“Sure I do,” instantly replied the other. “I’m just wild to get another chance to knock over a six-pronged buck; and now that I know the ropes, it’s easy as falling off a log. Looks like this snow ain’t agoing to amount to much, after all; and we’ve got pretty nearly half a day ahead of us yet. So let’s keep on for a while. When I get a little tired, we’ll stop to eat our snack of grub, when I can rest up, and be ready for another hour or two. But I’m afraid my luck has turned, and we won’t sight another deer this blessed day; do you, Thad?”
“We’ll hope to, at any rate,” replied the other, as he started off again; “and it’s that constant expectation of starting up game that makes hunting all it’s cracked up to be. So come along, Step Hen; and if we fail to bring in our share of venison it won’t be because we lay down too easy. Now for quiet again, remember, and keep a constant lookout ahead.”
CHAPTER XI.
OVERTAKEN BY DARKNESS.
It must have been a long time after the noon hour when Step Hen did as he had promised, called a halt in order that they might eat their lunch, and take a rest.
As the cold was still with them, though the snow had thus far amounted to but little, Step Hen insisted on starting a small fire, at which they could sit, and be comfortable, while they devoured the food provided for the midday meal.
“You make a fire as quick as the next one, Step Hen,” admitted Thad, really meaning what he said, and at the same time wishing to raise the drooping spirits of his hunting mate, who was feeling very sore over the loss of his game.
“Oh! I don’t pretend to know much about starting a blaze in half a dozen styles, the way Giraffe’s got it down pat,” observed the other, smiling a little; “but if you pin me down to going at it the easiest way, with matches, and dead pine cones, why I’m there every time. And say, it does feel some handy, don’t it, Thad?”
They sat there, and chatted for quite a long time after they had consumed the last morsel of food. And during that resting spell Step Hen picked up many a crumb of useful knowledge concerning the ways of the woods. Thad did not know all that Allan Hollister had learned through practical experience; but he had made the most of his opportunities when belonging to that other troop of scouts; and never forgot what he learned.
“Let’s be agoin’ on again,” remarked Step Hen, finally, scrambling to his feet, and picking up his little rifle with a new eagerness.