“Well, there is your landmark, anyway,” said Andy. “I hope nobody disturbed the game.”
“It looks all right,” answered his chum. “But of course the snow would cover any tracks, even if the game was disturbed.”
With eager hands they uncovered the mound, and soon brought to light the big moose with his wide-spreading antlers.
“Certainly a dandy!” cried Andy, as he surveyed the game. “You can be thankful he didn’t hit you before you reached the tree, Chet. He would have smashed you into a jelly.”
“Well, as it was, he caused Mr. Dawson a bad fall.”
The boys went back to the trees, and after a careful inspection, took a hatchet and cut a long branch for a drag. On this they bound the deer, and then started on the return to Professor Jeffer’s cabin, hauling their load behind them.
It was hard work to make progress through the deep snow, and they had to rest several times to catch their breath.
“I think we had better take the long way around,” said Chet, after half the distance had been covered. “We can’t very well get up the hill this side of the cabin, and, besides, there is a bad gully to cross this side of the brook.”
“You show the way,” answered his chum. “You know these parts a little better than I do.”
By the new route they had to pass through a patch of woods where the snow made the branches of the trees hang low. It was hard work to pass between some of the trees, and once it looked as if they would have to turn back.