94 



TMWayof 

 ffl/e 0)o/f 



Again, as the cubs hunted rabbits, they 

 would hear a crash of brush and a furious 

 challenge as some quarrelsome stag winded 

 them; and the mother with her cubs gath- 

 ered close about her would watch alertly for 

 his headlong rush. As he charged out the 

 wolves would scatter and leap nimbly aside, 

 then sit down on their tails in a solemn circle 

 and watch as if studying. the strange beast. 

 Again and again he would rush upon them, 

 only to find that he was fighting the wind. 

 Mad as a hornet, he would single out a cub 

 and follow him headlong through brush and 

 brake till some subtle warning thrilled through 

 his madness, telling him to heed his flank; 

 then as he whirled he would find the savage 

 old mother close at his heels, her white fangs 

 bared and a dangerous flash in her eyes 

 as she saw the hamstring so near, so easy 

 to reach. One spring and a snap, and the 

 ramping, masterful stag would have been 

 helpless as a rabbit, his tendons cut cleanly 

 at the hock ; another snap and he must come 

 down, spite of his great power, and be food 

 for the growing cubs that sat on their tails 



