The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-01-04
Ny First Real Hunting Trip

One morning in the fall of 1899,
in early October, when natures rare
beauties burst forth in gorgeous set
ting of red and gold; and the whisper
ing winds from the "NOrthland,' with
touch of what was in store for us
little later, gently stirred those beau
tiful, intermingling colors glistening
irridescent, in the morning sunlight;
sat by my window, all logged out
and equipped for my first trip into
the deep forests of Maine, in quest
Of big game.
/ was waiting for Charles and Linn.
who with myself were to make up
the party We had planned TO start
at daybreak. as We were To make the
trip with horse and wagon to Sebec
Lake. distance Of about forty-hve
miles north Of our home town.
| had been up for hour. packing
and repacking my outfit In fact.
was told BY one member of the fam
lily, that was worse than Josiah
Allen. but every criticism hurled at
me, passed harmlessly over my head +.
for was not | nearing the gates Of
realization? had been planning
this great hunting trip Tor months and
months Suddenly J was aroused
by the rumble of wheels and the
shouts Of my companions. as they
drove into the yard. In about three
minutes we werc nicely tucked away
among blankets, kettles, pots. food,
etc, and on our way to the Happy
Hunting Ground of old Piscataquis
County. Tie roads were in fine con-
dition and We made the forty-fiye
miles in about seven hours. We
left our team at Wiliamantic. where
we hired q canoe from an old trap
per Into this we packed our out
fit and We're soon on our way across
Sebec Lake. whore we landed at the
old trail leading 20 Buttermilk Pond !;
and here is where the real work be-
gan. We how had a two mile carry
to this pond, which We did in good
spirit; making two trips, with our
supplies and canoe The latter we
took along to use on other ponds
later.
We crossed First Buttermilk Pond,
then made another carry to Second
Buttermillt Pond, where we had plan
ned to camp for two weeks. How
ever, when we arrived We found the
camp wa occupied, but in an hour S
time we had thrown up shelter for
the night After this was completed
we drew lots to settle big Who
| should act as cook? Here is where
[ lost out After washing my for
| ward feet. begun at once to prepare
the supper, when suddenly, a pierre
ing cry broke the stiffness of that
quiet October evening A bear
bear, whore is my rifle, And such
a hustle for firearms; but it was now
dark and no one could find gun
| Again came that cry, and Charles
vowed it was nearer than before
Finally we found our rifles: loaded
them and waited developments, hut
Mr. Bruin tcak no chances that night
If | remember correctly, no fault
was found with the cook at meal
number one, but We did feel the need
of an extra cup of tea to quiet
our nerves, after which We de-
, cided to do little cruis-
ing around the pond in our canoe.
| Just to satisfy ourselves that there
were deer about. We had heard
much about deer coming up to a light
accordingly we took our new dish
pan and wired it behind our lantern,
| thus making a first class Jack With
this attached To the bow of the canoe
we set forth as brave as rabbit. We
had padded only a few rods down
the pond; when we heard sounds in
the woods on oar right Drawing