The state herald., 1890-03-21
A HUNTERS EXPERIENCE.
A MAINE FRONTiERsMAN WITH
WONDERFUL PLUCK.


WONDERFUL PLUCK.
He Travels Three Days on snowshoes
With Nothing to Eat.
Tho frightful experience of the
Maine moose hunter, tho story of
whose wandcrings and danger has
been told, has been even surpassed by
the thrilling adventure of William
Bartlett of Freder ckton, trapper
who has Just reach d civilization again.
Bartlett is ono of tho reminders of
the pioneers of tho olden time, man
who leaves early each autumn for the
rcmotest parts Of the great forests and
Is not seen again until the spring,
when ho comes down with great
quantity of the riches. furs, the results
of lonesome winters toll. lie al
ways goes alone and rarely takes u dog
to share his cabin.
This y,ar he started away little
later than usual and went to the head
CT Upsalquitch, which has the rcputa-
tion of being in one Of tho richest
game regions in the province. lie
built small camp and Ind very good
luck hunting and trapping.
His adventures previous TO the one
great event of the past week would
make very long story, for he had ell
counters with savage and healthy
specimens of the Loupccivicr and saw
traces of the gray wolves, which the
hunters fear are slowly creeping into
this region ngain.
One of the coolest nights that he
had he piled his fire high with hard
wood and turned in to his bunk and
fell asleep.
About midnight he was awakened by
intense heat, and found that his cabin
was one mass of flames, leaving him
but few moments tc gather his
ordinary clothing and rush for his life
to the uninviting outer mir. lie had
time to save but little, and he stood
and saw his temporary home fade
away before the flames, carrying with
II all the contents.
lie lost his furs, which he valued at
from $500 to $500, every morscl of
his provisions, his sled and, what was
worth more than all else TO him, his
matches.
Accustomed TO dealing with cmcr-
gencics the hunter lost no time in de-
Gliding what lie should do. Ills only
hope lay in reaching n settlement be-
fore faintness from hunger overlook
him and rendered him powcrlcss to
save himself. lie knew that the tramp
would be long one, but he had saved
his snowslocs, and strapping them to
his feet, and taking his bearings from
the bright stars which shonc above
him, he started at the dead of night
from the scene of his troubles.
For hours his great strength carried
him on at II locomotive rate of speed,
and he covered many miles.
When afternoon came heavy snow
storm commenced, making travelling
very difficult aud rctarding his pro-
grcss, but he plodded on slowly, until
IL became SO dark that he was unable
to keep the course.
The means TO kindlc u fire were lack
ing, but he knew that people had lived
in the snow, aud he dug a deep hole
under n shclicring snowbank and
crawled into it.
Recognizing the fact that il he fell
asleep il would be sleep from which
he would never awaken. lIc did not
close his eyes, but rested until the
morning light commenced 10 dawn.
by this time he was fcarfully hun
CRY, but goadcd to desperation by his
unlucky plight he started bravcly Oh
his journey, chewing few twigs from
the evergreen trees as he walked, and
wondering how the deer and moose
could survive on such uninviting TO ,d.
lie ate no snow and allowed ic, to
melt in his mouth only In very sparing
quaniit cs.
a snowbank was the only bed oiler-
ed him, but he scooped out u room anu
retired. the bright stars shining into
his rcsting-piacc In n manner which
stirred his hopes, for hc knew that II
was only by husbandinx his strength
that he could hold out without food
for the rest of his journey.
lie did not intend TO sleep the see
ond night, but the tired nerves soon
gained control of him and he lost
consciousness.
When he awokc it was with start
of fear at his escape from death, for
lic felt numbncss taking possession
Of him. His fec, had no feeling, aud
he thought they were frozen so as TO
be helpless, but upon rising he wns
rejoiccd TO find that he could use
them. His ears and parts of his face
W 10 frozen, and his hands affected so
that hc did not dare to lie down again,
but resumed his journey, eating the
twigs ms before for nourishmcnt.
At noon on the third day he saw
from the top of high hill smoke ris-
ing in the distance. lie was so far
gone that he could not walk very fast,
and II was n long time before hc
reached the place. II was n solitary
house, miles mp OH tho Tobiguc, aud
which he might have easily passed I'M
noticed In the night. Scarcely more
than IL cabin, II looked more inviting
TO him than city.
lie was kindly received aud given
care until lie recovered from the effects
of his hunger and exposure 10 the fcar-
ful cold. His feet were found to have
been partially frozen, and II few mo-
mcnts more sleep would have ended
liartlctt's career beyond n doubt.
lie attributes his safe dclivcranca
from the hardship 10 an iron consiitu-
ilon and to hi' knowledge Of the
woods. and of what course 10 pursue
In such cases.
Bartlett declares that he will never