The six lads examined the three forks as best they could, and after a brief discussion decided to follow that leading southward.
“There is no use of getting too far from home,” said Gif. “As it is, we’ll be pretty tired by the time we get back.”
By noon the six boys were tired and hungry and perfectly willing to rest for the midday lunch. They had brought sandwiches, crackers and cake with them, and washed this food down with some water from a nearby spring. They took their time over the meal, and then rested for another half hour before resuming their hunt.
“Looks as if we were going to be skunked,” remarked Randy presently, after they had climbed up the side of a rough hill and then down again.
“Don’t say anything about skunks,” retorted Gif. “That’s one animal we don’t care to hit.”
“Oh, a skunk skin is quite valuable in these days,” said Spouter. “Just the same, I think we’ll leave those animals alone.”
Several times they stirred up some rabbits and squirrels, and often came across some birds. Once they heard a covey of partridges whirring upward, but they were almost out of sight behind the trees.
“There must be some pretty good hunting here in the late fall,” remarked Fred. He was sorry that they could not bring down some of the small game.
“Yes, it would be great to come up here when the season is open,” answered Gif.