The Jennings daily record., 1902-12-24

shore OF SQua-
took Lake, No. 4, on the line of the
lovely, yet sometimes bold and rapid
Madawaska.
DIR. Stephen Griggs. Of Brooklyn and
myself were taking a canoe trip on
these waters from their source in
Mud Lake to their entrance into the
st. John at Edmundston, at the north
and Peter Theriot, Of Caribou, was our
guide. He was scarcely out of his
'steens." powerful young man physic-
ally, and skilled in woodcraft, which
semeed really first nature to him. He
knew from trapping experience the
entire region of the Tobique. the Green,
the Restigouche, and other rivers, and
had killed much game, large and
small
customary visit to his line of traps,
which run for twenty miles or more
sometimes, and are set for mink, or
fox. or other creature, according to
country and conditions. He carried a
medium-sized, single-barrel. muzzle-
loading gun, charged with bucksh0t,
simply to be on the safe side. It was
in the middle of the afternoon, near
the end Of his circuitous route, and
the load Of skins on his back attested
not only to his skill, but to the further
fact that his physical powers that day
had been drawn upon more than usual.
Walking rapidly over a little rise of
ground, he suddenly came upon an i'm
inense bull moose. lying down in the
forest. The range was very short and
his gun. Of course. more effective on
that account, SO that the charge
brought the moose, stunned and
wounded, to the ground, the heavy
Ruckshot rattling against his antlers.
Pete's joy knew no bounds when this
unexpected forest inhabitant, for which
no trap had been set, seemed likely
to be an additional trophy to the spoils
Of the day. Instantly drawing his
bunting knife, he sprang forward. un-
fortunately leaving his gun behind,
to cut the animals throat, after which
the blood would run freely, and the
meat be in better condition for the
morrow when, with help, he would re-
turn. Approaching quickly. but with
great precaution, the keen edge had no
sooner started on it's artery1opening
work, when presto! Like a dash Of
cold water the prick of the cold steel
apparently revived the moose, which
jerked back it's head; and in a moment.
as il that immense corporosity had
been filled with powerful springs of
STEEL regained his feet. Pete jumped
suddenly backward, and Mr.. Man and
Mr.. Moose We're thus brought by this
unique Introduction. ice to face. Snort
No. . followed as blast evidently be-
tokening war, and without waiting for
Pete to get ready for defense, the
moose in his anger. doubtless goaded
by pain, rushed to the spot where the
guide had, more quickly than ever
before, gained perpendicular position.
Reader, did you ever see full-grown
bull moose? The bulls of Bashan, the
war horses of the Orient. the excited
AmaZons Of fable, cannot surpass his
really terrible look.
Pete himself had never taken moose
In ,his way before. A few hunters
have. but others have told the tale.
"Buck fever." Pshaw! What is that
compared to moose fright. at a range
so close that the moist, hot, painting
breath from his furnace-lungs can be
felt on your face: This was what
Pete felt las he deXterously leaped to
one side and let the plunge Of the
moose to which his mighty avoirdupois
had given immense momentum, carry
him beyond. That was most mar
row escape, and only the greatest agil.
ity and strength on Pete's part could
have averted disaster and death. In a
twinkling, the straps holding his bun
die of spoils We're cut by his hunting
knife, MS he started to the nearest
tree. luckily of medium size, with
the moose close behind him. as he had
gathered himself for the back rush
like fash. Happily for Pete, the
falling bundle of skins, tumbling down
behind him and somewhat obstructing
the vision of the moose, led him tt
think, if moose ever thought. thai
here was n portion Of his enemy's per
son, and thus gave Pete the second OF
time he needed. One plunge OF the
moose's antlers scattered the skins
aud showed them not the hide he was
after. Apparently he was madder fol
being fooled. and rushed. withou
studying the position. toward the tree
behind which, with hunting knife still
in hand, Pete stood, every muscle
tense, awaiting the fearful charge
Do you see the position? The Lord de
liver us from such and similar.
One the moose came. scurrying th'
little snow. and making the frozel
earth fairly rumble with his canterin.
hoofs: but the moose had to take th'
one side OF the other, as the tree. for
tunately for our guide. was too larg'
to be broken down. and not larg