ng
buffet across the face, broke down his foe's guard and bore him to the
ground by sheer weight. Here, in this close embrace, the hinder claws
of both came into play with hideous effect. The clamour died down to a
tense, desperate, gasping snarl; for now the verdict of life or death
was a matter of moments. But in this fearful and final test, when
there was no more room for fencing, no more time for strategy, the
more powerful hind legs and longer, more eviscerating claws of the
lynx had the decisive advantage. Though borne down, and apparently
getting the worst of the fight, the master of Ringwaak was in reality
ripping his enemy to pieces from beneath. All at once the latter
sprang away with a scream, stood for a second erect and rigid, then
sank limp beside the torn carcass of the doe.

The lynx, badly torn and bitten, but with no fatal injury, pounced
upon the unresisting body of the catamount and mauled it till well
assured of the completeness of his victory. Then, heedless of his
wounds, he mounted the carcass of the doe, lifted his head high, and
screeched his challenge across the night. No answer coming, he tore a
mouthful of the meat to emphasize possession, stepped down, and crept
off to nurse his hurts in some dark retreat; for not easy had been the
task of defending his lordship. When all was still once more on
Ringwaak, presently descended again the enchantment of the mystic
light. And under its transforming touch even the torn bodies lying
before the bright face of the rock lost their hideousness, becoming
remote, and unsubstantial and visionary.

The Decoy

High above the flat-spread earth, their strong wings driving them at
tremendous speed through the thin, cold air of dawn, the wild-goose
flock journeyed north. In the shape of an irregular V they journeyed,
an old gander, wise and powerful, at the apex of the aerial array. As
they flew, their long necks stretched straight out, the living air
thrilled like a string beneath their wing-beats. From their throats
came a throbbing chorus, resonant, far-carrying, mysterious,--_honka,
honka, honka, honk, honka, honk_. It seemed to be the proper utterance
of altitude and space.

The flight was as true as if set by a compass; but the longer limb of
the V would curve and swerve sinuously from time to time as the weaker
or less experienced members of the flock wavered in their alignment.
Flat, low-lying forests, and lonely meres, and rough, isolated