Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1890-03-23

ing that if they should fall to the ground
the moose would at once make mince
meat of them. Then he proceeded TO
climb about the tree with the utmost
energy and agility. while the moose, who
had risen promptly to his feet, looked on
with the most obvious amazement.
BY this means Story soon got rid Of his
chill. Before it was quite dark he Sc
lected safe and comparatively comfort
able spot where two large branches
forked and tying himself securely to the
limb with his long scarf, he tried to
90 to sleep. 1t was a prottless undertake
ing. and after an hour or two of faithful
effort he gave it up. He was stiff and
miserable and hungry and half frozen.
1t had grown so dark that he thought
perhaps he might descend the other side
of the tree and slip away without the
moose being any the wiser. With what
he fancied perfect noiselessneSS. he
tried it.
He was almost down, when there was
below and a rush, and the animal was
almost upon him. He escaped just by a
hairs breadth, and swung nimbly back
into his refuge. He had no stomach for
another attempt of that sort. He began
to calculate how long ii would be before
they would miss him in camp and come
To look for him.
The prospect did not cheer him.
Known as he was for a determined hun
ter. his comrades would go home
without him. confident that he would
turn up all right when he had baggcd
his game. If he was not back by morn
ing they would perhaps think something
had gone wrong and would set out TO
look for him.
They would have 10 rctrace their steps
to the moose yard: and then, picking up
his trail from the yard, might be expect
ed to rescue him about noon. BY that
time. ne thought TO himself miSerably,
he might be frozen stiff He decided
to do something. But what?
At first he thought of cutting a branch.
fastening his knife to the end of it, and
Stabbng his captor with the imprOyiSed
harpoon. But the beech branches were
too thick and crooked TO suit his idea.
He did, at last, however. succeed in
splicing "A spear about five feet long: and
when ne had got the knife dashed to the
end of il all his stock of Irvine was eX-
hauStcd.
The spear was pretty satisfactory, but
he. Of course. dared not throw IL; and
the moose showed no inclination to come
where he could be effectively and neatly
despatched. The hunter stuck his
harpoon into a limb and set ont to con-
coct another weapon. BY this time the
moon was up. The hunter tore little
strip from his shirt. wet it in his mouth,
and rubbed il full of gun powder. This
made a fair bit of slow match, which he
folded several times longitudinally. and
then inserted i'm the top Of his powder
flask. To the short end, which he left
protruding. he touched match; and
then he tossed the flask down in front
of the moose.
The suffering Of the slow match for
moment disconnected the animal and he
drew back. Then. as if ashamed Of his
weakness. ne Sprang upon the flask, and
tramplcd it fercely under his feet.
While he was INDUCING i'm this inter
estng performance the powder exploded
with bang. and the astonished animal
Sprang high into the air.
But, though badly startled, he was
not frightened. by any means. He was
shocked and scorchcd. and little torn
i'm the forclegs. but this only made him
the more deadly. In a paroXySm Of
pain and hatred he dashed under the
tree. and rearing frantically struggled
to reach the hunter.
This was just what the willy woods
man desired. Lying fiat on branch.
almost within reach of the beasts an
tiers. he reached down and dealt him
blow I'm the neck. 4 second thrust went
deeper. and struck a more vital part.
almost under the throat. The blood
gushcd out in torrent, and the hunter
congratulated himself that deliverancc
was near at hand. rs-5&e9 CO
Presently the great animal stood still,
and looked about him with puzzled,
anxious air. He felt his strength going
from him. and could not understand it.
Soon he began TO sway from side to
side. and had to brace his feet apart 10
keep from falling. At last hc fell. Then
the hunter, stretching himself, came
down out Of the tree and stood beside
his noble and defeated antagonist
Story was too weak and cold and hum
CRY to think Of waiting to cut off the
animals head and hide it from the bears
He slipped on his Snow-ShoeS. found his
gun and started back in haste for the
camp. Before daylight he had reached
the yard. and then. TO his intense de-
light. ne met a party of his comrades
who had set out in the night to look for
him.