CHAPTER XIII
A FIGHT WITH AN ELK
"Look out, Mark, he is coming for you!"
"Jump out of the way, or he'll horn you sure!"
Such were the cries uttered by Bob and Maybe Dixon, as the big elk charged upon Mark.
The boy was taken somewhat by surprise, but he did not lose his presence of mind. He made a quick leap to one side, and the elk struck one of the trees growing close to the pool. Then, before the animal could turn, Mark blazed away with his shotgun, hitting the elk in the side of the head.
"That's the way to do it," said Maybe Dixon, who was reloading with all speed.
The shots had caused the other elk to depart in haste. But the wounded animal was more ugly than ever, and now made a leap for Bob, who had just picked up a heavy stone. The former sailor had let drive, hitting the elk in the nose. Then, as the animal paused once more, Maybe Dixon's rifle spoke up a second time, and a ball passed into the elk's stomach. The animal fell over with a snort and a grunt and began to paw the air wildly.
"Hurrah! we've got him down!" cried Mark. "Now let us finish him."