Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1892-10-06
fFor the Ellsworth Americana
A True Hunting Story.

My First Moose.
At the age of fourteen years, in August
1910, on the full moon, one night after
up the branch and see II we can get a
shot at that old buck that comes ou,
nights in the cove by the cedar landing.
that has cheated US so many times" l AT
once volunteered to 60. We took gun
that belonged to Mr.. Hugh Twyuhsm, with
a flint lock on 1t. We had no gnu OF cur
own at this time. Our boys had used the
gun, but 1t had not been fired for some
time. Father examined the printing; il
seemed all right. As IL had always been
loaded with buckshot, he did not think II
worth his while to load II over again
We took the gun, and paddle which We
always kept at the house. when not in use,
and started for the landing. We put the
bateau In the water and then got in, with
paddle and gun, father taking the paddle,
and the gun, and pushed off from the
shore. then set up the rest in its place.
laid the muzzle of the gun on 1t. aud held
the breecb in my hsnns AZ usual. Oar
bateau was light and smooth, and father
preferred doing the padding alone, as he
wanted to go slow and still
We went up about mile without seeing
any game, or much signs. but soon heard
a large limb break, and pointed in the di-
rect.on. Father said, III heard 1t, and We
began 10 hear more breaking of brush, and
nearer. They soon made their appearance,
two large bull moose with wide-sp spreading
antlers; they came within few rods Of
Us. | had cooked the gun, and held 1t In
readiness, took aim aud pulled the trg-
ger and to our astoni>Amcnt there was
not powder enough iu The gun to throw the
shot 10 them. Father said, That is too
bad" The moose turned aud went back
nearly the same way they came. Father
loaded the gun this time with plenty Of
powder, BY this tim, the sun was just
going down.
We started up stream again slowly.
When We had gone about half mile we
began 10 see the stars all around and soon
1t was a dark as 1t was for the night
The moon WAS beginning to make It's ap-
pesrance. BY this time We had gone pret.
,y well up the river. near the place where
we expected TO see or hear the buck, pre-
sound of some heavy animal walking on
the bank. held the gun ready to fire at
any moment. Father moved the bateau
along with the skill taat but few could
excel By this time the moon was
shining bright over the trees | esp!ed
,hs animal walking on the bank, took aim
as well as could BY moonlight, and flred,
the result was heavy splash into the
river. When the smoke of the gun cleared
away, which lasted only for moment, we
saw the animal crossing the river, headed
partly down stream. tie went ashore on
the opposite bank from where he went In.
went back through the bushes that stood
on the bank, into some patches OF meadow
and alders with dry brush intermingled,
near the edge Of a 'Jeadow. We heard
him breaking brush and trampling In the
meadow grass and alders, and moving
slowly back from the river for few min.
utes, and then all was still. Father said
be could not get hsca on the high land,
without breaking great deal Of brush,
so he pushed the bateau ashore. got out
and hauled 1t little up on the bank and
told me to remain in It while he went ashore
and looked little
When he had been gone but short time
| heard him call to me to come In where
he was, l started for him as near as
could, and when | had gone but a short
distance came TO patch of grass among
the slders, some ten or twelve feet across
all trampled down. | called 70 him, he
answered me, still farther on, and
started again. | had gone but little
way when | came TO place trod down
the same as the first. Here called
again; he answered and | was very
near him this time. | went few
steps by a bunch of A'ders and came In
PLAIN view of him standing in patch of
grass like the first spoken Of in the moon
light between some bufches Of alders
went directly up TO him. He pointed down
in the shade of the alders and said
Look there and see what you have done.
There lay upon the ground, dead, spike d
horned moose, one year old. past. We
moved the moose out into the moonlight,
to the clean grass, where we dressed
him in hunters style, leaving the skin on.
We then started for home. Father said |
might take the head along If could carry
it, which | did, arriving there sbou, half
past eleven, placing it at the door whe re
those that got up early next mornin 9
might see it. Next morning with more
help We went and brought it home This
moose dressed, weighed about 400 pounds
This hunt took place at Jones reach,
east branch Of Union River, Waltham
Maine EBEN kISGMAN.
Otis, Maine.