Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1874-01-29

as we plOdded on on, blindlv as far as |
was concerned. Lewey led; it was as
much as could do to keep from humping
against the tree trunks. But it gradually
grew light. We were skirting the lake.
keeping back from the shore.
After going on for several miles as it
seemed to me, the mixed growth changed
to still heavier one of black spruce Be-
meath the dark shaggy tops all was quiet;
but overhead the wind drove; and now
and then the snowy gusts sifted down
through the thick boughs. Out on the
lake the storm howled.
BY nine o'clock we had got round to the
northern end, or head of the lake. and
could just discern, through the driving
flakes, the outline of the island n mile be-
/ low. If the moose had left it. they had
probably come across to the woods at about
this place. Still keeping in the forest, We
examined the shore for nearly half mile;
there were no tracks. 1t was fair to con-
clude that they were still below us,-at the
island. Nothing now remained to us but
to wait for a chance to shoot them.
Watch here" said Lewev, pointing to
the upturned root of au old windmill.
Hide here-make gun sure-put on new
cap-am straight
With this advice Lewey left me and
went on some dozen or fifteen rods, where
he took This stand in similar manner.
Resting my gun through Il chink in the
root, began my vigils. An hour passed.
The storm still ragged fiercelv. Ben was
giving lis plenty of time. But, keeping
my eyes fixed on the island, | waited for
the earliest appearance of the moose.
Suddenly the faint report of gun came
on the snow-laden blast; Larks' rifle,
felt sure. And the next moment three
dark objects darted out from the island and
came straight towards US. How swiftly
they approached, growing larger every
moment, till the great unwieldy forms
We're close upon us! Now for it,
Setting my teeth, L aimed at the fore
most,-he was now within fifty yards
and fired, Almost at the same instant
another report rang out. The moose fell
headlong into the snow. There was a
great snorting and crashing through the
/ brush: the other two swept past me like
the wind, and on into the forest The
wounded moose too, had bounded to his
feet, and with hideous whine he came
fioundering heavily on. In my excitement
| had jumped up from my hiding place,
shouting and brandishing my gun.
Run, Run for Your life!' shouted
Lewey. Get among spruces." The
moose had already caught sight of me. and
came rushing up the bank with Il great
gnashing and grinding of its teeth. No
time for bravado, | dropped my gun and
ran-ss fast as a fellow can on snow-shoes
back into the woods. 4 clump of low,
dense spruces were growing near | made
for them,-the moose after me,--and diving
in amid the thick, prickly branches, went
down on my hands and knees and scram-
bled aside under the boughs. spidcr-like.
The moose crushed into the thicket. snort
ing and thrashing about not ten feet from
where | lay.
Lie fiat" yelled Leweys voice from
somewhere outside. Don't stiri''
Bang, followed by another crash and :,
noise of struggling. | crawled out and
saw Lewey standing near, with the smoke
still curling from his gun.
Much hurt?" exclaimed he, seeing me
on all fours.
Not a scratch cried l, jumping up.
\ Yankee would have laughed at me
heartily. Lewey merely remarked. - He
most have you," and turned to look at the
moose, which we found dead.
In the course of half an hour Ben and
Larks came up The moose was then
skinned and cut in pieces. The storm still
continuing. it was decided to give up the
hunt and rest content with what we had
got kindling fire, we broiled some eX-
cellent moose-steaks, off which we made a
hearty dinner.
4 moose-sled was constructed,-a rude
sled of poles and withes, with broad run
ners About half the meat-a weight OF
some four hundred pounds-was packed
upon this. to be taken back with us. The
other half was buried in the snow, to be
taken away at another time. Thus buried
it will at once freeze, and keep sweet till
the snow melts in the spring.
Larks and | carried the hide on pole
between US. The sled was drawn by
Lewev and Ben. We did not get down to
the head till the ueXt night.
Larks was much disappointed in the
antlers which were very small and tender.
Moose shed their antlers in December
This was in February. They had not had
time to grow outs Nicholas for Fcb-
rudry.