For one instant Joe had been of a mind to stand his ground and finish the loading of his gun. But now he saw that there would not be time in which to prime the weapon, and he made a rush behind some of the nearest bushes.
The buck came on and struck the bushes with terrific force, almost reaching the youth in spite of the thickness of the growth. Joe leaped further back and then ran for the rocks upon which Harry was standing.
“He means business, doesn’t he?” the young pioneer gasped.
“Yes, and you want to look out for his prongs,” answered Harry.
He, too, had been trying to reload his gun, but had not as yet been able to attend to the priming.
Again the buck turned, and, having disentangled himself from the bushes, rushed toward the rocks.
“Jump!” called Joe, and made a leap to the ground in the rear.
Instead of doing as his chum had done, Harry made a leap for a nearby tree and caught hold of one of the bottom branches. His weight, however, proved to be too much for the branch, and it sagged down to within four feet of the ground.
Once on the rocks the buck stared at first one boy and then the other, as if trying to decide which he should attack first. Then he saw Harry clutching the branch, and made a leap straight in that direction.
But Harry was not to be caught thus easily, and sliding around he faced the buck, still holding on to the limb with both hands.