[Illustration]
[Illustration]
Far below him, to the right and to the left and on and on as far as the eye
could reach, was the great kingdom that once had been his: where he had
lived for years in the glory of his strength; where none had dared to meet
him face to face. The whole earth could show no view more beautiful. But
Wahb had no thought of its beauty; he only knew that it was a good land to
live in; that it had been his, but that now it was gone, for his strength
was gone, and he was flying to seek a place where he could rest and be at
peace.
Away over the Shoshones, indeed, was the road to the Park, but it was far,
far away, with a doubtful end to the long, doubtful journey. But why so
far? Here in this little gulch was all he sought; here were peace and
painless sleep. He knew it; for his nose, his never-erring nose, said,
"_Here! here now!_"
He paused a moment at the gate, and as he stood the wind-borne fumes began
their subtle work. Five were the faithful wardens of his life, and the best
and trustiest of them all flung open wide the door he long had kept. A
moment still Wahb stood in doubt. His lifelong guide was silent now, had
given up his post. But another sense he felt within. The Angel of the Wild
Things was standing there, beckoning, in the little vale. Wahb did not
understand. He had no eyes to see the tear in the Angel's eyes, nor the
pitying smile that was surely on his lips. He could not even see the Angel.
But he _felt_ him beckoning, beckoning.
[Illustration: "HE PAUSED A MOMENT AT THE GATE."]
A rush of his ancient courage surged in the Grizzly's rugged breast. He
turned aside into the little gulch. The deadly vapors entered in, filled
his huge chest and tingled in his vast, heroic limbs as he calmly lay down
on the rocky, herbless floor and as gently went to sleep, as he did that
day in his Mother's arms by the Graybull, long ago.
[Illustration]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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