Slowly the buck came down to the water’s edge, raising his head every few steps, and sniffing the air suspiciously. Behind him came six deer, all of fair size and all equally timid.
As the game came closer the boys’ hearts began to thump madly within their bosoms. Never had they seen such a fine collection of deer, and never had they had a better chance to bring down the game.
“Which will you take?” whispered Joe, when he could remain silent no longer.
“I’d like to try for the buck, but——” Harry hesitated.
“We’ll have to let him go, Harry. His meat would be as tough as leather. Take the one next to him, and I’ll take one further back.”
So it was agreed, and resting their long rifles on the rocks in front of them the two young pioneers took careful aim at the game.
“Ready, Harry?”
“Yes.”
Crack! crack! the two rifles spoke almost as one piece, and as the echo arose on the air two of the deer were seen to leap and shiver, and then pitch over on their sides.
“Hurrah! we’ve got ’em both!” shouted Joe, and sprang to his feet.