Page:A Wild-Goose Chase - Balmer - 1915.djvu/227

Rh either send him scurrying away or, if he stood at bay, he must destroy the hunger-weakened dogs as they came up. They were gaunt, slow, in no shape to dodge quickly or to give fight. The big animal came up over another ice ridge. The three hunters called to each other, crouched, aimed and fired almost together, then fired again and again. The big animal seemed not struck by the first fire; only the roar of the rifles or now the noise of the dogs seemed to reach him.

He stopped and stood erect, a straight, distinct target, and the rifles rang out again. The tall beast toppled and fell. He tumbled forward and slipped down the side of the ridge. As he slid slowly the rifles emptied to make sure of the game; then the dogs rushed close and were upon the animal.

"Got him!" Latham cried.

"Got him!" Geoff echoed, exultant.

Brunton wasted no words. "The dogs! They'll tear it up. Quick!"

The three ran, stumbling and slipping over the hummocks. The dogs indeed had reached their quarry. The men could hear them