YOUTHFUL EXPERIENCES 61 



basin-like, which projected widespread at either 

 side of the immense head, at right angles to the 

 middle line of the forehead. Soft and useless, 

 pulsing with life though they were, still the mighty 

 coronal had attained its full dimensions. Covered 

 with a soft hairy skin, a ring of bony matter was 

 setting in just above the base of each antler, a 

 deposit which would presently restrict the blood- 

 supply, and turn the spongy mass to horn. 



Standing there in his royal pride, he seemed to 

 epitomize the breath and beauty of the wild. 

 Never had the calf thought to see such a beast ! 



A trifle over six and a half feet at the withers, 

 the bull must have scaled quite a thousand pounds. 

 From his throat swung a bell, or tassel, of long, 

 shaded coarse hair, which, as the moose was in his 

 prime, added to an appearance as grotesquely 

 peculiar as it was magnificent. 



The calf approached the apparition gingerly, 

 with respect in his eyes. Not so the cow, who, 

 deviating from her way, would have passed without 

 a greeting. Down her spine her coat on-ended 

 curiously, and she grunted in deep notes of annoy- 

 ance. 



Holding his head carefully, as though concerned 



