Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1890-03-23
TREED BY A MOOSE.
A WILD EXPERIENCE IN THE WILDS OF
MAINE.
Chased by Bull Moose and Talking Refuge IN
the Branches Stratagem and Powder
Flask Secure Release from
Perilous Position.
c1aries G. D. Roberts in Youh's CooDanion.


rushed into camp with the news tnat he
had discovered a yard" of moose.
A yard, it may be here explained
is an opening in the forest where herd
of Moose has trampled down the snow
and made headquarters. The yard is
always surrounded by young trees upon
whose succulcnt shoots the moose feed.
1t forms a striking scene, the animals
living about the space Of trampled and
discolored snow, while here and there a
magniiicently antlercd bull towers above
the rest. keeping watch, and at other
places on the edge Of the yard an ami
nal is reaching aloft its long, prehen-
sile lips to tear down its meal OF green
branches.
Now the news which the proSpector
brought into camp created an instant
interest Fresh meat was at premium
i'm the RcStigouche camp, and at the
thought of moose meat, which is a sort
of beef idcalizcd, every lumbcrman'S
mouth began to water lOngingly. The
boss was quite at one with the hands in
this respect, wherefore IL was not long
before a hunt was organized.
Only those men could take part who
had their snow shoes with them, for the
snow was deep that season. There was
a small muster Of five, but with those
five went the blessings Of the camp.
Upon their success hung the hopes of
all their hungry comrades.
The wind, fortunately for the hunters,
was blowing from the yard TO the camp,
so that it was not necessary TO take a
roundabout course. The expedition
was lead by the prospector. who was an
enthusiastic hunter, as well as skilled
i'm wOOdcraft.
1t was past midday as the yard was
approached The hunters separated
and closed i'm on the yard from all sides
except that from which the wind was
directly blowing The leader. whose
name was Story, had the longest way to
90, in order that by the time he could
get into position all the others might be
ready and waiting.
Presently an owl was heard to hoot
twice. This was Story'S signal. The
moose heard it, too. and pricked up
their ears. for the owls they were ac-
cuStomed to hear hooted. asa rule, in the
night time. Then they heard the soft
hurried tramping of the snow shoes and
the cracking of frosted twigS all about
them. and huddled together, terrified,
i'm the middle of their yard.
The next moment five rifles baZcd out
upon them. and the hunters rushed in.
Two of the creatures fell at the yollcy,
and two more. fat young cows. were
knitted by the nimble huntSmcn, and the
rest of the herd dashed wildly off, run
ming up the wind, where they scented
no danger.
Now Story was in a great disgust. His
shot had failed To kill. He had fired AT
the chief of the herd. splendid bull,
whose antlcrS he craved as a trophy.
The bull was struck somewhere i'm the
body. for he staggered. but instantly re-
covering he had charged iicrccly in the
direction of the assault. Story had
stepped behind a tree, and the mad
beast, not detecting him. had continued
his career through the woods. almost
at right angles to the direction which
was taken by the herd.
Story gave chase at a run. loading as
he went. The bull was already out Of
sight. but his track was ample guide.
The hunter knew he had hit the animal
hard. and looked for a speedy triumph.
For an hour he continued his long
trot. encouraged from time to time by
the sight of blood upon the snow. The
animals path led at last through a re-
gion OF gullicS and cOpSeS, and low,
broad beech trees. Suddenly. as Story
was Skirting the crest Of little rayine,
from a thicket close ahead of him the
great moose dashed with below, and
upon him with levellcd antlerS.
The hunter had no time to check him
self, but whipped the gun 10 his Shoul-
der and took snap shot Even at the
same instant the snow gave way beneath
his feet. and his shot flew wide as he
rolled to the foot OF the ravinc.
The animal was upon him before he
could recover himself. and he thought
his end was come. Dropping his gun.
now useless. ne drew his knife. and. just
escaping one keen prong, ne seized the
antlcrs with one hand. while with the
other ne SlaShed at the animals neck
1t was the depth and softncsS of the
snow. with the confusion Of bushes and
roots beneath it. that saved him from
being crushed at once.
As the moose felt the knife i'm his
neck ne drew back. and threw up his
head with violence. intending To tramplc
his adversary with his terrible hOofS:
but the neck Of the moose has tremcn-
dous power. and as the hunter clung to
his hold with desperate tenacity. know
ing that his last chance depended on il.
he was thrown highinto the air. He came
in contact violently with a beech tree
branch.
One thinks quickly in such cmergen-
cies as these. or rather an instinct. drow-
sv at other times. wakes up and saves us
the need of thought. Story flung both
arms around the branch, and with great
sigh Of thankfulneSS. and possibly an in
ward uttcrancc of the same. swung him
self out Of harm way.
When his opponent failed TO fall, the
moose was astoniShcd. He turned round
and round, and tore up the snow, and
beloved hoarsely in his rage. Tho
thing was ineXplicablc.
At last he looked upward. and saw the
hunter in the branches. His Indignation
waXed iierccr than ever. and he made
desperate efforts TO pull down the
branches by Selling and breaking off
their tips.
How the huntsman chuckled and de-
ridcd him.
After a time the mad brute grew more
calm. Then. to Story's supreme dis
gust. he lay down under the tree TO starye
his prisoner out. The hunter had no
gun. The weather was severe. There
was nothing 10 eat. There was no way
OF stealing off unobserved. To crown
all. the wretched man recalled a number
OF incidents showing the implacable per-
Sistencc Of the wounded bulls Of this
species.
For perhaps an hour the hunter wait
ed. vainly hoping that this particular
moose would prove less obstinate than
L.