True stories of old Houston and Houstonians: historical and personal sketches / by S. O. Young. Page: 35

HOUSTON AND HOUSTONIANS 35
ley was a famous place at that time for duck shooting. Captain
John Warren had the eating house at Hockley, and, being a great
hunter himself, he always had parties from over the state visiting
him. The captain had been a game-keeper in England before
he came to this country and what he did not know about
guns, dogs and anything pertaining to hunting was not worth
knowing. He was rather stiff and offish at first acquaintance,
but would thaw out soon and then he was a most delightful
companion.
Dr. Alva Connell and I had an office on Texas Avenue right
back of where the Binz building now stands, and as neither of
us had a patient we concluded to go up to Hockley and have
some fun shooting ducks. We sent a boy over to the depot
with our guns and traps, and, sticking up a notice reading,
"Called out of town on professional business. Will return tomorrow
or next day," we followed the boy and were soon on our
way to Hockley.
That was in the early 70's and it had been raining for weeks,
so we knew there would be plenty of water and consequently
plenty of ducks. We arrived at Hockley about 4 o'clock in the
afternoon and called on Captain Warren as soon as we got
there. He sized us up as two dudes and seemed to be rather
afraid of us. He hesitated a long time about letting us have
a rig, but finally consented to do so. I don't think he would
have done so at all if Connell had not mentioned my grandfather,
who was paymaster of the Central at that time. Having
secured the rig, which was a two-wheeled gig, and Connell
having negotiated successfully for a pony, the captain very reluctantly
consented to lend us his dog. Now this dog was of
royal descent and had better blood in his veins, in Captain Warren's
opinion, than had any member of the royal family.
The captain gave us the most minute instructions about how
to treat the dog and said he would not have anything happen
to him for any money. The dog seemed to mistrust us as much
as the captain did, for when we got ready to start he would
not follow us at,all. Then the captain got a rope and hitched
the dog on behind my gig and we started off in great shape.
The captain directed us where to go and we crossed the railroad
track and set off across the prairie.
When we were about two miles out several snipe, showing
the utmost contempt for us and our guns, settled down on the
prairie not 20 feet from where we were. Connell jumped off
his horse and, handing me the bridle, began to advance on the
snipe. Just as he got by my horse's head the snipe flew up
and Connell fired at them. Up to that point I had been using
the whip on the horse to make him go at all. Now his whole