Poems of James McIntyre Part 14

CANADIAN HUNTER.

Of Kentucky's great hunter bold Old Daniel Boone oft tales are told, Of wild beasts he had no fear, But dangers loved that pioneer.

Canada has hunters many, Yet perhaps there is not any For skill and boldness can compare With our own Daniel Hebner.

In youth he was both tall and strong, And supple as a willow thong, He never fled from savage bear, Though bruin on hind legs would rear.

In hunting mink, or fox or c.o.o.n, He was a second Daniel Boone, His rifle oft brought down the deer, Which to his table brought good cheer.

But through his life his highest aim Was to kill the savage game, To track the wild cat to its lair And see its eyes so fiercely glare.

But he oft longs for a cut ham, Sweet as from bear near to Putnam, For he waged his fiercest war In big swamp of Dorchester.

Now in the winter Dan he rides Warm 'mong his bear and c.o.o.n skin hides, He lets the younger men now snare The beaver, muskrat and otter.

FIGHT WITH A BEAR IN THE NORTHWEST.

Two youths employed at the fur fort Resolved to have half day of sport, From Jasper House, in the far north, For game they joyous issued forth, The factor of the Hudson Bay Granted them a few hours play, And it was in cold winter time When thick on lake was gla.s.sy rime, But beneath, o'er all their route, They saw below big speckled trout, With hatchet ice they did clear, And the beauteous trout did spear.

Soon bear they saw and youths did skate, Resolved for to seal his fate, A pistol shot made bruin roar, And from him trickled drops of gore, They round him skate and fresh blood drew, When they at him the hatchet threw; He first chased one and then the other, For men on skates did him bother, But the bold Scottish lad McBeth Alas he nearly met his death, When he so boldly did press near To probe with the sharp fish spear.

They knew their game was no trifle, So they secured a trusty rifle, Returning he had fled to wood, But they traced him with his blood, They saw the elder bushes sway While he did force through them his way, They skated swiftly o'er the ice And were near brushwood in a trice, Full soon the savage beast is slain With rifle bullet in his brain, And now these hunters do take pride In skin as large as Buffalo hide.

ORIGIN OF THE TOBOGGAN.

I am a hunter by profession, And when I make this confession, Of what I saw with mine own eyes, It may cause you some surprise.

But we at once now you do warn, That this is not a made up yarn, It happened in the interior, Far north of Lake Superior.

When up the hill setting my traps, I heard on trees peculiar raps, It made me then attentive hark, And then I heard pulling off the bark.

It was a bright and pleasant day, The distance was three miles away, And it caused me but slight alarm, When they around bark placed each arm.

And threw the bark o'er their shoulder, I being a distant beholder Knew not what end they had in view, But I must own my wonder grew.

When I saw those men were warm dressed With good fur robe each one was blessed, In single file they marched up hill With strangest thoughts my mind did fill.

When each man in his robe began With tough bark to make toboggan, And quick as lightning down they slide, It seemed to me a dangerous ride.

The spot was covered o'er with hairs, And it seem'd mixed with blood of bears, And my two dogs Bull and Daisy, At sight and scent of it went crazy.

Could none of these been a true man, Or was I gross deceived by bruin, It was a long and gla.s.sy slide, Reached far up the mountain side.

They had been first enjoying the fun Of sliding down on their bare skin, Until their hide was getting worn, And their flesh was somewhat torn.

So Bear invented Toboggan, Which is a blessing to young man, And the fair maiden by his side, For both enjoy the pleasant ride.

BEAR AND FALLS.

Strange incidents do happen ever On the famed Niagara river, This thought to mind it now recalls Event three miles above the falls.

Thrilling ventures there abound, A bear which weighed eight hundred pounds, Hunters they do him discover As he was swimming down the river.

They felt he would be glorious prize This grand fat bear of mighty size, Three men they jump'd into canoe, A skilful and determined crew.

Soon alongside of him they row, But kindly feelings he doth show, Quick he scrambled o'er the boat side For to enjoy a good boat ride.

And as o'er the side he straddles They hit him on head with paddles, But all in vain, so two of crew A short time bade the bear adieu.

And soon they swiftly swam to sh.o.r.e, But current down the river bore Man, bear and boat, the sound appals Of roaring mighty water falls.

But vigorous now he plys the oar, In hopes to safely reach the sh.o.r.e, But this made bear to grin and growl And wear on brow a horrid scowl.

So poor man sore against his will Finds that in boat he must keep still, Or else be hugged to death by bear, While sound of falls becomes more near.

But his two friends so brave and true Row quick 'longside in a canoe, And fire in bruin leaden b.a.l.l.s, Thus saving friend from bear and falls.

BROKEN RAFT ADVENTURE.

A man on Nova Scotian Bay On broken raft was borne away, Right out on the open sea Where the storm did blow so free, No shelter from the wind or wave He thought the gulf would be his grave, He had no food life to sustain, He laid him down there to remain, What happened he did know no more, But old man on Prince Edward's sh.o.r.e Saw raft drifting near his shed And thought the poor man was quite dead, He called for help and soon they bore His lifeless body to the sh.o.r.e, But old man he did them desire To place the body near the fire, And wrap it up in blankets warm, Which did act like to a charm, And soon the breath it did return, With grat.i.tude his heart did burn, To think he was again restored Unto his friends whom he adored.

FIGHT OF A BUFFALO WITH WOLVES.

A buffalo, lord of the plain, With ma.s.sive neck and mighty mane, While from his herd he slowly strays, He on green herbage calm doth graze, And when at last he lifts his eyes A savage wolf he soon espies, But scarcely deigns to turn his head For it inspires him with no dread, He knows the wolf is treacherous foe But feels he soon could lay him low, A moment more and there's a pair Whose savage eyes do on him glare, But with contempt them both he scorns Unworthy of his powerful horns; Their numbers soon do multiply But the whole pack he doth defy, He could bound quickly o'er the plain And his own herd could soon regain; His foes they now are full a score With lolling tongues pant for his gore, He hears their teeth all loudly gnash So eager his big bones to crash, On every side they him infest, The north, the south, the east, the west Fierce rage doth now gleam from his eye, Resolved to conquer or to die, 'Round him they yelp and howl and growl, He glares on them with angry scowl, They circle closer him around, He roars and springs with mighty bound, And of his powers gives ample proof, Felling them with horn and hoof, Though some lay dead upon the plain, Yet their attack was not in vain, For they have tasted of his blood, Resolved it soon shall pour a flood, He feels that they have torn his hide And streams gush from each limb and side, He rushes on them in despair And tosses them full high in air, But others rush on him and pull Down to the earth that glorious bull; On the flesh of this n.o.ble beast Their b.l.o.o.d.y jaws they soon do feast, Full worthy of a better fate Far from his herd and his dear mate, Who now do look for him in vain His bones do whiten now the plain.