The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-12-08
Our Daily $Dcrf Story

could call the wary bulls within shooting distance of the forbidden rock in the marsh. There was none like it--none so seductive, even among their own kindl | One early October evening, gray. stili. poreboding-Peter lay behind the cleft of the big rock. calling for moose. For a long time the. weird sound fioated away over the marsh and across the little lake without an answer. Then came A t3istan. below. which gradually drew nearer and nearer. as Peter entsced the old bull with nis deftly-plied birch-bark horn. At length the great creature emerged into the marsh, and. as 1t came on, Peter. peerinS bareheaded over his rampart of rock, saw with 8 thrill that set even his heart throbbing that it was a snow-white ouil--the famous albin1 moose of the Bar rio woods. the subject Of many a start ling campfire tale. To shoot the almost taoied aloino moose would crown Peters tame as hunter and give him a name that would long survive in the traditions Of the province. And this was, probably. the only chance he would ever have to perform such feat. ' The man fairly trembled with excite meme as he pushed his long. old-fashaon- Cd rifle through cleft in the rock and made ready to fire the shot of his life. The white moose was coming straight to- ward the rock where the hunter lay con. cealed. Peter crcuched behind the ram part and, sweeping his horn low and close to the surface of the rock, gave one moro muffed and seemingly retreating caIi. | As he slowly lifted head and eyes into the cleft once more he was amazed to see just emerging into tho barren, beyond the big rock, the figure Of a man. The newcomer was unarmed, save for an ax, and he carried a peddler's pack on his back. As he came In sight of the moose he stopped short and half turned, as if to fee. This brought his face directly to. wards Peters hiding place-and instantly the hunter recognized him, in spite of the ravaBes of time. as the same Gaspard Langlois who had robbed him of his youthful sweetheaFtl Poor, degraded, and now, no doubt. alone in the world. fallen from his ,dashlng gplendor of voy. ageur and man of the city how hardly. after alL had fate dealt with Theresa s successful siitor! Yet lic was the same Gaspard Langlois. the man who had spoiled two lives, and destiny had at last cast him into Paters hand.
 The white moose advanced a few stems further and stopped. confronting the man who had suddenly emerged from behind the rock Both seemed spellbouud. Both were now within range of the deadly rife of Peter Pafdeau--the famous old rife that had slain so many moose and cari. bou and beari The long barrel shook in the crevice with q faint fattIing sound. Peter turned it first on the man. and then back again on the moose. 4 fierce red spot biazed on each of the mans checks His hands trembled like two wind-shalSen autumn leaves. Revenge hissed, shoot the man. let the moose go!' Fame, the loag-cherished mistress of the lonely hun- ter, whispered. 'Kill the moose first-then tn man. A moose can run faster than a manY' sT
 The trembling barrel of the old muzzIe- loader swayed to and fro The spots blazed redder and nercer in the marble cheeks of the hunter Suddenly the white moose turned broadside-and a sheet of flame shot forth from tho ealling-rock. The moose sprang forward. then stum- bled. and fell in quivering heap amidst ] the hard-hacE.
 At the sound of the rIfle's crack, Cas- pard Langlois raised his eyes in terror 1 to the great rock. Peter had Ieaped 10 his feet and with frantic haste was pour ing a fresh charge of powder Into. the long barrel of his rifle. By Q subtle divln- alton Gaspard recognized the man he wroneed. and knew the meaning of Pet CTS deadly haste. That handful of slid Ing, tinlIling powder was for himi Gaspard Langlois dropped the pack from his back and fled toward the lake and the forest beyond. Like a snipe. aushed from a tussock or clump of reeds, he twisted and zigzaGged in his flight. that the bullet might perehanee speed by him to left or right, and bury itself in the oozy marsh Peter worked himself UT to the highest pinnacle, of the rock. all the while driving home the patched buI let in tho long rifle barrel He tollsd with fierce haste, but with deadly surenesR Not motion was wasted.
 All ready now, save the little copper cap to slip over the nipple, Peter fetched it out of his bucksldn pocket with a swift motion of thumb and finger; but just as he was fitting it to the nipple he raised his eyes for the fraction of a second to mark his victhm's whereabouts Gaspard was just lodging into the shadow of the woodsi The cap slipped and went tInls ling down the slope of rock. Peter spran8 after 1t. dropped down upon his knees, caught the rolling bit of metal and crush. ed 1t down over .he nipple Of his gun. When he rose. with the rife pressed hard against his shoulder. the vast barren lay desotate and deserted Not living figure anywhere in sight Peter had won the fame he craved-but one little slip of the hand had lost him revenge.