Year: 1871

.kf U. s. STEAMER SEARCH, /


August 4, 1871. !


DEAR CHRONICLE: - Going into
camp is by no means pleasant work,
be the day never so fair, for invariably
at such a time all the pests of the
woods, mosquitoes, black-flies and
midges abound. But when to this
you add the miseries Of rainy day
wet bushes with the unpleasant ae-
compartment of wet feet and CLOTH
ing, it becomes very.dreary, to say no
more. On just such day, we went
into our third camp, at Brute river,
a stream emptying into Lake Supe-
rior, on the Wisconsin shore, about
twenty-five miles from Superior city.
1t was unpleasant all around, and not
least unpleasant was the landing Of
our baggage, tents, ETC., for the lake
rolled in heavy sea, and it was as
much as we could do to keep the
things dry. However, day or two's
work made our encampment of nice
tents look very pleasant, possibly ro-
mantle. And most delightful of all,
the numerous millions of pests left
US; nor were we troubled by them
afterwards, save for few hours at a
time. Thereis nothing much about
our camp life that would interest any
one except ourselves. Yet there are
some facts which concern the facilities
for hunting on this shore, that may
interest a portion of the community
who have any inclination for such
sport. M


This northern shore of Wisconsin
abounds in deer, bears and game of
all sorts, and the rivers and marshes
in ducks. Not further from our camp
than few rods, we saw almost every
morning fresh deer tracks, and not
unfrequentIy the tracks OF bears.
Brute river lies to the west of us about
mile. This stream would furnish
some trout at the rapids, about two
miles from the mouth, but they are
not so plentiful there as at Iron river,
which lies east of US four miles. Be-.
low the fall in that river, the fisher
men say, that you can pull out trout
as fast as you can throw your fly on
the water; and under such circum-
stances troutfishing, like virtue, brings
lis own reward. We were so busily
engaged at Brute, both highland day,
that it was not possible to indulge
very much in either hunting or fish
ing. The fishermen at the mouth of
Brute, haYe two large pond-nets in
the lake at that place, and kept US
supplied with as nice white fish and
pickeral as can be caught. 1t was
our custom to run out to the nets in
the morning where they were haul
ing them in, to see the performance
and to obtain our supply of fish. In
this way we became very well ac-
quainted with the men, and they
often urged us TO come over some
night, saying, that they would "rig
up the light, )" and that we would go
up the river hunting deer. It was q
very tempting invitation, and we re-
solved if possible to accept. One
Tuesday evening we decided to go.
1t was not firstrate night. During
the day it had rained considerably,
SO that the woods were not dry, neith-
er were the flies bad. Yet, this was
our last chance, for we expected to
move soon; and the fishermen told of
the numerous trails theyzhad seen on
the banks Of the stream. So we de-
termined to try our fortune Taking
our boat therefore, at nine in.the eve
ming, we started, and rowed to the
fishers camp. We had been out to
the nets in the morning, and so they
were ready for US. Were obliged to
wait until eleven O'Clock for the moon
to go down before it was dark enough
for US to start. The light in the. bow





of the boat, was bright lamp with a
powerful reflector. This vas fastened
to screen which looked as much like
a huge letter L as anything. This
screen was painted black and the. up-
right part was just wide enough to
prevent the persons in the boat from
being seen. In all, tine party num-
bered five; the two fishermen, b
and Con-" and three Of US. There
were only two guns, and B-and
Mr.. M being the best shots, and
because they owned the guns,
sat in the bow directly behind the
screen, when they could see without
being seen. In the stern sat "Con,"
who padded the boat with wonder |
ful stiffness. The other two Of us
were in the middle of the boat, merely |
as spectators. At eleven we starte d.
The river is about two rods wide and |
not at all swift. We crept up the
middle of the stream, in absolute
quiet. Not a sound was to be heard
not even ripple of the paddle, so
quietly was 1t used. Hardly a move
ment was made by any of US, save
once in while an attempt to drive
away one of those persistent musqui-
toes, which in this country, rival
even the Englishin their admiration
for blood. The lamp in front threw
a powerful light directly ahead, and
On both sides of the stream. For an
hour and half patiently we crept