Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-12-06

moose's attention. ana so. watching his
chance when the moose in one of MS
dashes slipped well by him In the or
posite direction. instead of stopping be-
hind the same tree. he sprinted well tc
the other tree. Whether the moose
now reasoned that any change would
be for the better or. because lie was
temporarily outwitted. II cannot be
said: but he rushed forward with an
increase In his speed. which for short
time had not been so furious. He came
up and found the same old objection TO
n free fight, viz. an intervening tree
Pete, to remove every possible Gle.
ment of danger, holding his hunting
knife in his teeth. now took off his
loose-fitting but warm hunting jacket,
and threw il one side. He was having
exercise enough to keep warm. but he
took 1t off for fear that one Of the
prongs of his enemy's antlers might
catch In 1t. and so be the means of
giving rhe 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 10 trim off
the superfuous twigs and upper
growth OF that vigorous sprout. He
left it about as long as 4 broom handle.
and it was n trihc larger. Then he
commenced to cut Ii 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. 1t 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 II. hefted 1t, 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 madden yet. apparently.
when even n short respite came-he
cut a few small creases like the thread
of a screw around the smaller end,
and shaved one side of 1t fiat for nearly
six inches. He laid the handle of his
hunting knife upon this fiattened sur
face. and looked carefully for any place
where little removal of wood would
make the handle fit as snugly as posi-
BILE, and then. after a little more par
ing. under circumstances that natur-
ally would take pieces of fingers with
it. bigger hope shone in his eye.
Neither he nor the moose had yet ut
tered sound.
Now Pete took from his breeches
pocket the always-carricd 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 be like one solid piece.
Then. very coolly taking from his
milestone about the size and shape
of package of chewing gum. he
turned the spear point up. as q woods
man does an axe. and after moistening
the stone with saliva. he piled it in
lively manner. with apparently as
much nonchalance as a barber does
razor to his favorite hone. Many times
he had been obliged to change his pc.
sition. but his physical strength had
up 10 this time met every demand upon
il. He knew the fight had but just
commenced: hat il was his turn now.
and before the moose could take The
least precaution. or realize the changed
state OF affairs, he thrust the spear
bead around this tree like a flash. and
the keen blade went under the bottom
OF his jaw, out of sight infiicting
smarting wound. He followed it Hp
with another right on the snout as that
was most exposed. and scored again.
for. like Hamish. i'm the famous story
OF Sidney Lanier. mo blood, no count"
In all these thrusts he was compelled
TO exercise great care lest some prom:
of the quickly-moving antlers should
disarm him. AS the moose came mp
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. IL
he had just stood back little way
from the tree. he would have been
out of Pete's reach. and vet virtually
kept his enemy penned: but his very
madness stood in the Nay 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 tours
we'll out from the body. and let the
life blood flow, as he must 1t was the
speedlest. yet gentlest dissolution of
great living forces. Pete stood I'M
moved. The shadows of natural dark
ness and physical death were settling
down together. The sun had gown
down. and Pete knew 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 up his hunting coat and scattered
pelts. returned to camp leaving his