Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Heinemann Volume 4).djvu/46

 Heard the crunching of his hoof, Saw the branches of one antler. Softly then among the boulders I crept forward on my belly. Crouched in the moraine I peered up;— Such a buck, so sleek and fat, You, I'm sure, have ne'er set eyes on.

No, of course not!

Bang! I fired. Clean he dropped upon the hillside. But the instant that he fell, I sat firm astride his back, Gripped him by the left ear tightly, And had almost sunk my knife-blade In his neck, behind his skull— When, behold! the brute screamed wildly. Sprang upon his feet like lightning, With a back-cast of his head From my fist made knife and sheath fly, Pinned me tightly by the thigh, Jammed his horns against my legs, Clenched me like a pair of tongs;— Then forthwith away he flew Right along the Gendin-Edge!

[Involuntarily.]

Jesus save us!

Have you ever Chanced to see the Gendin-Edge? Nigh on four miles long it stretches Sharp before you like a scythe.