OHIO STATEWIDE FILES - The Ohio Hunter [Chapter 11] ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES(tm) NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgenwebarchives.org ************************************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Sara Grimes McBeth saramcb@socket.net June 22, 2005 ************************************************************************** A COON CAMPAIGN 112 CHAPTER XI. ANOTHER TRIP TO THE SWAMP TO HUNT FOR COON --HEAVY SNOW--ILL SUCCESS -- FORM NEW AC- QUAINTANCES-CHASE FOR DEER TENACITY OF LIFE EVIDENCE OF WITCHCRAFT ..GREAT TIME HUNTING COON -- A DUTCHMAN INITIATED AN- OTHER WINTER'S HUNT PLANNED -- CATCH ALL SORTS OF GAME--A NEGRO HUNTER -- ANOTHER TRIP TO THE SWAMP FOR COON--THEIR HABITS--- THE WOODCHUCK. In February, 1846. I went again to the swamp with Madge and Bill in pursuit of coon. Soon after my arrival, there came a heavy fall of snow, which entirely stopped the coon from running. I remained in the woods several days without killing as much game as kept myself and dogs liberally supplied with meat. Prosperity in business, I care not what that business is, is the best stimulant to keep our spirits from depression; and if it is only hunting, a lively and successful chase will enable the weary hunter to lie down in the midst of the dense forest, with no companions but his dogs and lifeless game, and exult in the comforts of his situation; whereas the approximate bankrupt merchant may retire from his counting-room, to recline on "downy beds of ease," and there toss restlessly 113 THE OHIO HUNTER from side to side of his velvet couch, recounting naught but the miseries and vexations that surround and envelop him. I had experienced several days' ill success, and each evening retired to my camp a little more depressed in spirit than on the former one. The fourth evening, I think I really had what people now-a-days denominate, "the blues." I was very dejected, and thought myself almost inconsolable. I remained, watching nay camp-fire for about the space of two hours. I gazed steadily upon the blazing faggots, and descried monsters of every variety; in fact, I worked myself up to a pitch of suffering quite intolerant. I must do something to get rid of my thoughts. But where should I go ? what companionship should I seek there in that "Dismal swamp ?" But I was never slow in arriving at expedients,-- and my tact served me admirably in this instance. There was a stranger who had moved into the woods that winter, about two miles from my camp, and though I had never seen him, I thought I could find his house, and the sight of a human face would act like a magic in dispelling the vapors that had gathered over my imagination. It was eight o'clock in the evening when I reached his domicil, and before the hands on the old-fashioned dial pointed out the hour of ten, I had quite forgotten my insufferable mental agonies, and was happy and contented. A BEWITCHED DEER 121 The situation pleased me so much better than camping a lone, that I hired my board with the rustic old gentleman, and remained until the weather became more favorable for hunting, and then took the ruralizer with me on a chase. Now the chase I am going to describe is rather peculiar in some of its characteristics, and to the casual reader may bear something of the character of fiction; but in this work I have dealt substantially in facts, and shall not deviate from them in this sketch. The first game that we pursued, was deer. I shot a very large buck, what we hunters called a "gut shot." It makes them very sick, but does not affect them mortally. The buck lay down, I shot him again, this time the ball passing through the neck He then sprung upon his feet and attempted to run, but could make but little headway. I pursued and overtook him, and after laying him flat upon his side, cut his throat from ear to ear, aud held him there awhile to bleed. Then I let him go, and he immediately got up and started to walk ! The man that was with me said, "if he can walk after this, we will profit by this means of getting him home ;" so we each cut a little brush and stepped up to him, and commenced whipping, him. He gave a bound and started at his usual pace, and we had to take his track and follow him for several miles. Now the windpipe and jugular veins were entirely cut off, 122 THE OHIO HUNTER still he breathed as naturally through the severed orifice as in health. At last we came in sight of him. I shot again, the ball entering his left eye. He started to run again, but the man that was with. me, stopped him with a ball in the other eye, when the exhausted animal lay down and instantly expired. My partner in the affair, now said it was a witch in the form of a deer, and he would have nothiug to do either with the dressing or eating of the game. But I had been effectuallv cured of witchcraft when young, and heartly enjoyed a piece of the roasted venison after the protracted chase was concluded. After this good fortune I returned ro my camp, quite able to bear the ills of life uncomplainingly and alone for a season. The snow being favorable for tracking, I started in pursuit of bear. Soon I came on track of one. We routed him, but the dogs could not stop him. We followed him to a log which I discovered to be inhabited by bees. I then gave up the chase, and went to work gathering the honey. I had nothing to put it in but a large cotton handkerchief. I tied it up full of the nicest quality of honey, and returned to my camp. I lived very well now for a few days; but then the bread-stuff gave out, and I commenced thinking about home; but I had made nothing by this expedition, and did not A DUTCH COMRADE 123 much fancy the idea of going home with an empty pocket. About nine miles from here, lived a Dutchman, whom I called upon as I was going home. He was a very clever fellow, and it being rather late in the day, after having enjoyed a social chat for an hour, he proposed that I should stay all night with him. As this prospect was rather more inviting than camping in the woods, I had no reason for objecting, and accordingly made myself at home for the night. Tile next morning looked very favorable for hunting coon. and the honest Dutchman says, "You no go home dish day; but takes me mit you in de woods, and fights coon. Den I gibs you half we catch." I told him I had no bread. "You eats my bread, and drinks my peer, vile you stays," was the reply. As the offer was full as generous as I could ask, I accepted the proposition. So we started for the swamp. We caught four coon while on our way. The next day we caught one coon, one wild cat, and one deer; and the Dutchman said "Dar vash very goot luck a catchin dat wild cat afore he catch us." The weather now changed, so that the coon did not run, and we went to hunting deer. This was not according to the most approved system, of' hunting, but our dogs were old, and already knew so much of everything, that it was 124 THE OHIO HUNTER hard spoiling them, so we concluded to let them follow whatever game was most numerous. That day I killed five deer, and several turkeys; but at that time there was little profit in deer, and the weather was moderating. The next day we renewed the hunt in favor of coon. Mr. Dutchman went one way, and myself another. I gave him Bill, which was my favorite coon dog; but I had faithful Madge, and my chances were as good with him as they could be with any dog. After catching four coon, and being on the track of more, I heard Madge bark a great way off. I immediately left the coon trail and started for the new contest, for I knew by the noise that a bear was treed. Long before I got to them, I heard Bill barking, too, in the same place. This fully satisfied my opinion that a bear was treed, for they had a bark peculiar to that kind of game, which they never gave on any other occasion. When I got there, I found them barking near a hollow tree, which had a small hole at the root just large enough for a coon to enter. Soon the Dutchman came, puffing and blowing, and when he saw the hole in the tree, said, "We gits coon plenty now: here Madge and Pill, you just stand pack, vile I cuts him down;" and just as the ax was raised for a ponderous blow at the tree, the unfortunate inmate stuck out an immense paw, which proved to be the fore foot of a bear. The Dutchman's ax A LUCKY DAY. 125 fell heavily upon it, and the luckless bear was thereby deprived of the right arm of power. The Dutchman going close to the hole says, "Now I scratch mit you." The bear next presented her face to the hole, and Madge unceremoniously set his teeth firmly about the nose. The bear there- upon gave unparalleled shrieks, and signs of torture, but the merciless Madge would not let go his hold, until the victim gave over roaring and plunging, and lay down quietly in his cage. Then Madge obyed his new dictator, and retired a few feet from the tree, while the inflated Dutchman vigorously wielded the ax, saying, "You lies still, Madge--soon I prings him out." The bear now endeavored to elimb up the inside of the tree, but, finding herself minus a very important member, could make but poor headway. When the Dutchman had made the hole large enough I went up, and when she raised up to took at me, I shot her in the head, which proved effectual. When we took her out of the tree, there were two young ones with her, one she had killed in the fight, the other we saved alive. My Dutch friend had caught three coon before he came to me, and we continued hunting very succeessfully for a few days, redeeming the time we had lost.. We caught a large number of' coon, and found a hundred weight of honey. The Dutchman's brother came with a team and carried home the proceeds of' our hunt. 126 THE OHIO HUNTER This trip was attended with poor success, and I was obliged to go home little profited. The winter being nearly spent, I did not return any more that season, but went to work instead, on my little farm, and found thus far, the summer season much the more profitable for business. ============Image pics/image012.jpg Goes Here============