Character of the Elk. 115 



Beneath some sheltering Tree they form their fold, 

 And duly every Morning browse around 

 The trodden circle. Bending with a Load 

 Of Snow, the thickly-foliaged Hemlock here 

 Invites them ; reaching high with Horns reclined. 

 They pluck, but starting upward springs the Bough, 

 While o'er their shoulders falls the clotted Shower. 

 With less deception there the Maple yields 

 Nutritious Twigs ; and then well-pleased they rob 

 The slender Trip-up of its folded Leaves 

 Attractive. Thus they pass their Wintry days 

 Till Spring returning raises the Blockade. 

 — Chac'd by the Hunter's Dogs, alarm'd, they fly. 

 While fast behind the hedious howl of War 

 Approaches ; near and nearer still it comes, 

 Till wheeling round at once in phalanx firm 

 They face the fierce assailants. Discord reigns, 

 And mingled howlings wake the lonely Woods. 

 Ill fares the heedless Cur : as down the steep 

 ■Some Hemlock pitches thundering on the Rocks : 

 So on his Back their horrid horns descend, 

 Or from their vengeful Hoofs sore maim'd he moves 

 With loud lamenting Yell. Yet hence they bleed 

 The Victims of the Rifle's whirling Ball. 



NOTES. 



They fly nuith fearful steps the Haunts of Man. 



We perceived an Elk on the opposite shore, com- 

 ing to the Lake. As soon as he approached our 



