The Dolores star., 1905-02-03

Il h remarked old Jim Mace. In
o 8 the Powers Hotel lobby re-
4 Gently, Just before leaving
Go for the st. Louis ExpOsi-
tion, was up near the Iangeley Lakes,
Maine, when my chum, kinman, and
myself rode out on our wheels to snap
few pictures of the old Thomas place.
deserted country house built years
back by a wealthy bachelor. He had
laid out private race track and mad
astonished the natives in his day, but
now the house is seldom visited and
the little track Is almost forgotten. We
had wheeled along a grass-grown road
hunting for the place, when big
bull moose jumped out into the road.
and Kinman thought It would be funny
to scare him by ringing his bell.
"The result surpassed expectation.
With one snort Of rage the moose
jumped into the road, and after stamp
ing his sharp hoofs into the turf for
few seconds, sprang toward us. l
picked up the pace set by Kinman, who
was rod ahead. We each had mar
row rut, burned iron hard by the sun,
and In these we spun along, bending
low to keep our eyes open for obstacles.
We made turn In the road, careening
over to an abominable angle, and then
Strengthened up for the straightaway
stretch. My heart sank as l saw 200
rods ahead that the road led up hill,
with open country on either side.
flames! shouted Kinman, under his
left arm, and l caught glimpse Of n
big, tumbled down structure cut out in
,, the skyline.
II overheard my friend as I felt the
moose almost upon me, and we jumped
our machines for all we were worth.
A spill would cost us ali. The dead
grass hung over the ruts in places SO as
to render our pathways unseen, and at
any minute expected to strike a rock
or washout and go down in heap.
ITO the rightv screamed Kinman,
letting out a kink and jumping bis
wheel over narrow ditch to pass
through an opening in . ragged board
fence.
'Instinctively followed him, and
before knew 1t found myself skim
ming along on smooth speedway.
uN OA0 AuSC auSAS P1htru AAAAA
man, as we few by the low bushes.
'The moose had paused when We
took the field, but now was hot on our
trail. II the roadway was better for
us, SO 1t was for him; looking over my
shoulder at the first quarter l saw him
hugging the pole and bearing down like
an express train. Fortunately for us,
we had won some renown as sprinters.
and gripping the handle bars we began
to show the moose fancy pace. Soon
we were at the opening, but Kinman
cried out, Keep on and knew with
out being told, that to take the road
again meant suicide. Besides, 1 think
we both began to enjoy the situation a
bit. The moose, while doing his best,
could not catch up with us, although
he held his own nicely. The only ques-
tion was, would our endurance outlast
his tenacity?
~ don't hear him, u cried, and We
both slowed up.
Guess he's got enough gasped
Kinman, wiping the sweat from his
eyes. Then he shr!eked, Turn! turn"
and caught the thunder of hoofs
ahead.
"The moose had turned and had gone
around to meet us.
"Just as he ,oOmed in sight we swung
about and flew for life. His little trick
nearly succeeded, for his momentum
was so great that he nearly had us
before we could get back into our old
form. For quarter of a mile 1t was
nip and tuck whether he would end the
race or we should get clear. Then he
grew disgusted and lost ground and
we drew away. But the fun of the
thing was gone now. He wasn't play
ing fair. His tricky disposition to cut
bases and lay ambuscades made as
sweat with new fear, and no more
did we try to draw out of sight.
".He's turned againr I warned.
"'After him" cried kinman, and
wheeling about We caught back until
we caught sight of his tanks.
1T was grimly humorous, this new
deal, and again did our spirits rise
kinman wanted to hoot at the animal
to make him more angry, but l OBJ.
jected. The moose was matching his
cunning against ours, and just now we
were out-pointing him. did not care
to lose the advantage for the sake OF
evincing our derision. But as he cir.
cled around and met no bicyclists he
became more enraged. He shook his
antlers and .woofed' in anger. Our
wheels made only faint burning
sound, as II some one were tearing of
1nnumerable yards of cloth. Suddenly
the moose paused, plowed up the gravel
and caught sight of us. Quick as a cal
he pivoted. and away we went again
this time in the lead.
''Then he stopped, and wegcantiously
wheeled back to find him. We crept
half way around the track, and yet we
could not hear him. We began to grow
nervous.
Wonder what he's got up his hoo1