The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-12-03

chance ~;Sn the moose III ohc va "''
dashcs slipped we'll hy him in the op'
nositc direction. instead OF stopping bc.
hind the sane tree. Lc sprinteu well 10
| the other tree. Whether the moose
now reasoned that any change wonld
I've for the better. o.. because he was
temporarily outwittei. 1t cannot he
said: but he rushed forward with IN
increase in his speed. which foE short
| time had not been so furious. He came
up and found the same old objection 10
| free fight, viz. IN Intervening tree.
Pete. to remove every possible ele-
ment OF danger. holdip: his huntin:
| knife in his teeth. now took ch Ills
!ooS: lifting but warm hunting jacket.
and threw IL one side. He was having
exercise enough TO keep warm. INT he
took II of for fear that one cf the
proucs OF his encmy's anllers might
catch In 1t, and SO he the means or
giving the moose the victory. and lie
had once fairly trembled as these
prongs came in close proximity to his
outer garment The moose made n
dash for the garment. but. like the
bundle of skins. Il afforded him no
satisfaction. With his hunting knife.
which was stout and stron: anu dou'
blc.edged, Pete proceeded TO trim OH
the superliuous twigs and upper
growth OF that vigorous sp:out. lie
left II about as long as broom handle,
and il was q trifle larger. Then he
commenced to cut II of at the base.
All Of this work had to be done when
he was on that side Of the tree. ana
as the moose kept him moving most OF
the time. II was slow work. but finally.
after several vigorous thrusts with his
staunch and trusty blade. he succeeded
IN wrenching clear and free from us
parent stock that strong. young shoot.
His eye cleaned with hope as he
handled II, hefted II. and measured Its
capabilities. After such further TRIM
ming to smooth Its surface as his con-
tinued forest dance would allow-for
the moose got madder yet. apparently.
when even a short respite came-he
cut few small creases like the thread
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 fattened sur
face. and looked carefully for any place
where a little removal Of wood would
make the handle fit as snugly rs posi-
bic. and then. after little more par
ing. under circumstances that natur-
ally would take pieces Of fingers with
II, a bigger hope shone In his eye.
Neither he .or the moose had yet ut
tered sound.
Now Pete took from his breeches
pocket the always-carried buckskin
string, and laying the handle OF his
knife upon the end of his impromDtu
spear handle. with It's 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 be like one solid piece.
Then. very coolly taking from his
pocket a small piece Of Nova Scotia
milestone about the size and shape
of package Of chewing gum. he
turned the spear point up. rs woods
man does an axe. and after moisteninS
the stone with saliva. he piled 1t in
lively manner. with apparently rs
much nonchalance rs n barber does
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 just
commenced: but 1t was his turn now.
and before the moose could take the
least precaution. or realize the changed
state Of affairs. he thrust the spear
head around the tree like fash. and
the keen blade went under the bottom
Of his jaw. out Of sight. inficting
smarting wound. He followed 1t up
with another right on the snout. as that
was most exposed. and scored again.
for. like Hamish. in the famous story
| Of Sidney Lanier. "No blood. no count
In all these thrusts he was compelled
to exercise great care lest. some prong
Of the quickly-movlng antlers should
disarm him. AS the moose came up
against the tree. Pete put in his best
work. reaching for the vital throat ar.
terry. whose location he knew SO well.
What a fool the moose was! His
madness took away his judgment. II
| he had Just stood back little way
from the tree. he would have been
out Of Pete.s reach. and yet virtually
kept his enemy penned: but his very
madness stood In the way of his own
safety. Pete's really skilful thrusts
We're beginning to tell. till finally. the
great artery OF the neck. to the JOY OF
our guide, was severed. and tide Of
blood. to which the rest had been as
drops. now deluged the ground. The
moose seemed to realize that his time
had come. He stood with all fours
we'll out from the body. and let the
life blood flow. as he must. 1t was the
speediest. yet gentlest dissolution Of
great living forces. Pete stood un-
moved. The shadows Of natural dark.
ness and physical death We're settling
down together. The sun had gown
down, and Pete alew the contest was
over. While gratitude was beginning
to swell Pete's heart. the great mon.
arch OF the forest suddenly collapsed,
and fell to the earth: and Pete. gather.
| ing uD his hunting coat and scattered