68 THE MOOSE 



he was unable to take in just what had happened. 

 His beautiful mother lay there, her eyes fast 

 glazing, and did not answer his call. Presently he 

 advanced a little, with one eye on the unknown 

 hideous animal who watched things so closely, and 

 stood with his splay feet in a faint trickle of blood, 

 waiting for the cow to get up. 



Something was cast at him which tightened 

 round his limbs and threw him down. He fell 

 heavily, hurting his knees on the stones. But for 

 this unexpected onslaught he might have looked 

 on the red-haired man differently — he was such a 

 friendly little beast, and desirous of keeping on 

 good terms with all. But as the struggle brought 

 the two close together the youngster saw in the 

 eyes of his captor the ruthless gleam of pursuit 

 which is part of the great scheme, and before which 

 the weak must go under. He knew then that 

 resistance was unavailing, knew it even as he 

 plunged with legs tied together until the ground 

 was ploughed up into furrows all about him. Use- 

 less ! The roping was stronger than his meagre 

 powers. He lay vanquished. 



Another two-legged being dropped from nowhere, 

 a yellow one this time, with tiny slit eyes, and no 



