"Yes. And how it will please Phil's parents to have Mr. Lawrence's brother back!" responded Roger. "As it was, they did not know whether he was dead or alive. It's a terrible thing to——"
Roger broke off short, for at that instant Dave clapped his hand over his chum's mouth and drew him quickly behind a nearby tree. They were well in advance of their friends, and now our hero motioned the others to keep back.
"What is it? What is the trouble?" called out Ben.
"It's a deer, keep quiet!" answered Dave, in a low tone.
"A deer! Where?" questioned Roger.
"Over yonder, by the white birch."
The senator's son looked in the direction indicated, but for the moment saw nothing out of the ordinary. Then, however, a head appeared from between some bushes back of the white birch, and presently a beautiful deer stalked into view.
"I see him," whispered Roger, excitedly. "There is your chance, Dave, plug him!"
Our hero already had the rifle raised. He was about to pull the trigger when he paused, for he had seen the bushes back of the deer move.
"What's up? Why don't you shoot?" whispered Roger, his voice betraying excitement.