The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1893-02-10
MILKING A MOOSE.
A PENOBScCT GUIDES STORY or:
ANOTHER TRUTHFUL GUIDE,

How "Dairyman Annance,'' of Eloosehead.
Managed to Secure Something for His
Sportsn,en to Dfnk Besides the Cold.
Murky watero OF the Lake.
Here's Il pretty mess! The milk is all
gone"
The speaker was II of a party of four
New York spoTtsmen who, with an equal
number of guides. had been cruising
about or the west branch of the Penob-
scot. but were now camping on the
shores of Chamberlain lake, preparatory
to returning to North East Carry. They
had been out longer than they had
planned. and some of the supplies had
become exhausted.
Then turning to the guides. who were
lying at full length on the ground quiet
ly enjoying the young blood's discom-
future. he asks, Isn't there q farmhouse
or hotel near where we could buy somey"
Depends on what you call near" re-
piled q woodsman. IF you don't reckon
forty miles far. then we are neal a house.
but that's about the distance-maybe a
trifie more. You want milk powerful
bad. don't you? Well. you fill up on wa
ter tonight and maybe in the morning ]
can accommodate you. though. mind you.
| don't promisey"
You'll have to get a move on you."
said one of the other guides. 'if you are
going to try to make the Carry tween
this and tomorrow'-well knowing that
the journey in that time was impossible
for blast mt. Annance, if | know
where you're going to find the color Of
milk nearer than that"
Annance made no response, but pulled
silently at his favorite pipe. He had an
idea. though. that he could get some
milk, but did not mean to tell how.
That night. unnoticed. he left the
camp about sunset. walked slowly
through the woods for about a mile, and
again came out on the shore of the lake
at u point where a small stream formed
an outlet.
This was near the place where he had
seen the COW moose. and here he took up
his position beside a trail leading to the
waters edge. and along which he could
see. if his knowledge of woodcraft did
not deceive him. that the moose was in
the habit of passing.
In this he was correct, for the guide
had not been there more than an hour
when he heard the sound Of some animal
approaching. and peering cautiously
through the bushes he saw a COW moose
making for the pool.
The animal shifted the air a few times
as she passed within dozen PAGES of the
hunter. but otherwise she did not show
signs of alarm. She was soon in the
water Kidding herself of the flies and
quenching her thirst.
While the moose was disporting her
self Annance left his position behind the
bush and walked Il few steps toward
her. and whenever she turned he would
stand perfectly m~otionless.
By repeating this operation several
times, he managed to reach the edge of
the lake without alarming the moose.
As soo as the animal showed any signs
of leaving the water. the guide retreated
a few steps. Once or twice did the
moose raise her head and look at him.
only. however. to resume her clumsy
frolics.
Presently the moose made toward the
shore. and Annance concealed himself
behind the brush again. At the edge of
the lake the animal turned to take a
last look and shake the spray from her
nose. Then she advanced slowly up tn
sloping bank. When opposite the guide
she shifted something. stopped and looked
around.
That was the guides chance. and he
knew it.
The critical moment had arrived, and
with one quick but silent movement he
was by the animals side. She did not
move except to turn her head and look
at him. Annance kept near her hind
quarters. well knowing that if he got in
front of the moose he would not stand
much chance should she become ugly.
Cautiously bending forward the hunter
stroked her sides and allowed her to turn
and smell of him. After a few seconds,
seeing the moose did not appear fright
ened. Annance, with little more diff
Guilty than is experienced with many do
nestle animals. proceeded to fill a small
pail he had brought along with rich. yel-
low milk.
Returning to camp. he produced the
milk when breakfast was ready in the
morning. having kept the pail in the
water over night. much to the astonish-
ment of the guides and sportsmen.
People who visit Moosehead often hear
Charles Annance spoken of as the
''dairyman.' and the foregoing story is
what gives him the nick1ame.-Lewis-
ton journal.
Almost Like Jonah.