SANCTUARY 185 



down the quarry, the largest of the wolves, con- 

 ducting a systematic and well-planned attack, jump 

 at the deer's head, confusing him, at the same time 

 avoiding the driving blows of the powerful antlers 

 and razor hoofs, the while other wolves of lesser 

 fighting degree endeavour to cut the unguarded 

 hamstrings. 



With the death fear surging through his veins, 

 rising to his throat, and almost choking him, and 

 muscles aching from long - continued strain, the 

 moose made off in a pacing gait, like that of a 

 trotting horse, striving as he went to choose a path 

 which should not let him down. Here and there 

 the snow, banked up by the wind, formed soUd 

 walls that barred his progress ; now and again a 

 heavy torrent, dull- sounding under its coverlet of 

 ice, turned the hunted creature aside. He to whom 

 in times of peace the strongest rampart the bush 

 can build meant nothing at all, now felt his 

 impotency. 



The tremendous vitality which carried him 

 through anything was going ; he felt it ebbing, 

 with each laboured breath. Rotten roots, deep- 

 buried, sought to trip him up ; branches of trees, 

 upholding streaming trains of snow, let down their 



S4 



