And away he went, before Jack could utter a single protest.
Harry knew enough to keep out of sight, and to move along silently. He covered the ground with all the speed at his command, nevertheless, forcing his way through the woods and over rocks for nearly a quarter of a mile.
At this point the valley narrowed, and he was forced by the lay of the land to come out into the open.
As he had hoped, the two unwounded deer had come to a halt, and were standing on a rocky slope, looking back curiously, to learn what manner of fate had overtaken their companions.
They soon spied the young hunter, however, and turned to run on. It was then that Harry fired at the hindmost.
His aim was true, and the entire charge entered the creature’s back. He stumbled into the snow and rolled over and over.
Thinking him about done for, the boy ran forward to view his prize. Scarcely had he come within five yards, when the deer, a small but strong-built buck, scrambled up and charged upon him.
Harry leaped to one side in the nick of time. Had it been otherwise, those sharp prongs would have pierced him through and through. The buck staggered on several yards, and then turned and made a second assault.
Again Harry sprang out of the way. Then he started to run, but had gone scarcely thirty feet when he stumbled on an icy rock, slipped along a yard or two and fell forward.
The poor boy gave himself up as lost. But help was close at hand. The sharp report of Jack’s rifle rang out, and over tumbled the buck, shot through the eye, and quite dead.