St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1898-03-04
A STARVATION HUNT FOR nUsK

A STARVATION HUNT FOR nUsK
OK.
An Adventure Of Peary's on the Northern
Shore Of the "ureat Ice."
The next morning we pushed on for a
valley near Navy cliff, where Astrup and
myself had seen numerous musk-ox
tracks. At the entrance of this valley
came upon track, so indistinct that it
might have been made the previous fall.
Following it short distance saw the
accompanying tracks of calf, showing
at once that the tracks were of this sea.
son, and little further on there were
traces but few days old. Fastening
our dogs securely to a rock and muzzling
them so that they could neither gnaw
themselves loose nor make a noise to dis
turb the musk.oxen, we passed rapidly
down the valley, Winchesters in hand,
with our eyes fixed eagerly upon the
tracks. Soon we reached the feeding
ground of the herd on the preceding ay,
and knew by their tracks and the places
where they had dug away the snow in
search of grass and moss that there was
quite herd oil them.
We circed the feeding ground as rap.
idly as we could and at length found the
tracks OF the herd leading out of the
labyrinth and up the slopes of the sur
rounding mountains. Following these,
our eyes were soon gladdened by sight OF
group of black spots on little terrace
lust below the crest OF the mountain.
Looking through the field glass. we
saw that some OF the animals were lying
down. Evidently the herd was begin
ming its midday snooze. We moved
cautiously up to the edge of the terrace
to leeward of the animals, and sought
shelter behind big bowlder. The musk
oxen were about 200 yards distant and
numbered %.
IwGnder il one of my readers knows
what hunger is. Hensen and were worn
to the bone with scant rations and hard
work, which had left little on our bones
except lean, tense muscles and wires oil
sinew. The supper from the hare-that
meal of fresh. hot, luscious meat-that
first adequate meal in nearly 600 miles
OF snow-shoeing, had Weakened every
merciless hunger tang that during the pre-.
vious weeks had been gradually dulled
into insensibilty. Gazing on the big
black animals before US, we saw not
game, but meat. and every nerve and
fibre in my quaint body was vibrating
with furious and savage hunger tor
that meat-meat that should be soft and
warm; meat into which the teeth could
sink and tear and rend; meat that would
not blister lips and tongue with its frost
nor ring like rock against the teeth.
Painting and quivering with excitement
we lay Tor few moments. Wecould not
risk shot at that distance.
do you think they will come for us ?
said Matt.
God knows, l hope so, boy, for ther
we are sure of some of them. Are yor
ready?"
eyes, SIR"
Come on, then"
Rising, one of us one side of the bis
bowlder, the other one on the other side
we dashed across the rocks and sno "
straight toward them. There was {
snort and stamp from the big bull guard
ing the herd. and the next instant every
animal was on his feet, facing us, thanl
Godl The next moment they were il
close line, with lowered heads and horns
Icould have yelled for joy if had tn
breath to spare.
Every one of us has read thrilling sto
ries of deer chased by hungry wolves
and it is in the nature of man to sympa
thize with the creatures that are tryin,
to escape. But did any OF us ever stol
to think how those other poor creatures
the wolves, were feeling? know nov
just what their feelings are, and canno
halo Il; ,;, ka,, I az
better than a wolf myself at that mo
ment.
We were within less than SO yards O
the herd when the big bull with quicl
motion lowered his horns still more. In
stiuct, Providence--call it what you wi
told ME it was the signal Tor the her
to charge. Without slackening my pac
Ipulled my Winchester 10 my shoulde
and sent bullet at the back OF his nee
over the white, impervious shield Of tn
great horns.
Heart and soul and brain and eye
went with that singing bullet. l frl
that was strong enough and hungr
enough and wic enough so that, had h
bull been alone, could have sprung upo
him barehanded and somehow mad
meat OF him. But against the entiI
herd we should have been poweres. Ono
the black avalanche had gained momel
tum, we should have been crushed by
like the crunching snow crystals undo
our feet.
As the bull fell upon his knees the her
wavered. A cow half turned, and, {
Mats rife Cracked, fell with a bull,
back of her tore.shoulder. Without raj
ing my rifle above my hips another OF
dropped. Then another Tor Matt; the
the herd broke, aud we hurried in pu
suit. A wounded COW wheeled and, wit
lowered head, was about to charge mt
again MATHS rifle cracked and she te
As | rushed past her he shouted, "Tht
was my last cartridge!" A short di
tance beyond the remainder of the heI
faced about again and put bullet int
the breast of another bull, but it did nj
stop him, and the herd broke again ar
disappeared over sharp ridge. | ha
nel' her wind nor strength to follow
Suddenly the ba k OF one of the ANNA
appeared above the ridge. | whirl'
and fired. | did not sec the sights
think scarcely saw my rifle, but felt n
aim as would with harpoon or ston
heard the thud of the bullet. kne
the beast was hit behind the fore sho,
der. AS the animal disappeared | sal
down on the snow, quite unable to {
furthe