ting
than what he had traversed. Confidently he pushed upon the woven
obstacle; but to his amazement it did not give way before him. He eyed
it resentfully. How absurd that so frail a thing should venture to
forbid him passage! He thrust upon it again, more brusquely, to be
just as brusquely denied. The hot blood blazed to his head, and he
dashed himself upon it with all his strength. The impenetrable but
elastic netting yielded for a space, then sprang back with an
impetuosity that flung him clear off his feet. He fell with a loud
grunt, lay for a moment dismayed, then got up and eyed his
incomprehensible adversary with a blank stare. He was learning so many
strange lessons that it was difficult to assimilate them all at once.

The following morning, when he was feasting on a pile of the willow
and poplar forage which he loved, and which had appeared as if by
magic close beside the mysterious barrier, he saw some men, perhaps a
hundred yards away, throw open a section of the barrier. Forgetting to
be angry at their intrusion on his range, he watched them curiously. A
moment more, and a little herd of his own kind, apparently quite
indifferent to the men, followed them into the range. He was not
surprised at their appearance, for his nose had already told him there
were moose about. But he was surprised to see them on friendly terms
with man.

There were several cows in the herd, with a couple of awkward
yearlings; and the King, much gratified, ambled forward with huge
strides to meet them and take them under his gracious protection. But
a moment later two fine young bulls came into his view, following the
rest of the herd at a more dignified pace. The King stopped, lowered
his mighty front, laid back his ears like an angry stallion, and
grunted a hoarse warning. The stiff black hair along his neck slowly
arose and stood straight up.

The two young bulls stared in stupid astonishment at this tremendous
apparition. It was not the fighting season, so they had no jealousy,
and felt nothing but a cold indifference toward the stranger. But as
he came striding down the field his attitude was so menacing, his
stature so formidable, that they could not but realize there was
trouble brewing. It was contrary to all traditions that they should
take the trouble to fight in midwinter, when they had no antlers and
their blood was sluggish. Nevertheless, they could not brook to be so
affronted, as it were, in their own citadel.