Another short hunting story. This time about wolves chasing a stag.
A stags desperate gamble.
The sound of a stag’s territorial roar echoed through the crisp fall air of a high mountain valley, where it attracted the attention of a pack of timber wolves. The pack leader turns with his ears up and sniffed the air. Again the stags call is heard, and this time the pack circles toward the sound while hoping to find the scent trail of the large deer.
It isn’t long before the trail is found, and the wolves break into a run. It had been several days since the pack had a good meal, so their hunger sped them on. Otherwise if they had been more cautious, the male deer might not have seen them as quick as he did.
Even with a head start the pack was soon closing the distance between them as there was little to slow the pack in an open pristine forest. Ahead lay a fast mountain stream that the stag easily bounded across, though the wolves found the water so deep they had to swim. The fast current slammed one of the pack against a boulder knocking him senseless, and his body was swept away not to be seen again.
Another was nearly lost, but found her footing, and lost little time following the rest of the pack. Though they had lost sight of the deer they stayed on its trail, their howls and barking sped the stag forward over a rocky ridge and down into another valley. The pack leader now only a few dozen yards behind the large deer, only had thoughts of catching his prey, or to stop him anyway he could.
The stag was heading for a narrow chasm, if he could jump it he would be safe. It was a gamble of desperation. If he made it he would live, if he didn’t he would fall to his death, and the wolves would have him. If he didn’t try they would have him anyway.
His decision was made in an instant, he sailed over brush, and past large rocks. Then the chasm at its narrowest, a point where he thought he could jump came into view. The alpha wolf was nearly upon the stag by now, and perhaps knew the stags plan as he was frantically trying to grab one of the large deer’s hind legs, but was kicked away instead.
Even though the stag was getting tired he had no choice but to try, and moments later the great deer jumped, his powerful hind legs propelling him through the air to cross the rifts expanse. Time appeared to stand still as his body seemed to hang in space. The alpha wolf watched while sliding to a stop at the canyons edge, then stood as the stag landed heavily on a lower rocky outcrop across the way. His hooves scrambling to gain a footing while the great wolf panted, perhaps hoping his prey might yet fall.
This day brought no luck to the wolves, the rest of the pack arrived and watched the stag gain his footing and was soon out of sight. Many times even powerful predators loose and go hungry for another day.
End.
Hope you all enjoyed the story.
Comments and helpful suggestions always welcome.
Old Rabbit