The Yellowstone journal. [volume] (Miles City, Mont.) 1893-1901, 1893-03-19
MILKING A MOOSE.
A PENOBSCOT GUIDES STORY or
ANOTHER TRUTHFUL GUIDE.

How "Dairynian .Apnance.' of aloosehead,
Managed To secure Something for HIS
s~portsnien to Brink Eesides the Cold.
Murky Water of the Lake.
Here's a pretty mess. The milk is all
gone"
The speaker was one of a party of four
New York sportsmen who. with an equal
number of guides. had been cruising
about on the west branch of the Penob-
Ecot. 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 tie supplies had
become exhausted.
Then turning to the guides, who were
lying at full length on the ground quiet
ly enjoying the young blool's discom-
future. lie asks. Isn't there a farmhouse
or hotel near where I'VE could buy sonie:"
Depends on what you call near" re-
piled q Noodsnlal. If you don't reckon
forty miles far. thea we are near house,
but that's about the distance-maybe "A
triho more. You want nlilk powerful
bad. don't you: Well. you fill up on wa
ter tonight ard may be in the morning |
a accommodates ou. though. mind you.
] don't promi. 81"
iou'il have Il &c. n move on you."
said one Of the other guides, '.if you are
going to II. to make the Carry tween
this and touorrow"-well knowing that
the journey in that time was impossible
flor blast ms. Annance, if | know
where you're gong to find the color of
milk nearer than that"
Annance made no pom but pufre,.
silently ut his favorite pipe. He had az
idea. though, that he could get some
milk. but did not mean to tell how.
That night. mnoticed. 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 a point where Il 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 a dozen PAGES of the
hunter. but otherwise she did not show
signs of alarm. She was o in the
water Kidding herself of the flies and
q%uenching 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 motionless.
By repeating this operation several
times, he managed Il reach the edge Of
the lake without alarming the moose.
As o as the animal showed any signs
OF leaving the water, the guide retreated
few steps. Once or twice did the
moose raise her head and look at him.
however. to resume her clumsy
Presently the moo 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
Then she advanced slowly up the
bank. When opposite the guide
The shifted something, stopped and looked
That was the guides chance, and he
knew it.
The ~critica! moment had arrived, and
With one quick but silent movement he
vas by the animals side. She did not
move except to turn her head and look
It him. Annance kept near her hind
well knowing that if he gos in
ront Of the moose he would not stand
much chance should she become ugly.
Cautiously bending forward the hunter
troked her sides and allowed her to turn
nd smell of him. After a few seconds,
eeing the moose did not appear fright
ned. Annance, with little more diff
ulty than is experienced with many do.
nestle animals, proceeded to fill a small
all he had brought along with rich. yell
ow milk.
Returning to camp, he produced the
milk when breakfast was ready in the
morning, having kept the pail in the
vster over night. much to the astonish-
asnt Of the guides and sportsmen.
People who visit Moosehead often hear
haxles Annance spoken of Is the
and the foregoing story is
gives him the nickname. Lewis
On Journal.