Buster lost his nerve again, but this time was not to get away so easily. Two big trees stood back of him. He turned to run, and dashed headlong into the trees which stood close together.
Back he bounced, stunned by the force of the impact, just as the great moose lifted his forefeet high in air to strike.
Frank’s position was only twenty feet away.
Crack! His rifle spoke as he drew bead on the eye of this big animal, getting center just at the moment when the body was still, poised high in air.
Buster staggered to one side and fell to the ground.
The moose dropped his forefeet with a clack to the ground, not missing Buster’s body more than a foot, and staggered blindly against the trees.
The boys stood as if rooted.
For a moment the great animal wavered in his struggle to stand, then the front legs seemed to crumble beneath the weight, the body settled forward, the head dropped to one side, and then the entire body toppled against the trees!
Frank watched it all with wonderful interest.
“I believe we got it!” he called. “Don’t go too close! Let’s be sure!”