“We must get out to-day for those deer,” said Joe. “If we don’t go soon some wild animals will get at them sure.”
The high winds had swept the rocks free of all loose snow, so traveling was not as difficult as it had been. They went again on snowshoes, and took their firearms as before.
“As we are not after any big game we can now shoot anything that strikes our fancy,” said Joe, and on the way bagged several rabbits and a wild turkey, while Harry knocked over several ruffled grouse, or pheasants.
“Not a bad haul in itself,” said Joe, when their game bags were fairly stuffed with their quarry. “Counting these, and the deer, and the bear, I reckon we have done as well as many older hunters could do.”
On and on they went until, about noon, they came to the patch of forest in which they had formerly camped.
“Here are some fresh tracks!” cried Harry, presently. “Some hunter has been around here, either this morning or yesterday.”
“I don’t see anybody,” answered his companion, after a long look around.
“Nor do I.”
“Hope our deer are safe,” went on Joe, suddenly, remembering the trouble they had had with Yellow Blanket.
They pushed on and soon reached the site of the former camp. The two deer hung as they had left them, and the boys drew a long sigh of relief.