The Elbert County tribune., 1905-02-02

had wheeled along a grass grown road
hunting for the place, when big
bull moose jumped out into the road.
and Kinman thought 1t 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 q rod ahead. We each had a 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 1 saw 200
rods ahead that the road led up hill,
with open country on either side.
'Jamesr shouted Kinman, under his
left arm, and 1 caught glimpse of
big, tumbIed down structure cut out IN
the skyline.
II overheard my friend as 1 felt the
moose almost upon me, and we jumped
our machines for all we We're worth.
spill would cost us ali. The dead
grass hung over the ruts in places so as
to render our pathways unseen, and al
any minute 1 expected to strike rock
or a washout and go down in heap.
"'To the rlghtr screamed Kinman,
letting out a kink and jumping his
wheel over a narrow ditch to pass
through an opening in ragged board
fence.
"Instinctlvely 1 followed him, and
before l knew 1t found myself skim
ming along on n smooth speedway.
1.-The old race track painted Kin
man, as we flew by the low bushes.
'The moose had paused when we
took the field, but now was hot ON our
trail. If the roadway was better for
us, so 1t was for him; looking over my
shoulder at the first quarter l saw him
hugglng the pole and bearing down like
an express train. Fortunately for us,
we had won some renown as sprlnters,
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 l knew with
out being told, that to take the road
again meant suicide. Besides, think
we both began to enjoy the situation n
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?
"I don't hear him, I cried, and we
both slowed up.
"'Guess he's got enough gasped
. Kinman, wiping the sweat from his
eyes. Then he shrieked, Turn! turn"
and 1 caught the thunder of hoofs
ahead.
1.-THE moose had turned and had gone
around to meet us.
"Just as he ,oomed In sight we swung
about and hew 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 n mile it 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 us
sweat with new fear, and no more
did we try TO draw out of sight.
"'He's turned againv warned.
"'After himp cried Kinman, md
wheeling about we caught back until
we caught sight of his fianks.
ut 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 1 OBJ
1ected. The moose was matching his
cunning against ours, and just now we
were out-pointing him. / did not care
to lose tie 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 if some one were tearing off
1nnumerable yards of cloth. Suddenly
the moose paused, plowed up the gravel
and caught sight of us. Quick as cat
this time in the lead.
'Then he stopped, and we cautiously
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 hoof
nowr muttered Kinman.
Easy gasped. he's hiding In the
bushes somewhere
"Just as / said this there was a crash,
and the moose was fairly upon u.s.
Kinman swerved his wheel and kept
dead ahead, and the moose chased him.
This saved me, as l had time to COM
plete my circle and race back. should
have kept on after ny friend and the
enemy, but / was too dazed TO think
quickly. So tore back down the track
at my sharpest gait. Suddenly met
them, and IN a fash had sped by. The