ther, and
so when not far from Mr Ross and Alec's hiding place they suddenly
appeared in a clear, elevated spot, and supposing they were now close to
their companions they turned suddenly and gave each other battle. And a
royal battle it was! A moose bull at the best is not handsome, but an
angry, infuriated moose bull, when his temper is up, is one of the most
hideous of monsters. The long, coarse hair of his head and neck seems
to be all turned in the wrong direction, his small eyes have a most
wicked gleam in them, and, taking him altogether, we know of no picture
more likely to cause a person who sees him to have the next night the
nightmare.

With a roar they rushed at each other, and as their great antlered heads
met in the shock of battle it was a sight not often seen. They each
seemed as though they were resolved to conquer in the first round, and
appeared surprised at not having been able to succeed.

It undoubtedly would have been interesting to some people to have
witnessed the battle between these two well-matched moose bulls to a
finish, but the practical Indians know a thing or two about their meat,
and one is that the meat of a moose that has been in battle for a couple
of hours or so is apt to be so soft and spongy and full of air bubbles
that a hungry dog will hardly eat it. They also know, on the other
hand, that moose meat when in prime condition is the finest venison in
the world. The Indians were also well aware that the bulls now engaged
in battle would take but little heed of any other foes. They therefore
quickly gathered in with Frank and Sam to the spot where Mr Ross and
Alec were hidden, and there in quiet whispers arranged their plans for
the killing of the two great moose ere the fierce battle had much longer
continued.

The Indians were anxious that the boys should have the honour of killing
them, but Mr Ross hesitated to expose any one of them to the fierce
rush of an infuriated wounded moose bull in case the bullet had not done
its work. The Indians, cautious though they are, however, saw here an
opportunity such as might not for a long time be theirs, and so pleaded
for them, and promised to so place themselves as to be ready with a
reserve fire if it should be necessary.

To Frank and Alec the honour of the first fire was given. If this did
not immediately bring both of the moose down Mr Ross and Sam were to
fire next, while the Indians would be as a reserve in case of emer