"We are after other game to-day," observed Snap, grimly.
"If only we have the same success as we had when we caught that nigger," came from Whopper. "That was dead easy."
"I don't think we'll catch him asleep," said Shep. "He is a wide-awake fellow, if nothing else."
On and on they went, covering several miles. They passed the trees that were loaded with nuts, but did not stop, and soon came in sight of the clearing.
"Now go slow," cautioned Snap. "If he sees us from a distance he may take it into his head to run away."
"Maybe one or two of us had better go forward and investigate," suggested Giant.
This was thought a good plan, and Snap and Shep went forward, slowly and cautiously, until they gained the very edge of the clearing.
"I see smoke coming out of the chimney," said Snap. "That would seem to show he is still there."
The door to the old cottage was tightly closed, and growing bolder, the two young hunters walked to it and knocked loudly.
"See that he doesn't slip out the other way," whispered Snap to his chum, and Shep at once ran around to the other side of the building.