The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-18
TOMAH A TRUTHFUL MAN.
mr. HE HAD TO CATCH 4 BULL
MOOSE WITH A ROPE TO PROVE 1T.
Exploit of an Indian Guide in the Maine
Woods whose Veracity Was Doubted by
Party of Anglers-Tho Moose Staiked
in the Water and Tied TO n Tree.

Woods whose Veracity Was Doubted by
Party of Anglers-Tho Moose StRlked
in the Water and Tied TO Tree.
PRINCETON. Me-. June 16.-Gabriel Tomah. a
mem Der OF the Princeton branch OF the Passa-
maquoddy Indian tribe. 10 a guide by profess
sion On Monday. June 5, while he was pad
ding in his canoe up through the Dobsis Lake
thoroughfare bound for his camps on the up
per lakes. he saw a very large COW and bull
moose quietly feeding on small island In the
centre OF the stream. The island covers less
than five acres. Is near the mouth OF tho lake,
and in some places is less than Ave rods from
the shore. Tomah had waiting for him q
party OF hunters who had sailed up as far
as the White House in the little naphtha launch
Muriel to avoid q long canoe journey. SO he
spent but little time in watching the move-
ments OF the animals. He was obliged to pass
the island quite close to whore they were graz
ing and expected that his presence would
brighten them away. but In this he was mis-.
taken. As he padded along noselessly the
big bull raised his head and. after smiling the
air few times as II to identify something.
walked Down to the beach and out among the
reeds straight toward tho canoe until it was
less than twenty feet away. There he stood
like a statue and watched until the intruder
had passed around the bend out OF sight.
When Tomah arrived at the White House
landing he found his party with their canoes
and luggage on the shore. While the dunnage
was being placed in the canoes he began to tell
the story OF his meeting with the moose. Some
members OF the party expressed desire to
sec a real live moose running wild in the woods.
and one of them. Paul Hartman Of Montreal,
ventured to ask the guide to place him within
rifle range. Offering to pay $50 for tho
chance and to take his chances as to the law.
Tomah believes in the Maine law for the pro-
lection OF game animals and refused to guide
the party TO the spot. except on the condition
that they should leave their arms behind. His
refusal caused the hunters to murmur and eX-
change winks. At the same time they pro-
ceeded to make uncomplimentary remarks
about Name al guides and the big lies they have
'es'T don't Z believe that there's moose within
Bost ton. I've been. in the Maine woods two
weeks every season for the past sixteen years
here to hsh, and not to hear fairy tales Get a
move on! Let's get started"
prrides himself on being atruthfql man.
yGGnt A.; fairy tale Me lie! Az" be said
me lar at S Ser You stay Where you are are
and you lust wait for me come back here again.
too ah Without another word TomSh
pitched the dunn3ge from his canoe. pushed
ton whence he had come.
In the bottom Of the canoe was coil OF rome
thS lnd@n had sGreed to deliver to
This was the only thing in the way of a weapon
he had with the exception OF the paddle, and
moose, When within sight of the island he
noticed that both animals were in the shoal
was blowing from the island toward the. APP
proachtng canoe and the moose were both
q Siipnoos ss at one. end Of Of the n rops
The moose While feeding %ould psnge tSsir
heads to the bottom and keep them under
ing tie Then they a wo t' raise %9 them fsii
HHI anew hH Srass r as h as could be-
under water and when they were raised would
lower himself in the boat and remain silent.
make fair progress without being detected.
The moose goes by smell more than by sight
or hearing, and so the guide was sure that his
y When within hfty yards Of the moose Tomah
bottom OF the canoe and padded With il h one one
hand when the heads were, under water. Care
close to the big bull moses side. between the
animal ann and the shore. Then Tomah rose to his
1f to hFS the big W Sh
the lasso was thrown.
Indian held on for dear fife. Away they went
up rd the shore into the bushes. with the coil Of
Several times he attempted to snub the moose,
PVT in every case was thrown and dragged
one time, while the mooss was making a dash
across aSn snail clearing. Tomah fen down, and
q ending the chase As the moose ehareea
tree. Tomah took advantage Of the animals
bad Judgment. and. holding on to his end OF
until lie had made a fair hitch. and then he be-
gan to run around in n circle. tantalizing the
naming end of the rope to the anters and his
shore and found that his canoe had Allied with
water during the struggle. He soon had it
find the men who doubted his word. '''' ION "
~ H., GU nave made trouble this time" said one
oil, me n Party When Tomak etthe dunnaGe and
" That Indian don't like to be called city
I'VE have lost a guide, sure" "'iu 'a'u
,o While nj, they were circulating on the best plan
the bacE ss and dG ssnG
, began to feast upon them with such terocty
mat it Vas 9% ps ~, to ki9do ro fo
I IN axe and the only thing to do was to pre-
harg L iTT G stay or employ neW guide After
m mos It was voted to employ a new
~ guide ,so and proceed W the lake. One member
house in the nsighborh"od. the White III Ho %n
f tY ana hall miles away. for that purpose.
tertained that he might have lost his way or
taken the wrong road.
there the hunters sat and smoked and fretted
untii It began to look Ike Il walk or bivouao
for p ths night Jus, before the, sun had set ever
M va seen IN his canoe making his return trip.
i ne vas standing up; padding with all his
rarid rate, As he neared the shore STnf It W Was
plainly evident that he had been in a hard
tus2le with something. His face was covered
with blood. his hunting jacket gone
and his trousers torn to ribbons. whiie
the, sleeves of his shirt were MISSING
ana MS large, muscular arms were crimson
with blood. He padd died straight for the clump
OF bushes on tho shore near the smudge fire
where tho astonished party had been Seated
The hunters met h i'm with open mouths. ears
ana eyes. Tomah landed and rushed into the
group and shaking his blood spattered head
and arms in the faces OF the men shouted:
am no lie teller, l prove you so! Every
man here prove him so. Every one man ~
you. Iprove YOU am no lie You follow me.
rake birch canoe, every one OF YER" and with
anotner snake OF his head he turned and was
soon sailing away on the lake again
. That man is crazy" said one
other. " '''>' '"iu aus
q One by one they got into the canoes until
i've OF them were SIX mining along in a hot
race with the guide. Ii was nearly dark when
they reached tho island. Tomah pulled his
blrch W. the shore and made his way over TO a
landed and clnse - rim MHnn al ~ on Were