XI AWAY TO THE MOOSE-GROUND 221 



good head, and one which I have not seen beaten as regards 

 its perfect symmetry, with long points running all the way 

 up the horn on each side. Again the number of points was 

 only 23, but the head measured very little under 68 inches 

 from tip to tip, and had very fine palmations on each horn. 

 What the size of the other bull's head was I have never 

 dared to conjecture, but it is certain that this really fine head 

 looked quite small beside the bigger one as the two bulls 

 stood close together. While waiting for the natives to come 

 up, my first sensation on viewing the dead beast was one of 

 pride at having slain so good a trophy. This was shortly 

 followed by a feeling of remorse as I stood silently regard- 

 ing the fallen monarch, a mere pigmy myself in comparison 

 with his size, holding in my hand the small but deadly 

 weapon, an invention of modern gunsmith's craft, from which 

 a few seconds before a small lead missile had stilled for ever 

 the heart beating inside the huge frame now lying an inert 

 mass at my feet. Shortly it would become, for the greater 

 part, the food of bears, foxes, and ravens, or other roving 

 marauders, all of which he while living had held in sovereign 

 contempt, as king in his own domain. Alas, poor beast, that 

 you should thus end your days, in order that your head and 

 horns may be conveyed thousands of miles to adorn walls in 

 the home of a wandering British sportsman ! Far better is 

 this, however, could you but know it, than that the horns on 

 which you prided yourself, and relied on for defence against 

 your own species and others, should be left to lie and rot on 

 the ground, had you fallen (as it is more than likely that you 

 would) by the hand of some native, hunting for meat. Rest 

 assured that long after you are forgotten in your own land, these 

 trophies may be for many years the admired and treasured 

 possession of your slayer, and of those who come after him. 



