A Basket of Chips: An Autobiography

Basket of Chips, page 059

Career, Rommce, and Family where the cat-tails, rushes, and other water plants grew in great abundance. Here is where the musk-rat and mink were to be found. The shining new coats of fur were not taken on until the cool weather began. Frosty-nights and bleak cool days marked the period for the busy work of winter to begin for the rat people in the construction of their houses. I hesitate to tell of the cruelty that this life involves and will name it as one of nature's laws - the survival of the fittest. I ran my traps in the early morning. Daily, on my horse, leaving home before day- light and back in time for school. It gave me vigor and strength and a love of nature that I consider priceless. I learned the habits of the wild creatures and nature's storm dramas, - tricks of the sky, earth, wind and water. My double-barrel muzzle loading shot gun as well as a dear little setter dog that was use- less otherwise than as a companion, accompanied me every- where. The gun was the one my grandfather had used. He con- sidered I was sufficiently wise and well trained to be worthy of the gift. (I have it now.) Mornings when the weather was favorable I would devote more to the game than running the traps. I became quite expert with game on the wing. I remem- ber one difficult shot that resulted in a cold bath that I did not relish. I found an old flat bottom boat at the edge of the tullies that I pushed out to a point. The ducks flew near. I never dared cock both triggers at once as both barrels were apt to go off at the same time, which meant a knock down. Now came the chance for one of my skillful shots. Two ducks were flying low, down the wind. As they came within range I dropped one with one barrel, lowered the gun from my shoulder, cocked the trig- ger, whirled and covered the departing mate, and he fell with the remaining charge. Now comes the bath: one was not killed and I might lose him, so I sat, seized the boat with all my strength to launch it, and the part came loose, and back I went in the water up to my neck. No need to tell more, only I got the ducks, and made for home as fast as I could go. At home I was received with the usual warning of a "death o' cold" and I was to "never go hunting any more." In all my -59