Again he sent the call echoing through the woods. The watchers strained ears and eyes, but nothing happened.
A third time he blew on the birchbark trumpet. Then they heard a cracking and crashing among the branches nearby and suddenly a huge creature came trotting up a small path that led into the woods and emerged into the clearing. So sudden was his appearance that it took their breath away and they sat perfectly motionless, marveling at the wide 54 spread of his antlers, his humpy, grotesque nose, and the little bell-like pouch that hung down from his neck. A moment he stood there, wearing a look of inquiry, his big nostrils quivering, and then he became aware of the presence of human beings, and turning in affright he fled up the path by which he had come. But in the moment he had stood there they had been able to get a good look at him.
As soon as he was gone they all sprang to their feet and began excitedly comparing notes on what they had seen.
“Did you ever see such big antlers?” said Sahwah. “So flat and wide. I always thought antlers were like the branches of a tree.”
“And the funny hump on his nose,” said Hinpoha.
“But did you ever see anything so funny as that thing hanging down from his neck?” said Katherine. “It looked just like a bell.”
“Let’s follow him,” said Sahwah enthusiastically, “and see if we can catch a glimpse of him again.”
For a while they could follow the footprints of the big creature in the soft mud along the river bank; then the tracks ceased abruptly. The moose had turned and dashed into the deep woods.
“Now which way did he go?” asked Sahwah.
“You are asking more than I can tell,” answered Uncle Teddy.