Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-01-08
Che family CireIs.
An Exciting Ride.

An Exciting Ride.
Not long since party of tourists fishing
on Lake Cupsuplc Zone of the Umbagog
chain of lakes) captured II large moose
after most exciting chase.
The party consisted of Mr.. Lewis, his
son and two guides, named David Haines
and John Haley; also two gentlemen
named Chase and Sargent, with whom
was Il young man, well known around
there as Il trapper and guide, Fred c.
Barker.
The party had gone out on the lake in
three boats to fish for trout. Haines and
the elder Mr.. Weston were in one boat
young Weston was with Haley in another,
while Fred and Mr.. Chase and Mr.. Sar-
gent in the third boat.
1t was fine cool morning. The lake
lay black and still. Keeping as quiet as
they could, they were having fair sport,
when Mr.. Sargcnt's attention was attract
ed 10 what looked like the blanched roots
of ~ pine stump, floating along at nc
great distance.
What is that?" he asked.
"A moose! A big buck moose!' were
the almost Simultaneous EXPLANATIONS
from the whole party.
Where could he have come from?n
Then came u scramble. Lines were
hauled in, rods were shipped, and the guns
were seized
But voice cried, Don't fire; it's
against the law! Let's catch him."
Every paddle was at once brought into
requisition. Meantime the moose-whicl
had probably been taking morning swim
to free itself from ties-took alarm at the
hubbub, and struck off for the shore.
1t was i'm eager race now. The pursu.
ers gained, and were close upon the moose
when his feet touched bottom. With 6
mighty splashing, shake and snort, he
dashed into the woods.
There was bend in the shore, how
ever, that they could take advantage of t
head the moose off and drive him into The
water again ut IL certain point.
Head him!'' was the cry. Head hin
off at the foot of the cover
They all leaped from the boats and raj
pel nell through the woods.
The moose could be heard crashing
through the woods. Stimulated by tn,
prospect of heading him and by the fresl
morning air the men fairly astonishe,
the @selves with their own running.
Over logs, through brush and bushes
across bog-holes and sloughs,-on the,
scrambled.
They reached the foot of the cove aheat
of the moose, and cut him off on the fores
side.
10 drive him into the lake again the,
set up II chorus of shouts and unearlhl,
yclls, until the poor moose no dou6
thought that pandemonium had broker
loose. He dashed back and forth alon.
the wooded shore.
AT length, hearing his pursuers closn!
in about him, he took to the lake AGAIN ant
struck out with Il tremendous splashing.
There he goes! He's swimming fo
the other shore! TO the boats again!' an,
his eager pursuers ran to embark.
by the time they were fairly a1oat, tn,
moose had got some distance from land
but under the energetic strokes of Fred ant
the other guides. well seconded by tn,
amateurs, the distance was speedily
shortened, although the moose swan pow
crfuIly, just showing its black head i'm,
neck above water.
Foot by foot they closed with them
Fred ahead.
Look out!' He may turn on youm
cautioned Haincs
But Fred shot alongside the creatur,
within only few yards of him. A run
ming moose was made of the boats tow
line. Watching his chance, Fred threw it
by good luck it lell over the moose.
antlcrs, and was instantly drawn tight
A wild hnrrah applauded this feat, boil
from those in the other boats and from
several sportsmen on shore.
But though lassoed, the moose was no
yet captured. The creature struck of
smarlly, towing the boat after him. The
men trled to stop him by backing water
but his strength overmalched theirs. One
OF the other boats now came up and made
fast TO the same rope; but the moose took
them both along at the same rate.
"Well, let him 90 if he's determined
to-! cried Chase. Let him swim, and
we'll ride"
In fact, they were all about tired enough
to rest, and since they could not stop the
animal, they lay back and enjoyed the
ride.
On went the moose, up the lake, plunr-
ing through the water with heavy kicks OF
its broad hools.
why, this is equal to steam powern'
exclaimed Sargent.
Indeed, the putting and blowing of the
moose forcibly reminded them of Il don
key engine.
The iookers-on from the shore did not
at once comprehend the situation, moose
power being such novelty. The moose
swan with both boats, us fast rs Il person
conld easily paddle canoe. BY hauling
on the line, either upon the right or LETT
side, the course of the animal could be
changed.
For three miles the moose forged ahead,
the hunters riding serenely in his wake.
The animal did not attempt to turn ON
them, us they half expected he would but
seemed intent only upon getting away.
Having thoroughly enjoyed the ride"
IA sentiment of sympathy began to creep
into the hearts Of the sportsmen.
II say, gentlemen, it's rather too bad to
ride u free horse to DEATH" quoth one.
That's SOL" 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, them" cried
Chase. go for Camp Frye"
Camp Frye, it may be explained, is the
designation given Il tourists camp on the
lake shore, after the Hon. VIM. p. FRYE,
representative from Maine.
II so happened that the camp was at
that time occupied by Mr.. Frye himself,
with his family.
For Camp Frye the moose was accord.
ingly headed, and by adrot management
of the line, he was grounded" near the
boat-landing.
So completely tired had the animal be-
come, that it offered no resistance when
pulled out of the water upon the shore. It.
seemed stupefied, and gave no other sign
of native ferocity than an occasional
stamp of its fore hoof, and by grinding its
teeth.
The guides say that they had never seen
IA larger moose. lis weight was estimated
ut twelve huncred pounds
The sight of live moose, fresh from its
native haunts, was a novelty. OF course
nobody dreamed Of such thing as taking
the animals life. The law of Maine at
present forbids all such killing of wild
ruminanls. To have made way" with
H., 10, H.