Chapter 10 -- continued |
Fire-Hunting |
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 Two miles below Portland
there is what the hunters call the "big eddy" in the Salimonie. It is a place
one mile long where the waters are unobstructed and calm. It is the best
place for "fire-hunting" on this stream. Before the deer had fled from the
destructive axe and fatal rifle of the white man, it was the favorite spot
with the Indians for this grand sport. For this reason it is supposed they
made the "two-mile reservation," which embraces the eddy. Indians fire-hunt
in this wise: They girdle a large pig-nut hickory near the ground and again
twelve or fifteen feet above; then split the bark open on one side of the
tree, which enables them to peel the tree all the way around the body, preserving
the bark in one piece. The rough, outside bark is taken off the ends, which
are then tied closely. A stick is put crosswise inside the bark, near each
end, and the result is, a bark canoe - the lightest boat that floats.
 At night a very large,
lighted wax candle is set at one end, behind which is placed a wide board,
which throws the light forward and conceals the hunters in the rear of the
canoe. Silent as the night, and slowly the "frail bark" moves down the stream.
The distant deer, quietly drinking at he water's edge, sees the glaring light
approaching. Beyond is utter darkness. As if charmed, he gazes intently at
the strange phenomenon. Gradually nearer draws the canoe. Not a ripple, nor
a breath, breaks the stillness, until the fatal ball strikes its innocent
victim, and the shores reverberate with the report.
As late as 1833 the Indians visited this eddy to enjoy, for the last time, their favorite hunt. Once, having just made such preparations, Jesse Gray, senior, came into the vicinity. They immediately left, and he enjoyed their camp and canoe. At another time, when he was fire-hunting, he came so near the deer that, when shot it jumped across the canoe the first bound. |
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