Night Sounds

Three hours ago the sun bid farewell to another day. Stars shimmer in the cool brisk night signaling the end to another day in the Neches River Bottom. I sit by the wood heater in David's clubhouse and think of just what this place means to me. I listen to the many sounds as they echo through the trees and thickets of tall grass. I hear a dog barking not too far from camp. He is on a mission as he runs back and forth in the night trailing his prey. I give him credit as he is relentless and I continue to listen as he seems to be getting closer. Sounds can be deceiving in the woods especially at night. I am about four miles from the nearest highway, yet at times it sounds if the trains and cars are racing up the Neches. Then at times it can be so quite that you feel as if you are miles and miles from civilization.
Which brings me back to the dog. He has moved down the River and is on the other side of Tub Lake on his way to the Duck Roost. When I first heard him it sounded like he was on the other side of the river. Either I didn't course him right or that is one wet dog. I feel bad for the dog in a way as he has been trained to hunt and he is probably lost. The reason I feel that he may be lost is that it is deer season and the coon and hog hunters are not allowed to hunt at night in this area. This dog is persistant and continues to do what he knows to do...........