lant. Of his own prowess, his power
to supplant all rivals, he had no doubt. But hitherto he had found
none to answer his challenge, and his humour was testy. He had no idea
what sort of an animal it was that was making such objectionable
noises on the other side of the hill; but whatever it might be, he did
not like it. He knew it was not a bear. He knew it was not a
bull-moose. And of nothing else that walked the forest did he stand in
deference, when the courage of rutting-time was upon him.

Stepping daintily, the red buck reached the top of the hill and saw
the bull below him. A formidable antagonist, surely! The buck stopped
where he was. He had now less inclination to pick a quarrel; but he
was consumed with curiosity. What could the heavy red and white beast
be up to, with his grunting and bellowing, his pawings of the sod, and
his rampings to and fro? The buck could see no object for such
defiance, no purpose to such rage. It was plain to him, however, that
those two odd-looking, rather attractive little animals, who stood
aside and watched the bull's rantings, were in no way the cause or
object, as the bull completely ignored them. Growing more and more
inquisitive as he gazed, the buck took a few steps down the slope, and
again paused to investigate.

At this point the bull caught sight of the intruder, and wheeled
sharply. His half-artificial rage against the man was promptly
forgotten. Who was this daring trespasser, advancing undismayed into
the very heart of his domain? He stared for a moment or two in
silence, lashing his tail wrathfully. Then, with a rumbling bellow
deep in his throat, he lowered his head and charged.

This was a demonstration which the red buck could very well
understand, but his ill-humour had been swallowed up in curiosity,
and he was not now so ready to fight. In fact, it was with large
apprehension that he saw that dangerous bulk charging upon him, and
his great, liquid eyes opened wide. He stood his ground, however, till
the bull was almost upon him, and then bounded lightly aside.

The bull, infuriated at this easy evasion, almost threw himself in his
effort to stop and turn quickly; and in a few seconds he charged
again. This time the charge was down-hill, which doubled its speed and
resistlessness. But again the buck sprang aside, and the bull
thundered on for a score of yards, ploughing up the turf in the fierce
effort to stop himself.

And now the big, wondering eyes of