The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1901-09-27

my knife and began whctting II alonj
the leg Of my calfskin snaps. The bii
blade was broken, 20 that the longes
one left measured only two inches
| One short blade against a moutbful oi
sharp teeth and twenty sharp claws
each an inch long and as good az &
knife! But the advantage in weight
was mine.
While I was vhetting the point tho
lynx. as If taunting me with what II
would do on my carcass. coolly com
menced clawing and mouthing a piece
OF the fallen tree. Now and again he
on one OF these occasions ii occurred
to me-what a chance for "A rope. OF
course my lariat was tied 10 my sad.
| die wherever that might be-but
| could not get the idea out Of my head
| how easy II would be 10 get rid Of
the BRUTE IL only had moose around
| his neck!
1t would only be necessary TO choke
him, or swing him over the edge 7
even thought OF tearing my shirt into
strips 10 make rope, but that would
be too fimsy.
All this time had plenty Of the
right material at hand-the leather
shaps or trousers. on which / was
whetting my knife! They had been
worn long enough 10 be soft and plia-
bic, and although they had cost me
$50 il did not take me thirty seconds
to pull them of, nor ten minutes TO
reduce them to a pile Of long, inch
strips, which when knotted together
made very tolerable line. then
tied one end securely around n point
Of rock, and was ready to make my
first throw.
But l was so excited that, notwith-
standing the lynx never moved when
/ threw, | missed him altogether. The
moose went spinning over his back,
down over the ledge. He glared at il
for few moments, then sprang at 1t
furiOusly. | barely had time to jerk
IT out Of his way. If he had caught it
there would have been a sudden end
to my hope
My next throw was better. As he
fairly. The jerk almost pulled me out of
the cave; In fact ] had to let go the line
TO save myself. The moose, as nearly
rs | could see, was drawn tight around
the brute's neck and under one fore
leg, but he was jumping and bouncing
about so that | could not see him well.
For the space Of perhaps forty seconds
there was simply whirling, snarllng
mass Of yellowlsh gray, with teeth,
claws and spinning rope forming
confusing picture.
Back and forth, out TO the edge. then
close In again, to and fro in lightning
moves he sprang, until at last, with
one mad rush, ne went flying over the
narrow shelf and down out of sight.
The leather cord snapped across the
sharp edge of the rock near me like a
thread, and moment later | caught
n final glimpse of the terrified creature
plunging through the bushes down the
hill
About six feet Of the line vet re-
maincd tied to the rock. 1t meant lust |
six feet less for me TO drop. | tied il |
TO the butt OF my stick, which | re- |
placed in the crevice. Five minutes |
later I was on top of the hill, hurry
ing toward home. | found my horse. |
still saddled. calmly nibbllng beside |
the corral and the calves safe inside.
On the following day l went back |
with double barreled gun charged |
with buckshot and my revolver, hop. |
ing to Kill the old pair and capture the
cub, but they and 1t were gone. |
have no doubt the little creature
jumped down safely and Joined its
parents. AT least | have always hoped |
so.-T. Dwight Hunt, Jr., in the |
Youths Companion.