St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1879-01-17

anu his eager pursuers ran to embark.
=, BY the time they were fairly afioat,
the moose had got some distance from
land but under the energetic strokes
OF Fred and the other guides, well sec
onded by the amateurs, the distance was
speedily lessened, although the moose
swan powerfully, just showing it's black
head and neck above water.
Foot by foot they closed with them,
Fred ahead.
"Look out! He may turn on you -
cautioned Haines.
But Fred shot alongside the creature
within only few yards of him. A run
ning moose was made of the boats tow
line. Watching his chance, Fred threw
it.
By good luck it fell over the moose's
antlers, and was drawn tight. A wild
hurrah applauded this feat, both from
those in the other boats and several
sportsmen on shore.
But though lassood, the moose was
not yet captured. The creature struck
of smartly, towing the boat after him.
The men tried to stop him by backing
water; but his strength overmatched
theirs. One of the other boats now
ChHlC up tiuu ihilc ldSb W bDC SdlllC
rope; but the moose took them both
along at the same rate.
"Well, let him go if he's determined
tOm cried Chase. ''Let him swim, and
We'll ride"
In fact, they were all about tired
enough to rest, and since they couldn't
stop the animal, they lay back and en-
joyed the ride.
On went the moose, up the lake
plunging through the water with heavy
kicks of its broad hoofs.
"Why, this is equal to steam power =
exclaimed Sargent.
Indeed, the putting and blowing of the
moose forcibly reminded them of IA don
key engine.
The lookers-on from the shore did
not at once comprehend the situation
moose power being such IA novelty. The
moose swan with both boats, as fast us
person could easily paddle Il canoe
| By hauling on the line, either upon the
right or left side, the course of the ami
NAL could be changed.
For three miles the moose forged
ahead, the hunters riding serenely in his
wake. The animal did not attempt tC
| tui Ou tiiNlii; iSlil CAlOSbtu
would, but seemed intent only upon
getting away.
Having thoroughly enjoyed the ride
Il sentiment of sympathy began to creep
into the hearts of the sportsmen.
''l say, gentlemen, it's rather too bad
to ride fee horse to DEATH" quOtl
one.
"That's so - exclaimed every voice.
"There's some danger, too, of his get
ting winded and giving up suddenly
said Fred. ''If he should drown out
here, we should lose him."
"Head him for the shore. then :" cried
Chase. "Go for Camp Frye"
Camp Frye, it may be explained, is
the designation given tourists camp
on the lake shore, after the Hon. VIM.
p. Frye, representative from Maine.
1t so happened that the camp was at
that time occupied 10y Mr.. Frye himself,
with his family.
For Camp Frye the moose was ac-
cordingly headed, and 10y adroit man
agement of the line. he was "grounded'
near the boatlanding.
SO completely tired had the animal
become, that it offered no resistance
when pulled out of the water upon the
shore. 1t seemed stupefied, and gave no
other signs of native ferocity than an
occasional stamp of its fore hoof, and
by grinding its teeth.
The guides said that they had never
seen Il larger moose. Its weight was
estimated ut twelve hundred pounds.
The sight of live moose. fresh from
its native haunts, was novelty. OF
course nobody dreamed of such thing
as taking the animals life. The law of
Maine at presents forbids all such kill
ing of wild ruminants. To have "made
way" with the animal, in the presence
of veteran law-giver like Mr.. Frye,
would have been too foul deed to
have escaped merited justice.
We are all assured, theIe efore, that af-
ter three hours durance the moose was
turned loose to "multicrease and re-
plenish" in the forests.
Having regained his "wind" some
what, the old fellow departed with an
eXultant bound when the line was cut !;
but his report to his antlered brethren,
containing his view of the mornings
sport. has not vet been forwarded to the
Youths Companion.