South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-06-29

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merIy with the sixth field artillery
later assigned 10 first tank corps,
who operated the small French
tanks. whose efficiency with their
business end, won for them the So
briquet Of French wasps." from
The American infantry who were
supported by the tank auxiliary. in
number OF their excursions over
the top" Capt Beckwith is just
home from a II months service Ov-
erSeas his home is COranodo, Calf.
The captain is a born soldier Of for
tune. "A fighter from choice and in
clination He was an active member
Of the Eighty Fifty-first' Gowa in
fantry) during the Spanish-Ameri-
can war; ne was with the first 1907
600 sent across by Uncle Sam, and
was at the front when the armistice
was signed. returning TO a camp in
the parish OF Gironde - about 40
miles south Of Bordeaux, France -
midway between Lake Casso and
! Bay of Arcachon. the latter noted for
its extensive oyster beds. This camp
was located on an old French estate
of 10000 acres. a celebrated game
preserve in pre-bellpm days. Gov
cred by virgin forest Of pine, oak.
| elm, cypress and maple trees,
heavy growth of underbrush. fur
nished an excellent cover for deer,
bear and wild hogs. the latter grow
ing so numerous that have become
a menace. They are hunted on horse
back with dog accompaniment and
furnish some exciting moments. The
: head of the wild boar Is there con-
| sidered a great table delicacy, for
merly served at state dinners at or
. near Christmas time. this piece de
resistance was brought TO the table
= amidst the singing of carols and un-
: usual pOmp The ceremonies were
eliminated by the Americans, who
named it head cheese and ate with
: relish
While at Camp Gironde Maj. Joe
l Speight of Waco. Tex, was discov-
t cred by Capt Beckwith. This pair
1 of expert trigger ticklers, who have
trophies, medals and honors galore
in their home collections, became
hunting pards
The migratory bird season in
France opens Oct. 1. closing Feb. /,
the bag limit is so birds per diem.
The officers mess requirements were
no respecters of bag limits.
French officers attached 10 the
camp owned most excellent dogs,
which they cheerfully loaned 10 the
American sportsmen going afield. A
pair of Gordon settlers. who had re-
ceived and retained the last word
: in dog training, were much in de-
mand. Commands 10 the dogs. were
pantomime proposition, accompa-
q MED by many gestures and much
! waving of the arms. The dogs lun-
y ! derstanding the French language
. failed to grasp either words of COM
0 mendation or censure when spoken
, by Americans, the points made or
, backing furnished by the CANNES
= were prolonged or encouraged by a
. very bad rendition in French of our
!; word Steady The first hunt over
, this pair of dogs. was in pursuit OF
0 woodcock, which Melted 50 Of the
y | bronze beauties the first day.
. An innovation in hunting was in
I troduced by Frenchman which was
. unknown 10 our "doughboy' friends
q ! The squirrel call When properly
1 blown by a nut. the bush-tails will
, assemble in chattering convention
drawn from everp direction.
i Lake Casso, Is miles long and Il
: miles wide. was an eight mile run
/. ! by auto from the camp. This lake
o | is a famous sanctuary for migratory
= birds. there the feathered ace Of the
n air assemble in number. Mallards
p canvasback. pintail, teal. in fact al
= species are represented at this idea
duck resort.
r. The shore lines are covered with
low scrub brush the reeds tule and
grass extend out into the lake. wild
rice. celery. mast and grass nuts are
there TO tickle the appetites of visit
ing birds Many boats dot the lake
10 which can be secured. with an ex-
= pert boatman for two francs or AZ
/, cents per day Guns and ammuni.
o ton were OF French make fairly
i good substitutes for American pro
ducts Maj. Speight specialized OF
\ jump shooting" which was mos
. productive of results Old Pierre
o the veteran punter satisfactorily
q handled a mutton leg sail, swirting
q the reeds and tules birds wer,
O Jumped presenting excellent op
: pOrtunities for exhibition shooting
n Very few eye wipes" were expert
q enced. the bag limit was the usua
% order Hunting estates in France
- viii later be habilitated, this vii
require time and careful work o