THE MOOSE 17 



inland lake some three miles distant. There, 

 with antlers locked and united for ever, are 

 two huge bull moose. The first challenge 

 came from this very bay. It was answered : the 

 voice was madly pursued, until confronting him 

 in this desolate spot stood the king of the 

 forest, eager for the fray. 



"They fought with equal madness. The 

 shock of their charge seemed to vibrate through 

 the forest : from their lips fell a foam, and 

 from their eyes darted forth red streams of 

 fire. Their thick, massive shoulders hardly 

 quivered when the flesh was gored and torn. 

 The breath came from their broad nostrils like 

 steam escaping from a vent. Such a combat 

 could not last. How well matched they are ! 

 It is difficult to accede to the one or the other 

 an advantage of one ounce of weight or an inch 

 of height. 



" See ! they have broken loose from that 

 last, long contact, and each has withdrawn as 

 though the laurels of victory cannot be won. 

 They stand panting and waiting, each expectant 

 of the other. It is for the last charge. How 

 noble they look even in their ferocity, gathering 

 up those strong muscles, with head erect to 



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