373 



Bert had not taken the horn from 

 his lips when I saw his body stiffen 

 with attention, and the next instant 

 I heard a low thudding that struck 

 straight to my heart. It could mean 

 but one thing, a heavy animal coming 

 toward us on a run. 



Bert handed me the gun quickly. 

 An angry bull moose at close quarters 

 is not the safest form of entertain- 

 ment. The thudding stopped sud- 

 denly and at the same second burst 

 upon me a beautiful vision. Across 

 the tiny lake and above the low 

 willows loomed a magnificent animal, 

 head carried erect proudly he bore 

 two broad blades of conquest. I 

 even seemed to see the blazing 

 glances that shot out from his eyes. 

 A superb creature full of strength 

 and beauty and passion. At his 

 feet was the placid water doubling 

 his stature in its mirror, beyond 

 were the solemn masses of the forest, 

 and now the sun seized that moment 

 to surprise this secluded spot and 

 struck a fitting bar of gold across 

 the monarch's head. One foot up- 

 lifted he paused listening for another 

 sound to guide him toward his goal. 



