THE WANDERER 97 



should a mountain sheep be known to a denizen of 

 the forest ? 



In a clatter of stones a near-by bunch of sheep 

 bounded towards the intruder. If they saw him, 

 they did not fear him, though the little grey 

 sentinel marmots had long since sounded the shrill 

 whistle of alarm. The sight of the fearless moun- 

 tain sprites routed the moose as not even the lack 

 of food and hard going could do. He would go 

 home. Shale cliffs were not for him. 



Their headlong rush reminded him of the flight 

 of birds. The same hghtness and abandon was in 

 their impetuous action, the same marvellous equi- 

 poise, ease, and rapidity of movement. He could 

 not watch that gloriously free downward sweep 

 without being brought to think of the eagles soar- 

 ing above the snow-peaks. 



A splendid caribou crossed a valley ahead, going 

 strong, with a harem of seven cows about him. 

 Presently the bunch halted, pulled together, and 

 with little tails erect, as is the way with caribou 

 when startled, trotted towards the moose. 



Circling round and round m interested amaze- 

 ment, with sniffing noses and extended necks, the 

 beautiful creatures investigated the unknown. 



13 



