Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
I read B. A. Botkin's "Treasury of American Folklore" before I joined the Boy Sprouts. I therefore knew about the fabled Snipe Hunt. A couple of years after joining, I went to summer camp. Some of the older guys suggested I hold the bag for a snipe hunt. I agreed.
So: I spent the afternoon collecting a jar full of good old Texas red ants.
We did the usual after-dark routine, and the guys went away, giggling. I dropped the bag, blew out the candle, and via a shortcut, beat them back to the cabin area.
Many sleeping bags got a dozen or so red ants. Then came "Taps" and lights out.
I was already quite comfortable out in the brush, well hidden--and enjoying a rather high db level of entertainment.
So: I spent the afternoon collecting a jar full of good old Texas red ants.
We did the usual after-dark routine, and the guys went away, giggling. I dropped the bag, blew out the candle, and via a shortcut, beat them back to the cabin area.
Many sleeping bags got a dozen or so red ants. Then came "Taps" and lights out.
I was already quite comfortable out in the brush, well hidden--and enjoying a rather high db level of entertainment.