We were at the mouth of the Arroyo Grande, which should have been named Arroyo Bonita for it certainly was an ideal spot. The creek emptied onto the ocean almost under the rock on our left as we landed. The spot chosen for the camp was about 50 yards from the sand dike or dune we had cane over, among a most beautiful group of alders so interlaced over our head that is practically concealed us all day from the sun. Although the sun only reached us from 10 A.M. To 2:30 P.M. Caused by the narrow gorge and high mountains which seems higher that ever since we had to get ashore. The water of the creek ran only a foot or so below the level of the bank on which we had made camp, and such water. Clear cool and swarming with trout and salmon, before the fire was ready for cooking. One of the boys had caught a dozen of the most beautiful 6 to 8 inch trout I ever saw. While some of us were getting supper, one of the boys had taken his gun and strolled up the creek thinking probably I suppose that he might see some large game. A short distance from our camp the condition of the mountains grew so, that they formed a rincon or cove, probably 200 yds long and 50 to 75 yds wide in fact forming one might call a small valley. The grass was abundant, being as ideal spot for deer. The only exit from this flat was near the beach, and immediately back of our camp, being a trail up a very steep rocky hillside, the hill forming a narrow ridge which ran back toward the mountains and freedom for any game which came from the country lying far beyond. Up this flat the Mts came down so steep and the creek rising so rapidly upward causing a series of cataracts and falls that it was impossible for game of any kind to get out above. Consequently if caught in the valley from below it was sure capture or death. We had just decided to eat without our companion, when we heard a rifle shot. Springing instantly for our guns, as we knew that Rube had sighted something, and we were eager for any excitement that came our way. When two more shots put us on the run up the valley, forgetting our hunger and no thought of being tired now. As we emerged into the clearing, the first thing I perceived was two little whiffs of smoke at the upper end of the glade, and Rube going through a war dance, the meaning of which none of us knew, as he was at the extreme other end of the valley, looking toward the bluff to my right. I saw two deer running swiftly toward us, but hugging the slope of the hill about 80 yards away. Just as I spoke some one in my crowd fired. The deer set up, in a whirl [of] dust and gravel, and wheeled, made off up the glade again. Again Rube fired, and the terror-stricken deer, turning with lightening speed, made in our direction and I do believe would have braved the fire of one more to gain the outlet, but 3 rifles now began to play on them, and they stopped short and made for the impossible climb of the bluff. They did what we found later to be an act no man in the party was able to do. The Buck a noble creature with beautiful antlers was leading, followed by two doe, bravely and heroically fought their way almost to freedom up the side of the rocky Mts. Almost perpendicular, when almost up they would begin to slide back again. 15 or 20 ft. but with no thought of failing. This feat they tried again and again. I did not take part in this massacre, but the deer were under fire continually and all were shot to death after the shooting of probably 30 shots.
We packed them into camp and much excitement which did not subside for many hours. After supper, we dressed the deer and prepared most of the meat for making jerky the next day.