Year: 1874




pling in from every side in gulf prairie.


On the route to Eagle lake | saw great
many deer, wild ducks, some Canadian
geese, and but few cranes. | arrived about
midway of the lake at l o'clock p. NJ. 1t
is about six miles long, and in some places
four or five hundred yards wide full of
fish and alligators. 1t was such pretty
place ! concluded not to leave it that day.


l selected good sleeping place, stored
away my saddle and things, and leaving
old Ned to take care of them, went off
skirtng the timber to try for Il deer.
didn't begin to hunt soon enough. | came
near walking into lying down gang of
deer not more than hundred yards from
the horse. Such an oversight as that al
ways vexed and caused me to grumble at
myself for such carelessness. 1t was the
time of day for them to be lying down, and
| supposing they were all doing like those
| had frightened away; they came into the
edge of the timber from the prairie to OBJ
tain shade and cover, l went further into
it, edging along very cautiously half a mile
perhaps, when | came in sight of single
deer, lying down, Illuminating very busily.
l could see its head only. 1t was not ex-
ceeding thirty yards from me, and had
the advantage of the wind So | stood per-





| to find single deer in these regions |
peeped and peered into every little opening
in the brush; and presently nice little
yearlng doe rose up about sixty yards from
me, and stretching out one hind leg, showed
that she had been lying there some time. She
was the right age and size for a good piece
of venison, and | concluded to take her.
She was standing squarely, broad side to
me, and | aimed to cut the artery behind
the kidneys. 1t was a flint lock, and that
time missed fire. l did not move fin
ger even, for five minutes. There were at
least forty rose up in sight, and they lis
tened and gazed around with such severe
scrutiny, that they forced me to keep my
half bent position until was nearly ready
to fall with fatigue. They relaxed their
vigilance at last, and | cut down the pretty
little doe. | split the skin on her back and
peeling out the dorsal muscles, and turn
ing them down to the last Joint of the back
bone, separated the loins from it and took
both the hams with the back straps to my
camp.


prepared scaffold, and good fire near
to it. About the time had got good
bed of Goals, and was about spreading out
some pieces of venison on the scaffold, |
thought l heard the sound of human
voice. | looked to see if Ned had heard
any thing. He was standing firm, on all
his feet, with high head, looking along
the lake shore, and now | discovered at a
small distance towards the upper end of
the lake, two Indians with rifles. They had
seen me working about the fire and were
approaching. 1t annoyed me some. My
gun was close at hand, but she had missed
fire that day. The Indians were seventy
five yards distance, advancing slowly.
concluded l had best speak to them. |
took up my gun and said in the Choctaw
language, elf you are friends, you are
welcome to my camp. If not, yoma, hick,
cahyanta' tstand where you are. I'VE
are peaceabe friends" they replied, with
out altering their pace.


When they came to a tree thirty feet
from where | stood, they set their rifles
against it and advanced to shake hands.
put mine down and met them in the most
Indian style. That over, one of
them said they were not only friendly to
the white people, but they were glad to
find one that speaks their language so
thoroughly. "Where are your company -
they asked l replied "they haven't got
in vet And said, "I'll put the balance
of the venison on the scaffold, and when it
gets done we will all eat together" THAT
is right" said they. The one who had
been silent all the time, now said, "Just as
we came in sight of your smoke, we had
found a bee tree. They were going into
hole near the ground; and from the quan
tity Of wax they had spread around the
hole where they enter, it is very likely
rich one; and seeing you have good ak,
l propose that my friend and go and get
some of it while you finish dressing the
meat" And we'll have great big veni-
son and honey SUPPER" said |. I watched
them as they went away They left their
guns, and as it would soon be dark they
hasteDed away. In due time they returned,
with trough like piece of the hollow tree
piled up with nice honeycomb. They said
there was plenty more in the tree and pro-
posed that we stay here, kill deer and eat
it up and get fat. l consented, and we
the feast at once. They ate
On after had finished. One Of them as a
kind of apology, said, You don't eat
much, or you are perhaps, saving some for
your absent companions" WE'LL" said
|, is that not right?" Exactly right"
said he, land shows the true spirit of
good hunter. But have been examining
the signs around your camp and have dis
covered that your companions will hot
come i'll to night" "Why not?" said l.
'' For one Of the best reasons in the world.
There are none to come. You are lone
man..