Big Salmon Lake A Moment Away

step after step after step-

every muscle was coiled springlike and pupils dilated like bottomless pits in loamy soil awaiting something to stumble and fall into them. 

despite caution heshe almost wanted to be spotted to have reason to leap and bark and chase and bite-

shehe would be granted that wish.

some old sense must've flared with the old pronghorn doe because it lifted and twisted its head and saw the dog and in a moment of stillness it was just the doe and the hunteress staring gazing into one another and it all lasted three heartbeats-

and as both hearts quickened, the moment shortened.

the antelope sprung and made a sharp turn away, and the greyhound sprang forth and at once they were in a race along the rim of the watering hole

and straight towards the wolf waiting in hiding.