At the same moment Roger himself caught the low thud of hoofs. Some animal was certainly approaching them, and the singular “clicking” that accompanied each thud told them the beast must have cloven hoofs like those of a deer.
A few seconds passed during which the strange sounds grew louder, and then, as the bushes parted, the two boys gazed upon a sight such as had never before greeted their astonished eyes.
CHAPTER XXII
THE DEATH OF THE BULL MOOSE
Seen for the first time in all their experience as hunters of big game, the animal that stood there facing the two boys was remarkable enough to arouse their interest to fever pitch.
Tawny of hue, and possessing an enormous muzzle, together with towering horns, the giant moose filled Roger with a sense of exaltation. The hunter instinct within the boy set his heart to beating like a trip-hammer, and his fingers involuntarily gripped his gun, his first instinct being to make use of the weapon.
The moose evidently did not suspect their presence nearby. So far as appearances went, the big, awkward animal was showing no signs of alarm.
Roger hastily threw his rifle up to his shoulder, and, without bothering to take exact aim, pulled the trigger. He never really knew why he did not drop the beast as he expected to do. It might be because this weapon did not compare with his own, which had been carried off by the treacherous Andrew Waller at the time the two boys were prisoners of the Dacotahs.