"They are there, sure enough," exclaimed the doctor's son.
"Shall we go back for our skates?" asked Snap.
"No, there isn't time."
Without further words the four boy hunters started to cross Firefly Lake, stepping as much as possible on the portions that did not look extra slippery. Yet more than one went down with a thump, and this delayed them not a little.
"Where are the deer?" queried Snap, when the other side of the lake was gained.
All looked around, and while one went up the shore, another went down, and then two hurried into the forest, which at this point was extra thick.
"Here are the tracks!" cried Snap, and began to run forward, with the others close at his heels.
But alas! the tracks soon came to an end, on a series of rocks which the wind had swept clear of snow. Beyond this point the ground was so uneven that progress was difficult.
The boys gazed around in perplexity. They had expected some easy shooting. Now the game was gone and they did not know where to look for it.
"May as well go back to camp," said Snap at last. "Remember, we left that tramp in full possession."