Riley's Journey by P.L. Parker, Sandra Edwards Page B

smaller ones away from the rest and then they’ll coordinate the kill.” The others certainly seemed to be following this method of synchronizing their attack. Several others were distracting the lead animals while still others were forcing a smaller animal away from the herd. After several minutes of this concerted approach, the huge animals, realizing they were under attack, formed a defensive circle with the largest animals facing outward and the smaller ones inside for protection. The enraged animals charged the others repeatedly, trying to ram or stomp them to ground, all the while protecting those inside the safety of the circle. The young animal selected for slaughter managed to avoid capture by the others and ran back to the herd.
    “The others will probably give up now. Once the animals form a circle, there’s very little chance that they can take one. Generally they try to take one while they are spread out, but it’s almost impossible once they circle up. The moose will fight like crazy to protect the younger herd members, and the others just don’t have the ability to break through their line. Moose can be pretty ferocious when protecting their young.” He paused for a moment. “From what I’ve read, it’s believed the Megaceros were hunted to extinction by man.”
    Though the food chain was a fact of life, Riley was happy that the animals would be safe for now. They were a wondrous thing to see, and she had no interest in seeing any of them die. “Have you ever hunted them?”
    “A few times, but I wasn’t successful. I think there’s a better chance when there’s a group going after them. They’re pretty tough to bring down. Are you hungry?” Nathan handed her some jerky while he chewed on a piece. Riley took the strip of smoked meat, barely avoiding Demon’s quick snap.
    “Aha!” She yelped triumphantly, “think you’re pretty fast, don’t you?” She waved the meat slowly back and forth, teasing the dog unmercifully. Demon watched the piece of jerky, his jaws salivating as he imagined the taste. Relenting, Riley broke off a piece and tossed it to him. “What will the others do now? Will they give up?”
    “They’ll back off for now, but I suspect they’ll keep near the herd until they can take one or more down. There’s too much meat there to pass up.”
    “Do they hunt every day or only when necessary?” Food gathering took on a whole new level of importance when there wasn’t a grocery store in the picture.
    “From what I have seen, they mostly hunt every day, but I know they have provisions stored as well. I’ve watched their encampment a lot, just to observe their habits, that sort of thing, and there’s always a group that goes hunting each day if the weather permits, as well as those who fish on a regular basis. Food gathering is the central core of their existence.”
    Riley nodded; a lot could be endured over a full stomach. “This picnic would be better if we had some homemade bread, fresh fruit, and a bottle of wine,” she mentioned unnecessarily, “and where’s the ants?”
    Nathan laughed softly, his dark eyes sparkling as he snapped his fingers. “I knew I forgot something! Next time I’ll bring some. I’m sure the ants these days are big enough that two or three would be able to walk off with the entire meal.”
    “Great!” Riley grumbled. “Is anything small around here?” She tossed another piece of jerky to Demon, just for future good relations.
    “We should start back,” Nathan commented, “if you’re ready.” Without waiting for her answer, he turned and plowed along the same path as they had come. Nathan avoided looking at her as she stumbled a few times again, but she thought she saw his shoulders shake. Bite me, she thought, tripping again. These stupid snowshoes weren’t on her list of favorites.
    “Keep your eyes open,” Nathan warned, “with a herd that size so near, many of the larger predators will be in the area as