The boys had not forgotten about the deer they had seen, and one somewhat cloudy morning they started across the lake in the rowboat, taking their guns and some provisions along. They headed directly for the spot where the game had been seen and then hunted for the trail.
"Here it is!" cried Shep, presently. "And it looks to be fresh."
"You are right," answered Snap. "And that proves that the deer have been here since that heavy rain. Now, boys, if we follow this trail with care we may be able to bring down something worth while."
And then they set off to follow the trail, little dreaming of the strange adventure in store for them.
CHAPTER XV
THE CAVE IN THE MOUNTAIN
The opposite shore of the lake was rocky and full of brushwood, and it was rather difficult to follow the deer tracks, which occasionally led directly across the rocks. Once in a while they would miss the trail and then a grand hunt for prints would be instituted, until the trail was recovered. They passed over one small hill and then came to a broad hollow, fronting something of a mountain.
"I see some deer!" cried Whopper, pointing with his hand. "Five or six of 'em."
The young hunter was right, and all gazed at the game with longing eyes. The deer were more than a third of a mile away, on the mountainside.
"Let me see," said Snap, "the wind is blowing from the west. So we had better make a semicircle and come up on the other side of the game. If we don't, the wind will carry our scent to them and they'll be off like a shot."