154
ADVENTURES OF NILS
beneath their hoofs; the breath came like smoke from their nostrils out of their throats ;
strained
hideous bellowings,
and the froth
oozed down on their shoulders. On the knolls round about breathless
silence
wrestlers clinched.
while
In
all
emotions were awakened.
the
there skilled
stag-
the animals
Each and
was
new
all felt
courageous and strong; enlivened by returning powers; born again with the spring; sprightly, and ready for all kinds of adventures. They felt no enmity toward each other, although, everywhere, wings were lifted, If neck-feathers raised and claws sharpened. the stags from Hackeberga had continued another instant, a wild struggle would have arisen on the knolls, for all had been gripped with a burning desire to show that they too were full of life because the winter's impotence was over and strength surged through their bodies.
But the stags stopped wrestling just at moment, and instantly a whisper 'The cranes are went from knoll to knoll: the right
coming!"