THE ORDEAL 



Here he gains a little on the men 

 until an open glade is reached, 

 where, finding that they press him 

 still, he turns, and beginning with a 

 shambling trot, breaks into a gallop, 

 and with ears pricked and fire in his 

 eye comes in at the charge. It is 

 met with all the shock of a firmly 

 held spear and a fast-moving horse, 

 and he reels back repulsed but not 

 daunted ; a second time he hurls 

 himself against a foe, and a second 

 time the deadly spear crashes into 

 him. He can do no more. Dis- 

 abled, he sinks on his haunches, his 

 jaws, champing in anger, drop foam 

 and blood. As his enemies once 

 more approach he turns to face 

 them, his little eyes gleaming red 

 with rage, but he cannot rise, and a 

 114 



