The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-10-11
THE UNEXPECTED MOOSE.
Surprises the Big Fellows Sometimes
Give to Hunters.


Give to Hunters.
LAcHINE, Canada, Oct. 1O,-A little band
Of hunters and their guide had reached the
deserted lumber shanty which was to be
their headquarters while deer hunting in
Pontiac county, Supper was over, and the
men were sitting around the fire smoking
while the lad washed up.
The ever restless guide was whistling
softly to himself, as by means Of long thorns
he fastened in position large square Of
birch bark he had carefully rolled into tho
similitude Of a fair-sized megaphone
Maybe you did not take notice of it. but
saw the track of big moose leading right
alongside this shanty,' he said quietly
in reply to some bantering remark from
one Of the younger sportsmen. Il guess
he has been used to come and lick the salt
of the old pork barrels you see thrown
out back Of where the wood pile used to be.
How do you work the thing, anyway"
said one of the men.
Well, my plan is to get the man with
the gun and myself behind big windfall
on little rise facing the swamp where you
expect to find your moose, and when have
his rife on top Of the windfall and let's
drive. Then il he is not killed there il the
big tree trunk between you and the danger
from the mocs,"
Sounds easy enough. but isn't it some
thing Of trick to call moose, so that he
will Gomez"
BY way OF reply the man put the bark
cone 70 his mouth, and produced series
- nd Hkall r Il
which might have been very good limitations
OF the invitations Of a COW moose. but were
very unlike anything the hunters present
associated with the big deer. However.
under the tutelage OF their guide they e1-
perimented with the rude call and at least
derived a good deal Of finn from their at
tempts,
Their instructor was standing near the
waterproof coat hanging over the opening
in the log wall from which the Iumberers
had removed their glazed window when
they deserted the shanty the previous
spring. On a sudden he gave quick ex-
clamation OF surprise, and made an urgent
sign for silence.
His hearing had not been at fault. From
outside came a shril roaring below, almost
q scream.
aIt's him. Sure as you live we've got
him right here Put out the lanterns. and
get the guns, he whispered excitedy.
Two of the party stationed themselves
at the window, the other two went to the
sI'll count three, and then you open the
door without making any noise and
will lift the blind. said the guide
Quietly az both operate ms were performed,
the watchful animal took fright at the
slight noise, and from the window he was
seen to check his course fifteen yards away
and pause to see what had alarmed him
1trsht ha 6r,xs
tacle as he turned half round. and witt
spreading horns and ears uplifted showed
himself to the hunters.
Each man held his breath as the creature
turned himself around toward them ,snorted
tossed his huge head and stamped angrily
Then the rifles rang out, and all rushed
| out OF the shanty to see the result;
One bullet had gone through the neck
others through shoulders and chest Hi
fore quarters were Frustrated Of course
but the gallant brute still kept his hinde
mart erect, and appeared to be amazed
at the helpless inertness Of his front leg
and determined to overcome their weak
ness. But az one Of the sportsmen slippet
another cartridge into place, he fnall.
Collapsed, and not without certain kin;
| Of III unity stretched himself In death.
what did | tell your" began the guild
after the carcass had been laid away 70
The night in the old stable alongside tn
shanty.
Jake, you're a jewel" was the answer
But, come now, you never expected to ca
up that moose Tonight"
-You can never tell about moose, 20,
know he said. Is he rubbed the tobacc
between his palms before loading his pipe
Il remember once when me and Joe wer
on q hunt for big head New York ma
wanted, when had just torn of my bi
OF bark and was twisting up my call, 10
sings out: Heavens and earth, why he
right herei
TAnd sure enough, there he was comm
down the old log road looking every wa
to ses what all the row was about. w
rot him all right, but we had run ate
Him. for Joe's ball went through his lungs
| and he ran more than two miles before h
bled to death"
THAT was kind Of accident though
wasn't IT."
aNot much. We were young at thu
business then, or we ought to have known
enough to have been q kind OF expecting
him. You see, very often In the fall, whel
q bull moose Ia feeling extra veil. he rip
Oh bark from trees or paws up sand bank
IL I'LL AMI hrnfa iiln1