Read Black Angus Online

Authors: Newton Thornburg

Black Angus (30 page)

During the slaughter he had come upon the bull once and had let it run off. But finally it was the only animal left and Blanchard followed it into the woods at the base of the knob, meeting it in a small opening in the close-growing cedars. As before, the bull stood glaring at him with the same old mindless hatred, as if he were just any man and not Tommy's brother.

Blanchard decided against hitting the bull in the chest as he had most of the others and instead aimed directly at its head, at a point a few inches below the poll. Then he squeezed the trigger and the animal crashed to the ground. While its legs were still thrashing he turned and walked away, moving out of the woods and across the field toward his house in the distance. His clothes were heavy with sweat and he was aware of his heart pounding hard. He did not feel good or bad. He felt alive. That was all.

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