They went through the cut between the hills with a rush, their quick feet padding lightly on the sod. Out upon the prairie they debouched, gradually separating so as to have a better chance at the elks.
The latter kept their heads down, feeding. The patter of the horses’ hoofs upon the sod was almost soundless. The boys were coming up behind the elks and in another minute—
Dig began to raise his rifle slowly; Poke was running with free bridle, for his master could guide him by the pressure of his knees as well as by pulling on the bit.
But Dig was too early. They were not to come so easily upon the elks. Of a sudden the grazing animals jerked up their heads and glanced around. It did not seem as though they could have seen the hunters; but they caught the vibration of the pounding hoofs.
They were off like darts, swerving from the direction the boys came, stretching out to reach the swell of the nearest hillock.
“Come on!” yelled Chet, and pounded Hero in the flank with his heels.
The horses seemed to enter into the spirit of the chase. They thundered up the rise at the heels of the elks. Dig wanted to shoot at once; but Chet begged him not to.
“You’ll be shooting right into the air as we go up hill!” he shouted. “You’ll shoot clean over their heads, Dig.”
“I don’t want to lose my chance as I did with those buffaloes,” returned Dig, much worried.
“Wait till we’re over the rise. Then we can shoot down on them—”