Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-05-28
THE HAUNTED MOOSE.


A friend Of ours, says the Albany Tribune,
Bob H., during the late cold term, thought he
would go into Hamilton and have moose
hunt. He left the city in company with six
other gentlemen, on Wednesday Of last week.
After ride of about twenty Jour hours, they
reached the borders of the great Wilderness
Having put up their horses and sleigh at the
last tavern, they started out for weeks sport
in the woods, the second day in the wilder
ness, our friend and party started moose of
first class proportions. They sighted him a
bout noon, and kept on his track till about 8
O'Clock, p. NJ, when the party informed Bob
that they were completely tired out, and they
intended to take the back track for the shanty
and have dinner.
Our friend said "Very well, go back if you
please. As for me, I'll have that moose or
perish in the attempt" The party went back
and Bob went ahead. He kept up the chase
till nearly dusk, when he got sufficiently near
the critter to give him condign. He was r
glorious fellow. Like Franz Granger, sssix
feet high and well proportioned." Bob was
rejoiced at his success. But his pleasure had
one back, s'what could he do with him 20
Another source of uneasiness was the exces-
sye cold, and the distance from the shanty,
some eight miles. While philosophising upon
his folly, night came on, and as there was no
such thing as getting up a fire, he was at his
wits end to keep from freezing. At last he
hit upon an expedient.
He cut open the moose, took out its en-
trails, and crawled in and lay down. The AM
NAL heat kept him as warm as s'pepper sass, .
till about midnight, when he fell asleep. He
awoke about sunrise, and thought he would
crawl out and start back to his friends. There
was one pull back to this arrangement. After
the heat had left the moose, he had frozen as
stiff as post, an operation that subjected Bob
to as rigid confinement as if he had been
locked up in Bastie. Bob endeavored to cut
himself out with a knife. But it was no go.
He might as we'll have undertaken to whittle
granite. Bob spent most melancholy day,
and finally worried nature into sound sleep.
While thus unconscious, a company Of hun
ters came along, discovered the moose, fasten-
ed rope to his legs, and set about dragging
him out of the woods. This movement awak-
ened Bob, who thought he was getting haunt
ed, and, therefore, commenced hallooing for
help. Such a noise coming from dead moose,
excited the superstition of the hunters to such
degree that they abandoned their prize and
fed as if the devil was after them. After run
ming about three miles they met Bob's friends,
who had been out all day trying TO discover
his whereabouts. The hunters told the story
of the haunted moose and the strange noise
which came from his abdomen. Bob's friends
smiled.
They requested the hunters to return. In a
half hour the "haunted moose was reached.
The friends halloed ssBob!'' Bob halloed
''here 20 The friends said s'we are going to
cut, look out for the axe" Bob said: e'let
drive, better have a damaged head than legs
made of icicles." The adventure has made
an impression on Robert. He says the next
time he sleeps inside of a moose, he will take
good care that it has ''leather hinges on its
hack -