THE FOREST KING 179 



skilled ears, the crash of horns, and the imperative 

 snorts which tell so much. Listening carefully, the 

 man judged that one bull was having much the 

 best of the fray, and was driving the other before 

 him. Soon he came upon the spot where the 

 combat commenced, as was clearly evidenced by 

 the trampled snow and broken bushes. 



Following up the sounds, he came within sight 

 of the great deer, who were moving rapidly, and 

 tried a long shot, missing both beasts ignominiously, 

 but was not disconcerted. Experience had taught 

 him that stifF-handed shooting is useless with the 

 rushing moose, and that to be successful one must 

 aim well in front of the quarry, following the beast 

 with the rifle. And this had been impossible. 



The attempt had its effect, though. In the 

 general sauve qui pent following on the crack of the 

 rifle, Moosewa took to the open, since the narrow 

 yards were congested by flurried amblers getting in 

 each other's way. 



The leader was parted from his company — all the 

 hunter desired. The snow was just of the right 

 consistency for snow-shoes, which meant a dis- 

 advantage to the deer, who put on the pace as 

 he realized he was pursued. 



