The Jennings daily record., 1902-12-24

size appeared. "A thought struck him
tactful thought possible father Of
possible deed, and he ct once pre-
ceeded to put 1t in execution, for he
knew that the setting sun could bring
no darkness that would enable him
to escape. He also well knew the
bulldog tenacity Of the moose, for once
before, he had been treed. and kept up
in 1t till, after days sojourn in that
peculiar bivouac. his companions had
secured his release. He banked not at
all, therefore, on any withdrawal Of the
moose's attention. and SO, watching his
chance when the moose in one of his
dashcs slipped well by him in the op-
posite direction, instead Of stopping be.
hind the same tree. he sprinted well TO
the other tree. Whether the moose
now reasoned that any change would
be for the better. or. because he was
temporarily outwitted, IT. cannot he
said; but he rushed forward with an
increase in his speed, which for a sAort
time had not been so furious. He came
up and found the same old objection to
free fight, viz. an intervening tree.
Pete. to remove every possible ele-
ment Of danger. holding his hnnting
knife in his teeth. now took OFF his
loose-fitting but warm hunting jacket,
and threw it one side. He was having
exercise enough to keep warm, but he
took it off for fear that one Of the
prongs of his enemy's antlers might
catch in it. and so be the means of
giving the moose the victory, and he
had once fairly trembled as these
prongs came in close proximity to his
outer garment. The moose made
dash for the garment but. like the
bundle of skins. it afforded him no
satisfaction. With his hunting knife.
| which was stout and strong and dou-
| ble-edged, Pete proceeded to trim of
| the superauous twigs and upper
growth of that vigorous sprout. He
| left it about as long as broom handle,
and it was trifie larger. Then he
commenced to cut it off at the base
All Of this work had to be done when
he was on that side Of the tree, and
as the moose kept him moving most of
| the time, it was slow work. but finally,
after several vigorous thrusts with his
staunch and trusty blade. he succeeded
| in wrenching clear and free from its
parent stock that strong, young shoot.
His eye cleaned with hope as he
handled it. hefted it. and measured its
capabilities. After such further trim
ming to smooth its surface as his con-
| Iinued forest dance would allow-for
the moose got madder yet, apparently,
| when even short respite came-he
i -, }1,yn RI
Of a screw around the smaller end,
and shaved one side of it fiat for nearly
six inches. He laid the handle of his
hunting knife upon this flattened sur
face, and looked carefully for any place
| where a little removal of wood would
make the handle fit as Snugly as possi-
BILE, and then, after 4 little more par
ing, under circumstances that natur-
ally would take pieces of fingers with
ii, bigger hope shone i'll his eye.
Neither he nor the moose had yet ut
tered q sound, l..
Now Pete took from his breeches
pocket the always-carried buckskin
string. and laying the handle Of his
knife upon the end of his impromptu
spear handle. With its double edge OF
steel for the projecting spear blade
he commenced carefully and strongly
to tie the thong into the notches pre-
viously made for its firm holding. He
took up all loose places. and made that
hunting knife and handle to feel and
practically he like one solid piece.
Then. very coolly taking from his
pocket a small piece of Nova Scotia
whetstone about the size and shape
of package of chewing gum, he
turned the spear point up as a woods
man does an axe. and after moistenine
the stone with saliva. he piled it in a
lively manner, with apparently as
much noncnalance as barber does q
razor to his favorite hone. Many times
he had been obliged to change his po
sition. but his physical strength had
up to this time met every demand upon
it. He knew the fight had but jusI
commenced; but ii was his turn now
and before the moose could take the
least precauton, or realize the changed
} state of affairs he thrust the spear
head around the tree like Il flash, ant
the keen blade Went under the bottom
of his Jaw out Of sight, infiicting 9
smarting wound He followed it NJ
with another right on the snout. as thai
was most exposed and scored again
for. like Hamish. in the famous stof!
of Sidney Lanier. mo blood, no count.
: In all these thrusts he was compelled
to exercise great care lest some prong
of the Quickly-moving antlers should
disarm him. AS the moose came NJ
against the tree. Pete put in his bes
work reaching for the vital throat ar
! terry. whose location lie knew so well
, What fool the moose was! Hi
| madnnSS fans aMav his Indictment