University reporter; (Athens) 18??-current, December 03, 1887, Image 1
DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF \l'HE TO
VOL. VII.
5RSITY OF GEORGIA.
ATHENS, GA., SATURDAY DEC. 3,1887.
NO. 8
A WINTER IN THE ROCKIES.
The increasing severity of tiie
cold and constantly recurring snow
storms warned us that winter was
upon us, and that it behooved us to
prepare for the four months. Ac
cordingly our party was disbanded,
and as it subsequently happened,
never to meet again. Every man
was tob! to look out for himself,
though this was entirely unnecessary
advice, for if we did not look out
for ourselves, we would soon have
been food for the coyotes, that roam
ed so plentifully around us.
Most of the boys decided that
they had enough of roughing, and
all but three started to Helena to
spend the winter as comfortably as
possible. We t hree though, reali
zing the privations we must under
go, resolved to have a whole winter
of hunting, fishing and other winter
sports. We selected a place for our
winter home, at the head of the lake
where Swan river empties into it.—
The place was adtnitably suited to
our wants, being sheltered front the
cold winds that sweep across the
lake, by several over hanging cliffs.
It was also adjacent to fire wood, and
the lake near by furnished us an
abundance of good water. After
much difficulty, for we were novices
in that art, we built a small log cab
in. This was a very plain and ’un
pretentious affair—having no floor,
and tiie roof consisting of poles
stretched across from side to side,
these poles being covered with dirt.
This answered every purpose, as we
were in tire rainless belt of America
We laid in a supply of provisions,
cooking utensils, and other neces
saries from a neighboring trading
post, and our life began in earnes*.
The first thing to be done was to
obtain a supply of meat, as our
larder was minus thatartitcle. Ry.
and I decided to try our luck,so in tl e
morning we rose early, and put off
in our canoe down the lake. The
lake was perfectly calm and we
made good progress until pfter go
ing about five miles, the wind began
to freshen, and the swell became so
heavy that we bad tc put ashore to
keep from being swamped. A heavy
snow was on the ground, and at the
water’s edge, we could see any quan
tity of d eer tracks.
Here and there would be large
trails, that looked like they had been
made by la drove of cattle. The
signs of d’er were everywhere, and
we knew fiat we would soon have
some fun. We seuarated, l keeping
near the like and following the In
dian trail,while my partner went
fun, hei in o the timber, our courses
being parallel. I followed down the
trail for about a quarter, when com
ingon a little rise I saw on the other
side of this - mountain, about 300
yards from me a heard of deer feed
ing; as I came into view every head
was raised, and with head erect they
watched me intently .
It was a l$ng shot, but seeingthat
they were trtriitened and about to
run. I deteir^iined to try them. 1
elevated llmfrighi.s of my Winches
ter and tookjsteady aim at the lead
er of the guiig, an anriered buck
To my surprise he fell, and the mb
ers with frantic leaps made off'. I fired
two shots at them, but without suc
cess. After dressing the buck and
securing him from the coyotes, 1
eonllnif'eiTmweti die trail. I hud
walked but a few minutes when 1
approached a cop*e of fir bushes;
knowing that this was the favorite
refuge of the deer in snow-storms, I
approached with caution. I saw
nothing until fairly into the clump
when suddenly the woods around
me were filled w ith fleeing forms. 1
had unawares eome upon a sleeping
deer, and was almost upon them be
fore I was discovered. They made
a few leaps, and then stopped in be
wilderment, uncertain which way to
run. Two of th e largest halted al
most together, in a little open spot;
that gave me a fair shot. I fired
quickly—one fell, and before the
other one could move off I had her.
I approached in ecstasy anti louud
that they were two large does.
I uow had three fine deer—a pret
ty good day’s sport already, but I
was not half satisfied. 1 had not
walked out of gun shot, when a large
buck sprang from the side of the
trail and started off. As he jumped
a log, I fired at him, but missed him.
Confused by the sound, and not
knowing from whence it came, he
stopped. This was my opportunity
and I had a beautiful shot as he
stood side ways to me, his head
thrown back as he gazed in wonder
at me. I aimed at his eye and he
fell without a struggle. As I was
cleaning him I heard a snort, and
looking up I saw in the trail, not 40
feet from me, the prettiest sight I
ever beheld—an old doe and a fawn
were there gazing on the strange
sight. Mv rifle was leaning against
a tree some few feet away, and I
jumped for it. As I jumped they
made off, and by the time I bed my
gun ready they were out of range. I
killed three more before the day was
over, and when I joined my partner,
I found that he had bagged two.—
[’here we had 8 fine deer for our
day’s hunt, but what do with them
was now the question. We decided
to take them home in the boat with
us. The lake was now very rough,
and the waves were dashing and
beating upon the rocky banks in a
manner that was harrowing to a
person that knew he had to ride for
six miles in a frail canoe on these
waves, with every probability of be
ing swamped. We packed the deer
down to file boat, threw them in,
and pushed off. Before the boat
could he headed right, a huge wave i
struck on the side, and we w
thrown instantly in the water. As
I struck the water two deer fell on
tup of me, and forced me under. As I
came to the top another wave struck
me, but this proved my rescue, as it
immediately dashed me against the
rocks. I climbed out more dead
than alive, and saw my partner with
Ids arms around one of the deer,
washed ashore. lu a few seconds
more we had the boat on the laud
together with the deer. We resolv
ed to make one more attempt to get
fl, and watching our chance we
shoved off between the waves, and
as the next wave thundered in, we
headed her right for it, and site rode
it like a top. Once out in the water
we were all right, aud soon we were
rounding the point that led to our
landing.
We spent many happy and care
less days in our mountain home—
hunting, fishing, spearing gsh in tiie
night, and making long exploring
trips down tae lake. In the mid
winter a very cold spell came, and
the lake froze ent irely over, and re
mained so for six weeks.
There were more deer than we
could shoot, and more fish in tiie
lake than we could catch, conse
quenlly, we had a royal time, and it
was with sincere regret that we gave
up our wild life, and returned to
civilization; and the memories of
the days spent in the “Far West”
will ever be with us.
“Tinch.”
EXCHANGES.
Looking over the exchanges on
our table, we find among others wor
thy of notice, the South Carolina
Collegian, which we are always
pleased to receive.
The Reveille pays the Reporter
a compliment in the last number,
which we can heartily return. It is
among our best exchanges.
: The Sibyl by its articles of soiled
sense anil good reasoning, show's
that some rare talent is present on
its staff of editors.
We must not fail in hurrying
along, to bid the Purdue welcome.
Gome again.
The Binghamite, coming from
Bingham School, N. C., is full of
news, anil articles ot interest to tiie
student. We read it here witii much
pleasure.
| The Messenger from Richmond
< allege has arrived. Let us see you
j eYiu from uow ou.
WE HA VE HEARD.
That a new fraternity will soon
enter the ranks of the University
Greeks.
That the girls all call W. A. Davis
• Pretty” Davis.
That Bassingeris the handsomest
member of the University.
That Threadcraft meditates study
ing for the ministry alter gradua
tion.
That McRee’s new name is “Mal
aga.”
That “'88 is a dogged (dog-head)
good class.”—Senior. See?
That “ ’88 is going to the dogs.”—
Sophomore.
That the Class Poem, by Paul
Hubert Estes, has been universally
admired.
That there are five candidates for
anniversarian in 1888 out in the
Demosthenian already.
That Jack Evans sold his Senior
s'ick to a Freshman fora dime.
That an inter-fraternity contest
in tennis would be quite interesting.
That Brick Stonewall Miller is
very fond of looking through “tele
scopes” when in the opera house.
The Pennsylvauian, from Phila
delphia, is as usual on hand. It is
full of good, newsy articles.