainside. Two forms quickly
cleared the opening and old Ranger
,,>ronrr IN o1oon ooptoc Of Mr. J,oftin